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ABI Newsletter,
Fall 2010
"Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen. " ~ John Steinbeck
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Director's Corner: Staying in touch |
"Reach out and touch someone" is becoming easier than ever now that we have added direct links to the Facebook and Twitter sites for the Animal Behavior Institute. Whether you are a current student, alumni or simply an interested party, take a moment to subscribe to keep abreast of the changes and updates taking place at ABI.
Speaking of changes, the Animal Behavior Institute will be rolling out a completely new website this winter. It will make important functions more readily accessible and will increase the ease of navigation. We will also be using a new platform for our courses beginning in September. We will replace eCollege with itsLearning, a more flexible course management system. All of the original teaching tools will still be available but there will be additional functions offered to enhance your learning experience. New and continuing students will receive a short orientation course to ensure a smooth transition to the platform.
Finally, please note that registration will be closing very soon for the Fall semester beginning September 16. Register now to reserve space in the course of your choice and avoid disappointment.
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| Military Spouse Program MyCAA back online |
After a temporary pause, the Department of Defense has announced that it is once again accepting new applications for the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) as of October 25, 2010. The Animal Behavior Institute is a preapproved education provider for this program. MyCAA provides up to $2,000 of financial assistance per year ($4,000 maximum) for military spouses who are pursuing credentials relative to their employment in suitable careers.
 In order to participate in this program, military spouses must establish a MyCAA account by visiting the MyCAA website at https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa. You can also set this up by phone by calling Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647. Eligible spouses will be allowed to create their career and training plan and to request financial assistance when they are within 90 days of course start dates. Spouses are also responsible for registering and enrolling with their chosen school.
Due to the popularity of this program, there is currently about a four week backlog in processing requests. Please keep this delay in mind when planning to apply.
The Animal Behavior Institute is also proud to increase educational opportunities for our military servicemen and women. We offer a substantial discount to servicemembers and veterans by waiving their course technology fees. This amounts to a reduction of $140 for each course taken with ABI or a total savings of $700 off the cost of any certificate program. |
| Follow us on Twitter and Facebook |
Want to stay up to date with the Animal Behavior Institute? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest articles and news on new programs, opportunities and courses.
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| Ask the Trainer: Rabbit Rundown |
Q: I have a beautiful Dutch belted rabbit, Peabody, who has been acting strangely. Even though she has lovely toys to chew on, she has been biting the bars at the front of the cage! At first it seemed funny but now she seems to do it for long stretches of time everyday. Is this normal behavior? ~Billy W. Akron, Ohio
A: Billy, what you're describing sounds like a common stereotypical behavior in rabbits. Stereotypical behaviors can be repeated over and over for hours but don't appear to serve any function. When animals are unable to perform highly motivated behaviors they can become frustrated. We may not always be able to determine what that behavior is nor can we always accommodate it. However, there are things we can do that will improve Peadbody's welfare and perhaps reduce the time she spends in this repetitive behavior. The first step is to make she feels secure. Give her a nest box if she doesn't have one already. If you can give her enough room to also climb on top of the box better still! The second step is to give her more environmental enrichment.
 Enrichment refers to toys, activities, or environmental changes that stimulate animals and give them something "to do". In the case of your rabbit, she would spend most of her day foraging in the wild. In most cages, however, rabbits don't have room to roam around and search for food or process it. Instead they may be given highly nutritious food that can easily be eaten from a bowl. While this will give them all the nutrients they need to be healthy it doesn't provide much of a challenge or any stimulation.
One way to spice things up for Peabody would be to offer a variety of foods, including fresh vegetables or hay - you may be doing this already. However, in addition to the foods you provide you should also think about how you provide them. Instead of putting them into a bowl make her work for them - she'll be happier as a result. There are many ways to do this:
- Stuff small pieces into toys that she has to work on in order to get them out - try kongs, whiffle balls or pieces of PVC pipe. For an added challenge try drilling holes in the PVC, stuff it with hay, and then put the end caps on to increase the challenge.
- Suspend the food on "kabobs" from the top of the cage or hutch.
- Put them into paper bags that need to be torn open.
Your enrichment doesn't always have to involve foods and foraging. Rabbits love all kinds of balls (but not too large, this can be scary to smaller rabbits). Noisemakers of any kind are enjoyed and these can be hung up to give them new life. Rabbits usually love to tear up bags filled with paper and will use materials for nesting. Whatever you use, just make sure it is safe with no sharp edges, pieces that can be swallowed, etc. And, of course, interaction and play with you will surely be appreciated! Be creative and have fun - you and Peabody will both be better off as a result. |
Spotlight on Karen Lasker, ABI Alumnus |
 We’d like to introduce everyone to Karen Lasker. She received her certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy in 2008 and now serves as a member of the Advisory Board of the Animal Behavior Institute.
Karen currently serves as the director of The Brody Project for Animal Assisted Therapy; her pathway to this position is quite an interesting story. Karen once ran a small neighborhood pet-sitting service. During this time she was asked to bring one of the dogs she cared for to visit a woman, Sarah Brody, who was in a nearby nursing home suffering from dementia. Karen gladly did so - she and Mrs. Brody’s daughter both noticed that Mrs. Brody was much happier while Karen and her dog, Charlie, were there. Mrs. Brody showed increased verbal and physical activity during the visits. There were also times when she would take her medicine “for Charlie” when no one else could get her to do so.
When Mrs. Brody passed away, her daughter approached Karen about directing a new project that would be funded by the family’s charitable foundation. Thus, "The Brody Project" was born. The Brody family was very explicit that the funding was only to be used for a project focusing on Animal Assisted Therapy rather than Animal Assisted Activities. Animal Assisted Therapy is goal oriented and includes a professional facilitator, animal and handler, and an assessment of the client’s progress. Animal Assisted Activities, on the other hand, provide stimulation and interest for the client without trying to meet specific therapeutic requirements. To read more about The Brody Project, and their work in Animal Assisted Therapy, visit their website at www.thebrodyproject.org.
For all of you who aren’t quite sure where you are headed, Karen is a shining example of following your heart until it takes you there. Karen believes that she could not have achieved her dream career without the education she received at the Animal Behavior Institute. We are very proud to have her as an alumnus and a member of our advisory board.
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