Injection training-it seems like a lofty goal, something attainable only by the most skilled trainers and bomb-proof of pets. In reality, training for injections is not all that difficult. Much of the misconceptions about the difficulty of this training likely stems from our own fears of needles and, of course, injecting our own animals!

Training for injections is just as straight-forward as training any other behavior. This presentation will detail every step of training this behavior from creating your materials and picking the right reinforcer to assessing your own progress by listening to your "patient." Examples from the zoo and pet world will provide a variety of experiences from which any pet owner can find something to relate! The goal of this presentation is to break a seemingly impressive behavior down into simple steps to provide trainers with the confidence to teach their pets to participate in their own medical care!

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the training of this behavior with various species, including domestic and zoo animals
  
• Demonstrate DIY methods for creating materials for passive restraint and accurate desense
  
• Detail a behavior plan for "free contact" injection work
  
• Detail a separate behavior plan for passive restraint training
  
• Choosing an appropriate reinforcer for a potentially unpleasant experience
  
• Troubleshooting through various speed bumps
  
• Assessing your progress by reading the "patient's" behavior-no matter the species
  
• And more!!
  

About The Presenter

Emily Cassell is a keeper and trainer at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida and a professional pet trainer. She began her career in 2010 with fish and guinea pigs before graduating to dogs, cats, and rabbits. She operated her own training business, Phins with Fur Animal Training, and worked with Class Act for Dogs in Gainesville, Florida while pursuing a degree in animal science at the University of Florida before returning to Tampa to work at Courteous Canine, Inc. After completing internships with manatees, otters, and dolphins, she currently works as a full-time keeper and trainer with orangutans, tigers, gibbons, and various other species.