Professional Development Committee
Chair
Melaina Wallace - Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Purpose
The Professional Development Committee’s Mission is to provide continual resources for professional growth through leadership and educational opportunities for all National AAZK members.
2009
This past year the Professional Development Committee put together two workshops for the 2009 AAZK National Conference/ICZ in Seattle, WA. The Body Condition Scoring Workshop and the Capture and Restraint Workshop.
The Body Condition Scoring (BCS) Workshop took place on Zoo Day at Woodland Park Zoo. Dr. Mark Edwards, from California Polytechnic State University instructed the course and took keepers out into the “field” where they were able to assess animals at Woodland Park Zoo with their new found BCS skills.
Class participants utilize their classroom knowledge with a Sicilian donkey
Photo by Kelly Wilson
The Capture and Restraint Workshop was instructed by Dr. Mark Johnson and Bob Cisneros from the San Diego Zoo. Dr. Johnson taught workshop attendees how to be an effective participant in any form of animal restraint, while Bob Cisneros went over basic fundamentals on restraining various forms of animal species.
Dr. Mark Johnson and Bob Cisneros go over restraint techniques
Photo by Kelly Wilson
The Future
We are currently working with the conference committee at Philadelphia AAZK to finalize the workshops for the 2010 National Conference in Philadelphia. We continue to search out experts to bring conference delegates the most current technologies and innovations in animal care. The Professional Development Committee is also working with the Board of Directors and members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on a keeper certification process.
Want to Help?
The Professional Development Committee is currently seeking new members! We want to continue to provide to the highest quality workshops possible and we need your help! If you are interested in joining the Professional Development team please contact Melaina Wallace at Melaina.G.Wallace@aazk.org.
2009 Professional Development Committee Members
Melaina Wallace – Chair
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Bob Cisneros- Liaison to Board
San Diego Zoo
Kelly Wilson
Detroit Zoo
Victor Alm
Oakland Zoo
Bandy Hicks
Boat Club Road Animal Hospital Whitetail Veterinary Services
Leanne Blinco
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Mike Murray
Denver Zoo
Aaron Jesue
North Carolina Zoo
Amanda Hall
Scovill Zoo
Eunice Hui
Coyote Point Museum
Dawn Sohr
Brookfield Zoo
Andrew Rowan
Denver Zoo
Ellen Vossekuil
Utah’s Hogle Zoo