Parrot Workshop 2011 - Great Information and Fun Stories!

Recently, our Client Care Coordinator (and resident bird nut), Audra, went to a parrot workshop that West Ridge Animal Hospital presented along with GoldenView Veterinary Hospital, The Animal Doctor, Homestead Animal Hospital, and Avi-Ed Productions. Avian trainer and educator Lara Joseph was the featured guest for the workshop. Several vendors were also available including Avalon Aviary, Bird Street Bistro, Bizzy Birdy Playthings, All Things Birdy, and Superbird Creations.

The workshop was Saturday and Sunday, the 24th and 25th of September, and was packed full of information! Lara was a very entertaining and educational speaker sharing many stories of her trials and experiences in training her own birds as well as several client birds and wildlife. Lara has made amazing progress with several birds and has helped many clients. Lara has experience with many different parrot species as well as corvids and birds of prey (including hawks, owls, and vultures).

The workshop focused on many training techniques that owners can apply easily to their birds at home. Many of her techniques can help with aggression, feather destructive behaviors, screaming, and other stress behaviors. She also focused on ways to enrich our parrots’ lives with foraging exercises, toys and environmental modifications. Lara used her own experiences with her parrots as examples for how training and enrichment can change and improve the lives of multiple species of animals. Throughout the workshop Lara presented her information and techniques in a format that is easy to apply by owners that may not have experience in parrot training and behavior. Many participants came back on Sunday and were so excited to tell stories of how they already were able to make a difference in their parrot’s behavior with tips that they had learned on Saturday. Lara’s focus is on positive reinforcement to modify unwanted behaviors into desired behaviors.

Audra had a great time at the workshop and was happy to see so many participants benefiting from the presentation so quickly. She looks forward to applying the new techniques to her flock at home and is anxious to improve the quality of life for her birds. Her birds are also very excited in the new toys she purchased from the vendors and the new exercises they have already been practicing on.

West Ridge Animal Hospital is also very fortunate to have another parrot behaviorist to consult with. Sally Blanchard is holding small workgroups and consultations out of our facility. Call us today at 970-330-7283 to schedule a space in her workgroup on Thursdays at 3pm.