Phone: (865) 228-7311
EDUCATION Graduate classes in Animal Behavior, University of
Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee. 2004-2005
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, concentration Animal Behavior, the
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1998.
Minor in Broadcasting
Professional
Experience
East Coast Trainer, Animal Actors International 2002-present
Book and train animals for feature films, television, commercials and print.
Recent credits include Nora Jones new CD’The Fall’, HBO short film, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Research Project. Past credits include made for HBO film, Porsche, Neiman Marcus, Reynolds’s Wrap, Monsanto, Evercare, MetLife, Blue Collar Comedy Tour CD, Tennessee Lottery, U.S. Government, Purina, Belk, Frontline, Cartoon Network,The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Kimberly-Clark, Petsafe.
Animal Behavior Advisor, Cincinnati Zoo. Cincinnati, Ohio. 2007
Advised and assisted with training animals in the Cat Ambassador Program Trained cheetahs, small exotic and domestic cats and domestic dogs for participation in the Cheetah Encounter Show. Facility maintenance, food preparation, record keeping and animal enrichment.
Supervisor, Show Coordinator, Gulf World Marine Park, Panama City Beach, Florida. 2006-2007
Supervised staff, animals, shows and dolphin encounters at Dolphin Stadium. Supervised13 trainers and revised show presentations and encounters with bottlenose dolphins and rough-tooth dolphins. Supervision of eight bottlenose dolphins and six rough tough dolphins. Supervised care, husbandry, training and enrichment of experienced and naïve dolphins. Coordinated script, music and show behaviors for the dolphin presentation. Conducted 30 minute educational classes for guests prior to dolphin encounter/swim program and conducted and supervised dolphin encounter/swims with guests. Implemented and maintained new record keeping system. Implemented and maintained new diet preparation system.
Behavior Management Coordinator, Knoxville Zoo, Knoxville, Tennessee. 2001- 2004
The administration and representation of the behavioral management program, the training of keeper staff in operant conditioning techniques, and the participation in research relative to the program. Responsibilities included supervising husbandry training of zoo animals, coordinating lectures and classroom training on the principles of operant conditioning, compiling and maintaining behavioral management records.
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Educator/Trainer, Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati, Ohio. 2000-2001
Care and training of the exotic cat collection in the Cat Ambassador Program.
This program is dedicated to education and the conservation of exotic cats,
with an emphasis on cheetahs. The program provides summer shows at the
zoo, educational programs for schools, and appearances for zoo public
relations and media events. Responsibilities included show/program
announcing, facility maintenance, enrichment and record keeping.
Trainer, Sea World of Ohio, Aurora, Ohio. 1995-1996
Assisted in training and care of sea lions, otters, walrus, and killer whales. Responsibilities also included facility maintenance, animal enrichment, record keeping and show participation.
Marine Animal Productions, Gulfport, Mississippi. 1987-1994
Positions held while at Marine Animal Productions:
1994 Training supervisor. Supervised training dolphins, sea lions and parrot collection at Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport. Trained both experienced and naïve animals. Trained new employees, maintained facilities and water quality. Participated in animal transports, animal acquisitions, and the marine mammal stranding network
1988-1994 Contract Show Manager. Coordination of show presentations at contract facilities. This included script, music and animal behaviors for regular park shows and educational presentations. Trained show and husbandry behaviors, hired and trained staff and volunteers. Care of facility, including water quality. Supervised animal transports.
Facilities: Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA
Six Flags Over Mid-America, St. Louis, MO; Paramount’s King’s Island, Cincinnati, OH; Adventureland, Des Moines, IA
Supervised opening activities at: Six Flag’s Great Adventure, Jackson,NJ;
Paramount’s Canada’s Wonderland; the Institute of Marine Sciences,
Roatan, Honduras-dolphin swim/interactive program.
Internships
CNN/Sports Illustrated, Atlanta, GA. 1999. Production. Provided assistance
to assignment desk personnel, logged videotape feeds, performed research for
editors.
Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati, OH. 1998. Elephant House and Children’s Zoo.
Care of Asian elephants in a free contact environment. Also participated in
elephant shows and the care of okapis, giraffe, exotic birds, reptiles and
domestic animals.
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN. 1998. Production. Assisted with field and studio
productions.
Knoxville Zoo, Knoxville, TN. 1997. Hoofstock. Assisted in the care of
rhinoceros, zebras, giraffes and antelope.
Research Project, Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. 1997. Assisted with a dolphin
distribution study through the University of Oklahoma
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AFFILIATIONS
P.A.D.I. scuba certification
International Marine Animal Trainers Association
Animal Behavior Management Alliance
