Laura Fournier, CPDT-KA
Norristown
Summary
Current CPDT-KA trainer committed to the continued improvement of welfare and quality of life of all animals by providing compassionate care and service.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Advanced Trainer
The Dog Wizard Franchise
09.2023 - Current
- Complete in person and phone evaluations explaining training procedures and matching client's dogs with appropriate training programs
- Perform in-home training sessions, day train, and board and train programs utilizing balanced training techniques to complete obedience training and behavioral modification both on and off leash
- Supervise monthly graduate support sessions to offer continuing client education
- Earned Top Dog Certification in March 2024, allowing me to train other Dog Wizard trainers
Lead Certified Dog Trainer
Best Paw Forward
03.2021 - 08.2023
- Assisted in managing board and train program
- Consulted with owners to discuss behavioral concerns and determine final goals
- Developed, implemented, and adjusted training plans as needed for each board and train dog based on client's objectives
- Maintained descriptive training notes to ensure consistent progress
- Employed positive reinforcement with animals using clicker-training, voice rewards, and food rewards
- Succeeded in training diverse animals with confident training techniques and trusting relationships
- Modified undesirable behaviors with use of successful and safe behavior modification techniques
- Kept animals stimulated with variety of appropriate enrichment activities
- Conferred with owners about methods for continuing training and reinforcement taught during program
- Received Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed certification in April 2022
Assistant Curator
Elmwood Park Zoo
08.2018 - 04.2020
- Supervised Animal Care Staff including interviewing and hiring new staff, overseeing training of new hires, scheduling staff, conducting area meetings, offering input for and conducting annual performance evaluations alongside General Curator, and coaching employees when needed
- Carried out administration functions such as supply orders, work orders, and required paperwork for regulatory agencies as assigned
- Reviewed keeper’s daily reports and ZIMS entries
- Assisted General Curator with oversight of Behavioral Husbandry Program
- Implemented, developed, and/or revised standard operating procedures
- Followed philosophy of continuous improvement to achieve best practices in modern zoological animal care; problem solved and researched methods to improve husbandry, housing, and management of all exhibit animals
- Assisted with animal care responsibilities on sporadic basis to cover unexpected staffing shortages
- Assisted Animal Care and/or Veterinary staff with animal capture and restraint as needed
- Assisted General Curator with acquisition/disposition tasks and worked with registrar as needed
- Coordinated with other departments to schedule and implement animal centric activities such as greets and behind scenes tours
- Served as on-site supervisor for Animal Department when General Curator was not available
- Served on Animal Emergency Team and acted as capture coordinator as needed for animal escapes
- Served as Institutional Representative for EPZ’s African Straw-colored Fruit Bats, Capybaras, Six-banded Armadillo, Squirrel Monkey, and Puerto Rican Crested Toad
- Served as main trainer for 0.2 Jaguars, family group of White-faced Saki monkeys, and Philadelphia Eagles’ Live animal mascot (1.0 Bald Eagle)
Animal Keeper
Elmwood Park Zoo
03.2014 - 07.2018
- Prepared diets, fed, cleaned, and enriched entire exhibit collection (species list available upon request)
- Worked closely with Veterinary team to restrain animals and administer medication to exhibit animals as needed
- Maintained enclosure structural integrity and horticultural aesthetics while working closely with maintenance staff to complete projects and repairs
- Developed and maintained enrichment protocol and guidelines as Enrichment Committee co-chair
- Assisted and oversaw training projects as a member Behavioral Husbandry Committee
- Developed training plans and served as a trainer for Capybaras, Saki monkeys, female Jaguar and male Jaguar cub, Cougar, and Wolves
- Tested water quality and maintained exhibit filtration and LSS
- Served on animal recapture and shoot team
- Recorded detailed daily enrichment, training, and medication logs
- Utilized ZIMS for recording important health and medical information
- Managed grain ordering for entire zoo by maintaining grain inventory and ordering as necessary
- Researched, revised, and implemented complete fruit bat diet change
Zoo Education Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator
ZooAmerica
03.2011 - 03.2014
- Assisted in hiring, supervising, managing, training, and performance reviewing all part-time educators and volunteers
- Developed and maintained volunteer program
- Prepared diets for, fed, cleaned, handled, enriched, and medicated Education Animal Ambassador collection
- Developed and refined diets, training procedures, feeding schedules, enrichment schedules, and cleaning procedures
- Recorded detailed diet, enrichment, and health records electronically for each animal
- Managed education animal training programs
- Created and presented wide variety of animal programming and special events both on and off site, including Early Bird Tours and behind the scenes tours
- Developed and acted as lead counselor for summer Zoo Camp program
- Completed annual continuing leadership courses through Hershey Entertainment and Resorts curriculum
Educator Aide III
ZooAmerica
05.2006 - 03.2011
- Cleaned, prepared diets for, fed, and enriched entire education collection
- Led guided tours and presented animal programs on and off site
Education
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science, Wildlife And Fisheries
Pennsylvania State University
State College, PASkills
- Behavior Modification
- Animal Handling, Training, and Medicating
- Positive Reinforcement and Operant Conditioning
- Animal Care and Welfare
- Animal Evaluation
- Public Speaking/Education
- Employee training and review
- Enrichment Programs
Affiliations
- Attended the Play Way with Amy Cook- July 2024, Certified in Pet First Aid- July 2024, Attended Felid TAG- November 2019, Attended Zoo Atlanta’s Working Bird Husbandry and Training Workshop – November 2016, Attended the IAATE Conference in North Carolina – February 2015, Successfully completed “A Comprehensive Course for Bird Trainers and Show Presenters” presented by NEI, Husbandry Committee member and Secretary at the Elmwood Park Zoo – 2014-2020
Certification
Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
Top Dog Certified, The Dog Wizard
Timeline
Advanced Trainer
The Dog Wizard Franchise
09.2023 - Current
Lead Certified Dog Trainer
Best Paw Forward
03.2021 - 08.2023
Assistant Curator
Elmwood Park Zoo
08.2018 - 04.2020
Animal Keeper
Elmwood Park Zoo
03.2014 - 07.2018
Zoo Education Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator
ZooAmerica
03.2011 - 03.2014
Educator Aide III
ZooAmerica
05.2006 - 03.2011
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science, Wildlife And Fisheries
Pennsylvania State University
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