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Animal Minds & Emotions
Explore how animals think, feel, and process the world around them. Students develop an understanding of animal cognition and emotions — the foundation for effective, humane training.
Train for a Career in Animal Training & Enrichment
Why Students Choose Us
All of our courses are 100% online
Complete your classes from anywhere through our interactive programs, designed to fit around work, school, or other commitments.
Small classes taught by professionals
Courses are limited to small class sizes so you can learn directly from instructors who have trained everything from dogs and dolphins to exotic species at zoos around the world.
Field experience with real animals
Apply what you learn by completing a hands-on field experience at a zoo, shelter, training facility, or animal organization in your area.
Request Additional Program Information
Tell us where to send your program brochure, and we’ll email you the full details including courses, career paths, and how to get started.
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Is This Program Right for You?
This Program May Be a Good Fit If You:
- Want a training career that isn't limited to one species — from companion animals to exotic wildlife
- Are passionate about improving animal welfare through training and enrichment
- Want to work in zoos, aquariums, shelters, or as an independent trainer
- Want structured training from professionals already working in the field
Many of our students are:
- Animal care professionals and zookeepers
- Aspiring trainers and behavioral consultants
- Shelter and rescue staff
- Career changers passionate about animals
Inside the Animal Training & Enrichment Program
Every skilled trainer needs a detailed knowledge of animal behavior — plus a deep toolbox of techniques to modify it. ABI's Animal Training & Enrichment Program is the only accredited online program of its kind, providing rigorous education in training and behavioral management across species.
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Animal Enrichment
Learn to design environments that promote good psychological and emotional health. Students learn to create new outlets for natural behaviors, reduce stress, and prevent problem behaviors before they develop.
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Animal Training
Learn to apply operant conditioning to increase preferred behaviors and eliminate undesirable ones — including training animals to voluntarily cooperate in grooming, veterinary care, and physical exams.
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Animal Behavior
Study the science of animal behavior across species, building the deep behavioral knowledge that separates skilled trainers from hobbyists.
(Plus one elective to focus on a species or specialty of your choice — including Avian Training, Behavior & Training of Marine Mammals, Canine or Feline Behavior & Enrichment, Training Your Therapy Dog, or The Human-Animal Bond.)
Hands-On Learning Through Field Experience
In addition to online coursework, students complete 40 hours of hands-on field experience as an employee, intern, or volunteer at an approved institution of their choice. One of the strengths of our program is that you choose where to complete your fieldwork — the facility is never assigned.
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Learn From Experienced Professionals
All courses are taught by instructors with professional experience in fields such as:
- Zoo and aquarium animal training
- Applied animal behavior research
- Training for television and film productions
- Marine mammal and exotic animal training
- Behavioral enrichment and welfare science
Their real-world insights help students understand both the science behind animal behavior and the practical realities of a professional training career.
Flexible Online Learning Designed for Animal Careers
- Structured 10-week courses
- Fully online classroom environment
- Small class sizes (maximum of 12 students)
- Field experience completed with a local organization of your choice
Students from across the U.S. and internationally complete the program while balancing work and personal commitments — most finish their certificate in 6–12 months.
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Animal Trainer
Animal trainers work with a wide range of species — from companion animals to exotic wildlife — to teach new behaviors and resolve unwanted ones. Many trainers are self-employed as independent trainers or behavioral consultants, while others work for veterinarians, kennels, stables, or the retail pet trade. Independent trainers may earn $20–50/hour or more.
Zoo or Aquarium Trainer
Trainers in zoos and aquariums use operant conditioning to improve animal welfare — training animals to voluntarily participate in veterinary care, physical exams, and husbandry procedures. These roles span species from marine mammals and birds to elephants and big cats.
Enrichment Coordinator
Enrichment coordinators design and implement programs that promote psychological and emotional health for animals in zoos, aquariums, shelters, and research facilities. Their responsibilities may include creating feeding and foraging opportunities, evaluating enrichment effectiveness, and reducing stress-related behaviors.
Behavioral Manager
Behavioral managers oversee training and enrichment programs across an entire facility. Their responsibilities may include developing behavioral management plans, training staff and volunteers, and building comprehensive programs that combine training and enrichment to maximize animal welfare.
Building Experience for Competitive Careers
Employment in animal care and service is expected to grow 15% over the next decade — faster than the average for all occupations. Competition for some positions, particularly in zoos and the entertainment industry, remains strong, and success requires both formal education and hands-on experience.
ABI's program is designed to give you that competitive edge, combining structured academic training with practical field experience. Upon graduation, students may begin using the designation CATEP, Certified Animal Training and Enrichment Professional — from the only institution offering accredited online programs in Animal Training & Enrichment.
Meet Erik Moreau
Programs:
Laboratory Animal Behavior
Animal Training & Enrichment
Erik completed ABI's Laboratory Animal Behavior and Animal Training & Enrichment certificates and is now Coordinator of Animal Behavior & Enrichment at a contract research organization in Montreal, Quebec. He chose ABI for its college-level coursework and accreditation by professional organizations — and credits his education with teaching him to objectively evaluate animal behaviors and create optimal enrichment conditions in laboratory settings.
Take the First Step Toward a Career in Animal Training!
Tell us about your goals and we'll help you determine if the Animal Training & Enrichment Program at Animal Behavior Institute is the right fit for you.
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