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Animal Care Academy
​Course Descriptions

Focus: Guinea Fowl Behavior and Enrichment

6/24/2018

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Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior series of clinics and classes is intended as a career-specific supplemental for students who want to learn more about working with game birds such as guinea fowl. 
 
In this class, students will focus on guinea fowl behavior, learning to read guinea fowl body language, the basics of guinea fowl handling, special challenges that arise in housing and caring for guinea fowl, dietary needs and best practices, general safety, and how to keep guinea fowl happy and healthy.
 
This course is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. Guest lecturers may teach portions of the course.
 
This is hands-off, demonstration and lecture class. An animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Animal Behavior: Focus on Guinea Fowl Behavior and Enrichment credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior certificate. The Animal Behavior certificate core courses are meant to be taken in order, and students also must choose and complete two “Focus” courses to qualify for the certificate.
 
$40 per participant for 2-hour class. Limit 15 participants. Weather permitting.

Message us to sign up or ask questions.
 
 
 
 
 

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Focus: Reptile Behavior and Enrichment

6/24/2018

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Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior series of clinics and classes is intended as a career-specific supplemental for students who want to learn more about working with reptiles. 
 
In this class, students will focus on reptile behavior, learning to read reptile body language, the basics of handling reptiles, special challenges that arise in housing and caring for various species of reptile, dietary needs and best practices, general safety, and how to keep a reptile happy and healthy.
 
This course is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. Guest lecturers may teach portions of the course.
 
This is hands-off, demonstration and lecture class. An animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Animal Behavior: Focus on Reptile Behavior and Enrichment credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior certificate. The Animal Behavior certificate core courses are meant to be taken in order, and students also must choose and complete two “Focus” courses to qualify for the certificate.
 
$40 per participant for 2-hour class. Limit 15 participants. Weather permitting.

Message us to sign up or ask questions.
 
 
 
 
 
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FOcus: Equine Behavior and Enrichment

6/24/2018

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Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior series of clinics and classes is intended as a career-specific supplemental for students who want to learn more about working with horses.  
 
In this class, students will focus on equine behavior, learning to read equine body language, the basics of handling horses, special challenges that arise in housing and caring for various breeds of horses, dietary needs and best practices, general safety, and how to keep a horse happy and healthy.
 
This course is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. Guest lecturers may teach portions of the course.
 
This is hands-off, demonstration and lecture class. An animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Animal Behavior: Focus on Horse Behavior and Enrichment credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior certificate. The Animal Behavior certificate core courses are meant to be taken in order, and students also must choose and complete two “Focus” courses to qualify for the certificate.
 
$40 per participant for 2-hour class. Limit 15 participants. Weather permitting.

Message us to sign up or ask questions.
 
 
 
 

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Focus: Parrot Behavior and Enrichment

6/24/2018

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Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior series of clinics and classes is intended as a career-specific supplemental for students who want to learn more about working with parrots. 
 
In this class, students will focus on parrot behavior, learning to read parrot body language, the basics of handling parrots, special challenges that arise in housing and caring for various species of parrot, dietary needs and best practices, general safety, and how to keep a parrot happy and healthy.
 
This course is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. Guest lecturers may teach portions of the course.
 
This is hands-off, demonstration and lecture class. An animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Animal Behavior: Focus on Parrot Behavior and Enrichment credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior certificate. The Animal Behavior certificate core courses are meant to be taken in order, and students also must choose and complete two “Focus” courses to qualify for the certificate.
 
$40 per participant for 2-hour class. Limit 15 participants. Weather permitting.

Message us to sign up or ask questions.
 
 
 
 
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Public Speaking for Formal Education Audiences

6/24/2018

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Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior and Animal Care series of clinics and classes will build on the previous courses by delving deeper into structuring, building, and presenting information for formal education audiences.  
 
In this class, students will learn techniques for public speaking onstage and off, and the differences between a formal and informal presentation. This course will add advanced speaking techniques, as well as strategies for practice and memorization, working with live animal ambassadors on stage, and dealing with the unexpected—i.e., unpleasant surprises.
 
This course is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper, informal science educator, and exotic animal trainer performing in animal shows, along with over twenty years of horse experience. Guest lecturers may teach portions of the course.
 
This is a hands-off, live demonstration and lecture class. An animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Public Speaking for Formal Audiences credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior and Animal Care certificates. The Animal Behavior certificate core courses are meant to be taken in order, and this is the ninth class of the series.
 
$50 per participant for 2-hour class. Limit 15 participants. Weather permitting.

Message us to sign up or ask questions.
 
 
 
 
 

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PUblic Speaking For Informal Education Audiences

6/24/2018

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Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior and Animal Care series of clinics and classes will build on the previous courses by delving deeper into how to structure and build a presentation for informal education audiences. 
 
In this class, students will learn how to put together a presentation on virtually any subject, using the public speaking skills from Public Speaking Basics. This class will focus more on content and structure than physical presence, and students will leave it knowing how to create engaging presentations that don’t just share facts, but tell stories. Students will learn to identify and include specific messaging, build their presentation into acts, create a clear introduction and conclusion, and deal with questions.
 
This course is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper, informal science educator, and exotic animal trainer performing in animal shows, along with over twenty years of horse experience. Guest lecturers may teach portions of the course.
 
This is a hands-off, live demonstration and lecture class. An animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Public Speaking for Informal Education Audiences credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior and Animal Care certificates. The Animal Behavior certificate core courses are meant to be taken in order, and this is the eighth class of the series.
 
$50 per participant for 2-hour class. Limit 15 participants. Weather permitting.

Message us to sign up or ask questions.
 

 
 
 
 
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PUblic Speaking Basics

6/24/2018

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Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior and Animal Care series of clinics and classes will build on the previous courses by introducing students to one of the most important elements of a career in professional animal care: public speaking. While many aspiring animal care professionals pursue a career in animal care to avoid working with people, the heavy emphasis modern zoos place on public education means knowing how to speak eloquently and effectively will be one of the most valuable skills you can have.  
 
In this class, students will learn how to present themselves confidently and engagingly. Audiences are more likely to listen to the message you’re conveying if you speak effectively, and this course will teach you how. Learn about the importance of body language, how to project your voice, how to avoid using crutch words, and the do’s and don’ts of stage speaking. The course will also address speaking-while-multitasking, a vital skill to have if you’re ever hoping to give animal presentations.
 
This course is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper, informal science educator, and exotic animal trainer performing in animal shows, along with over twenty years of horse experience. Guest lecturers may teach portions of the course.
 
This is a hands-off, live demonstration and lecture class. An animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Public Speaking Basics credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior and Animal Care certificates. The Animal Behavior certificate core courses are meant to be taken in order, and this is the seventh class of the Animal Behavior series.
 
$50 per participant for 2-hour class. Limit 15 participants. Weather permitting.

Message us to sign up or ask questions.
 
 
 
 

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Dealing with Aggression and Unwanted Behaviors

6/21/2018

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Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior series of clinics and classes will build on the previous courses by showing students a few techniques for dealing with aggression and unwanted behaviors in animals under their care and training. Ever had a resource-guarding dog who growled when you or the cat got near their food? Ever owned a bird that screamed, or knew a naughty horse? This class will teach you the techniques you can use to deal with unwanted behaviors from just about any animal.
 
In this class, students will learn about the other, lesser-known tools in the operant conditioning toolbox. By leveraging all the elements of operant conditioning, students can still gently, but effectively, reduce the occurrence of unwanted or aggressive behaviors. When choosing a career in professional animal training, how you deal with aggression or unwanted behavior could mean the difference between an average day and a very bad one. By taking this course, students will build a kit of tools they can reach for when these situations arise.
 
Does this course description make you want to scratch your head? Come take this class and you’ll be speaking training jargon like a pro in no time.
 
This course is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. Guest lecturers may teach portions of the course.
 
This is a hands-off, live demonstration and lecture class. A live animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Animal Behavior: Dealing With Aggression and Unwanted Behavior credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior certificate. The Animal Behavior certificate core courses are meant to be taken in order, and this is the sixth class of the series.
 
$50 per participant for 2-hour class. Limit 15 participants. Weather permitting.

Message us to sign up or ask questions.
 
 
 
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Teaching a Send

6/21/2018

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Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior series of clinics and classes will build on the previous courses, Teaching a Bridge and Target, and Teaching a Recall, by showing students how to shape these elements into a send. If you’ve ever watched an animal show at a zoo and wondered how the trainers got the animal to go do something and come back to them, this course will show you how.
 
In this class, students will learn how to shape a target and a recall into a send. By pairing these two behaviors together and learning the elements of excellent timing, students will be able to build their very first behavior chain. This course will not only introduce the idea of a send, but also a few more advanced training techniques, such as variable reinforcement schedules, least-reinforcing scenarios, and a delta.
 
Does this course description make you want to scratch your head? Come take this class and you’ll be speaking training jargon like a pro in no time.
 
This course is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience.
 
This is hands-off, live demonstration and lecture class. A live animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Animal Behavior: Teaching a Send credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior certificate. The Animal Behavior certificate core courses are meant to be taken in order, and this is the fifth class of the series.
 
$40 per participant for 1.5-hour class. Limit 15 participants. Weather permitting.

Message us to sign up or ask questions.
 
 
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Teaching a Recall

6/21/2018

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Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior series of clinics and classes will build on the previous course, Teaching a Bridge and Target, by showing students how to shape a target into a recall. If any animal you’ve shared your life with has ever gotten away from you and refused to come back without hours of stress, pleading, and bribery, you know what a recall is and how important it can be.     
In this class, students will learn how to shape a target into a recall. A recall is the first of several “safety” behaviors all good trainers should train. It’s the easiest way to break a broken record of instinctual behavior, bring an animal back to you, and also serves as a fantastic gauge of their willingness to participate. Students will explore all these principles and more in this course focused on the training of, and theory behind, the recall.
 
Does this course description make you want to scratch your head? Come take this class and you’ll be speaking training jargon like a pro in no time.
 
This course is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience.
 
This is hands-off, live demonstration and lecture class. A live animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Animal Behavior: Teaching a Recall credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior certificate. The Animal Behavior certificate core courses are meant to be taken in order, and this is the fourth class of the series.
 
$40 per participant for 1.5-hour class. Limit 15 participants. Weather permitting.

Message us to sign up or ask questions.
 

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WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU AT THE RANCH SOON


Hours

M-W: 8-5, F-Sa: 8-5
​Closed Th and Sun

Telephone

​(619) 670-1861

Email

lessa@ironoakcanyonranch.com
All images and content Copyright 2017 Iron Oak Canyon Ranch, LLC
  • Home
  • Boarding & Lesson Info
    • Boarding
    • Lessons
    • Amenities
  • Programs & Events
    • Girl Scout Programs >
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      • Girl Scout Virtual Badge Programs
  • Compost
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • About
  • In The Press