Training Programme for Behaviour-Analytic Animal Trainers

The programme consists of the following components:

Assessment methods and completion requirements

To successfully complete the programme and be awarded the certificate, participants must meet the following requirements:

• 100% attendance in all scheduled teaching sessions, including both on-site and online components. Any absence must be compensated according to the programme’s guidelines and approved by the programme coordinator.
• Active engagement in learning activities, demonstrating a solid understanding of key concepts and meaningful participation in discussions, practical exercises, and small-group work.
• Successful completion of a supervised thesis project focused on the application of behaviour-analytic principles in animal training.
• Completion of all required learning assignments and other course activities in the Moodle online learning environment.
• Demonstration of professional and ethical competence throughout the programme, including constructive collaboration with peers and instructors.

Assessment is based on participants’ achievement of the programme learning outcomes through attendance, participation, assignments, and the successful completion of the thesis project.

How does this programme contribute to professional animal training?

Following Eduardo J. Fernandez’s (2024) article on the LIFE model for ethical animal training practices, animal training procedures have undergone drastic changes in the last few decades, with a shift toward reward-based training methods. These reward-based practices have also been directly impacted by the behavioural and animal welfare sciences. These recent changes have led to a definition of success in animal training that goes beyond being effective. By connecting established terminology, behavioural principles, and training practices, we can promote optimal welfare for the animals under our care and in our lives.

Additionally, we are truly excited that the international scientific community now has a new platform in form of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis in Animal Training. See more: https://jabaat.org.

Teaching periods

Teachers

Laura Bernard Moon
M.Ed., Board Certified Behaviour Analyst

Laura Bernard Moon is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) from the United States with extensive experience applying behaviour analytic approaches across clinical, educational, and organizational settings. Her professional background includes providing early intensive behavioural intervention through her own private clinical practice, where she also developed and refined organizational behaviour management strategies to build, lead, and sustain an ethical service organization. Through this work, she gained extensive experience supervising practitioners, developing systems to support high-quality service delivery, and collaborating within multidisciplinary environments. More recently, she served as an instructor in the Training Programme for Applied and Clinical Behaviour Analysis at Tampere University, where she taught graduate-level coursework to students with diverse practice backgrounds.

Teaching, mentoring, and supervising practitioners are the aspects of her work she finds most rewarding, and her passion for animals motivates her to promote the ethical, evidence-based application of behaviour analysis to improve the welfare and treatment of animals in human care.

http://linkedin.com/in/lbmoon

Jari Parkkisenniemi
M.Sc. in Computing, Expert in Behaviour Analysis, OBM Specialist

Jari Parkkisenniemi, M.Sc., is an animal training and behaviour analysis specialist with extensive experience in both teaching and applied practice. His approach combines scientific theory with hands-on training to achieve effective, ethical, and welfare-oriented outcomes for animals and their caregivers.

Drawing on experience training more than 30 animal species, advanced studies in behaviour analysis, international studies and professional development in animal training, and consulting on animal training and behaviour with zoological institutions and governmental agencies, he brings a uniquely broad and evidence-based perspective to the field.

Jari has taught behaviour analysis and animal training across university and vocational education programs and regularly mentors trainers and organisations in topics ranging from training methodology to behavioural problem solving.

Alongside his work in animal training, he is an OBM (Organizational Behavior Management) Specialist who consults organisations in leadership and development, bringing applied behavioural science into both animal and human learning environments.

Jari is also one of the founders and lead instructors of a Finnish behaviour-analytic animal trainer education program at Tampere University, established in 2017.

www.linkedin.com/in/jari-parkkisenniemi

Tuition fee

Total 7 800 €. VAT is not added to the price of the training (0%).

The tuition fee is paid by invoice in two installments: the first payment is made when you have received a training place, the second installment will be paid during spring 2027 while the training is ongoing.

Cancellation Policy

Registration for the programme becomes binding once you accept the offered study place by submitting the enrolment form. By accepting the study place, you commit to paying the participation fee in full.

The participation fee covers the tuition and related study materials. Participants are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel, accommodation, and other personal expenses related to attending the programme.

If a participant wishes to cancel their participation after accepting the study place, the participation fee will not be refunded.

In cases of serious illness preventing participation in the programme, the participant must provide a medical certificate issued by a physician confirming the inability to participate. Any refund of the participation fee and/or waiver of invoicing will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The organiser reserves the right to make changes to the programme schedule, teaching arrangements, or instructors if necessary. If the programme must be cancelled by the organiser, any paid participation fees will be refunded. The organiser is not responsible for participants’ travel or accommodation costs or any other indirect expenses.

What do we look for in our participants?

The Behaviour-Analytic Animal Training Programme is designed for motivated individuals who are committed to advancing their professional expertise and contributing to the future of evidence-based animal training. We welcome applicants from diverse educational and professional backgrounds who share a passion for learning, ethical practice, and continuous professional growth.

To be eligible for admission, applicants should have:

• A minimum vocational qualification or equivalent educational background.
• A genuine interest in animal behaviour, learning, and training.
• A positive, respectful, and welfare-oriented attitude towards animals.
• A strong motivation to engage in intensive study and professional development.

We particularly value applicants who are committed to developing their skills to a high professional standard and who demonstrate curiosity, critical thinking, and a willingness to apply scientific knowledge in practice. Previous education and/or work experience in animal training, animal care, behaviour consulting, veterinary services, welfare, conservation, or related fields is considered an advantage but is not required.

English language and digital learning requirements

As the programme brings together participants from different countries and professional backgrounds, English is the language of instruction and all study materials.

Successful participants should be able to:

• Be prepared to work with scientific and professional literature in English. Previous experience in reading research articles is beneficial but not required, as these skills will be developed throughout the programme.
• Communicate in spoken and written English during teaching sessions, group work, and assignments.
• Use common digital learning tools and participate actively in online learning activities.
• Have reliable access to a computer and internet connection throughout the programme.

Join a community of future professionals

This programme is intended for individuals who aspire to professional excellence and want to deepen their expertise through a rigorous, science-based approach to animal training. If you are eager to challenge yourself, learn from an international community of peers, and develop the knowledge and skills needed to make a lasting impact in the field, we encourage you to apply.

How to apply

Good to know:

Applications are processed in order of arrival. We are accepting applications until November 30 even if the group is full.
A maximum of 20 participants will be selected for the training. If you are on the waiting list for the course, your application will be processed in order of arrival.

Written Application

To apply, please submit the completed application form together with your current CV and a 1–2-page motivation letter. The motivation letter helps us understand your professional goals, interests, and commitment to the programme.

In your letter, please address the following:

• Why are you applying to the Behaviour-Analytic Animal Training Programme?
• What role do animal training, behaviour analysis, and animal welfare currently play in your life, studies, or professional work?
• How do you expect the programme to contribute to your professional development and future career goals?
• How will you ensure that you can dedicate sufficient time and commitment to successfully complete the programme?

If you already have ideas for a potential final thesis project, we would be delighted to hear about them. While a thesis topic is not required at the application stage, sharing your interests and ideas helps us learn more about your professional aspirations and areas of interest.

We encourage applicants to use the motivation letter to highlight their enthusiasm for learning, commitment to ethical and evidence-based practice, and readiness to engage in an intensive programme of professional development.

Interview

Following the review of written applications, selected applicants will be invited to an individual online interview.

The interview provides an opportunity for us to learn more about your motivation, professional goals, and interest in behaviour-analytic animal training. It also allows applicants to discuss their expectations for the programme, their previous experience, and their commitment to professional development.

The interview is an important part of the admissions process, helping us identify candidates who are prepared to actively engage in a rigorous, collaborative, and internationally oriented learning environment.

The interviews will be held in autumn 2026.

The decision will be announced about a week after the interview.