Education & Training

The Kerulos Center offers a series of Short Course Intensives, Workshops, and Seminars on animal psychology and trauma recovery. These courses are intended for animal and human health professionals, sanctuary professionals, scholars and students in conservation, ethology, and other animal–related disciplines, and people seeking knowledge about the emotional and psychological lives of animals. In addition to introductory and advanced courses on trans-species psychology and therapeutic approaches to trauma recovery (TSP I and II), there are focused courses on specific species or taxa.

All courses cover core principles of physiology, neuroscience, psychology, behaviour, natural history, medicine, therapeutic approaches, and other topics relevant to understanding the lives of animals (captive, free-ranging, farm, and domestic) who have sustained life-changing experiences and trauma. Lectures are given by core Kerulos members and a range of specialists from research, sanctuary, and other relevant fields with expertise on given subject matter and species.

Using case examples, the course content pivots around principles of trans-species psychology to explore the diagnosis and therapeutic treatment for animal recovery and its relationship to sanctuary design and practice, animal welfare, and conservation, and human cultural change.

Trans-species Psychology I: Theory and Therapeutic Approaches to Animal Trauma Recovery (TSP I).

TSP I introduces basic concepts and practices of trans-species psychology and animal trauma recovery. This material provides the foundation for successive Kerulos courses which focus on given species and taxa (e.g., elephants, chimpanzees, parrots, dogs and cats).

To begin, we review physiology, neuroscience, behavior, psychology, and other topics relevant to understanding the life and experience of animals who have sustained trauma such as those in captivity, subjects of experimentation, farm and domestic animals, and others.

Using case examples, we will explore the diagnosis, therapeutic treatment, and care of animal psychological and emotional recovery. We discuss how trans-species psychology informs animal welfare, ethics, and conservation in diverse settings as well as how this material relates to counseling and psychotherapy professions.

Students enrolling in the Summer Research Internship will take TSP I and then engage in a second phase, namely, a research fieldwork project at a prearranged sanctuary or other locale to apply what they have learned. The Summer Research Internship is open to undergraduate and graduates students.

For more information, see course flyer or contact Dr. Gay Bradshaw.

Dates: 16-19 June 2008
Place: Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon.

Trans-species Psychology and Therapeutic Approaches to Animal Trauma Recovery: Advanced (TSP II).

TSP II requires prior enrollment in TSP I with focus on special topics.

Going Home: Orca Experience from Capture, Captivity, and Recovery

A three day workshop to discuss orca capture, captivity, and rehabilitation with the central objectives being: (1) analysis of captivity effects on orcas; (2) development of standards and guidelines outlining orca rehabilitation and re-introduction; (3) developing plans and strategy to establish orca sanctuary for captive- bred individuals.

All objectives seek to inform and improve orca protection and conservation. We expect this workshop to catalyze future efforts and result in several products including educational and public policy materials, websites, and media coverage. 12-14 September 2008, Whidbey Island.

Organizers: Gay Bradshaw (The Kerulos Center), Howard Garrett and Susan Berta (The Orca Network), and Lori Marino (The Kerulos Center and Emory University).

For more information, please contact Dr. Lori Marino.

Chimpanzee Experience in Captivity and in Recovery: Linking Conservation and Welfare.

For more information, please contact Dr. Debra Durham.

From the Eye of a Parrot: Trauma Recovery and Wellbeing in Long-Term Psittacine Captives.

In collaboration with the Santa Barbara Bird Farm and The Association for Parrot C.A.R.E. For more information, please contact Dr. Gay Bradshaw.