| Download the Registration Brochure Here The speakers & workshop leaders: Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D. Department of Psychology Utah State University Susan is a psychology professor at Utah State University. Over the last decade, she has helped pioneer efforts to apply to animals the scientifically sound teaching technology and ethical standard of Applied Behavior Analysis that is so effective with human learners.
Susan has given a wide variety of workshops and conference presentations on animal learning and behavior around the world. Students from 22 different countries have participated in her courses, Living and Learning with Animals and Living and Learning with Parrots. Her articles have been translated into 9 languages. Susan is also a core member of the US Fish & Wildlife Service's California Condor Recovery Team and has been nominated for the Media Award, given by the International Association of Behavior Analysis, for her efforts to disseminate to pet owners, veterinarians, animal trainers and zookeepers the essential tools they need to empower and enrich the lives of all learners. Brian Speer, DVM, DABVP-Av, ECAMS
Brian Speer was raised in a small town in California's central coast area. He received his baccalaureate of science degree in biological sciences with a concentration in zoology from California Polytechnic State University in 1978, and his DVM degree from the University of California at Davis in 1983. Since 1989, he has limited his practice in the San Francisco Bay area to include exclusively bird species. Brian received his board specialty status through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in February 1996, and was certified in the European College of Avian Medicine and Surgery in 1999. An active member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV), he has served as chair of the Aviculture Committee, as a director of the board, and as president. He has served as Research Director for the American Ostrich Research Foundation, Veterinary Advisory Council for the American Federation of Aviculture, as a director for the Model Aviculture Plan, on the advisory board for the Advocates for Bird Conservation, and is currently an Avian Medicine folder editor for the Veterinary Information Network. Brian is well published in the AAV annual proceedings, has served as guest editor for the journal Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, and authored chapters in several recent veterinary medical texts on pet bird, avicultural, and ratite medical topics. He is a co-author of the 530-page textbook, The Large Macaws, published in 1995, and Birds for Dummies, published in 1999. Brian is a sought-after guest speaker at veterinary seminars, avicultural conventions, and bird clubs throughout the United States and abroad.
M. Scott Echols, DVM, Dipl ABVP Scott is a veterinarian living and practicing in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife Layle (also a veterinarian). His diverse interests including bird medicine and surgery, art, making educational movies, playing guitar, outdoor activities, nutrition and building sustainable positive benefit business. His awards include the 2005 Ted Lafeber International Avian Practitioner of the Year, the 2007 Texas Non-Traditional Species Veterinarian of the Year. Scott is an Adjunct Professor at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, a past President for the Association for Avian Veterinarians, frequent lecturer at multiple universities and conferences in the US and abroad, author, filmographer and co-founder of Great Blue Heron Entrepreneurs. Upon returning to Texas in 2000, Scott became the Director of Avian Medical and Surgical Services at Westgate Pet and Bird Hospital. It was at this time that he added film to his efforts. His film work has been centered on providing teaching videos to other veterinarians and bird owners. His focus on teaching foraging techniques to improve the lives of captive birds along with his movie "Captive Foraging" have gained him international attention. Julie Murad of The Gabriel Foundation Julie Murad who founded The Gabriel Foundation in 1995, through love, with a large focus on education. Her story started with a hyacinth macaw named Gabriel. Julie had lived with parrots for 20 years, when she adopted this special blue guy in 1993, and they had an extremely special bond. She could not have known the day she met that blue feathered baby just how much he would change her life. Gabriel died at the young age of 22 months and Julie still feels that heartbreak. When he was born it was common practice for breeders to prophylactically dose large birds they were hand feeding with antibiotics and antifungal medications. Sadly this was detrimental to Gabriel, creating a type of super bacteria several weeks later, and he lost his life. Julie was heartbroken but decided others could learn from what happened to Gabriel. With her educational background and passion for parrots she founded The Gabriel Foundation and began to educate all that would listen about the plight of parrots. The foundation has a group of extremely dedicated people who work in the aviary as well as those in the office. Laurie E. Baker As part of her quest to gain and share knowledge; Laurie moved forward from her B.S. in Management to her certificate in Ornithology from Cornell. Currently she is in the process of gaining her Diploma of Parrot Science & Technology (dip. PBST). She is a life member of the American Federation of Aviculture and the World Parrot Trust. She is also a member of Loro Parque Foundacion, IAABC, AAVP, A.S.A and other professional organizations. She has spoken at numerous bird associations throughout the USA and her articles have been published in several magazines and newsletters on both the local and national level. Also, Laurie has co-authored"The Essential Cockatoo", which became available mid September, 2008. Laurie is also the founder and president of For the Love of Nico, a 501(c)3 non-profit all volunteer organization established in 2003 that is headquartered in California. C.H.R.P., as it is commonly called, is dedicated to helping birds in need of veterinary assistance, shelter and rehab and the finding of a permanent home. They strive to educate people about birds in captivity as well as their conservation in the wild. Laurie has traveled to Europe, Brazil and Spain to participate in parrot conservation efforts and conferences. She has mentored many young people about birds, business and life in general and continues to do so. Through the years, she has educated countless people about the joys of having a companion bird and counseled just as many over the difficult times.
Download the Registration Brochure Here |
