Friday, June 29, 2012

TAGteacher Spotlight: Laura Monaco Torelli


Laura Monaco Torelli, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP) and a member of the KPA faculty, is the Director of Training for Animal Behavior Training Concepts in Chicago. She works in collaboration with veterinary behaviorist Dr. John Ciribassi at Animal Behavior Partners, and is staff with Chicagoland Veterinary Behavior Consultants. Laura is also TAGteach Level 2 certified. Since 1991, Laura has worked with and trained beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, seals, river otters, and penguins (at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago), primates, large cats, birds of prey, reticulated giraffes, Arctic foxes, horses, parrots, macaws, tree kangaroos, and red pandas (at the San Diego Zoo, Brookfield Zoo and Niabi Zoological Society) and of course, dogs (just about everywhere).

"Earning the Level 2 TAGteach Instructor Certification has been one of the most reinforcing experiences of my career. Being able to apply TAGteach applications and principles within the zoological community, within the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Program and with our puppy and dog clients has been an amazing continuing education opportunity for all involved! Moving forward toward the Level 3 is my next goal. Many thanks to TAGteach International for their continuing patience and enthusiasm with my questions and suggested projects to help further my education while teaching others."
Laura has been a wonderful asset to the TAGteach team over the years, helping out at seminars and presentations and presenting a shining example of how to apply TAGteach principles in daily life and in interactions with others. Laura will be co-presenting with Theresa McKeon at our Dynamic Duo seminar in Italy in November. Laura will talk about animal Clicker Training and how the principles relate to TAGteach, while Theresa will talk about TAGteach and how the principles relate to animal training.

TAGteach is thrilled that Laura is working towards her Level 3 certification and we look forward to having her join our teaching team!