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Further training for animal care staff

The SUST provides support within the framework of its Training for professionals Customized training for animal shelter staff and their work with stray animals. This allows us to respond specifically to requests and meet the needs of individual shelters (and potentially identify further needs). This actively supports animal welfare and the chances of rehoming individual animals.

In their daily work with stray animals, animal shelter staff encounter various problems and challenges, for which they require experienced support and financial assistance. Professionals need further training tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of individual shelters. Many staff changes occur within shelters, and their operations are constantly being revised.

Who is this offer aimed at?
Animal shelters and animal welfare organizations can apply for subsidized further training. The training courses are aimed at animal caretakers (including those without formal qualifications).

Financing
As part of its "Continuing Education for Professionals" program, SUST covers 80% of these training costs. The remaining 20% ​​is to be borne by the organizations themselves.

How does one obtain funding for such further training from the SUST?
Animal shelters can contact us by email. ausbildung@susyutzinger.ch apply for such further training courses.

Who is conducting the service?

The training courses are conducted by qualified trainers. Dates and topics are arranged with the responsible parties.

Andrea Campa (The Wildlife Trainer) Behavioral biologist and animal trainer

Andrea Campa developed her passion for understanding animal behavior and the underlying cognitive and emotional processes through a Master's degree in Cognitive Behavioral Biology from the University of Zurich. At the same time, she is a highly practical professional with many years of experience in the care and training of animals, particularly in the unique challenges of animal welfare and shelters. Working with demanding dogs is a significant part of her expertise. Through work as a horse groom and veterinary assistant, as well as six years as an animal trainer at Zurich Zoo, she has gained extensive experience working with diverse animal species, from reptiles and birds to farm animals and predators, and has also become familiar with the specific requirements of different operational areas. A key focus of her work is the continuing education of staff in animal training and low-stress handling, addressing the unique challenges of daily operations. She is currently pursuing a second Master's degree in Behavioral Medicine at the Veterinary University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Andrea Campa has been working independently as an animal trainer since 2017 and is a professional member of the IAABC (International Association of animal behavior consultants) and a Fearfree certified trainer for low-stress examinations, treatment and care of animals. 

Offer / Implementation
In addition to the publicly accessible training courses at the SUST Academy, individual training courses and workshops are offered in the individual animal shelters.

  1. Workshops by SUST and dWT
  2. Workshops that take place/are conducted exclusively within the animal shelter
  3. Seminars / Lectures
  4. Animal assessment and troubleshooting – individual animal with a specific issue – 3 hours (see also "fear-free vet visits" below)

Longer-term coaching sessions on specific topics are also possible by arrangement (usually 3 hours per week over a longer period).

Registration

Interested parties should contact the SUST trainers directly to discuss the program, its content, and to arrange a date:

 

Other topics

Various topics are also possible with a focus on farm animals (goats, sheep, pigs, chickens) and with horses.

Specific, individual topic requests can also be taken into account.

Topics

Kitten Kindy

Workshops for kittens between 7 and 16 weeks old for optimal preparation for life, including training for staff (including: fear-free vet visits)

Duration: max. ½ day
Lecturer: Andrea Campa

Theory section:  

  • What is important for a successful start in life for kittens?

Practical part:

  • Socialization (other cats, other animals, strangers, various objects)
  • Playing it right – tips and tricks
  • Training and getting used to touch and treatments – tips and tricks
  • Transporter Training – Tips and Tricks
  • First clicker training

Workshops for puppies from 8 weeks old – grouped by age (ideally at the veterinary practice)

Duration: max. ½ day
Lecturer: Andrea Campa

Theory section:

  • Preparing puppies for treatments, examinations and grooming: what can we do early on?

Practical part:

  • Low stress handling – tips and tricks
  • Training in touch and treatments – playful exercises
  • Discover the environment and objects of a TA practice

dWT offers services for the treatment of pronounced issues in the field of treatment/examination (for example, dogs that cannot be touched at all, etc.).

Duration: 40 minutes at the Vetplace practice in Bachenbülach
Lecturer: Andrea Campa

Duration: 2 days
Lecturer: Andrea Campa

Practical and theoretical work with the dog and the dog model

  • Day 1: Handling for safety (dogs) – muzzle, muzzle loop, getting them out of boxes, safe handling, etc.
  • Day 2: Approaches in animal welfare for quickly building trust (click4blick, consent, treat-retreat, ds/cc classic)

Duration: 4 days
Lecturer: Andrea Campa

  • Animal training in animal shelters: What can I use effectively and where?
  • Recognizing anxiety, fear, and stress; the principle of stimulus thresholds and the effects of acute and chronic stress
  • Fearless Approaches: Overview of Principles and Techniques
  • Clicker training in animal shelters: How to begin? Techniques and tools
  • Touch and treatments: targeted techniques
  • Advanced techniques: Consent training / cooperation training
  • Employment and enrichment ideas

Duration: 2 days
Lecturer: Andrea Campa

Theory section:

  • Behavioral overview and cats in the animal shelter
  • Recognizing fear, anxiety, and stress in cats
  • Presenting CAT Guidelines for the handling and care of cats

Practical part:

  • Apply CAT Guidelines
  • Low-stress handling techniques for cats for treatments and examinations
  • Clicker training tips and techniques for cats in animal shelters
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