TOTAL BIRD HEALTH
EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
In an effort to provide the very best for our members, friends, supporters, veterinary
community and the parrots that bring us all together, The Gabriel Foundation Education Center is
honored to announce the premier of its Total Bird Health Educational Seminars.
The 2004 Series features a dynamite group of presenters, world renowned for their
advanced work on behalf of the parrot/human relationship. The caliber of information presented at
these events is on par with the best in avian, avicultural and veterinary conferences anywhere. You
will not want to miss any of these special opportunities to gain new and critical, cutting-edge
knowledge about the latest advances promoting Total Bird Health.
We bring you these workshops in an intimate atmosphere, one-on-one with a limited group
of participants in a forum that allows for plenty of practical hands’ on experience, with parrots as
models, and presenters from the very best in their respective fields. Topics covered will range from
taxonomy, the “birds and the bees”, behavior, training, veterinary medical news, and parrot
welfare. The workshops are all geared to the development, promotion and longevity of the strong
social bond between parrot and human. This bond is integral to total bird health.
The Foundation staff receives hundreds of calls and emails from people who need help with
their parrot’s behavior or people wanting to “get rid of their bird” for a variety of reasons. We must
better learn to understand those birds already relinquished either in The Gabriel Foundation’s
aviary or other parrot welfare organization’s care. We need improved tools to offset the old and
inaccurate information out in the public and replace it with helpful, pro-active and positive means
of interaction. Everyone that participates in these seminars will have those skills at their disposal,
allowing for even greater outreach and betterment in the parrot and people relationship.
Each speaker will present on two separate days. Either day offers 2 snack breaks, a catered
lunch and proceedings in addition to the 6-hour workshop and plenty of time for detailed Q & A.
This course has been submitted (but not yet approved) for 6 hours of continuing education credit in
jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB’s RACE approval: however participants should be aware that
some boards have limitations on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call Natasha
at 303-629-5900 x 213 for further information.
Day One is geared toward the hobbyist, aviculturist, parrot welfare, rescue and sanctuary
volunteer or staff, shelter worker, breeder, trainer, pet store personnel and the novice as well as to
all those with a general interest in learning more about the complex relationship of parrots and
humans. Whether you have a bird, are just interested in finding out more about living with a bird, or
want to expand your knowledge of a life shared with parrots, this workshop is for you. Attendance is
limited to 50 participants, with a maximum of 20 parrots in attendance. All participating parrots
are subject to the Avian Medical Requirements of The Gabriel Foundation and a reservation for an
attending parrot must be made at the time of registration. No exceptions allowed.
Day Two is aimed toward the avian and non-avian veterinary practitioner, the veterinary
student, the veterinary technician or student, breeder, pet store personnel, and trainer who each
play a critical role in the total health relationship of the parrot patient and human client. Viewing
the parrot from the veterinary perspective alone has proven insufficient in promoting the all-over
health of the avian patient. Presenters will provide their wealth of insight and knowledge into these
complex issues with emphasis on positive interaction, enhancing the veterinary exam, developing
and nurturing the client/patient bond. Focusing on new modalities, skills, insight and the parrot’s
innate behavior, the practitioner will be rewarded with a new, far kinder and gentler approach to the
parrot as patient. Participants may attend with a parrot, with a maximum of twenty parrots in
attendance. All participating parrots are subject to the Avian Medical Requirements of The Gabriel
Foundation and a reservation for an attending parrot must be made at the time of registration. No
exceptions allowed.
TOTAL BIRD HEALTH EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS SCHEDULE
I.
Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18:
Dr. Brian Speer DVM Dipl. ABVP ECAMS
Pre-registration deadline July 9th
The pair-bonded reproductive relationship between pet bird and owner poses a
significant threat to the health and behavioral well being of many pet birds. Although this
type of a relationship does occur with their wild counterparts, monogamous pairings that
are consistently reinforced between owner and bird is an important one for veterinarians.
Education of the pet bird owner as to the risks that can be linked to the type and nature of
their interactive relationship with their bird is a key aspect in avian veterinary practice.
Positive reinforcement training techniques, behavioral training, and building healthy
interactive foundations in the home are essential to effectively moderate or combat the
reproductive pair-bond relationship between pet bird and owner.
Workshop includes lecture, video, interactive activities, written materials and live
demonstrations on how to train behaviors from start to finish. An educational and fun
experience is our goal. Bring your questions; this workshop encourages an open forum to
analyze all your companion parrot behavior challenges and goals.
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II.
Friday, August 13 and Saturday, August 14:
Dr. Jan Hooimeijer, DVM
Pre-registration deadline August 6th
Taking care of the welfare and well-being of parrots is our responsibility as avian
veterinarians. Dealing with and handling parrots, veterinarians need to know the basics of
parrot behavior. A 5 step protocol enables veterinarians and caretakers to deal with
parrots in a professional way, reduces the stress of manipulations, and creates mutual
trust and respect. It is the responsibility of veterinarians to be positive role models in the
exam room.
Dr. Hooimeijer is the founder of the Dutch Parrot Walks, the inspiration for the
Foundation’s Parrot Promenade, stressing the importance of the development of a strong
social relationship between parrots and people. Dr. Hooimeijer is nearly alone responsible
for slowly changing the attitude and information about living with parrots in the
Netherlands, a country with a long history of wild parrot importation. Enhance your global
perspective with Dr. Hooimeijer’s vast experience, knowledge and his humane hands-on
approach.
Workshop includes lecture, video, interactive activities, written materials and live
demonstrations on how to work with behaviors from start to finish. An educational and fun
experience is our goal. Bring your questions; this workshop encourages an open forum to
analyze all your companion parrot behavior challenges and goals.
III.
Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17:
Barbara Heidenreich,
Pres. Elect IAATE, “Good Bird” Consulting
Pre-registration deadline October 8th
Learn basic methods and tools to teach your bird using positive reinforcement. The
workshop will cover the following:
 The basics of training- how does it work?
 How to read and interpret bird body language
 Solving behavioral problems
 Training basic behaviors
 Training to benefit the health and welfare of your bird
Workshop includes lecture, video, interactive activities, written materials and live
demonstrations on how to train behaviors from start to finish. An educational and fun
experience is our goal. Bring your questions; this workshop encourages an open forum to
analyze all your companion parrot behavior challenges and goals.
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LOCATION DETAILS:
The Total Bird Health Seminars will be held at the Church Ranch Veterinary Wellness
Center in Westminster, Colorado.
Phone number: 303-469-7387
Directions from the Airport:
Start out going North on PENA BLVD toward TERMINAL W.
Stay straight to go onto TERMINAL E.
TERMINAL E becomes TERMINAL EAST DEPARTURES.
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto AIRPORT EXIT.
Take PENA BLVD.
Merge onto I-70 W/US-36 W via the exit- on the left.
Take the I-270 N exit- exit number 279- toward FT COLLINS.
Merge onto US-36 W.
Take the 104TH AVE exit toward CHURCH RANCH BLVD.
Turn LEFT onto W 104TH AVE. W 104TH AVE becomes CHURCH RANCH BLVD.
Turn SHARP LEFT to stay on CHURCH RANCH BLVD.
End at 8308 CHURCH RANCH BLVD, WESTMINSTER CO
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Registration Form
(Please complete and sign)
Name ___________________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________
City ________________________________ State __________ Zip __________
Telephone ___________________________ Fax ________________________
Email ___________________________________________________________
Attending with bird (limited to 20 parrots maximum) □ yes □ no
Circle meal choice:
Poultry Beef Vegetarian Vegan
REGISTRATION FEES
TGF Members
Non-members
Students or technicians,
& shelter employees
Late registration fee
Single event
$125
$135
$65
All three events
$300
$350
$175
+$25
I am sending a check for $_______________.
Please bill my credit card for the amount of $_______________.
_____ VISA
_____ MasterCard
_____ American Express
Card No. _________________________________________ Expiration _______
Signature ________________________________________________________
We at The Gabriel Foundation fully anticipate that the Total Bird Health Seminars will be a fun,
stimulating event for you and your companion bird and a wonderful opportunity for you to interact
with other avian enthusiasts. We thank you for your interest, and we look forward to sharing a
wealth of information with you.
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Due to the fact that this event will involve handling birds, we want to ensure that you fully
understand that there are inherent risks involved in your participation. Therefore, we are asking
that you review, sign and date the following release. Please note that without your signature, your
Total Bird Health registration form will not be processed.
I understand that control of my bird(s) at the Total Bird Health Seminars (the “Event”) is completely
the responsibility of me as the bird(s) owner. In that regard, if my bird(s) should escape; be injured
by another bird, person, or the facility; contract a disease or be otherwise injured or die (all of the
foregoing a “Claim”), I agree that I will not hold The Gabriel Foundation or Church Ranch Veterinary
Clinic liable for any such Claim and hereby release and fully discharge the same two entities and all
their agents from any such Claim, including expenses such as legal fees, except to the extent of our
willful conduct.
Signature ________________________________________________________
Date ____________________________________________________________
Please mail or fax this registration form along with payment to:
The Gabriel Foundation Education Center
1025 Acoma Street
Denver, CO 80204
Fax: 303.629.5901
All receipts will be acknowledged. Your additional donations are greatly appreciated and are fully
tax-deductible according to IRS regulations for 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organizations.
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