BEHAVIOR COACHING & BOARDING
Services
More About Us
After a lifetime in technical writing, in 2011 I decided to move into the work I have dedicated my life to as an avocation, the work of my heart -- working with parrots and their human families.
My goal is to help those of us who share our homes and lives with birds to create the best possible relationships for all of us together. To accomplish this, I work with you to enhance your understanding of what your bird needs in order to thrive with all members of your family.
I show you how to work effectively with your bird to replace unwanted behaviors such as biting, screaming, or being a one-person bird, with positive behaviors.
Our parrots are not domesticated animals. They are wild by nature. I work with you and them to respect their need to be birds while also being a family member who is content and usually well behaved (they will always have their moments, but that's part of why we love them, isn't it?).
We are a member of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE).
To do this, I offer two services:
1. Working with you and your bird on behavior to enhance your relationship. I have the highest confidence in Barbara Heidenreich's approach (Good Bird Inc.), which is based entirely on positive reinforcement.
For her online resources, see Good Bird Inc., her Facebook page, and her training videos on YouTube.
All of her work as well as mine is based entirely on positive reinforcement.
I use Barbara Heidenreich’s approaches, as well as all that I have learned from my hands-on work with birds, my decades of fieldwork researching flock behavior (parrots are flock animals), and studying with world class biologists.
I also apply calming signals, an important way for us to communicate with our birds.
2. Boarding birds. I provide personalized service on par with a five-star bed and breakfast inn.
Guiding Principles
I have learned so much from the animals in my life. Some of my greatest teachers have been the feathered souls whose paths have intersected with mine.
My experience working with animals influences my strong feelings that every living being has his or her own personality, and deserves to be treated with utmost respect and feel heard.
Our best relationships are based on an equal partnership, and mutual respect and trust. My relationships with birds and other animals are exactly that.
I have been studying the language of animals, especially birds, for decades, with a special focus on calming signals. I've learned from years of research and ultimately -- and mostly -- from the animals themselves. My approach is to foster a true partnership based on cooperation and listening with all the animals I work with.
The common thread between all of my work is listening carefully. With animals, I honor the needs, wants, and personalities of each individual bird.