The S-P-I Portion of the SPIDER Model of Enrichment

You may have noticed them, but have you paid much attention to the group charged with maintaining peace and order in an aquarium or zoo? Today we discuss the scope and types of issues that they deal with on a daily basis to keep things calm and fun. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

Sometimes, we understand our impact and how we are perceived, but not always. Self-awareness doesn't come naturally to everyone, but there are ways to develop it over time. You are capable of taking some time to reflect, ponder, and make choices to improve your impact. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

An animal in human care should have the same opportunities to thrive as their wild counterparts (minus, perhaps, the constant threat of predators...). With that in mind, keepers have to get creative in how to make life fun, interesting, and intriguing for our animal friends. How do we know what to do? What kind of thought and preparation goes into enrichment? A lot is happening that you might not have considered in what seems such a simple idea. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

You've found a job that you want, but now what? Here are a few helpful hints to increase your chances of getting your foot in the door and landing that position. It takes a lot of preparation, but if you're really ready to move on, it's got to be worth it, right? Good luck, and happy job hunting, friends!

One of the central principles, goals, and missions of aquariums and zoos is to conserve the natural world. This might mean individual species or entire ecosystems. How do we approach this vast challenge? What are our methods? How might guests get involved? Take some time to ponder, research, and join in! Helpful links: https://projectpiaba.org/ www.patreon.com/aquatizoo

Revisiting some advice for those who might need it. Vulnerability and discomfort are a part of admitting you've made a mistake. Take it a step further and apologize. It doesn't feel so great initially, but it will eventually pay off in the end. Free your guilty mind and let's all be better humans! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

Please excuse the lack of new episodes for the moment. School work is occupying much of my time these days! Please enjoy a popular older episode and I will be back with something new as soon as I can! Aquariums and Zoos have to be ready for all sorts of scenarios in order to keep the guests, animals, and staff safe. We might be surprised by things on occasion, but we try to be methodical about our response so that everything goes smoothly. Hurricanes? Fire? Animal escape? We prepare for all sorts of things... just in case. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

Did you know that aquarium and zoo professionals often volunteer to take on more work than what falls within their job description or organization? Today we discuss the pros and cons of taking on more and being generous with your time and efforts in your field. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

When we're feeling unsure, it's tempting to draw upon past experiences for guidance, even when they weren't so effective or pleasant. Today we discuss emulating behaviors and habits of other people, and why it may or may not work for you. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

It's relatively easy to envision how the first portion of the SPIDER model of enrichment works, but the second portion is just as important. Today we discuss how we know our enrichment and training ideas are working and how we carry those ideas into the future. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple