Joanne Oliva-Purdy

About

Joanne Oliva-Purdy received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the Graduate School of the City University of New York 's Biopsychology program which included course work in four areas of animal behavior: Ethology, Learning Theory, Developmental Psychology and Neuroscience. While working on her thesis project on zebra finches, she started working at the Bronx Zoo training keepers and doing research projects in the Bird Department. She took a particular interest in parrots at this time, traveling to different facilities to see how they cared for their parrots. While finishing up her PhD work she joined the Baltimore Zoo as their Behaviorist and spent 5 years developing enrichment programs and helping the keepers work with chimpanzees, and large carnivores (bears and cats), among other species. She left as they transitioned to The Maryland Zoo and in 2000 started her companion animal behavior consulting business, Animal Behavior Services, in 2000 while working at the USDA's Animal Welfare Information Center. She moved to Colorado in 2001, continuing to consult with caretakers of dogs, cats and parrots and taught classes to shelter staff and companion animal owners along the Front Range. She taught dog training while in Leadville but decided to specialize in cats and parrots when she moved back down to the Denver area in 2012. The methods she recommends include management of the behavior problem, Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning, using positive reinforcement, and Environmental Enrichment. She avoids using punishment that produces fear or pain as they often produce undesirable side effects and damage the relationship you have with your pet. She looks forward to helping you and your companion improve your relationship.