Blog: why recognising animal trainers matters for the future of our zoos and aquariums

How has animal training become a core feature of animal welfare? How can we keep improving its practice? Read our new blog by Dr Teresa Tyler, Chair of Programme Recognition Committee at ABTC (Animal Behaviour and Training Council)

When I look back to my earliest experiences of working with animals, I smile at how much of it was instinct, trial and error, and a lot of patience. I was always motivated by kindness, but I didn’t yet have the language or framework to describe what I was doing. Over time, I realised that animal training isn’t just about getting an animal to respond to a cue, it’s about building trust, reducing stress, and giving animals real choice in how they interact with us.

That shift in understanding is exactly why I believe the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) Register is so important for our sector, and why we need more Animal Training Instructors (ATI) and Animal Trainers (AT) stepping forward to join.

Across BIAZA zoos and aquariums, training has become an essential part of daily care. Whether it’s a parrot stepping onto a scale, a lion presenting a paw for a health check, or a reptile calmly moving into a transport box, good training makes life easier for everyone. It safeguards keepers, reduces the need for restraint, and allows animals to participate willingly in their own care. In short, training is animal welfare in action.

And yet, while training is embedded in the best of modern practice, it often remains undervalued. Not everyone realises that we now have a nationally recognised framework for training professionals. The ABTC Register provides exactly that, setting agreed standards of knowledge, practical skill, and ethical conduct for those working with animals in a training role.

For me, the value of registration goes beyond recognition. It’s about belonging to a professional community. When someone becomes an ABTC Registered ATI or AT, they’re not just ticking a box; they’re joining a group of practitioners committed to raising standards, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other. That community already includes colleagues from across the zoo and aquarium world, working through ABTC’s assessing organisations.

From an institutional perspective, encouraging staff to pursue registration is a clear signal of commitment to both staff development and animal welfare. It demonstrates that training isn’t a side interest, but a core professional skill. For the individual trainer, registration can be a confidence boost and a turning point. I’ve spoken to keepers who tell me that being able to say “I am an ABTC Registered Animal Trainer” changed the way they view their own role and the way others view them too. That shift in identity matters. It elevates animal training as a profession and highlights its central role in good animal management.

Of course, I know there are barriers. Time pressures, paperwork, and sometimes simply not knowing where to start. But there is support available. ABTC’s assessing organisations can guide trainers through the process. And the more people who take that step, the easier and more visible it becomes for others to follow.

This is why I believe we should be encouraging more colleagues to explore registration. It isn’t about creating extra work for already busy staff, it’s about investing in their skills, confidence, and professional future. It’s about ensuring that the vital role of training in animal care is recognised, respected, and accountable.

Because ultimately, animal training isn’t about us. It’s about the animals in our care. Every time we raise our own standards, we improve their experience. And that, to me, is the strongest reason of all to step forward, get recognised, and keep building a profession that puts animal well-being at its heart.

- Dr Teresa Tyler, Chair of Programme Recognition Committee, Animal Behaviour and Training Council

All blogs reflect the views of their author and are not necessarily a reflection of BIAZA's position