[IATCB] News and updates for Spring 2025

Hello Visitor,

The International Avian Trainers Certification Board and the International Animal Trainers Certification Board, IATCB, offers you a way to gain professional credibility, increase your earnings potential, and advance your career. We live in a competitive world, and animal trainers are no different than anyone else looking for advanced knowledge and skill in their profession.  IATCB endorses voluntary certification by examination for all professionals involved with animals, including trainers, educators, handlers, veterinarians, and all others involved in the care and handling of animals.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Nicolas Issenjou

‘Raising the Bar’ in Europe

Who am I and what I do?

I’m Nicolas Issenjou, and over the years, I’ve had the incredible privilege to work with a wide variety of species—orca, beluga, polar bears, walruses, sea lions, parrots, and more. To me, training is an art that balances science and instinct—an ongoing dance that harmonizes understanding and ethical principles, creating a virtuous cycle of well-being for both the animals and the humans involved.

Today, I am an animal behavior consultant and coach available worldwide to share my expertise with animal trainers and teams in diverse settings. I currently work at La Palmyre Zoo in France.

I also propose virtual training coaching, helping individuals to enhance their professional growth. Whether it's solving specific challenges or refining general practices, my approach is rooted in my passion for transmitting knowledge, my focus is always on continuous improvement for the well-being of the animals and the people who work with them, free from stress and fear.

I am also member of the EAAM Training Committee (I’ve been honored to win twice the Best Training Presentation Award) and member of ABMA and IMATA.

A Journey of Growth as a Trainer

From "Casting Mistake" to Certified Professional

The path I’ve taken to get where I am today hasn’t been linear. As a child, I always wanted to be close to dolphins, though I couldn’t quite explain why. It was more of a gut feeling than a reasoned desire. But as my career progressed, the reasons became clearer.

I didn’t follow the traditional academic route. Instead, I pursued a rather generic French course—one that wasn’t particularly specialized and rigorous but which I approached with passion and determination. In fact, there wasn’t even a position for me in the program at first, but I didn’t give up. I took my chance and approached the recruiters directly, proving my commitment—and it worked.

That opened the door to an internship working with marine mammals. While I started with dolphins, I soon found myself fascinated by the challenge of working with orcas, one of the most challenging species with remarkable cognitive abilities. I had the privilege of being trained by a team of exceptional professionals, including a mentor from SeaWorld, whose guidance shaped my development.

But despite the incredible opportunities, I sometimes felt like a “casting mistake.” Not because I lacked the skills, but because I knew how much the animals deserved. They deserve the best, and I was determined to be worthy of their trust.

How I Grew

To overcome that sense of self-doubt, I gave everything I had. I worked tirelessly, learning from the best, immersing myself in books on psychology and animal behavior (fun fact: that's how I learned English!). I spent countless hours observing, asking questions, and refining my skills. And with each new piece of knowledge, my passion for behavior analysis deepened.

I discovered my “why.” These animals, especially those in human care, are ambassadors of the wild. We have a responsibility to give our absolute best for their well-being, as well as for conservation, scientific research, and public education. The better we understand their behavior and needs, the more we can fulfill these objectives. It's as simple as ABC: antecedent, behavior, consequence.

Were there mistakes? Plenty—there still are. But I embrace them, knowing that each one is a valuable opportunity for growth. And I always prioritize safety and welfare, both for the animals and for those working with them.

Yet, despite all my experience, one thing was missing: an official certification to validate my journey.

Why I Wanted to Become CPAT-KA Certified

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve recently passed the Certification Examination for Professional Animal Trainers (CPAT-KA). In fact, I’m proud to be the first French professional from zoological parks to earn this certification. It’s a milestone in my career, one that acknowledges 25 years of dedication to animal care and training.

For a long time, I sought a way to formally recognize my experience. The International Animal Training Certification Board provided the perfect platform.

This certification is so much more than just a title. It represents the culmination of years of passion and hard work, and it helps build credibility and trust within the animal training community. Working with cognitively complex animals like orcas has sharpened my precision and understanding of training techniques. But these principles—understanding species-specific communication, learning to read behavior, and applying operant conditioning—are universal : every organism work under the same laws. Once you understand the species you work with, the results are often extraordinary.

In the same way that learning new languages becomes easier the more you practice, training different species becomes more intuitive with experience. And of course, the practical value of a certification is undeniable: it enhances your professional profile and can even improve salary discussions, something particularly important in a field where pay can be lower than expected.

More importantly, certifications like the CPAT-KA help raise the standards of the profession. They ensure that animal trainers are equipped with the knowledge and skills required for ethical, effective animal care. This is essential not only for the animals themselves but for the institutions that care for them. As scrutiny on marine parks and zoos increases, it’s vital that we continually evolve to meet higher standards.

Why This Matters for the Training Community in France and Europe

For me, this certification is not just a personal achievement—it’s a recognition that I am proud to share with the broader animal training community. It’s a step forward not only for me, but also for the animals and institutions that rely on our expertise.

In recent years, we’ve made great strides in ensuring the physical care of animals. But the next step for institutions, especially in Europe and France, is to prioritize professional development in animal behavior. It’s time to integrate a deeper understanding of animal psychology and training into every aspect of animal care.

Unfortunately, many animal professionals are still not taken as seriously as they should be in Europe. While everyone may claim to practice training, it is a true skill that requires deep understanding and expertise. It’s not enough to simply understand basic concepts like R+, R-, P+, and P-. To be truly effective, you must master the principles and application of operant conditioning and behavior science.

I hope that one day, the term “zookeeper” will disappear, replaced by “animal trainer.” That’s the level of professionalism and skill that I believe our field and the animals deserve, even if it's just for managing basic behaviors.

And above all, training is fun! It’s a collaborative dance between trainer and animal, where both are engaged and motivated. When done right, it leads to mutual respect and a rewarding partnership.

Seeking Continuing Education and Professional Development

Why do I continue learning? The answer is simple: for the animals. To truly express love and respect for the animals we care for, we must remain curious, eager to learn, and committed to professional growth. In the world of animal training, there is no “standing still”—we either improve, or we fall behind.

There is always more to learn, and I look forward to discovering even more in the years to come. This journey of growth and improvement is what fuels my passion every day.

Here’s to making a difference—for the animals, for the professionals, and for the future of animal welfare.

Ultimately, it is all about raising the bar.

Ready to Take Your Training to the Next Level?

If you’re looking for guidance in improving your training techniques, or if you want to discuss ways to elevate the standards of animal care and welfare in your institution, feel free to reach out. I offer on-site consulting, virtual coaching, and tailored solutions to help you achieve your goals—whatever the species you’re working with.

Mail : issenjou.n@gmail.com

Linkedin : www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-issenjou-cpat-ka-77b568a9

Company name: ZooTraining Consulting
"Applied behavioral science for animal welfare and conservation"

Website (soon available):
www.zootraining.com
Also soon on social medias (LinkedIn, instagram, facebook)

Personal LinkedIn profile:
http://linkedin.com/in/nicolas-issenjou-cpat-ka-77b568a9

Prefered quote : 

"Whatever you do, or dream you can do, begin it.Boldness has genius, power and magic in it" - Goethe.

Whether you just completed the exam or have been certified for years, IATCB would love to spotlight you in an upcoming newsletter!  Interested? Please e-mail newsletter@IATCB.org for more information. As an added bonus - articles published by IATCB, including spotlights, are eligible for CEUs.

CEUs:

IAATE just wrapped up in beautiful Pigeon Forge, TN.  To claim your CEUs email Helen Dishaw at conference@iaate.org.  Tell her which workshops and days you participated in and she will send you a certificate to claim your CEUs.

Still looking for ways to get CEUs?  We are looking for content for future exams!  One CEU is awarded for every 5 test items accepted. Test items are questions and four "answers" to the question. Only one answer should be correct, with the other three answers being distractors. Distractors should seem plausible and not obviously incorrect.

Download the Item Developers' Guide written by our testing company, PTC, for full details of item writing. Email your test items to IATCB.

Connect with us on social media! IATCB is active on Facebook and Instagram.  We share training highlights, species spotlights, funny memes, professional development opportunities and more!

IATCB Certification Grant Program

IATCB is pleased to introduce their new Grant Program. The purpose of the IATCB Certification Exam Grant is to remove financial barriers to certification for applicants volunteering or working in the field of animal/bird training who are interested in pursuing or furthering a training-related career.

IATCB will offer one bird trainer (CPBT-KA) and one animal trainer (CPAT-KA) grant per testing cycle. Please download the application form for more details. The form, when completed should be emailed to grant@iatcb.org.

This information is also on the web site, International Avian Trainers Certification Board - News (iatcb.org)

https://www.iatcb.org/newhome

GET CERTIFIED:

To find the list of recommended reading material go to International Avian Trainers Certification Board - Home (iatcb.org) and go to “Get Certified”

2024/25 Testing Dates

*Applications will not be accepted after 11:59pm Eastern on this date

To find the list of recommended reading material go to International Avian Trainers Certification Board - Home (iatcb.org) and click on “Get Certified”