Psychology Club Students Learn Animal-Training Techniques at Pittsburgh Zoo

Students from SFU’s Psychology Club visited the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium on Nov. 12, receiving a behind-the-scenes tour of the park, while also gaining some hands-on training and conditioning opportunities.

Mo, one of the zoo’s employees, educated the psychology students on a number of different topics. He told the students that Chanel No. 5 perfume is effective in training the zoo’s large cats.

The students visited the otter exhibit and this was followed by a question-and-answer opportunity. During this session, zoo trainers discussed training methods in-depth, including the fact that they never use negative punishment while training.

The students were provided time to visit the exhibits they found most interesting.