Zach Zeneberg

A graduate of the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Ecology, Zach's first exposure to animal training was working with non-releasable wild birds of prey at Leslie Science and Nature Center in Ann Arbor, where he was teaching outdoor education programs. When given the opportunity to become a full time professional animal trainer, he moved to Florida and spent a year presenting free-flighted bird programs at Disney's Animal Kingdom. While there, he studied behavioral science and learned choice-based training methods while working with various species -- hawks, ravens, crows, cranes, various parrots, chickens, and rats among them. After obtaining his CPBT-KA certification, he returned to Michigan and spent the following year at Doghouse Ann Arbor, a local training and boarding facility, before packing up and heading west.

He spent the next seven years in Eugene, Oregon, at Cascades Raptor Center - a beautiful nature center and wildlife hospital. As a trainer, his focus was on cooperative care -- using positive reinforcement training to make the lives of resident non-releasable raptors as comfortable and enriching as possible. Although Zach misses the PNW, he is excited to be back in Michigan, working with the team of amazing trainers at A Pleasant Dog. He's committed to improving the quality of life of all animals in human care, and believes a great way to do that is by teaching pet parents how they can use behavioral science and positive reinforcement to build strong, trust-based relationships with their fur babies.

Zach spends his free time playing Irish Traditional Music on the flute and adventuring with his wonderful partner Amy and dogs Maeby the Aussie Mix and Hazel the Toller. (Edit: His cat, Loki, demanded mention. Loki is also wonderful.)