Enhancing Knowledge in Behavior, Cognition, Welfare and Preventive Medicine

Dr. Jan Hooimeijer, Avian Health Care, Meppel, The Netherlands

Supported by an an anonymous donor through HARCC, Dr. Hooimeijer provides seminars and workshop programs to practitioners and students to strengthen veterinary training in parrot behavior, cognition, welfare, and preventive medicine. He has developed the Dutch 5-Step Behavior Protocol, a tool to handle parrots based on creating mutual respect and mutual trust. This low-stress approach ensures the welfare of parrots as well as the welfare of the caretakers with the concepts based on ethology. The similarities in behavioral and welfare problems in parrots/animals and children are remarkable and are therefore not just applicable to parrots but to any animal and child. His work dispels myths (such as parrots being unsafe around children) and highlights preventable issues like arteriosclerosis and feather-picking, to prepare future clinicians to advance avian health and welfare.