Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this inspiring episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Molly Feldman — Senior Bear Team Manager at the Chengdu Bear Rescue Center and board member of the Animal Behavior and Management Alliance (ABMA) — for a conversation about rehabilitating rescued bears, advanced cooperative care, and the power of listening to animal body language. With nearly two decades of experience in animal husbandry, Molly shares her decade-long journey with Animals Asia, overseeing the mental well-being and management of 81 bears (mostly Asiatic black bears alongside two Tibetan brown bears). She reflects on the complex social lives of bears, how they form dynamic and seasonal relationships, and how her team successfully utilizes seasonal enrichment and comprehensive cooperative care—ranging from voluntary blood draws and ultrasounds to conscious suture removals. Molly also opens up about her passion for improving dog welfare in her rural local community through fencing projects and dog-walking clubs, as well as her recent foray into cognitive research with bears via match-to-sample training challenges. Together, Shelly and Molly explore: ✅ How transitioning to seasonal, behavior-based enrichment matches the natural life cycles and needs of Asiatic black bears  ✅ The intricate social dynamics of bears in sanctuary groups, including seasonal friendships and fascinating case studies like Shanty and Picklenickle ✅ Building a comprehensive cooperative care program from the ground up, allowing bears to voluntarily participate in complex medical procedures ✅ The crucial importance of observing subtle body language cues—such as micro-exhalations and posture changes—to determine when a bear is stressed or frustrated ✅ Redesigning transport cage loading protocols by eliminating luring, honoring choice, and using distance as a negative reinforcer to build trust with fearful bears ✅ Community engagement efforts to improve the lives of chained and confined dogs in rural China ✅ The value of utilizing the Animal Training Academy community and forums to troubleshoot training plateaus and cognitive tasks This episode is a celebration of empathy, science-based husbandry, and the dedication required to help traumatized animals thrive. Molly's story is a powerful reminder that true animal welfare begins when we honor choice, listen closely to subtle communications, and ensure our animals feel completely in control of their lives. Links www.linkedin.com/in/molly-feldman [email protected]

In this inspiring episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Debbie Sykes — veterinary technician, instructor for the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, and speaker chair for the Clinical Animal Behavior Conference — for a rich conversation about wildlife rehabilitation, animal welfare, and the power of shifting our perspective to see care through the animal's eyes. With an extensive background spanning two decades in wildlife rehabilitation, Debbie shares her journey from stumbling into the field in Southern California to tackling the heartbreaking realities of high mortality rates and preventable injuries in rescue centers. She reflects on the pivotal mentors who shaped her path, the importance of moving beyond "checking boxes" to truly meet animal needs, and why she transitioned from simply treating patients to focusing on upstream prevention through community education and coexistence. Debbie also opens up about her transition into teaching future veterinarians, her passion for science communication through simple calls to action (CTAs), and her recent adventures in cooperative care—including training her bearded dragon, Triss, for dental care with the help of the ATA community. Together, Shelly and Debbie explore: How learning to see care from the animal's perspective completely transformed wildlife rehabilitation practices The reality of compassion fatigue in rescue work and why shifting focus upstream to prevent injuries is crucial The power of simple, actionable conservation calls to action Smart antecedent arrangements and protocol design to help volunteers safely and successfully care for complex species like herons The vital role of community support, mentorship, and outside perspectives when hitting a training plateau Collaborative training wins, including teaching cooperative care for toothbrushing and oral medications with a bearded dragon named Triss This episode is a celebration of empathy, science-based care, and the steady work of helping both wildlife and humans thrive together. Debbie's story is a powerful reminder that whether we are working with wild patients or companion animals, slowing down to ask what the learner is experiencing allows us to improve welfare and make better decisions every single day. Links [email protected] 

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Jimmy Maxwell—founder of Leap Canine Coaching—to explore the powerful intersection of human behavior, empathy, and science-based dog training. Jimmy shares his unexpected journey into the industry, which began not with dogs, but through years of youth ministry. He offers an honest account of growing up with a "traditional" view of dog training and the pivotal, eye-opening experience with his own chocolate Lab, Lambeau, that shifted his perspective toward reinforcement-based methods. Jimmy delves into his transition from Search and Rescue (SAR) to becoming a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, and how he now approaches behavior modification by prioritizing the human-canine bond above all else. Beyond the technical side of training, Jimmy opens up about the often-unspoken challenges trainers face, including compassion fatigue, the emotional weight of behavioral euthanasia, and the necessity of finding safe communities for support. He also shares his unique philosophy on building rapport with clients, emphasizing the importance of meeting people where they are—using his own ministry background and observation skills to translate complex behavior concepts into relatable, human-centered language. Together, Shelly and Jimmy explore: How early life experiences, both good and bad, shape our professional behavior philosophies. The "double-edged sword" of being an empathetic trainer and how to maintain healthy professional boundaries. Why the "people side" of dog training is often the most critical component of behavior change. Practical strategies for connecting with clients who may hold different views on training. The essential role of vulnerability and seeking support to avoid burnout in the industry. This episode is a candid exploration of what it means to be a "whole" trainer—one who cares deeply for the animals while also fostering real, compassionate connections with the people on the other end of the leash. Links https://www.leapcanine.com/ [email protected]

In this fascinating episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Alamelu Sankaranarayanan—a KPA-certified training partner based in the San Francisco Bay Area—for a deep dive into the intersection of technology, science, and the evolving dialogue between humans and animals. Alamelu shares her remarkable journey from pursuing a PhD in computer engineering and designing microchips to finding her "true north" in the world of positive reinforcement animal training. Alamelu reflects on her roots in India, where the cultural message to stay away from street dogs eventually gave way to a profound curiosity and a secret relationship with the neighborhood packs. She discusses how these early experiences, combined with a "remarkable chain of lucky encounters," led her to the Karen Pryor Academy and Dr. Susan Friedman's Living and Learning with Animals course—experiences that helped her articulate her ethics and lead with clarity and kindness. The conversation also explores Alamelu's unique ability to marry her tech background with her passion for dogs, including her development of the Canine Rally app for competitors and her current labor of love, Woof School. Alamelu candidly shares a powerful learning moment from her certification process involving a complex 10-behavior chain with her Golden Retriever, Monty, and how a "failed" assessment became a masterclass in understanding hidden cues and behavioral repair. Together, Shelly and Alamelu explore: ✅ From Microchips to Mutts: How a career in tech informed a systematic and analytical approach to animal behavior. ✅ The Internal Compass: The life-changing experience of finding community and philosophy at Clicker Expo. ✅ Everything is on Cue: A deep dive into the idea that even "wrong" behaviors are often responses to cues we aren't aware we're giving. ✅ The Chicken Camp Comeback: How working with a new species helped break a spell of dejection and rediscovered the joy of being a learner. ✅ Husbandry and Choice: Moving from "no-choice" contingencies to honoring "yes" and "no" buttons for procedures like nail dremeling. ✅ Digital Ripples: The story behind the Canine Rally app and using technology to make dog sports more accessible. ✅ The Dialogue of Training: Why training is a constant dance of communication where the animal is cueing the handler just as much as the handler cues the animal. This episode is a celebration of the "discovery path" and the humility required to stay a student of behavior. Alamelu's story is a beautiful reminder that when we treat training as a dialogue rather than a monologue, we don't just achieve fluency—we build a partnership rooted in trust, clarity, and mutual respect. Links [email protected]

In this enlightening episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Simone Tuten—an animal behavior consultant and trainer based in Western Australia—for a deep conversation about the evolution of empathy, the science of behavior, and the profound impact of giving animals a voice . Simone works with both dogs and horses, bringing a unique multi-species perspective grounded in the firm belief that animals are sentient individuals who deserve to feel safe and understood . Simone shares her journey from a "shy child" who once comforted a distressed kitten at a school fair to a professional behaviorist who has navigated the transition from traditional, pressure-based methods to compassionate, force-free training . With a background in conservation biology and a previous career as a "weed scientist," Simone's path to full-time animal behavior was sparked by a spontaneous decision to join a dog training course that eventually changed her life . The conversation explores the "human side" of the training equation, with Simone reflecting on the patience and empathy required for both animals and their owners to make a true mindset shift. She candidly discusses her own experience of taking over a year to fully "click" with positive reinforcement for complex behavior challenges—a realization that fuels her compassionate approach to mentoring fellow trainers and supporting families. Together, Shelly and Simone explore: ✅ The Multi-Species Lens: Bridging the gap between canine and equine behavior through a shared philosophy of choice . ✅ The Year-Long Shift: Why it takes time to rewrite our own learning history and fully embrace force-free behavior modification . ✅ From Social Science to Science: How her background in conservation and government research informs her analytical approach to behavior . ✅ Consent in Practice: Helping owners read and respond to subtle body language cues to build lasting trust . ✅ Collaborative Care: The importance of working alongside veterinarians and specialists for holistic animal welfare . ✅ The Power of Mentorship: Focusing on the practical application of theory to help new trainers manage real-world client expectations . This episode is a celebration of the quiet, steady work of building trust across species. Simone's story is a powerful reminder that when we prioritize the animal's right to a "say" in their own lives, we don't just solve behavior problems—we create a partnership built on mutual respect . Links https://simonetuten.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/SimoneTutenDogAndHorseBehaviourConsultant