In this continuation of our two-part series, Tom Candy returns to the Animal Training Academy Podcast to dive even deeper into the complex, emotional, and incredibly impactful world of shelter and rescue behavior work. As a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviorist and founder of Simplifying Shelter Behaviour, Tom brings over 15 years of experience in the field and a relentless commitment to improving animal welfare.

In this episode, Tom opens up about the human side of behavior work in shelter settings—discussing the emotional toll, the importance of support systems, and the nuanced decisions behavior professionals must make every day. With heart, humor, and humility, he shares insights into:

✅ Navigating the mental load and moral dilemmas of behavior work in rescue environments ✅ The significance of peer support and reflective practice to combat compassion fatigue ✅ How to balance behavioral outcomes with the best welfare options for animals and their caregivers ✅ Empowering shelter staff and volunteers with practical, positive-based solutions ✅ Why clear communication and small wins can create powerful ripples of change

This episode is a must-listen for anyone working in or alongside rescue and shelter organizations. Whether you’re a trainer, behavior consultant, volunteer, or advocate, Tom’s grounded perspective and lived experience will leave you feeling seen, supported, and inspired to do more of the good work—without burning out.

Links

https://open.spotify.com/show/1Ea6VTImAPcnlXilJYunij?si=9494adef3f064d14

https://simplifyingshelterbehaviour.com/

https://educanine.org/2025-conference?fbclid=IwY2xjawKHUYJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA5Y3ZLaDQ0eDFYdHUyRHBNAR4dLvacTszLMncdW44_WmU-oeObn6FsRO7wApjPdj_HZvsTnOCB34Xqf6xsqg_aem_b3aPz3fSwo7LroNisEnxzw

In this first installment of a two-part conversation,, we welcome Tom Candy—Certified Clinical Animal Behaviorist and founder of Simplifying Shelter Behaviour—for an engaging discussion that dives deep into the realities, challenges, and opportunities within the world of shelter and rescue animal care.

With over 15 years of experience in the field, Tom shares practical wisdom drawn from his work across the UK’s largest dog welfare organization and his efforts to elevate animal welfare and training standards in shelters. His perspective blends hands-on experience, academic rigor, and a deep passion for improving the lives of both animals and the humans who care for them.

Throughout this episode, we explore: ✅ Common myths and misconceptions around “rescue behavior problems” ✅ How training and behavior programs can be realistically integrated into shelter environments ✅ The value of consistency, environmental management, and caregiver education ✅ Why language and communication matter when discussing animal behavior in shelter settings ✅ The importance of data collection, reflective practice, and organizational buy-in for sustainable change

Tom’s grounded, compassionate approach provides a refreshing look at behavior modification within the shelter context—emphasizing empowerment over blame, collaboration over quick fixes, and science over assumption. Whether you're a trainer, behavior consultant, volunteer, or shelter staff member, this conversation offers inspiration and actionable takeaways to help improve outcomes for animals in your care.

Links

https://open.spotify.com/show/1Ea6VTImAPcnlXilJYunij?si=9494adef3f064d14

https://simplifyingshelterbehaviour.com/

https://educanine.org/2025-conference?fbclid=IwY2xjawKHUYJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA5Y3ZLaDQ0eDFYdHUyRHBNAR4dLvacTszLMncdW44_WmU-oeObn6FsRO7wApjPdj_HZvsTnOCB34Xqf6xsqg_aem_b3aPz3fSwo7LroNisEnxzw

In this insightful episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, Dr. Keira Moore returns for part two of our thought-provoking discussion on behavior analysis, radical behaviorism, and the intersection of science and practice in both human and animal training. With her extensive background as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) and KPA-CTP certified dog trainer, Keira shares her expertise on how we can stay conceptually systematic, follow the science, and ask the right questions to refine our training approaches.

Throughout this episode, we dive into five key strategies for grounding training in behavioral science, including: ✅ Understanding radical behaviorism and why it’s a game-changer for ethical training ✅ The importance of following the science and identifying credible sources of knowledge ✅ Why being conceptually systematic can help trainers avoid unnecessary fluff in their methods ✅ Asking critical questions to distinguish evidence-based practices from trendy but unproven techniques ✅ The power of community and lifelong learning to enhance training effectiveness

Keira’s approach is both practical and thought-provoking, offering valuable takeaways for dog trainers, behavior consultants, and animal caregivers alike. Whether you’re new to behavior analysis or a seasoned professional, this conversation will challenge the way you think about training and empower you to make more informed, science-based decisions.

🔗 Want to connect with Keira? Check out the following links:

Pet Project Website: https://linktr.ee/petprojectdogtraining

Moore Behavior Consulting Website: https://moorebehaviorconsulting.com/

Pet Project Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petprojectdogtraining

Pet Project Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCul0qh41LvTTroVZqqH-Qzw

In this first installment of a two-part conversation, we welcome Dr. Keira Moore—behavior analyst, dog trainer, and dedicated advocate for compassionate, ethical training. With over two decades of experience in behavior analysis and a PhD from Western New England University, Keira bridges the worlds of human and animal behavior science, applying her expertise to both dog training and consulting on anxiety and sleep-related challenges.

Keira takes us on a fascinating journey through her career, from her early love of animals and behavioral psychology studies to working with children on the autism spectrum and ultimately finding her passion in dog training. Along the way, she shares how her introduction to clicker training (involving an unexpected feline trainee!) shaped her approach to behavior modification. We also explore the core principles of radical behaviorism and how they apply across species—from humans to dogs and beyond.

🐾 Keira’s unique career path from human behavior analysis to professional dog training. 🐾 How radical behaviorism shapes our understanding of learning across species. 🐾 The power of reinforcement in behavior modification—whether working with children, dogs, or even cats! 🐾 Insights into Keira’s work addressing anxiety, reactivity, and severe behavior challenges. 🐾 The science behind behavior change and how trainers can apply these principles effectively.

Keira’s extensive expertise, combined with her engaging storytelling, makes this episode a must-hear for trainers, behaviorists, and anyone fascinated by the science of learning. Whether you're new to applied behavior analysis or a seasoned trainer looking to deepen your knowledge, this episode will challenge and inspire you.

Subscribe, share, and connect with us to explore evidence-based, ethical approaches to training. And stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive even deeper into the application of behavior analysis in animal training!

Links:

• Pet Project Website: https://linktr.ee/petprojectdogtraining
• Moore Behavior Consulting Website: https://moorebehaviorconsulting.com/
• Pet Project Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petprojectdogtraining
• Pet Project Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCul0qh41LvTTroVZqqH-Qzw

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Peggy Hogan, an esteemed positive reinforcement trainer known for her groundbreaking work with horses. Peggy’s journey into animal training began at a young age, fueled by a deep love for horses and a natural curiosity about communication between humans and animals. Over the years, she explored various training methodologies before fully embracing clicker training—an approach that prioritizes choice, consent, and clear communication.

Throughout this engaging conversation, Peggy shares her evolution from traditional training techniques to a force-free, consent-based approach that empowers horses to actively participate in their learning. She delves into the importance of shaping, capturing, luring, and targeting—techniques that allow horses to offer behaviors willingly, without pressure. We also explore her work with miniature horses, the development of start buttons and consent signals, and how positive reinforcement is transforming the equestrian world.

🐎 Peggy’s early experiences with both horses and dogs and how they shaped her training philosophy. 🐎 The transition from Natural Horsemanship to clicker training and why she made the switch. 🐎 How shaping, capturing, and targeting create more engaged and willing equine learners. 🐎 The power of consent-based training, including start buttons and requested behaviors. 🐎 Real-life examples of how positive reinforcement has helped rescue horses and improved their welfare.

Peggy’s passion, expertise, and innovative approach to training offer valuable insights for anyone working with horses—or any species—who wants to build a relationship based on trust, choice, and communication. Whether you’re an experienced trainer or just beginning your journey with positive reinforcement, this conversation is filled with inspiring takeaways.

Subscribe to the podcast, share this episode with fellow trainers and equine enthusiasts, and join our growing community as we continue to explore science-based, ethical training practices.

• Peggy's website: https://www.clickertraininghorses.com/
• Peggy's online coaching: https://clickertraininghorses.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=59
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClickerTrainingHorses/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clickertraininghorses/
• The Git Up R+ Challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKrLsOHnEeg 
• ATA 30 day $1 trial membership >>> https://atamember.com/thirty-day-trial/

In this milestone episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, host Ryan Cartlidge is joined once again by the incredible Dr. Susan G. Friedman—a leading expert in behavioral science and animal training. A returning guest every 50th episode, Susan brings her extensive knowledge and decades of experience to discuss the evolving role of negative reinforcement in ethical training, recognizing subtle "no" signals from animals, and the power of behavioral science to create more informed trainers.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of: ✅ The importance of teaching animals to say "no" and trainers to honor it ✅ The ethical application of negative reinforcement in animal training ✅ Sub-threshold training techniques to reduce stress and improve communication ✅ The impact of non-linear contingency analysis in understanding complex behaviors ✅ Why positive reinforcement training has been so successful—and the next frontier of voluntary medical procedures

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about progressive, evidence-based training methods. Whether you're an animal trainer, behavior consultant, or just fascinated by the science of learning, Dr. Friedman's insights will challenge your thinking and push the boundaries of what's possible in ethical animal training.

🔗 Want to learn more? Be sure to check out Dr. Friedman’s resources at www.behaviorworks.org and explore the wealth of courses available through her work.

In part two of our engaging conversation with Sarah Fisher, renowned canine and equine behavior advisor and co-founder of Animal Centred Education (ACE), we dive even deeper into the transformative power of ACE Free Work. Sarah shares extraordinary insights from her decades of experience, explaining how detailed observations, movement analysis, and sensory experiences can add immense value to the way we understand and support our dogs.

Sarah recounts pivotal moments that shaped the evolution of Free Work, including how dogs like Oscar, Cookie Dough, and Henry played a crucial role in its development. We explore how subtle body cues, posture shifts, and movement patterns reveal hidden discomfort and help us predict the emotional states of our dogs - insights that can be life-changing for trainers, caregivers, and behavior professionals alike.

Sarah also shares compelling real-world case studies, demonstrating how Free Work has helped dogs navigate stress, build confidence, and reshape heavily reinforced behaviors. From its impact on pain assessment to its role in helping dogs self-regulate, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge that will challenge the way you perceive canine learning and communication.

🐾 How Free Work allows dogs to become the pilot of their own learning 🐾 The connection between movement, body posture, and emotional well-being 🐾 How pain and discomfort can manifest in subtle but crucial ways 🐾 The impact of sensory engagement on canine relaxation and behavior change 🐾 Why ACE Free Work is a powerful tool for both dogs and their caregivers

Sarah’s expertise and passion shine through in this fascinating discussion, providing trainers, caregivers, and behavior professionals with invaluable tools to observe, listen, and improve their understand of their dogs. If you’ve ever wondered how to create an enriching and supportive environment for your canine learners, this episode is a must-hear!

📢 Join the Conversation:

Subscribe, share this episode, and join our ATA community as we continue to explore science-based, ethical approaches to animal training!

LINKS;

• Tilly Farm Website
• ACE [Animal Centered Education]

In part one of this compelling two-part episode of the Animal Training Academy podcast, we are honored to welcome Sarah Fisher, a renowned canine and equine behavior advisor, educator, and co-founder of Animal Centred Education (ACE). With nearly 30 years of experience working with animals, Sarah has dedicated her career to helping trainers, caregivers, and behavior professionals develop a deeper understanding of their animal learners.

In this first part of our conversation, Sarah takes us on a heartfelt journey through her formative years and the pivotal moments that shaped her approach to animal training. She shares insights into how childhood experiences, personal loss, and human therapeutic studies influenced her philosophy on animal welfare, behavior, and communication. We also explore the foundation of ACE, the power of Free Work, and the importance of allowing dogs to pilot their own learning experiences.

🐾 Sarah’s early experiences with animals and the lessons she learned from her upbringing. 🐾 The emotional and behavioral connections between animals and humans. 🐾 How human bodywork and therapeutic studies shaped Sarah’s approach to working with animals. 🐾 The story behind Tilly Farm and how it became a hub for ACE education. 🐾 The principles of ACE Free Work and why it’s transforming the lives of dogs and their caregivers.

Sarah’s deeply personal journey, combined with her expertise in behavior and animal welfare, offers invaluable insights for trainers, behaviorists, and anyone passionate about improving the well-being of animals.

Subscribe to the podcast, share this episode with fellow trainers and animal enthusiasts, and join our vibrant community to explore science-based, ethical training approaches.

LINKS;

• Tilly Farm Website
• ACE [Animal Centered Education]

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, Ryan Cartlidge welcomes back Chris Jenkins, Chief Operating Officer of Natural Encounters, Inc. (NEI). Chris has spent decades in the field of animal training and behavior management, working with zoos, theme parks, and professional organizations worldwide. As a leader in animal training education, he has played a crucial role in shaping NEI’s training programs, consulting with organizations to improve animal welfare, staff training, and guest experience.

Chris shares his insights on leadership, professional growth, and how behavior change plays a fundamental role in moving organizations forward. He discusses his experiences developing NEI’s training initiatives, the evolution of their educational programs, and the challenges of fostering a culture of continuous learning. Listeners will hear Chris reflect on lessons learned from running NEI’s "TEC Talk" podcast and how sharing knowledge has shaped his own professional journey.

• The evolution of NEI’s training and education initiatives, including the creation of NEI TEC.
• How behavior science principles apply to leadership and organizational development.
• Insights into navigating change and overcoming resistance within organizations.
• The importance of mentorship and fostering a culture of professional development.
• Lessons learned from years of podcasting and sharing industry knowledge.

Chris brings a wealth of experience from the animal training industry, offering practical strategies for professionals looking to make an impact in their field. Whether you're an animal trainer, educator, or leader striving to create meaningful change in your organization, this episode provides valuable insights on growth, leadership, and the power of behavior-based decision-making.

Links;

• IAATE [International Association of Avian Trainers & Educators]
• AZA [Associatin of Zoo's & Aquariums]
• AMBA [Animal Behaviour Management Alliance]
• NEI [Natural Encounters Incorporated]
• NEI TEC [Natrual Encounters - Training & Education Center]

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, Ryan Cartlidge welcomes back Sabrina Brando, a psychologist and the Director of AnimalConcepts, for an engaging discussion on the intersection of animal welfare, human well-being, and environmental care. Sabrina brings decades of experience from her work in zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and academic settings worldwide. In this episode, Sabrina shares five key areas where animal training principles are integral to her work, covering a broad spectrum of species and settings, from zoos to city farms.

Listeners will gain insights into her 24/7 Across Lifespan approach, which emphasizes creating environments that enable animals to be agents of their own lives, as well as her innovative strategies for enhancing animal welfare through training, enrichment, and cooperative care. 

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• The importance of viewing animal care from a 24/7 perspective across the animal’s lifespan.
• How Sabrina uses animal training principles to enhance animal welfare in zoos, shelters, and other settings.
• Insights into Sabrina’s approach to environmental enrichment and welfare management.
• Strategies for supporting both animal and human well-being in professional care settings.

Why This Episode is a Must-Listen:

Sabrina’s deep understanding of the human-animal connection and her expertise in welfare, training, and environmental management offer invaluable lessons for animal professionals. Whether you’re involved in animal care, welfare research, or organizational leadership, this episode is packed with practical, forward-thinking insights that will inspire you to think more holistically about the care and well-being of animals.

Links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinabrando/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/animalconcepts/about/?viewAsMember=true
• https://www.animalconcepts.eu/
• https://www.instagram.com/animalconcepts.eu/
• https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaBrandoAC
• https://www.facebook.com/AnimalConceptsGlobal