This episode continues on "The Behaviors of..." series which dives into the people side of the animal care field. This episode, is a live panel recording from the 2025 ABMA Virtual Conference with live submitted questions from conference attendees. The panelists include leaders at all levels of animal care from keepers to curators to executive directors which give a holistic view and advice on what leadership can look like at any level in the animal care field. The panelist are Chris Jenkins, Clint Lusardi, Darren Minier, Julie Grove, Missy Lamar, Sandy Jabas, Shea Eaves, Stephanie Joe, Torianna Green, and Trelle Dandridge. Instead of the traditional "Training Tales", to end the episode the panelist provide their "Leadership Resource List" which can be found at the end of this episode's description. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠

• 4:40 Introductions to the panelists and what does leadership mean to you?

• 22:45 Approaching management to encourage someone to take on a responsibility so that other coworkers feel motivated, seen, and heard

• 33:30 As a leader, when growing and supporting a newer leader that struggles with communication and tone, how do you best allow them to practice those skills without damaging relationships

• 52:20 What are the challenges of leading your peers and how do you overcome those challenges?

• 59:15 What advice do you have for a leader to hold their team accountable so that they are raising the team up to a higher standard instead of brining the higher achievers down to a lower standard?

• 1:04:20 What does it look like when a leader creates “a safe environment”?

• 1:09:25 What advice do you have for those who are leading amongst their peers?

• 1:26:20 How do you work around the thought of “You’re not my boss” when you are trying to be a leader at any level

• 1:33:10 For those who do not have the authority or responsibility of changing disciplinary action plans for a larger organization, what are some small changes we can make in our teams in order to model “Just Culture”

• 1:40:00 “Leadership Resource List”

• • “Leading Without Authority” by Keith Ferrazi

  • “It’s Your Ship” by Captain Michael Abrashoff

  • “Crucial Conversations”

  • “Just Culture”

  • “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott

This is a very special episode where we highlight ABMA’s 2025 Premier Sponsor: Pets for Vets with the organization’s founder and executive director Clarissa Black. Clarissa starts by discussing how the organization was formed, what the organization does, and their very important mission. She then gives information on how trainers can get involved with the organization and the process for applying for a pet while sharing some incredible and life-changing success stories. Clarissa finishes the conversation by giving advice and learning into the world of therapy pet training and examples of some of the incredible training that is accomplished. Stay tuned in for Clarissa’s "Training Tale" of teaching her puppy appropriate social interactions using a stuffed panda bear. If you would like to see a picture of Bear, the dog who inspired Clarissa to develop Pets For Vets, check out ABMA's social media channels! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠. To contact Clarissa email cblack@petsforvets.com and to learn more about Pets for Vets and how you can get involved visit https://petsforvets.com/

• 3:10 Intro to Clarissa Black

• 6:30 Overview and mission of Pets for Vets

• 10:20 How to get involved as a trainer

• 11:30 Success Stories

• 16:00 The process of choosing the specific pet for each veteran

• 18:50 How to apply for a pet

• 20:10 How to start your pet training journey

• 25:20 Lessons learned from zoological training that apply to pet training

• 30:35 Difference in training with animals that share our (home) environment

• 32:34 Nightmare training and other examples of training with therapy pets

• 38:55 Reciprocal expression and perception of behavior

• 45:05 Common challenges when training therapy dogs and other pets

• 51:00 “Training Tales”

This episode Ryan Cartlidge, Animal Training Academy, discusses how to get “unstuck” in training. Ryan starts the episode by operationalizing what getting “stuck” in training may look like and the process of thinking “How do I get unstuck?” Ryan breaks down this process into three steps 1. Building a tool kit of knowledge 2. Having the Courage to Act and 3. Having the Systems for Learning in place. Throughout the entire episode Ryan details multiple tactics and learnings that can assist in getting unstuck such as understanding reinforcement systems, videoing your training sessions, utilizing flowcharts, and so much more! Stay tuned in for Ryan’s very unique "Training Tale" in which he was the learner. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to contact Ryan and to learn more about Animal Training Academy connect with the organization in any way below:

Email >>>

Website >>> www.atamember.com

Instagram >>> https://www.instagram.com/animal_training_academy/?hl=en

Facebook >>> https://www.facebook.com/animaltrainingacademy/

If interested follow the link to a free month of ATA. Sign up for 30 free days of ATA membership and then after that time period, you can roll into a full membership. >>> https://atamember.com/thanks-for-subscribing/

• 6:20 Introduction to Ryan Cartlidge

• 12:35 Information about Animal Training Academy

• 16:00 What does it mean when we feel “stuck” in training

• 25:10 Starting the process of thinking “How do I get unstuck”?

• 32:50 Building a tool kit of knowledge and skills

• 1:00:40 Having the courage to act

• 1:15:10 Having the systems for learning in place

• 1:27:45 “Training Tale”