Libsyn Directory

Bridging the Gap Between Training and Vet Care with Tabitha Kucera [Episode 287]

Release Date: 08/24/2026

What Animal Training Can Teach Us About Ourselves with Dr. Chris Pachel [Episode 290]

Animal Training Academy

In this episode, Ryan Cartlidge welcomes back Dr. Chris Pachel — veterinarian, veterinary behaviorist, educator, speaker, business owner, and lifelong problem solver with a passion for understanding the complex relationship between animals, people, and their environments. Chris runs the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland and serves as Vice President of Veterinary Behavior at Instinct Dog Behavior and Training, and he speaks internationally to veterinarians, trainers, and pet owners about behavior, relationships, and well-being. Grounded in curiosity, collaboration, and a desire to move...

Using Technology to Expand Behavioral Husbandry with Joey Golden [Episode 289]

Animal Training Academy

In this forward-thinking conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Joey Golden — curator of animal behavior programs at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, where he oversees behavioral husbandry programs with a focus on extending behavioral husbandry across the full 24-hour cycle. Joey's work centres on building scalable systems for behavioral and environmental data collection, and using data-driven reports to connect that information to welfare decisions. Inspired by Hal Markowitz, he also leads an engineering program developing automated habitat features that allow animals to earn outcomes on...

Applying Behavioral Science to Ourselves and Our Animals with Tim Sullivan [Episode 288]

Animal Training Academy

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Tim Sullivan — a pioneer in applied animal behavior analysis who recently transitioned into retirement after a 46-year tenure at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, including over four decades as the Curator of Behavioral Husbandry. Bringing a lifetime of zoological experience to the animal training profession, Tim challenges us to look in the mirror, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and recognize how our internal mindset directly dictates our external success. Together, Ryan and Tim explore the...

Bridging the Gap Between Training and Vet Care with Tabitha Kucera [Episode 287]

Animal Training Academy

In this engaging conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Tabitha Kucera — a registered veterinary technician, veterinary technician specialist in behavior, Karen Pryor Academy certified training partner, certified cat behavior consultant, and one of only around 30 veterinary technician specialists in behavior worldwide. Tabitha shares her inspiring journey from volunteering with rescue organizations as a teenager to building a career dedicated to helping people better understand the companion animals they share their lives with. Together, Ryan and Kucera explore the vital importance of...

The Science of Stress, Agency, and Human Coaching with Irith Bloom and Dr. Kristina Spaulding [Episode 286]

Animal Training Academy

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy podcast, host Ryan Cartlidge is joined by special guests Irith Bloom and Dr. Kristina Spaulding to discuss their mentorship and certification program, Carefree Companion. Together, Ryan, Irith, and Dr. Spaulding explore how the program bridges the gap between technical training plans and a human owner's ability to successfully implement them. Dr. Spaulding brings her expertise as a scientist and behaviorist with a PhD in biopsychology, specializing in the neurobiology of stress, while Irith brings over 40 years of animal training experience and a...

Why Language Matters in Animal Training with Irith Bloom [Episode 285]

Animal Training Academy

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy podcast, host Ryan Cartlidge is joined by special guest Irith Bloom — a certified professional dog trainer, behaviour consultant, and co-founder of Carefree Companion. Together, Ryan and Irith explore the profound role that language, word choice, and communication play in animal training and human coaching. Irith shares her fascinating behavioral odyssey, starting from her childhood obsession with animals and training large Rottweilers using verbal cues and minimal force, to discovering positive reinforcement in the early 2000s. Drawing on her...

Beyond Lima: The New Joint Standards of Practice with Dot Baisly [Episode 284]

Animal Training Academy

In this deeply informative conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Dot Baisly—the Executive Director for the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC). With an extensive background in shelter behavior, veterinary medicine, and private consulting, Dot brings a wealth of experience to the table, having previously led behavior programs at major organizations like the North East Animal Shelter and the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Dot holds a Master’s Degree in Animal Behaviour from Tufts University and is a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant, Certified Cat...

Understanding Assent and Degrees of Freedom with Kim Palermo [Episode 283]

Animal Training Academy

In this insightful and thought-provoking conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Kim Palermo—a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI) and Animal Centred Education (ACE) Practitioner with over 20 years of professional experience in the dog training industry. A lifelong animal enthusiast who owns Blue Dog training and walking business near Boston, Kim brings a blend of academic rigor, from her degree in zoology, and compassionate curiosity to her work with dogs and other species. Together, Ryan and Kim explore the power of observation and the critical importance of creating "safe...

Leading with Compassion for Humans and Dogs with Danielle Beck [Episode 282]

Animal Training Academy

In this deeply personal conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Danielle Beck — a UK-based clinical animal behaviorist, mentor, and founder of Control The Meerkat. With a rich background spanning over 20 years in zoology and companion animal behavior, Danielle brings a unique and vulnerable lens to the profession, specializing in complex cases involving trauma, aggression, emotional regulation, and assistance dog training. Together, Ryan and Danielle explore the critical and often overlooked reality of isolation within the animal training industry. Danielle opens up about her personal...

From Intuition to Objective Evidence with Shane Gorbett [Episode 281]

Animal Training Academy

In this insightful conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Shane Gorbett — Curator of Animal Training and Behavior at the Philadelphia Zoo and current President of the Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA). Shane brings a wealth of experience from the zoological world, where he specializes in animal care training and behavior management. Bringing a rare analytical lens to the profession, Shane challenges us to look past "common sense" and intuition, and instead embrace objective data as the foundation for high-level animal welfare and professional advocacy. Together, Ryan and...

More Episodes

Together, Ryan and Kucera explore the vital importance of effective, compassionate, and evidence-based communication between behavior professionals, veterinary teams, and pet caregivers. Tabitha discusses her passion for improving animal welfare through education, low-stress handling, and fear-free care for both dogs and cats. They also delve into Tabitha's new mentorship program, "Better Together: Advocating for Dogs and Cats at the Vet," which officially opened for early access on July 21st to help behavior consultants, trainers, groomers, and veterinary professionals bridge communication gaps and collaborate more successfully as part of a unified care team.

The conversation highlights common emotional challenges in the profession, such as navigating professional disagreements, managing ego, overcoming imposter syndrome, and moving away from harmful "us versus them" mentalities. Tabitha shares practical reflections on how treating caregivers and allied professionals with empathy and framing observations into actionable, supportive insights can transform animal care outcomes.

Throughout this episode, we discuss:

✅ Tabitha's background as a registered veterinary technician and specialist in behavior

✅ The inspiration behind Tabitha's new mentorship program, "Better Together: Advocating for Dogs and Cats at the Vet"

✅ How to bridge communication gaps between trainers, behavior consultants, groomers, and veterinary teams

✅ Why a collaborative, multi-disciplinary care team approach is essential for animal welfare

✅ Overcoming professional friction, ego, and the harmful "us versus them" mindset in the animal care industry

✅ Navigating compassion fatigue, imposter syndrome, and the emotional weight of behavior work

✅ Practical strategies for turning clinical observations into clear, supportive, and actionable guidance for caregivers

Whether you are a trainer, veterinary professional, groomer, or behavior consultant looking to enhance your collaboration skills and build stronger care networks, this episode offers an empowering roadmap for putting the animal's best interest first through teamwork and empathy.

Links

Small Paws Website: https://small-paws.ca

Better Together Mentorship: https://small-paws.thinkific.com/products/courses/kucerabettertogether

Tabitha's Website: http://chirrupsachatter.com

Chirrups and Chatter Socials: @chirrupsandchatter (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)

Small Paws Socials: @smallpawsedu (Facebook, Instagram)

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