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Ryan Cartlidge — Celebrating a Decade of Animal Training Academy [Episode 60]

Release Date: 07/11/2025

Caitlin Cohn on Cooperative Care, Consent, and Cats [Episode 64]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this heartfelt episode of the Making Ripples podcast, we welcome the thoughtful and dedicated Caitlin Cohn - professional dog trainer, cooperative care advocate, and proud human to Elvis the Maine Coon. Caitlin shares her journey from horses to dogs to cats, and how each species has shaped her perspective on training, autonomy, and the human-animal bond. From her early experiences working at liberty with horses, to volunteering at a therapeutic riding center and training assistance dogs, Caitlin reflects on the pivotal moments that led her to positive reinforcement and force-free methods....

Jillian Howlett – Learning From Dogs, Growing With People [Episode 63]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this heartfelt episode of the Making Ripples podcast, we’re joined by Jillian Howlett – Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and founder of Walk and Train ACT. From her early days growing up surrounded by animals in rural Victoria, to discovering the transformative power of clicker training with her deaf Koolie cross Archie, Jill shares the winding path that led her from a career in education to her current work supporting dogs and their people in Canberra, Australia. Together, we explore: ✅ How Jill’s childhood with spirited animals shaped her perspective on learning and...

Wendy Katz – Lessons From Dogs, Science, and Life [Episode 62]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this inspiring episode of the Making Ripples podcast, we’re joined by the thoughtful and compassionate Wendy Katz - Ph.D. biologist, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, CPDT-KA, Fear Free Professional, certified Control Unleashed Instructor, and Family Dog Mediator. Wendy shares her remarkable journey from biomedical research to professional dog training, weaving together personal experience, academic rigor, and decades of hands-on work with dogs and their families. Along the way, she reflects on the dogs who shaped her path, the challenges of shifting careers, and the lessons...

Choice, Control & Conservation with Olly Jacobs & Calum Torcasio [Episode 61]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Olly Jacobs (he/him) and Calum Torcasio (they/them) from Moonlit Sanctuary - two zookeepers whose passion for animal welfare and behavior science shines through every word. From early dreams of working with animals to becoming key members of Moonlit’s show and mammal teams, their parallel journeys are filled with curiosity, grit, and deep respect for the animals they care for. Olly and Calum share their unique entry points into zookeeping, the roles that education, volunteering, and community played in launching their careers, and how their love...

Ryan Cartlidge — Celebrating a Decade of Animal Training Academy [Episode 60]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this special 60th episode of the Making Ripples podcast, we’re celebrating a major milestone - 10 years of Animal Training Academy! And who better to join us for the celebration than the founder himself, Ryan Cartlidge. Ryan has worked professionally with animal behavior and training since 2007, across zoos and organizations throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the US. He’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (KPA), Fear Free Certified Professional, Family Paws Parent Educator, and Level 1 Certified TAGteach Instructor. But most notably, he’s the visionary behind ATA - the...

Zuzia Kubica: Building Trust with Dogs and the People Who Love Them [Episode 59]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this heartfelt and compelling episode, we meet Zuzia Kubica - Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, founder of CoeurCanin, and passionate advocate for animals who walk the wilder edges of society. From befriending street dogs as a child in communist Poland to developing a thriving behavior consultancy in Quebec, Zuzia’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Zuzia shares how her upbringing among free-roaming animals and a nature-loving family laid the foundation for a life built on curiosity, empathy, and quiet rebellion against coercion. Her first dog, Zorro - a reactive, resilient...

From Overwhelm to Understanding: Martina Luisetti’s Training Journey [Episode 58]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this episode of the Making Ripples podcast, we're joined by Martina Luisetti, Certified Dog Trainer and founder of ULI Dog Training in the UK. Martina brings a refreshing and compassionate perspective to canine behavior, offering training that’s as much about the humans as it is about the dogs. With a background shaped by personal growth and a deep love for animals, Martina shares how her passion for trauma-informed care, attachment theory, and relational safety informs her training methods. Her work centers on supporting excitable dogs and their guardians through classes like Fun Agility...

April Williams: A Kind Approach to Dog Grooming and Training [Episode 57]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this episode of the Making Ripples podcast, we're joined by April Williams, the passionate owner and operator of All About The Hound dog services in Masterton, New Zealand. With 13 years of experience, April is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and Certified Professional Groomer who is dedicated to providing stress-free grooming and training experiences. April's commitment to kind and gentle training is evident in her specialized "Little Groomies" Puppy Grooming Intro packages, designed to ease puppies into the grooming process. She shares her journey from...

Raoudha Mairos: The Journey from Fearful to Fearless Dog Trainer [Episode 56]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this episode of the Making Ripples podcast, we’re delighted to welcome Raoudha Mairos, a passionate dog trainer and behavior consultant, as she shares her inspiring journey from fearing dogs to dedicating her life to understanding and improving animal welfare. As the founder of Sunny Paws, Raoudha offers one-on-one coaching to help dogs and their guardians build confidence, trust, and a stress-free bond. She also co-founded Global Animal Experts, a platform that connects professionals in the French-speaking community with expert insights through courses and webinars. Raoudha’s story is...

Samantha Rubio: Challenging Old Beliefs in Horse Training [Episode 55]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this episode of the Making Ripples podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Samantha Rubio, a dedicated horse trainer specialising in positive reinforcement and equine rehabilitation. Based in Montgomery County, Maryland, Samantha works at a cutting-edge equine behavior and sports medicine rehabilitation facility while also running her own training business. Samantha shares her inspiring journey from a childhood passion for animals to earning her degree in Animal Science and Neurobiology at Cornell University. She opens up about her experience bridging the gap between academic research and...

More Episodes

In this special 60th episode of the Making Ripples podcast, we’re celebrating a major milestone - 10 years of Animal Training Academy! And who better to join us for the celebration than the founder himself, Ryan Cartlidge.

Ryan has worked professionally with animal behavior and training since 2007, across zoos and organizations throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the US. He’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (KPA), Fear Free Certified Professional, Family Paws Parent Educator, and Level 1 Certified TAGteach Instructor. But most notably, he’s the visionary behind ATA - the platform that continues to ripple its influence through education, community, and connection.

In this episode, Ryan reflects on the evolution of ATA - from its humble beginnings with a single online course to a thriving global community supporting thousands of trainers and enthusiasts.

We dive into:

✅ The origin story behind Animal Training Academy and how it grew from an idea to a movement
✅ Personal challenges and triumphs along the way - including some humorous (and humbling!) early moments
✅ The growth mindset and the powerful role of supporting the human side of animal training
✅ Ryan’s metaphors for navigating capacity, burnout, and behavioral change - from trees to containers to rocket ships
✅ Why investing in personal sustainability is one of the kindest things we can do for our communities

Whether you’re a longtime ATA member or just discovering this podcast, this episode is full of wisdom, warmth, and celebration. Join us as we honor 10 years of ripples - and look ahead to many more.

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