Libsyn Directory

From Canes to Canines with Anna Gigliotti-Skret [Episode 69]

Release Date: 04/02/2026

Giving Animals a Say: The Journey to Force-Free with Simone Tuten [Episode 70]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

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...

From Canes to Canines with Anna Gigliotti-Skret [Episode 69]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

Podcast Synopsis In this insightful episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Anna Gigliotti-Skret—a behavior-focused dog trainer based in Fremantle, Western Australia—for a deep dive into the intersection of human disability services and compassionate animal training. Anna shares her fascinating career evolution, starting from her roots in orientation and mobility instruction for the blind to her extensive experience as a Seeing Eye Dog instructor. Anna discusses the unique challenges of bridging the gap between high-stakes service dog...

Xenia Jones - Rescue, Resilience, and Behaviour Change Across the World [Episode 68]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this inspiring episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Xenia Jones — Behavior Therapist at the Animal Behavior Wellness Center in Northern Virginia — for a rich conversation about rescue, resilience, and the power of science-based, compassionate behavior support. With a lifelong background rescuing dogs and cats across five countries — from her native Costa Rica, to South Florida, Spain, Taiwan, and China — Xenia shares the extraordinary experiences that shaped her trauma-informed, choice-based approach to helping both...

Rosina’s Legacy and the Power of Connection with Pipsa Toikka [Episode 67]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this warm, reflective, and deeply human episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, we are joined by Finnish dog enthusiast and Pawsitive Wellness Coach-to-be Pipsa Toikka, whose journey into animal training began later in life - and changed everything. After raising three boys and building a career in singing, drama, and clown work, Pipsa welcomed her first-ever dog, Rosina, in 2011. A spirited Vizsla–Weimaraner mix with a strong independent streak, Rosina was both a challenge and a profound teacher. Through their years together, Pipsa learned patience, trust, recall...

Practicing Gratitude Inside and Outside ATA with Ryan Cartlidge, Shelly Wood & Belinda Young [Episode 66]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this reflective and values-driven episode of the Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood is joined by Animal Training Academy founder Ryan Cartlidge and companion animal trainer Belinda Young for a rich conversation about gratitude - one of ATA’s core values - and the powerful role it plays in learning, community, and wellbeing. Together, Shelly, Ryan, and Belinda share personal stories, professional insights, and candid reflections on how intentional gratitude shapes the culture of Animal Training Academy and creates safer, more supportive spaces for human learners. From early...

Caroline Ritter on Horse Training, Cognitive Science, and Somatic Learning [Episode 65]

Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this fascinating and thoughtful episode of the Making Ripples podcast, we welcome Caroline Ritter—a positive reinforcement horse trainer, a certified Feldenkrais teacher, and a true behavior nerd with an academic background in cognitive science. Living and working in Vienna, Austria, Caroline shares her remarkable journey, starting from a life spent with horses, dogs, and cats, to her deep dive into learning theory through dog agility and clicker training. She discusses the pivotal moment that led her to switch her horses over to positive reinforcement, not out of necessity to solve...

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...

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Podcast Synopsis

In this insightful episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Anna Gigliotti-Skret—a behavior-focused dog trainer based in Fremantle, Western Australia—for a deep dive into the intersection of human disability services and compassionate animal training. Anna shares her fascinating career evolution, starting from her roots in orientation and mobility instruction for the blind to her extensive experience as a Seeing Eye Dog instructor.

Anna discusses the unique challenges of bridging the gap between high-stakes service dog work and the nuanced world of companion animal behavior. With a background enriched by the Karen Pryor Academy, Michael Shikashio’s aggression studies, and Dr. Susan Friedman’s Living and Learning with Animals, Anna brings a highly technical yet deeply empathetic lens to her independent practice, Forward Thinking Dog Training and Mobility.

The conversation turns personal as Anna introduces Maggie, her "Cavoodle" with complex behavioral needs. Anna candidly explores the emotional and practical journey of managing Maggie’s "doggy ADHD," the complexities of veterinary medication, and the reality of living with a high-needs pet.

Together, Shelly and Anna explore:

✅ The Professional Pivot: How teaching humans to use long canes informed Anna’s ability to break down training steps for dogs and their handlers.
✅ Navigating Systems: The ethical and emotional challenges of advocating for force-free methods within large, traditional organizations.
✅ Managing Expectations: Why "perfect heeling" isn't always the goal and how to prioritize an animal's needs (like a "sniffari") over a rigid training plan.
✅ Shared Goals and Family Dynamics: Balancing the needs of multiple family members and finding common ground in the training process.
✅ Cooperative Care Wins: Practical strategies for ear medication and home grooming, even when an animal has a history of avoidance.
✅ Creative Generalization: A delightful "happy win" involving a dog named Petro who learned to associate other dogs’ bathroom breaks with high-value rewards.

This episode is a masterclass in adaptability and advocacy. Anna’s story reminds us that whether we are navigating a city with a guide dog or grooming a sensitive pet at home, the most powerful tools we have are patience, observation, and a commitment to meeting the individual exactly where they are.

Links

https://www.forwardthinkingmobility.com.au/

https://www.forwardthinkingdogtraining.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/forwardthinkingdog

https://www.instagram.com/forwardthinkingdog/

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