Practicing Gratitude Inside and Outside ATA with Ryan Cartlidge, Shelly Wood & Belinda Young [Episode 272]

Practicing Gratitude Inside and Outside ATA with Ryan Cartlidge, Shelly Wood & Belinda Young [Episode 272]

From Animal Training Academy by Ryan Cartlidge

January 26, 2026 · 59 min · Episode 272

About this episode

The episode explores the importance of practicing gratitude within the Animal Training Academy community and its impact on learning and wellbeing.

In this reflective and values-driven episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast , ATA team members Ryan Cartlidge, Shelly Wood, and Belinda Young come together for a thoughtful discussion on gratitude - one of Animal Training Academy's core values - and the meaningful role it plays in learning, community, and wellbeing. Drawing from personal experience and professional practice, Ryan, Shelly, and Belinda explore how intentional gratitude shapes ATA's culture and supports safer, more compassionate spaces for human learners. From early-morning thought loops and professional challenges to gratitude journals, team rituals, and community moderation, the conversation reframes gratitude not as "toxic positivity," but as a genuine, practiced skill that can be learned, strengthened, and modeled. Throughout the episode, the discussion explores: Why gratitude was intentionally chosen as a core value of Animal Training Academy Gratitude as a learnable skill that builds resilience, self-compassion, and emotional flexibility Parallels between effective animal training and supporting human learners How gratitude supports bravery, vulnerability, and risk-taking in learning environments The…

People in this episode

Host: Ryan Cartlidge

Guests: Shelly Wood, Belinda Young

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Organizations: Animal Training Academy

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