This episode SK Ivkovich, Dolphin Research Center, provides some great learning and advice for training social animals in a group with one trainer. This podcast is a companion to SK’s presentation at the 2026 ABMA-IAATE annual conference titled “Three’s a Crowd? Benefits of Training Social Animals in a Multi-Animal Group with One Trainer”. SK starts the discussion by advocating for the many benefits, to both animals and humans, of training social animals in a group. SK also focuses on the importance of focusing on the individual in the group and the role of the social hierarchy. The episode finishes on some advice for how to get started training social animals in a group. Stay tuned in for SK’s "Training Tale" about DRC’s new harbor seals! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to reach SK email sarah.ivkovich@dolphins.org

To learn more about the Dolphin Research Center’s Professional Animal Trainer Program visit https://dolphins.org/drcti_professional_trainer_certificate_program and to learn more about the Dolphin Academy Program visit https://dolphins.org/drcti_professional_trainer_certificate_program

• 3:15 Introduction to SK Ivkovich

• 4:50 Information on Dolphin Research Center’s Professional Animal Trainer Program and Dolphin Academy Program

• 10:15 The benefits of training social animals in a group

• 18:00 The benefits to the trainers

• 22:10 How to focus on each individual while training in a group

• 25:50 The role of social hierarchy

• 39:50 Advice for starting a session with multiple animals

• 48:55 Bridging animals in a group

• 57:00 “Training Tale”

This episode, through daily live recordings, features a recap of the 2026 ABMA-IAATE Annual Joint Conference (March 30-April 2, 2026) hosted by Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio, United States. Each day of the conference, one of the presenters for the day discusses their presentation and other learning that impacted them.

Day 1: Brett Williams, North Carolina Zoo, United States

Day 2: Tzu Ying Lee, Mandai Wildlife Group, Singapore

Day 3: Tom Morath, Hawk Conservancy Trust & Nature’s A Hoot Podcast, United Kingdom

If you are an ABMA member be sure to log in to AnimalProfessional.com to watch most of the presentations from the 2026 conference. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org.

To purchase Podcast Merchandise visit the ABMA online store at: https://www.sawdustandinkapparel.com/abma26

Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

8:40 Day One Recap: Brett Williams, North Carolina Zoo

24:50 Day Two Recap: Tzu Ying Lee, Mandai Wildlife Group

36:00 Day Three Recap: Tom Morath, Hawk Conservancy Trust & Nature’s a Hoot Podcast

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 2026 ABMA-IAATE Joint Annual Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States with live submitted questions from conference attendees. The panelists discuss “The Behaviors of Partnering for Success” and give advice for both formal leadership and frontline staff. Among other topics asked by the live audience, the panelists discuss what it means to be a good teammate, setting up systems for success, how to “disagree well”, and how leadership and staff can partner together for success. The panelist are Chris Jenkins (Virginia Zoo in Norfolk), Cinnamon Eubanks (Saint Louis Zoo - Forest Park Campus), Kit Lacy (Cascades Raptor Center) and Erin Katzner (World Parrot Trust). For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠⁠

• 6:20 What does “Partnering for Success” look like in the animal care field?

• 10:55 What is the difference between avian and mammalian trainers?

• 16:25 From a leadership perspective, what does it look like to partner for success with your staff?

• 25:05 Advice for staff to have a discussion about partnering with their leadership on a project or initiative

• 33:30 Advice for when there is resistance to change because what happens now “works”

• 43:00 Advice for disagreeing well

• 51:35 Setting up a departmental system for success

• 1:00:10 Advice for leaders to define roles and staff to work within those roles

• 1:09:40 Advice when collaboration with a peer isn’t reciprocated

• 1:16:10 The behaviors of a good teammate

• 1:21:55 What changes or advancements are the panelists most excited for and how can leadership and staff work together to achieve that goal