I once visited a zoo and paused near the orangutan habitat. One of the orangutans watched me closely as I applied lip balm from a small round container. She reached out, eyes locked on mine, and held out her hand. I looked at the caretaker nearby and asked, “Is it okay if I toss this down to her?” She waited and watched as the orangutan made sure I knew what she was asking. The caretaker studied our interaction and said, “You work with animals, don’t you?” I nodded. “Yes!" She looked amazed. “She’s never done that before” she said. I nodded again, and she motioned with her head, so I would know I could toss it to her. I gently threw down the container into the awaiting hands of the orangutan. The animal caught it and immediately looked back up at me — waiting for me to instruct her, so I showed her. I placed my hand over my other hand and taught her to apply the balm. She copied me, exactly. Another orangutan approached. The first held the balm close to her chest and looked up again, unsure. I pointed toward the second one and made a sweeping motion. She handed it over to the other female, but not without telling me she wasn't happy about it. The second played with it for a bit. Then the second one brought it back and looked to me for the next instruction. I gestured for her to return it to the first — and she did. The caretakers stood in stunned silence. One turned and asked, “Can you make them do anything else?” I smiled, and said, “I don’t know. Let’s find out.” I got both orangutans to do several more things. They understood in the same manner that all species understand. 

They offered me a job that day. I declined!

This wasn’t training. It was trust, communication, and connection.
It's the kind of communication that doesn’t need words — only presence, intention, and understanding, and that’s what I offer every animal I work with.