Raising Connections

Send us Fan Mail Join Rachann Mayer, owner of Mariah-Belle Manor Kennel, as she explores the Top Toys of 2025. What toy meets the five criteria best: is it safe, durable, can it be sanitized, are there different sizes, and different uses. Do these top toys stimulate the senses, are they challenging, do they shape growth, enrichment, and learning in our Daycare Dogs? We use real Canine Testers with...

Send us Fan Mail Today Rachann talks about how pet owners could benefit from knowing the basics of CRP and First Aid and how to become Pet Tech CPR Certified. She breaks down what to do in common emergencies and how to stay calm when seconds matter. This episode covers simple steps, hands-on skills, and real situations you can learn from. Our goal is to help you feel prepared, confident, and ready...

Send us Fan Mail Do you get the Holiday Blues? Rachann talks with Charlanne Wolff, a licensed mental health therapist with Rooted Souls Therapy in Frederick, about the stress that the holidays can bring and some coping mechanisms we can use to help ourselves. Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Holiday wishes from the staff at Mariah-Belle Manor Kennel! Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Happy Holidays from the staff at Raising Connections Media Company! Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Kennel owner Rachann Mayer and three long-time clients share heartfelt memories of Mariah-Belle Manor Kennel. A journey of care, trust, kindness, and a tribute to seasons of life, generosity, and the expansion that made this kennel a true family for pets and people alike. Mt. Airy Dog Boarding and Daycare at Mariah-Belle Manor Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail From the Arctic to the Poconos, Rachann Mayer and Cassandra Hoover, of Spruce Ridge Reindeer Farm, explore the wonder of reindeer, the science of antlers and the challenge of ecosecurity. Listeners will discover how one woman's passion has turned a reindeer farm into a successful agritourism location, blending education, magic, and care for the herd. This episode highlights t...

Send us Fan Mail Whether you are a horse owner, barn manager, or industry professional, this episode connects information from The Equiery, Maryland State Veterinarian Jennifer Trout DVM, and Krista Estell DVM of the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) about Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1), a contagious disease potentially affecting the Horse Industry in Maryland.  For the latest alerts and i...

Send us Fan Mail Happy Holidays from all of us here at Raising Connections Media Company and Mariah-Belle Manor Kennel! Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail Rachann Mayer and Joshua Shores explore the journey from spent beer grains to freeze-dried pet treats. Discover how a young girl's passion for baking, combined with her father's expertise in breweries and restaurants, created a locally sourced, successful pet treat company. Their story celebrates simple, wholesome, human grade ingredients for dogs, cats and even horses....

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how a playful pup becomes a life-changing companion?  Go behind the scenes with Rachann and her guest Kim Doyle as they talk about the inspiring work of Canine Companions, the largest non-profit provider of service dogs nationwide.  This episode talks about puppy raising and socialization to professional training and placement in roles like service, hearing, and diabet...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to garden with nature in mind? Rachann Mayer and Master Gardener Laura O'Callahan discuss how native plants, leaf litter, and seasonal habits like winterizing and fall planting can create thriving habitats for insects and other invertebrates. From white oak trees that support hundreds of caterpillar species to the surprising benefits of not mulching l...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Angie Palmisano, the animal sitter who does it all – from pigs to pups and horses to house cats. Rachann and Angie explore what it means to be an insured, licensed, and bonded animal sitter. Angie shares how communication, training, and tailored care make every vacation worry free. From building lasting relationships with clients to maintaining a healthy life balance, they co...

Send us Fan Mail Whether you're raising a sport dog or a pet companion, wellness starts with understanding behavior, arousal, and training thresholds. This podcast explores how anxiety, biting, and over-stimulation can signal deeper needs, and how desensitization, obedience, and fitness routines can help. Learn about breed disposition and emotional needs, from jazzed up to balanced behavior....

Send us Fan Mail Get Lost - in the best possible way at Cornfusion Corn Maze! Lisa Showvaker shares 23 years of experience in corn mazes, Christmas Trees, and agritourism. This year's Cornfusion theme "Wonderland Adventure" offers four acres of corn mazes with twists, turns, giggles and fun for all ages. https://www.hayrides.com/cornfusion#google_vignette Support the show www.raisin...

Send us Fan Mail "We get by with a little help from our friends....The best education is experienced with open minds and creative problem solving." How to fill 100,000 Agriculturally based positions. Join Wendy Powers, Dean of the University of Maryland's Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources as she talks with Rachann. Home | College of Agriculture & Natural Resources...

Send us Fan Mail Diana Hare, Agricultural Development Specialist for the Carroll County Department of Economic Development, talks with Rachann about the world of Agritourism. Hear about small farms, regenerative farming, animals, produce, and rural innovation - where corn mazes meet commerce, and marketing meets meaning. They explore how initiatives like the Agritourism Passport are forming connec...

Send us Fan Mail At Horizon Farm Credit, Agricultural Relationship Specialists, like Lindsay Murphey, our guest on this week's podcast, play a vital role in cultivating connections by developing personalized financial solutions. Learn how co-operatives return value through patronage programs, dividends, and stock - and how Horizon Farm Credit helps members thrive through grant programs, and p...

Send us Fan Mail Explore the biomechanics of skull and brain injuries with Steven Rowson, PhD, director of the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, as he and Rachann discuss how the groundbreaking work of the lab has innovated the STAR (Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk) rating system, providing data to helmet manufacturers to improve helmet safety for various sports. Virginia Tech Helmet Lab The M...

Send us Fan Mail Founder of Milk House Brewery, Tom Barse, talks with Rachann about navigating the world of alternative agriculture with passion. They explore how agricultural preservation, agritourism, and value-added products are reshaping rural economies. Whether it's identifying Monocacy hops, feeding spent grains to cows, using sheep to 'weed' the hop fields, or renting land to...

Send us Fan Mail Common sense composting - behind the scenes at Maryland Zoo, transforming (converting) 140 tons of manure in 2024 into gallons of natural methane gas as renewable and sustainable bio energy. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore BTS Bioenergy Home Bioenergy DevCo's Jessup, MD Facility Plans to Reduce Greenhouse Emissions, Curb Solid Waste - American Biogas Council https://en.wikipedi...

Send us Fan Mail Mariah-Belle Manor Kennel has a 20 year history of redefining what it means to board your dog with comfort and care through their personal touch.  Mariah-Belle Manor Kennel understands that leaving your dog at a kennel can be a tough decision.  Tune in as they discuss their kennel enrichments, soundproofing, HVAC & Ventilation, pet care contracts, and Standard Operating Proced...

Send us Fan Mail Where craftsmanship meets commerce - explore the world of farriering, from its artistry and understanding of equine physiology to the practical realities of running a fee-for-service business. Learn how farriers juggle self-employment, equipment and medical costs, and the importance of mentorship and injury prevention. We also discuss a horse's wellbeing through routine hoof...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring interview, Rachann sits down with the President and CEO of AKC Reunite, Tom Sharp. AKC Reunite is a leading force in pet recovery and disaster relief and has helped bring thousands of beloved animals back home through the power of microchipping and RFID technology. We explore the life-saving role of microchips and the universal handheld scanners that make identif...

Send us Fan Mail Horseshoes bring more than Good Luck!  From the sparks of apprenticeship to the rigors of certification, four farriers share their more than 100 combined years of experience, as well as their stories of commitment to equine hoof wellness. Maryland Farriers Association - Home American Farrier's Association Pre-Certification Clinics - American Farrier's Association Equine...