Therapy Dog Talk

Kentucky and Derby are puttin smiles on faces while at surf competitions and volunteering in schools. In this 102nd episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with with Kentucky Gallahue and his Goldendoodle, Derby California . They’ve not only made a splash surfing together at surf dog competitions with their matching blue mohawks but have also warmed hearts as a Therapy Dog team through Love on a Leas...

Nicole Selby and K9 Tanner are trailblazing integrating Facility Dogs into paramedicine. In this 101st episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with with Nicole Selby and her remarkable Community Paramedic Facility Dog, K9 Tanner , who are redefining the boundaries of healing in paramedicine through animal-assisted therapy. Their journey is not just a story of companionship but a pioneering exploratio...

From office dog to Animal-Assisted Crisis Response and Dog Scouts of America, Tessa and Finn are always improving their bond. In this 100th(!) episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with with Tessa Bodey and her Golden Retriever, Finn . Together, they navigate the impactful world of Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) with HOPE, achieve recognition through American Kennel Club (AKC) titles and Do...

Neil has a lot to share on how pet therapy found him and his rescued Beagle named Breezy. In this 99th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with with Neil to discuss his Beagle Breezy’s extraordinary evolution. Starting as a rescue dog, Breezy rose to become an AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished (THDD), a journey that has not only changed lives, through his 700+ visits with Paws for Friendship , but al...

Brian knows the importance of finding a Therapy Dog organization that aligns with his lifestyle. In this 98th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Brian about his journey with Riley, a Labrador-German Shepherd mix, from foster fail to heart dog and Therapy Dog. Together they are certified through Alliance of Therapy Dogs and volunteer at their local Ronald McDonald House and on the DEN CATS a...

Sumbul helps Budge thrive as a Therapy Dog by recognizing his needs and setting boundaries. In this 97th episode of Therapy Dog Talk ,I chat with Sumbul about her experiences with Budge, her English Bulldog, who transitioned from a family pandemic puppy to a beloved Therapy Dog. They are a certified team through Alliance of Therapy Dogs volunteering at their local hospice and on the DENCATS airpor...

Kim Fontaine, President of AATSMA, advocates for unique breeds like her Akita Therapy Dogs. In this 96th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I sit down with Kim Fontaine, the founder and president of Animal Assisted Therapy Services of Massachusetts (AATSMA) . Kim’s journey with her Akitas, Tomo and Toshi, provides a unique perspective on Therapy Dog work. In this episode, we discuss … The path Kim has...

Hallie shares what it’s like for Apgar to join her in Animal Assisted Therapy at a Psychiatric Hospital. In this 95th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I sit down with Hallie to talk about her adventures with Apgar , a Yellow Labrador who’s made an impressive switch from being a Guide Dog in training to a much-loved Therapy Dog. Their story is all about embracing life’s unexpected twists and using the...

Ugnė and Kuna volunteer as a dog therapy team in Lithuania helping elementary kids and seniors. In this 94th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I sat down with Ugnė and her amazing rescue dog, Kuna, about their volunteer therapy work in Vilnius, Lithuania through Kaniterapijos asociacija . Ugnė tells us how she transformed Kuna from a reactive shelter pup into a certified Therapy Dog in 2022, ready to...

Shannon created a Therapy Dog program with her dog Blue and advocates for Therapy Dog welfare. In this 93rd episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I had the pleasure of sitting down with Shannon Noonan , where she shared her experiences as a mental health professional, certified professional dog trainer and Therapy Dog handler with her rescued Great Dane Pointer mix, and heart dog, Blue. In this episode, w...

Sarah and her Klee Kai Pixel teach us the importance of advocating for your Therapy Dog. In this 92nd episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Sarah and her talkative Klee Kai, Pixel . These two are more than just a therapy team; they’re a dynamic duo that showcases the essence of a handler-dog bond. In this episode, we discuss … Sarah and Pixel’s strong conne...

Mary Rose and her miniature Therapy Horse Honey are changing lives while volunteering together in Florida. In this bonus episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Mary Rose Gullet about her unique journey with Honey , her miniature Therapy Horse. We recorded this episode on Celebration of the Horse Day to learn about what it’s like to train and partner with equines for therapy work. In this episod...

Estella and her volunteer Therapy Poms work through their own traumas while helping others with theirs. In this 91st episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I talk with Estella about the heartwarming story of her senior Pomeranians, Monti and Finn , and their combined journey of healing and support. In this episode, we discuss … The unique stories behind Monti and Finn becoming registered Therapy Dogs. Este...

How Christie’s Golden Retriever Frankie became the first School Therapy Dog in their district. In this 90th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I talk with Christie about her journey to bringing her son’s Golden Retriever, Frankie , to work with her as the district’s first School Therapy Dog. In this episode, we discuss … What it took to bring Frankie to work as the first School Therapy Dog in their dis...

Jennifer’s Bernedoodle Eclipse partners with her in Animal-Assisted Counseling as a therapy assistant. In this 89th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I welcome Jennifer Uhlman, a Marriage and Family Therapist, and her Bernedoodle, Eclipse. Jennifer shares the unique journey that led Eclipse from service dog training to partnering with her in Animal-Assisted Counseling , an unexpected pivot due to Ecli...

Bree was surprised to find that her rescue dog Mickey was the perfect fit for a School Therapy Dog. In this 88th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I had the privilege of speaking with Bree Long. Once a School Psychologist, Bree now dedicates her time to being a volunteer Therapy Dog handler, working alongside her rescue, a German Shepherd mix named Mickey . In this episode, we discuss … How Bree was s...

AAAIP Board Member Cathy Bennett is trailblazing Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) in Charleston. In this 87th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I spoke with Cathy Bennett, a key player in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI). She’s the Therapy Dog Program Coordinator at the Medical University of South Carolina, a proud Board Member of the Association of Animal Assisted Intervention Professionals (AA...

Heidi knows what it takes to coordinate an Airport Therapy Dog program and has helped others to do the same. In this 86th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I spoke with Heidi Huebner , founder of the LAX PUP Program , and her rescue dogs, Chance and Chubs, who are both certified through Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Heidi shared her inspiring journey from starting her work with Therapy Dogs in 2000 to fou...

Kennedy pursued Therapy Dog training with her rescue and now she’s applying what she’s learned with her new prospect, Finn. In this 85th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I sit down with Kennedy Connor, a licensed child and adolescent therapist in Indianapolis. Kennedy shares about her therapy dog training journey with her four-year-old pup, Remy , a natural Therapy Dog “unicorn,” who has joined her i...

Stasha Wong and her colleagues are creating positive Animal-Assisted Interactions in Singapore through Caring Canine Teams. In this 84th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I sit down with Stasha Wong, a director at Animal-Assisted Interactions Singapore (AAISG) . A social scientist specializing in human-animal interactions and with experience from SOSD’s Healing Paws initiative, Stasha has a lot to sha...

Did you know the goal of National Therapy Animal Day is grounded in advocacy through proclamations and legislation? In this bonus episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I dig into the goals of National Therapy Animal Day with some incredible guests: Mary Margaret Callahan, Chief Mission Officer at Pet Partners as well as Diane Prange and Connie Priesz, both from North Star Therapy Animals in Minnesota. In...

Madi Sontag and her dog Remi are charting their own course together in Animal-Assisted Occupational Therapy. In this 83rd episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I sit down with Magi Sontag, an Occupational Therapy student set to graduate that weekend, about her capstone project at the therapy barn TREE House of Greater St. Louis where she and her dog Remi practiced Animal-Assisted Occupational Therapy toge...

Erin and her Australian Labradoodle Winston are making an impact in their community from children to first responders. In this 82nd episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I sit down with Erin and her seven-year-old Australian Labradoodle, Winston . We discuss their journey as a therapy dog team, including their experiences across a variety of settings including children’s hospitals and first responder unit...

Kilyn and her dog Bubbles, a cruelty survivor, have a unique way of reaching children who also have had a difficult past. In this 81st episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I sit down with Kilyn Horton and her Pitbull rescue, Bubbles . We discuss their heartwarming journey together, focusing on how they help children who have experienced trauma or have disabilities. Kilyn found Bubbles while volunteering...

Jessica and her Maltese Therapy Dog Hera know the secrets to volunteering with small dogs, and they’re here to share. In this 80th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Jessica and her Maltese, Hera , from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Jessica has been volunteering with therapy dogs for over 10 years, starting in 2012, and Hera is her second therapy dog. We discuss their experiences volunteering w...