Enrichment for the Real World

To wrap up Season 6, we're answering your questions! Thank you to everyone who submitted questions for this episode! In this season's Q&A episode Emily, Allie, and Ellen talk about:  Why our pets sometimes react to things and sometimes don't  Tips for helping your pet enjoy paw care Whether dogs can sleep in the bed You can find the full episode show notes here . You don't...

Last week we talked with Dr. Valli Parthasarathy about cooperative care for all species, and this week Allie and Emily talk about how to have happier vet visits.  In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:  Why Wants Vs. Needs conversations are important Tips for thoughtful antecedent arrangement at the clinic  How to determine if your pet does better with you or going in the back...

In this week's interview episode, we're joined by Dr. Valli Parthasarathy the owner of Synergy Veterinary Behavior in Portland, Oregon, where she helps families whose dogs, cats, birds, horses, and other species show problematic behaviors.  In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Valli talk about: Common behavior issues in various species Cooperative care for significant behavior...

Last week we heard from Dr. Tim Lewis and one of the topics we discussed was the biology of dogs. This week we’re going to dive further into trialing gut-brain health and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: Emily falling out of the space-time continuum  Nutrition is a study of one Finding objective measures for a food...

In this week's interview episode, we are joined by Tim Lewis. Dr. Tim Lewis has a PhD in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and studies a wide range of animals from turtles to domestic dogs.  In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Tim talk about: Finding the balance between “save them all” and breed determinism Retraining the amygdala We all have 5 brains Teach...

Last week we heard from Jungle Jordan Veasley about efficient enrichment storage systems. This week we're going to dive further into enrichment storage systems in the home.  In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:  Allie's love of The Home Edit  Emily's rule of 3 when it comes to Kongs  How molehills are sometimes mountains You can find the full episode show note...

In this week's podcast episode, we're joined by Jungle Jordan Veasley, a zookeeper and wildlife educator. Jordan is doing such important work not only for the animals in his care but for humans too! Representation matters and he’s a living, breathing example of why.  In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Jordan talk about: What sorcery this is? Relating to other people when the...

Last week we heard from Lori Stevens and one of the topics we discussed was movement & exercise for behavioral therapies. This week we’re going to dive further into creative solutions for physical exercise and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: Risk levels being on a spectrum Do you need a new solution or a diffe...

In this week's interview episode, we're joined by Lori Stevens to talk about the intersection of physical and behavioral health for our pets through movement. In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Lori talk about: What exercise is and isn’t about Assessing what types of exercise are ideal for an animal Cheap and free exercise options The difference between canine fitness and mo...

Last week we heard from David Roberts and one of the topics we discussed was getting the most out of your dog’s enrichment toys. This week we’re going to dive further into avoiding common enrichment toy mistakes and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: The most annoying and accurate answer to almost every question ever...

In this week's interview episode, we're joined by David Roberts of Ulti-Mutt Dog Toys! In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and David talk about: Data-driven processes for developing enrichment tools Meeting animals’ needs in cost-effective ways Troubleshooting dogs’ interest in toys Sacrificial shoes You can find the full episode show notes here . You don't have to watch you...

In this week's episode, we are joined by MaryKaye Kendrick, one of our very own behavior consultants and mentors. MaryKaye is a phenomenal educator, teacher, trainer, and human with an incredible skill for empathy and compassion in each case.  In this episode, you'll hear Emily and MaryKaye talk about  Learner-centered teaching  Broadcasting body language for children How to teach very y...

This week, we're wrapping up Season 5 with our Q&A episode to answer your fantastic questions!  In this episode you'll hear Allie, Emily, and Ellen talk about:  Dig pits for dogs Freeing the operant and how it relates to enrichment  Handling the holidays You can find the full show notes here .  You don't have to watch your dog slow down. You can be the reason they light up. Enri...

Last week we heard from Kalyn Holl and one of the topics we discussed was living a life in moderation. This week we’re going to dive further into everything in moderation and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: How behaviors aren’t necessarily good or bad The dangers of all-or-nothing thinking A malamute who didn’t wa...

In this week's interview episode, we are joined by Kalyn Holl, the Head Reindeer Trainer at Chena Outdoor Collective. Whether training reindeer, teaching education programs, or competing in sled dog races, Kalyn brings a beautiful perspective to their training. In this episode, you'll hear Kalyn and Emily talk about:  Letting the animal tell you what they need Living a life in moderation...

Last week we heard from Christina Horne and one of the topics we discussed was Systems for Navigating Service Dog training and society. This week we’re going to dive further into leading with curiosity and how that helps you navigate society and pet parenting and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: Why having a curiou...

In this week's interview episode, we're joined by Christina Horne. Christina delights in working with people and animals alike and has such a fresh take on teaching and training and the relationship between teachers and learners.  In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Christina talk about: Giving your learners space to just do things The power dynamic in the teacher/learner rel...

Last week we heard from Darian Fambro and one of the topics we discussed was environmental diversity. This week we’re going to dive further into providing environmental diversity and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: How we provide environmental diversity for our own pets Why Oso has a shredding space As we’ve said...

In this week's interview episode we are joined by Darian Fambro. Darian, a zookeeper and educator, specializes in reptiles, invertebrates, large mammals care and education programs.  In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Darian talk about: Insect personalities Why you have to train your dragon Grumpy tortoise faces Selfies with hyenas  You can find the full show notes here . You don...

Last week we heard from Valerie Bogie and one of the topics we discussed was how your self-care is enrichment. This week, we're going to dive further into self-care as enrichment, our own enrichment journeys, and implementation for real life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: How their therapy sessions are often just realizing how they can apply what they teach to th...

In this week's interview episode, we're joined by Valerie Bogie. Valerie is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) with a Veterinary Social Work focus through the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where she completed their Veterinary Human Support Certificate in 2022. Valerie is also an Educator for Emotional CPR, which teaches the skills of helping others throug...

Last week we heard from Kyle Hetzel and one of the topics we discussed was finding alternative solutions to old problems. This week we’re going to dive further into whether necessary evils are actually necessary and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: Pruney shame fingers Is this for us or for them? Getting to the roo...

In today's interview episode, we're joined by Kyle Hetze, the Assistant Curator of the Children's Zoo at an AZA accredited zoo on the west coast. He has been an animal trainer for 12 years, working with a wide range of species from birds of prey to walrus, giraffes, goats, and everything in between. He has utilized the Constructional Approach training animals for the past 9 years, s...

To kick off Season 5 of Enrichment for the Real World, we are joined by our very own Tracy Harachi. Tracy is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed, Certified Canine Fitness Trainer, and Fitpaws Master Trainer. She joined the Pet Harmony team in 2022 and applies years of experience focused on improving the well-being of families through evidence-based interventions to the scienc...

We get a lot of great questions from the fabulous folks in our Enrichment for the Real World Facebook group, and some of those answers deserve a whole lot more than what we can say in a Facebook message. So, we are ending this season with another Q&A episode! In this Q&A episode, you’re going to hear Emily, Ellen, and I answer your questions, including: Clarifying the “species-typical beha...