Soul Touched by Dogs

What does science say about how to make your dog happy? And how can understanding human psychology help us support our reactive or anxious dogs better? In this heartfelt and fascinating episode, I’m joined by Zazie Todd, PhD—animal behaviour expert, award-winning author, and creator of the Companion Animal Psychology blog. Zazie shares her journey from academic psychologist to beloved voice in the...

What happens when you bring a playful puppy into a home shared with an aging dog?  Is it a heartwarming tale of intergenerational friendship—or a recipe for resentment and overwhelm? In this deeply insightful and refreshingly honest conversation, I’m joined by Kathy Callahan and Helen St. Pierre, authors of Old Dog, New Dog: A Guide to Supporting Your Aging Best Friend and Welcoming a New One.  We...

What If the Food You Feed Your Dog Is the Root Cause (and the Cure) for Their Illness? In this episode, I’m joined by Nora Lenz, creator of Rotational MonoFeeding (RMF), to explore a radical – and radically simple – idea: that feeding dogs according to their biological needs not only prevents disease but can actually reverse it. Nora’s journey started back in the 80s when she studied human nutriti...

What happens when your “I’ll just walk dogs for a while” job turns into a life’s calling? That’s exactly what happened to East London-based Behaviour Coach Meghan Butt, and in this episode, we explore how her deep commitment to healing - both her own and her canine clients’  led her to a trauma-informed, body-based approach to working with reactive dogs. We talk about the powerful connection betwe...

In this soulful and inspiring episode, I talk to writer, creative force, and lifelong animal lover Sarah Cavallaro, whose novel Dogs Have Angels Too weaves heart and humor into the complex and beautiful world of dog rescue. We explore how storytelling can change perspectives, create compassion, and shine a light on what really happens when people and dogs save each other. Sarah shares the real-lif...

If you’ve ever felt torn between your passion for travel and the love for your dogs, this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. In this Soul Touched by Dogs conversation, I sit down with serial entrepreneur, business strategist, and fellow dog mom, Marisa Hoskins, the visionary behind Paws Abroad. After building (and selling!) Canada’s most nutritious dog food brand, Marisa set off on a globa...

Have you ever been told your dog was “aggressive”? That you needed to show them who’s boss, or worse, that pain was the only way to gain control? In this soul-stirring episode of Soul Touched by Dogs, I sit down with certified canine life coach Debbie Sheridan, whose journey from social work to dog advocacy is as powerful as it is healing. It all began with two terrified shelter pups - Fitzy and S...

What if your dog was more than just a pet - what if they were a mirror, a teacher, and a soul companion on your personal journey? In this profound episode, I’m joined by Dr. Isla Fishburn, a conservation biologist turned canine wellness intuitive and shamanic practitioner. With a background in zoology, wolf conservation, and spiritual healing, Isla offers a truly unique perspective on our relation...

What do mathematics and misbehaving mutts have in common? This week on the Soul Touched by Dogs podcast, I sit down with Grisha Stewart, a self-described behaviour nerd who made the leap from math lecturer to world-renowned dog trainer. Yep, from numbers to nosework 😛 Grisha created BAT (Behavior Adjustment Training), a beautifully intuitive method that helps reactive and anxious dogs find calm -...

Lisa Waggoner – Dogs and Second Chances: Rehabilitation Behind Bars A heart-opening conversation about connection, compassion, and the power of second chances—for both people and dogs. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Waggoner to explore a truly inspiring program where incarcerated men and shelter dogs transform each other’s lives through the power of positive reinforcement. We talk about how...

From Dog Training to Artistry: The Inspirational Journey of Denise In this episode, Denise shares her heartfelt journey from being a dog trainer to founding her own graphic design business, Mighty Dog Graphics. She discusses her early work with guide dogs and her deep involvement with charitable organizations that train assistance dogs. Denise shares her inspiring story of how her dog Jeffrey's me...

In this episode, I am joined by canine behavior experts Lisa Hird and Dale McLelland, who share their journey and mission in the dog training industry. Lisa, who operates the Dog Behavior Clinic in Lincolnshire, and Dale, who runs Being Canine in Scotland, have collaborated to create Without Worry Canine Education, aimed at improving dog-owner relationships through practical, respect-based trainin...

I’ve got a very special guest for you today. She’s retired after over 5 decades of teaching people how to better understand dogs, the magnificent creatures by our side. But the lovely Lisbeth Borg de Waard from the Nordic Education Centre for Ethical Dog Trainers offered to make an introduction and she said Yes - Turid Rugaas. “The worst thing modern dog owners do is micromanage their dogs,” she s...

Navigating the End-of-Life Journey with Animalchemy In this episode, I am joined by Monique from Animalchemy, who shares her profound insights into the natural end-of-life process for pets. Monique's expertise blends animal medicine with spiritual teachings, providing a unique perspective on how we can offer support during our pets' final stages. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the...

Understanding and Mitigating Stress in Dogs with Diane from Canine Transformations Learning Center In this episode, I have an insightful conversation with Diane, a specialist in canine behavior and stress management, currently based in Langley, Washington. With over 25 years of experience, Diane shares her journey from her early days in dog obedience training to her current focus on stress and beh...

Wishful Thinking Isn't Planning In this episode, I am joined by Peggy Hoyt, an estate planning attorney and animal lover with homes in Virginia and Florida. Peggy shares her insights on the importance of creating a pet trust to ensure that pets are cared for in the event of the owner's death or disability. She passionately shares her own experiences with her numerous pets and her motivation to wri...

This week's Pawsome Human: Mark Bridger-Pescott - BoneCanis - Barks 'n Words: Better Communication Between Humans and Dogs In this fun and informative episode, I chat with Mark Bridger Pescott, founder of Bone Canis, a dog training and behavior company based in West Sussex, UK. Mark introduces his talented team and shares how they've been helping dogs and their owners both locally and internationa...

Unpacking Canine Trauma with Dr. Laura Donaldson In this enlightening episode, I sit down with Dr. Laura Donaldson to delve into the crucial topic of becoming trauma-informed when it comes to our dogs. Dr. Donaldson shares her extensive knowledge on what trauma is, how it manifests in dogs, and the often-overlooked microtraumas that can significantly impact their well-being. We discuss the paralle...

In this enlightening episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lisa Waggoner, co-founder of Cold Nose College, about her journey in dog training and the importance of positive reinforcement. We discussed everything from her rural North Carolina base to the impactful work she and her husband Brad do through the Victoria Stilwell Academy. Lisa shared how important it is to make dogs feel physical...

In this episode, I sit down with Annie Phenix, a seasoned dog trainer and best-selling author based in Utah, to discuss her journey and extensive experience in working with dogs, particularly those with traumatic backgrounds. Annie shares her transition from Texas to Utah, her long-standing involvement in dog rescue, and her unique insights into canine behavior. We delve into her experiences foste...

Exploring the World of Pet Bubbles with John Ryder In this engaging episode, I sit down with John Reider from St. Louis, Missouri, the creative mind behind innovative pet bubbles. John shares his journey from discovering fascinating technobubbles to creating fun and safe bubble products for pets. We dive into the origins of his business, the unique scents like peanut butter and smoky bacon that ex...

Barking Up the Right Tree: A Conversation with Julia Hawkins and Barbara Patterson on Reactive Dog Training In this episode, I chat with Julia Hawkins and Barbara Patterson, co-founders of 'Barking Up the Right Tree.' We discuss their journey in the world of dog training, especially focusing on reactive dogs. From their free festival featuring top experts to their innovative training programs, Jul...

In this heartwarming episode, I had an engaging conversation with Stef who shared the incredible story of Rila's Dream, a dedicated dog rescue charity. Stef detailed how his own journey began with rescuing a single puppy in Bulgaria, which eventually led to the establishment of a structured rescue operation. Through a combination of passion and effective business processes, Stef and his wife Nicol...

In this episode, I had a fascinating conversation with Dr. Ed, a holistic veterinarian based in regional Victoria, Australia, and the founder of the Whole Energy Body Balance method. Dr. Ed shared insights on how pets, despite their silence, often suffer from hidden pain, anxiety, and trauma. His journey began when he started noticing undiagnosed neck and back pain in animals, eventually leading h...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Wendy Sunshine about her innovative approach to raising and understanding dogs through the lens of parenting. Wendy shares her personal journey that began with a challenging rescue puppy and led to her writing the book 'Tender Paws.' We delve into how her insights from child development and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be applied to dog tr...