Therapy Dog Talk

Katee enjoys volunteering at Phoenix Children’s Hospital with her Maltese Therapy Dogs Coco and Cici. In this 55th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Katee and her two charming Maltese therapy dogs, Coco and Cici , about their incredible volunteer journey at Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH). We focus on their experiences working together as a team and the impact they’ve made on the lives o...

Dr. Taylor Chastain Griffin saw a need for further research in Animal-Assisted Interventions and jumped right in. In this 54th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I spoke with Dr. Taylor Chastain Griffin , a mental health professional and leader in the field of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI). Taylor shares her journey of combining her love for people and animals into a fulfilling career, and her pa...

Canadian researcher Dr. Colleen Dell has spent the last decade studying the human-animal bond alongside her animal partners. In this 53rd episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Dr. Colleen Dell , a Canadian researcher at the University of Saskatchewan and the Centennial Enhancement Chair in One Health & Wellness , about her work in the human-animal bond field. Dr. Dell has published numerou...

School Counselor Kailey shares the impact that her Certified Therapy Dog Leo makes when she brings him to work with her. In this 52nd episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Kailey and her Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Leo , about their work as a therapy dog team in two different elementary schools in Kansas City, Missouri. Kailey, a school counselor, shares how Leo’s gentle nature and ability to...

Ending firefighter mental health stigma through the LA County Fire Peer Support Team with Jake Windell and Echo. In this 51st episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Los Angeles County Firefighter Jake Windell and his 5-year old Yellow Labrador, Echo , about their amazing work together to break the mental health stigma for firefighters through the LA County Fire Peer Support Team . In this episo...

Volunteering for nearly 15 years with her dog Maggie has CPDT-KA Nicole Ellis brimming with Therapy Dog stories to share. In this 50th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I spoke with Nicole Ellis , a Certified Professional Dog Trainer based in Los Angeles, and her two amazing dogs, Maggie and Rossi . We focus on the incredible therapy dog work Nicole and Maggie have done together over the last 15 years...

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to become an Australian Therapy Dog team, Adam is here to share his experience. In this 49th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I spoke with Adam Szmulewicz, a Social Worker in Australia, and his wonderful Golden Retriever, Sophie , about their inspiring journey as an Australian Therapy Dog team. They work together to bring joy and healing to those they meet, and w...

Lena and her Sheepadoodle Birdie are gearing up for base camps and fire season as a First Responder Therapy Dog team. In this 48th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Lena, Associate Director on the board at First Responder Therapy Dogs , and her adorable Sheepadoodle, Birdie , about their incredible volunteer work with First Responder Therapy Dogs and Alliance of Therapy Dogs in Northern Ca...

Taylor helps children grow their confidence to read out loud with her Therapy Dog experience Books with Benji. In this 47th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Taylor and her 105 lb Great Pyrenees mix, Benji , about their amazing volunteer work with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs in North Carolina. We focus on their participation in the Paws to Read program and their own unique reading session...

For Lindsay, becoming a school therapy dog team with her Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Tucker was challenging but worth it. In this 46th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Lindsay and her energetic Blue Merle Aussiedoodle, Tucker , about their incredible journey as a school therapy dog team in New Jersey. Lindsay, a special education teacher, knew from the start that Tucker’s high energy and inte...

Monica and her Dalmatian Therapy Dogs are making an impact relieving stress for passengers at their local airport. In this 45th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Monica and her Dalmatian therapy dogs, Quint and Orio , about their amazing work with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) and the P.E.T.S. airport therapy dog program in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Monica’s passion for dogs is ev...

Inspired by his dog Winston, John set out to create his own pet therapy program Moments with Win. In this 44th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with John Dunay and his 3-year-old Goldendoodle, Winston, about their journey to create their own pet therapy program called Moments with Win . John shares how neighborhood walks with Winston led him to discover the joy that therapy dogs can bring to p...

For Marcia, avoiding volunteer burnout is essential in order to continue sharing her Therapy Dog Charlie with others. In this 43rd episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Marcia and her Golden Retriever, Charlie , about their inspiring volunteer journey as an American Kennel Club (AKC) Therapy Dog team in Georgia. We focus on the importance of avoiding volunteer burnout and maintaining a healthy...

Volunteer pet therapy team Nicole and Eleanor love to share their bond to help brighten the day for others. In this 42nd episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I spoke with Nicole and her 70lb rescue dog, Eleanor , about their heartwarming journey as a volunteer pet therapy team in Florida. We dive into their experiences working with Pet Partners and the impact they have on those they visit. In this episod...

San Diego Therapy Dog team Sarah and Cocoa have jumped all paws in to volunteering through Love on a Leash. In this 41st episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Sarah and her Maltipoo Schnauzer, Cocoa , about their uplifting volunteer work as a therapy dog team in Southern California through Love on a Leash . We particularly delve into how a visit to Sarah’s grandparents inspired her to start th...

Kenzie has a heart for Animal-Assisted Therapy and is partnering with her Goldendoodle Kopa in her social work. In this 40th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I spoke with Kenzie and her Goldendoodle, Kopa , about their journey into Animal-Assisted Therapy and their work together in Kenzie’s social work practice. We delve into their experiences with training, evaluation, and how they became a register...

Tracy enjoys volunteering with her two Therapy Cats Roger and Sal and wishes that other cat owners would join her. In this 39th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I switch things up to chat with Tracy and her Therapy Cats, Roger and Sal . We explore their unique journey into therapy work and discuss why more cat owners should consider getting involved in this heartwarming volunteer field. In this episo...

Dr. Sunday Agbonika is pioneering Animal-Assisted Interventions in Nigeria with a specific goal of helping children with Autism. In this 38th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I spoke with Dr. Sunday Agbonika , a Veterinary Surgeon, dog trainer, and 2019 Mandela Washington Fellow , about his groundbreaking work in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) in Nigeria, focusing on helping children with Autism...

Kim and her Greyhound Therapy Dog Bubbles bring the fun to their campus visits as part of the founding BGSU PAWS Team. In this 37th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I spoke with Kim and her Greyhound Therapy Dog, Bubbles , about their fantastic volunteer work as part of the founding Bowling Green State University (BGSU) PAWS Team. We dive into Bubbles’ unique personality and love for people, which ma...

Being a Junior Therapy Dog team with her pup Millie is the beginning of a dog-centered career for Holden. In this 36th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Holden and her charming yellow labrador, Millie , about their inspiring work volunteering through Aggieland Pets with a Purpose as a Junior Therapy Dog team in College Station, Texas. We focus on their experiences visiting memory care resi...

What’s it like for a family to work with volunteer Therapy Dogs? The Wadleys weigh in with their experiences. In this 35th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Jared Wadley, News Magazine Editor for Alliance of Therapy Dogs , and his sons, Jordan and Devin, about their amazing experiences with their volunteer therapy dogs, Bella, Legend, and Bree . We talk about training the dogs, how Jared f...

Mental health professional Xochitl is making a positive impact with her Labradoodle Lucy, a certified Therapy Dog. In this 34th episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Xochitl, a licensed mental health professional, and her pawsitive Labradoodle, Lucy . We talk about their journey into therapy dog work during the tough times of the COVID pandemic. Xochitl is a mental health helper in Southern Ca...

Certified dog trainer Michelle knows how important it is to understand what her Therapy Dog, Pippin, needs on their visits. In this 33rd episode of Therapy Dog Talk ,I talk with certified dog trainer Michelle Stern of Pooch Parenting and her therapy dog, Pippin. We discuss their volunteer work with First Responder Therapy Dogs and the importance of knowing what your dog likes when doing therapy wo...

Tanya says her special needs Therapy Dog Boone provides unique opportunities to connect with children with special needs. In this 32nd episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Tanya Diable and her amazing special needs rescue dog, Boone . We talk about their inspiring adventures together and the wonderful friendship they’ve created while volunteering with Alliance of Therapy Dogs . We also discus...

Retired Guide Dog Otto has found his calling as a volunteer Therapy Dog with his puppy raiser, Kathie. In this 31st episode of Therapy Dog Talk , I chat with Kathie Neyman and her Golden Retriever, Otto . Otto used to be a Guide Dog, but now he loves being a volunteer Therapy Dog with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs . We talk about their amazing journey and how they’ve helped many people. In this epi...