Pawdcast

Karen and Jean chat with veterinarian, author, and animal welfare advocate Dr. Nancy Kay about her newest book, A Dog Named 647, a middle-grade novel that introduces young readers to the realities of puppy mills. Dr. Kay’s advocacy against puppy mills grew directly out of her work as a veterinarian, where she saw firsthand the physical and emotional harm suffered by dogs from commercial breeding o...

It’s time to be inspired by the story of a veterinary hospital in Boston, Massachusetts that is so, so, so much more! Jean’s conversation with MSPCA-Angell spokeswoman Corinne Bourgoin outlines what is possible when leading animal welfare services and veterinary care operate under one legendary roof. This Massachusetts institution — often referred to as the “Mayo Clinic for animals” — has been aro...

We love dog-trepreneurs — especially smart women with big ideas that do good! This is one of our favorite PawsGo Pawdcast episodes and one of the very first we recorded. Karen and Jean chat with Anne Tuccillo, founder of Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats. As Anne was preparing to retire from federal service, she was also thinking about what the future would look like for her adult son, Bryan, who was...

Jean and Karen had the great pleasure of chatting with Dr. Zazie Todd, animal behavior expert and award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy , Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy and Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog . Zazie is also the host of the second annual Bark! Fest , a virtual book festival for animal lovers. Co-hosted with Kr...

We’re bringing back the most popular episode of the PawsGo Pawdcast! In this listener-favorite conversation, we explore Dr. Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol—a simple, structured approach designed to help dogs learn how to settle, stay calm, and remain comfortable as the world around them changes. Whether you are helping an anxious dog, an excitable dog, a newly adopted dog, or simply want to bu...

Karen and Jean are absolutely giddy to welcome Pat Miller to the PawsGo Pawdcast—yes, they are definitely fangirling! What if understanding how your dog thinks could transform the way you train—and the relationship you share? Pat Miller, renowned trainer, behavior consultant, author, and founder of Peaceable Paws, joins us for a fascinating conversation about positive, force-free dog training. Pat...

Just in time for summer fun, Karen and Jean welcome Ben Jarvis and Nicki Wright of US Bark Rangers to the PawsGo Pawdcast. Ben created US Bark Rangers, and Nicki helps lead its impressive and growing social media community. Together, they share how you and your dog can become BARK Rangers, explore dog-friendly National and State Parks, and support the public lands we all love. From understanding w...

It’s a holiday tradition at the PawsGo Pawdcast — Karen and Jean are joined once again by their friend and favorite storyteller, Andrew Hager, author of All American Dogs. This festive episode is packed with quick, fun presidential-pet stories perfect to share at holiday parties, as conversation starters, or to diffuse those inevitable tense dinner moments. In this episode: • Why are Scotties basi...

Karen and Jean are joined by their friend and special guest Kathy Callahan, the puppy expert and author of the new book Old Dog, New Dog . Spoiler alert — Jean has a new puppy, the adorable Lenny! Together, they dive into what it’s really like to bring a puppy into a home with an older dog. Kathy shares wisdom and warmth from her book — co-authored with senior-dog specialist Helen St. Pierre — off...

If you’re a PawsGo Pawcast listener, you know that Karen, one of our hosts, is also a founder of Aussie Rescue of the Mid Atlantic — a volunteer-run organization dedicated to helping Australian Shepherds in need find their forever homes throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. You can apply to adopt or volunteer at www.aussierescueofthemidatlantic.org. Over the summer, PawsGo and Aussi...

Karen and Jean are back and thrilled to welcome their friend Cara Achterberg, author of Who Will Let the Dogs Out ! Cara who shares her urgent call to action for animal shelters, highlighting the range of experiences for dogs—from progressive shelters with strong staff and community support to high-kill and rural pounds where dogs are often overlooked. Through over 150 visits to shelters and conve...

Let’s put this in the category of I can’t tell you how or why it works – only that it works. In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen is joined by her friend, trainer and dog sport devotee, Tricia Lunde and author, journalist and dog enthusiast Roxanne Hawn.  Together they discuss the Relaxation Protocol for dogs that was developed by animal behaviorist, Dr. Karen Overall and why it’s a great tool f...

Dog parkour is the hottest dog activity because ANY dog can do it ANYWHERE.  And unlike other dog sports or activities, there is no one to compete against.  Dog parkour is a combination of human parkour (google it) and canine agility. In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with Abigail Curtis, the co-founder of the International Dog Parkour Association -- https://www.dogparkour.org/...

We’ve all seen the fliers – Lost Dog, Do Not Chase!  As dog owners, it fills us with a sense of personal dread and sadness for those searching for their dog.  So, if your dog is lost, what do you do and more important, what do you NOT do – besides not chasing it.  What’s the best tracking collar for your dog?  In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen is joined by rescue friends Christine and Elizabe...

This episode of the pawdcast is dedicated to the veterinarians, vet techs and front desk personnel who keep our pets healthy but too often don’t get the recognition (or respect) they deserve. Jean and Karen chat with Dr. Doug Mader a triple certified veterinary specialist who has been a veterinarian for over 30 years.  Currently based in the Florida Keys, Dr. Mader is a sought-after speaker and th...

Andrew is a beautiful writer and a GREAT storyteller and his new book is a MUST for any dog lover or dog lover on your holiday gift list. This FUN read is packed with historic photos and historic facts that bring to life different eras of our nation’s history through the pets owned by Presidents and their families.  You may be surprised by how many true animal lovers lived in the White House.  You...

If you have a reactive dog, live in an apartment, don’t necessarily care for dog parks, or simply want a new place that’s safe for your dog to run, sniff and explore – we’ve got a GREAT episode for you!   Put this in the category of things we wish we had created.  In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen is joined by her friend Karen Krieg for a conversation with the founder of Sniffspot https://www...

In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen and Jean chat with Stefanie Strackbein who specializes in canine enrichment.  Enrichment isn’t formal obedience or even organized sports.   Enrichment refers to an easy  activity or game to help dogs reduce stress, exercise their brains, and have a sense of control over their environment.  Examples of these games include tossing kibble on the lawn and invitin...

What’s better than a vacation?  A vacation with your DOG!  In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen is joined by her friend Christine (a fellow Aussie owner) with a special interest in dog-friendly vacations.  According to tripswithpets.com , 78 percent of Americans who have pets, travel with them. Sara Sokol, founder of Dogs Welcome, is working to make it easier for dogs and owners to find welcomin...

Dog Parks.  If you live in an urban area they are often a lifeline for owners eager to let their dogs run, play, and burn off a little steam. But dog parks also spark vitriol from owners, especially those who have had a dog injured (or attacked) while visiting one. Not surprising, a successful dog park experience depends as much on the human as it does the dog.  And keep in mind, dog parks aren’t...

This episode of the PawsGo pawdcast is dedicated to Karen’s sister, Wendy and her newly adopted dog, Dennis. Late last year, Wendy lost her beloved dog Akira after 14 years together.  Wendy originally found Arkia on Craig’s List, a family was moving and looking to rehome her.  Wendy had never worked with a rescue before and found the process very frustrating.  Dogs that she saw on Facebook or webs...

Dr. Amanda Tinkle, project manager of the Dog Aging Project, is back to share some exciting updates about this massive canine health study design to help unlock the key to increasing the “healthspan” of our dogs.  Based on notes and feedback from “citizen scientists” who have enrolled their dogs in the program, Dr. Tinkle and her colleagues noticed comments and concerns about cognitive canine decl...

In this episode of the pawdcast, Karen chats with Kenric Hwang, the founder of Max and Neo ( www.maxandneo.com ).  Kenric has created a revolutionary way to support rescues and shelters through donations of product, namely collars and leashes.  Based on a buy one, give one model, Max and Neo sells their high-quality products to consumers online.  So, for every product sold, Max and Neo makes a don...

Let’s be honest, as much as we love to be outside with our dogs, there are days when walks have to be cut short or you can’t swing a multi-mile hike.  In this episode of the pawdcast, Jean and Karen are joined by Dr. Laura Sharkey to discuss getting the most from a short walk and how to create enriching indoor canine activities. Dr. Sharkey is a certified professional dog trainer with a Ph. D. in...

Seeing possibilities in all animals, Columbus, Ohio based Speak for the Unspoken focuses its rescue efforts on special needs dogs and cats.  The animals that come into their foster-based rescue are visually and/or hearing impaired or have unique medical problems all due to bad breeding practices – think backyard breeders, hoarders and puppy mills. In this episode of the pawdcast, Jean and Karen ch...