Episodes

  • The Human-Animal Connection 78 The Five Types of Dog Enrichment – and Why They Work

    The Human-Animal Connection 78 The Five Types of Dog Enrichment – and Why They Work
    Oct 17 2025
    Dogs share our lives, and we do our best to take care of their needs. But we may have overlooked some of the needs that individual dogs may have. Is your dog getting the enrichment they need? There are five types of enrichment that may benefit your dog, no matter their age. They are: physical, social, nutritional, occupational, and sensory stimulation. Many overlap, so if you are doing sensory stimulation games, chances are you are also engaging other parts of their brain and emotions. Just like humans, we can get into trouble if we are bored.

    Many undesirable behaviors in dogs may be a result of under stimulation in one or more of these five domains. Understanding your dog’s wants, needs, and temperament can help you both have happier, more connected, and fulfilled lives together. You don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy toys, training classes, or wild experiences. Sol Dog Training Program Manager, Kim Stoll, explains how simple objects around your house can be great enrichment opportunities. And when you engage a dog’s nose in any game, you are helping balance their minds and their energy.

    EPISODE NOTES: The Five Types of Dog Enrichment – and Why They Work

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    30 mins
  • The Human-Animal Connection 77 Oh, the Guilt! Caring for Very Senior Dogs

    The Human-Animal Connection 77 Oh, the Guilt! Caring for Very Senior Dogs
    Oct 3 2025
    We love the animals who share our lives so much that it can be very painful to watch them go through the degenerative processes of aging. They used to run, jump, and play, and easily jump up to cuddle on the bed. Now, they may be doing none of those things. We wonder if they are in pain or suffering, if they need pain medications or other therapies. And, of course, we wonder if we are doing the right things, or enough things, to improve the quality of their daily lives. The amount of time, energy, and focus required to care for a dog that no longer has normal mobility can be draining and demoralizing at times. They may be unable to maintain their potty-training habits.

    These changes, which may be sudden or gradual, can produce compassion fatigue, and people who have not experienced this level of care for an animal may not understand what we are going through. Mobility is directly related to the quality of life, and in many cases, we humans can help, everything from specific exercises to simple household adaptations. Kate Titus is the founder and director of A Loyal Companion, which offers hydrotherapy, wheelchair fitting for paralyzed dogs, and helps their owners make simple changes to accommodate aging dogs' mobility issues. She is the author of From Emotion to Motion.

    EPISODE NOTES: Oh, the Guilt! Caring for Very Senior Dogs

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    34 mins
  • The Human-Animal Connection 76 A Shelter Director Speaks

    The Human-Animal Connection 76 A Shelter Director Speaks
    Sep 14 2025
    Can you imagine running an open-admissions city municipal shelter that has over 500 dogs in a facility built for 235 dogs? That is the job that Steve Kozachik has – Director of Animal Services at PACC, Pima Animal Care Center. And did I mention that there are currently 800 dogs in foster care? And there are 600 cats in foster care. That’s a lot to manage! Hear some of Steve’s hopes, dreams, and frustrations with the situation at this – and many national shelters. The system may be broken, but some small changes are making a huge difference in the lives of shelter animals. Little programs like read to the dogs, take a dog overnight for a pajama party, take a dog out for lunch – a burger, an ice-cream, or a hike in the mountains. Hear some hard truths, but also some exciting possible ideas to improve the quality of life for all shelter animals.

    EPISODE NOTES: A Shelter Director Speaks

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    35 mins
  • The Human-Animal Connection 75 The Forbidden Angle – What Dog’s Know About Confrontation

    The Human-Animal Connection 75 The Forbidden Angle – What Dog’s Know About Confrontation
    Aug 26 2025
    Dogs are communicating all the time – it is just that we don’t always know what they are saying. Dog Trainer Jesse Sternberg, author of Enlightened Dog Training, has some radical ideas about what dogs need from us and how we can get into sync with each other. First, he doesn’t focus on “trying to get dogs to behave a certain way.” He focuses on what emotion the dog is feeling, which is what drives behavior. Understanding how dogs confront and then can instantly calm each other can go a long way toward creating harmony in the household. Jesse talks about how dogs need structure to make the right choices. How can we create a peaceful, calm experience that dogs will respect and model? That is what his soulful method is all about. Dogs want to respect us, and using fear is not the way to gain their respect. We gain their respect by being a calm, peaceful leader who allows them to look to us for a sense of safety and order. If you are ready to explore this exciting, gentle method, you will love this episode. You can reach Jesse Sternberg at PeacefulAlpha.com and get the first chapter of his new book for free.

    EPISODE NOTES: The Forbidden Angle – What Dog’s Know About Confrontation

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    27 mins
  • The Human-Animal Connection 74 The Three Blocks to Animal Communication with Paloma Baertschi

    The Human-Animal Connection 74 The Three Blocks to Animal Communication with Paloma Baertschi
    Aug 15 2025
    If you aspire to learn Animal Communication or improve your ability to receive clear and accurate messages, you want to listen to this episode. Paloma Baertchi has been teaching Animal Communication for over twenty years, and she has noticed there are certain blocks that keep us from doing our best at receiving messages from animals. In this episode, she explains in clear and simple terms how to overcome these blocks of self-doubt, being in your head, and pressure to get results. She explains that the secret to effective animal communication is to cultivate the heart space where animals live. Paloma offers two simple exercises that will immediately help you to connect more accurately and deeply with the animals in your life. Telling stories about her own journey with communicating with her rabbit named Spot, she inspires you to realize you can do this! It is only natural to communicate with animals.

    EPISODE NOTES: The Three Blocks to Animal Communication with Paloma Baertschi

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    31 mins
  • The Human-Animal Connection 73 Why is My Cat Crying?

    The Human-Animal Connection 73 Why is My Cat Crying?
    Aug 1 2025
    Some cats cry incessantly, leaving owners worried and frustrated. As a shelter volunteer, I've witnessed owners surrendering their pets out of desperation. But there's hope! Tapas Fleming, a pioneer in Energy Psychology with over 30 years of experience in Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT), explains that crying in cats can often be resolved. Many are sensitive to negative energy patterns, which can cause distress. In this episode, Tapas shares transformative stories of animals whose lives improved after removing these energy blocks. Plus, she works with my dog, Sophia, tackling her physical and behavioral issues. Witness Sophia's relief after just one session addressing energetic disruptions. Curious if your pet is affected by similar disturbances? Don't miss this enlightening episode.

    EPISODE NOTES: Why is My Cat Crying?

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    24 mins
  • The Human-Animal Connection 72 The Smartest Horse: Beautiful Jim Key

    The Human-Animal Connection 72 The Smartest Horse: Beautiful Jim Key
    Jul 21 2025
    Discover the extraordinary tale of Doc Key, once a slave, who trained the most intelligent horse in history – Beautiful Jim Key. Under the gentle guidance of Doc Key, Jim Key learned the alphabet, spelling, basic math, and a myriad of tricks that captivated millions at World’s Fairs. But beyond his feats, Doc Key forged a profound bond with his horse, Jim Key, enabling them to communicate deeply and mesmerize audiences of all ages. Their partnership inspired three million children to sign a kindness pledge to all animals. Jim Key was a trailblazer in the burgeoning anti-cruelty movement. Donna Janell Bowman's book, Step Right Up, celebrates their story, resonating with readers of all ages. Illustrated beautifully by Daniel Minter, this inspiring tale is a staple in our

    EPISODE NOTES: The Smartest Horse: Beautiful Jim Key

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    30 mins
  • The Human-Animal Connection 71 Whispers from the Rainbow Bridge: Animal Messages of Love

    The Human-Animal Connection 71 Whispers from the Rainbow Bridge: Animal Messages of Love
    Jul 16 2025
    Ellie Laks from The Gentle Barn and I share some of our favorite, joyful, inspiring stories about communicating with animals and discovering their rich inner lives. We don’t always realize how multi-dimensional their worlds can be. In this episode, a horse named Whisper who, has gone on to the Rainbow Bridge “appeared” – literally as a shadow that kept crossing the room (you can see this on the YouTube video podcast) – until Ellie told Whisper’s very moving story of healing and transformation. I tell a story about my cat Wolfie, who told me when it was time to pass – the exact day and time. When you open the door to animal communication, you enter a rich and delightful world that opens our eyes in so many ways. These heartwarming stories will inspire you go deeper in all your interactions with animals. And they will love you even more for joining them on this delightful journey.

    EPISODE NOTES: Whispers from the Rainbow Bridge: Animal Messages of Love

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-human-animal-connection-pet-life-radio-original--6669311/support.
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    35 mins