What happens when we stop asking dogs to fit our lives — and start building lives that work for both ends of the leash?

In this episode of The Human-Canine Alliance Podcast, Stacie sits down with professional dog trainer Kassidy King, owner of Pack Daddy Dog Training to explore how training, responsibility, and reciprocity can transform both dogs and humans — especially those who feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or misunderstood.

Kassidy shares her personal journey into training through her dog Lana, the lessons that reshaped her approach to reactivity and expectations, and why connection must come before control. The conversation expands into her work with the Pawsitive Change Program, where rescue dogs are trained alongside incarcerated individuals inside prison yards — creating structure, purpose, and mutual trust for both.

You’ll also hear about:

• Why focusing on a dog’s “flaws” breaks relationships — and how to shift that mindset
• How responsibility and routine can support mental health in real life
• The role of training as a missing piece in adoption success
• The impact of prison-based dog training programs like Pawsitive Change and Marley’s Mutts’ Mutt Movers, which help relocate rescue dogs to new adoption opportunities

The episode closes by connecting these real-world experiences to TH-CA’s mission: reimagining rescue through intentional matching, purpose-driven training, and social-prescription-aligned solutions that meet genuine human needs while honoring a dog’s natural strengths.

This conversation is for anyone who:

• Loves dogs but feels stuck or discouraged by dog behavior
• Cares about ethical dog training and rescue reform
• Believes dogs can be wellness partners, not just pets
• Desires solutions to loneliness, responsibility, and connection that create tangible outcomes

Two problems. One partnership. A better way forward for humans and dogs alike.

Episode links & resources:

Pack Daddy Dog Training (Kassidy King)
https://www.packdaddydogtraining.com

Pawsitive Change Program
https://pawsitivechangeprogram.com

Marley's Mutts & Mutt Movers
https://marleysmutts.org

Mental Health & Loneliness as a Public Health Crisis (U.S. Surgeon General)
https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/loneliness/index.html

U.S. Animal Shelter & Euthanasia Statistics
https://www.aspca.org/helping-people-pets/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics

Social Prescribing
https://socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/what-is-social-prescribing/

America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs

The Human–Canine Alliance is a patent-pending platform that matches people in need with rescue dogs in need using AI-powered compatibility matching and personalized training prescriptions to improve mental health and reduce dog euthanasia.

🌐 Subscribe to The Alliance Insider: JOIN OUR PACK!

🌐 Learn more & get involved: America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs