Believe in Dog

Presley & Taylor are country music recording artists – and sisters! – known for creating beautiful harmonies. They are also huge animal lovers and have 3 dogs! Presley & Taylor recently released a heartwarming song called “Choose Me” which tells the story of a shelter dog finding their forever home. The lyrics remind me so much of how my dog Penny joined our family that I was almost in tears the first time I heard it. Today we hear the story of what “Choose Me” means to Presley & Taylor, the story behind the music video and how proceeds from the streaming & downloads will be donated to the Pedigree Foundation. We’ll also hear more about what being Pedigree Foundation Ambassadors means to them and about their life as Dog Moms. Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode33 WATCH THE VIDEO for “Choose Me” DOWNLOAD THE SONG “Choose Me”

Episode 32. Building a Community of Pet Parents with the DogHood. While Purvi and Ruchi both grew up in India, it was just 2 years ago, while living in the San Francisco area that dogs brought them together. Purvi shares her story of growing up afraid of dogs and never thinking that she’d one day be a “dog person” after giving in to her husband’s & sons’ desire for a dog. Purvi jumped right into the deep end with Oreo, a sheepadoodle they got as a puppy. Being a first-time dog owner, Purvi had many questions about what was “normal” dog behavior. And this is where Ruchi brought the peace of mind. Ruchi shares with us her childhood and how her & her husband decided to become pet parents first, before having children. Ruchi’s 20+ years as a pet parent has led her in many directions from photography (after her son wasn’t interested in being her subject) to boarding dogs. Ruchi’s Dog Mom Wisdom has helped many of her friends and neighbors over the years. Seeing so many first-time Pet Parents struggling during COVID-19, Purvi & Ruchi’s idea for The DogHood was born. The DogHood app connects you with Pet Parents in your neighborhood as well as globally. From questions about your dog’s behavior to planning dog park meet-ups to sharing your adorable pet pics, the DogHood is a one-stop app for dog owners by dog owners. Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode-32

Episode 31. Erika Kovacs with Pinups for Pit Bulls. A lifelong dog-lover, Erika is one firecracker of a Dog Mom. Erika is a vet tech by day and spends her free time advocating for pit bull dogs with the Pinups for Pit Bulls organization. Ericka even modeled in the Pinups for Pit Bulls 2020 calendar…as Miss March 2020 … or Miss COVID! But Erika shares with us how she was able to redeem herself in the 2022 “Greatest Pits” edition of the calendar. Erika has so much to share about her experiences as a Dog Mom including Hogan’s leash reactivity and everything she’s done to improve this behavior over time. Plus, we discuss life as pit bull owners & advocates, from the pressure we put on ourselves to have the “perfect” breed ambassador dogs to everything we’ve learned about advocating and breed discrimination to dealing with other people’s reactions to our dogs. Make sure to follow Erika on her always entertaining Instagram where she shares the adventures of her pit bull dogs, Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Erlenmeyer Flask. Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode-31

Episode 30. Ekene Okeke of Shuree’s Organics. Ekene is a first-time Dog Mom who started her company, Shuree’s Organics to provide safe and healthy treats for dogs. After not growing up with pets, it didn’t take long for Ekene to fall in love with the Dog Mom Life, even if there have been challenges along the way – from behavioral issues to injuries. Each of the Shuree’s Organics treats contain only one ingredient which Ekene sources herself from local farms and butchers with meats fully traceable from farm-to-dog bowl. We’re also celebrating 2 years since the start of the Believe in Dog Podcast. We share stories from listeners about the dogs who have impacted their lives. Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode-30

Episode 29. How Billie Groom of UPWARD Dogology is Helping Dogs with a "Checkered Past" While Billie Groom didn’t grow up with pets, the dogs started finding her when she was in her 20s. Billie’s passion was ignited when she stumbled upon a dog hiding under a log on a beach and found her a loving home. After traveling through the U.S. in a renovated bus and running an informal dog rescue in North Carolina, Billie returned to Canada and fell into starting a dog walking company. While running her business, Billie found she had a knack for working with dogs with behavioral issues and found herself helping pet parents improve their dog’s problematic adolescent behavior and assisting dogs with a “checkered past.” Billie’s UPWARD Dogology has helped hundreds of families who are often in a crisis due to their dog’s behavior. Billie’s methodology differs from traditional training methods and is based on the principles of cognitive behavior therapy. Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode29

Episode 28. Katy McQuaid, Author of Everybody Loves Grace. Katy McQuaid spent 32 years working for the CIA – Yes, that CIA! – and is now an award-winning children’s book author of the Everybody Loves Grace series. Grace is Katy’s Finnish Lapphund dog. (These dogs were actually bred to herd reindeer in Scandinavia!) Katy’s book series shares Grace’s dog’s-eye-view perspective of their road trips throughout the U.S., the people she meets and the world around her. Grace has a special talent for finding those who seem to need her the most and looking into their eyes and straight into their hearts. We’ll also hear from a special 5th grade guest who gives us her review of the Everybody Loves Grace books. Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode-28

In Part 2 with Jennifer Ganz, we’ll hear more about her work with students, the 20+ dogs she’s fostered for animal rescue organizations and the social club she started for sighthound dogs in the Baltimore area. I give some background on the Project Mickey Humane Education Program. (Trigger warning for mentioning animal abuse.) And also discuss the connection between Adverse Childhood Experiences and how more animal-assisted programs could help. While Jen has been kind enough to share her individual experiences with us, please note that she is not representing any specific school, district or institution. Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode27part2

Episode 27, Part 1. Creating a Humane Education Career with Jennifer Ganz, School Psychologist. I feel so fortunate to have met Jennifer Ganz through Baltimore’s animal welfare community. We had so much to talk about that it turned into 2 episodes! A lifelong animal lover, Jen started her career as a teacher and then pursued further education to become a school psychologist. I found Jen’s dedication to continuing her own education as well as her dog’s ongoing training inspiring. While Jen’s first rescued greyhound could be somewhat unpredictable at times, when Jen adopted her dog Charm, he turned out to be perfect canine companion for humane education with Jen’s students. Find Show Notes, Links and Photos at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode27part1

Episode 26. Krista Karpowich of Wag Out Loud Krista’s passion for our dogs’ health and wellness is unmatched. As the creator and host of the Wag Out Loud Pawdcast, Krista is one of the most knowledgeable pet parents I’ve ever met! Krista’s love of dogs inspired her to obtain a certificate in Canine Nutrition and create Wag Out Loud to share everything she’s learned along the way. Find the Show Notes, Links and Resources at: https://believeindogpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode-26

Episode 25. Margrit Strohmaier, Author of What to Know Before You Get Your Dog Inspired by her daughter’s “relentless campaign” for a dog of her own, Margrit is the author of What to Know Before You Get Your Dog. When she couldn’t find a children’s book that described the responsibilities of dog ownership in a way that kids could understand, Margrit decided to write it herself. Then with the boom of dog ownership during COVID-19, Margrit was further motivated to get the book published to help all the families now considering dog ownership. Margrit & I discuss: Margrit’s childhood experiences with pets; Pet ownership in the country of Austria, where Margrit grew up; Her daughter’s “relentless campaign” for a dog of her own; The unexpected challenges her family faced when they tried to get her daughter the dog she wanted; All of the research and preparations Margrit and her family did to prepare for owning a toy breed dog; The potential danger of eating 1 chocolate chip for a toy breed dog; All of the challenges and rewards of owning a toy breed dog; How COVID-19 motivated Margrit to finish her book; and Preparing your dog for traveling overseas. Links Discussed: Download your free Dog Care Contract and Dog Chore Chart: https://www.margritstrohmaier.com/ Buy your copy of Margrit’s book, What to Know Before You Get Your Dog: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1736999524 Pets and International Travel: https://www.state.gov/pets-and-international-travel/ 5 Surprising Ways Pets are Good for Kids & Families: https://www.parents.com/parenting/pets/kids/the-benefits-of-pets/ Erin’s Interview with the Dog Podcast Network: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7iRIfvSslA Facebook: https://fb.watch/7gPgs7jmoC/ Let's Connect – I’ll be sharing photos of Margrit & Scruffy at: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 24. Animal Welfare Round Table: Mythbusters Edition On this episode, we’re welcoming back previous guests Annie Pruitt, Kaitlyn Thomas and Liz Weiner. Between the 4 of us, we have nearly 30 years combined experience in animal sheltering and community pet support. Special thanks to Chuck Nunn, audio engineer for the Round Table - who also joins in the conversation when we put him on the spot. On this Round Table, we’re confronting 4 myths that we see on social media and in our personal experience: Myth #1: Heartless people dump animals at shelters. Myth #2: If you can’t afford a pet, you shouldn’t have one. Myth #3: Dogs with scars and injuries were used as “bait dogs.” Myth #4: Pets end up at animal shelters because they were abused, have behavioral issues or are otherwise flawed in some way. Annie, Kaitlyn, Liz & I talk through each of these statements and share the truths we’ve learned through our volunteer, work and life experiences. Some of the topics we discuss: How we used to believe some of these but our experiences changed our minds – and we’re thrilled that we used to be wrong; How negative and judgmental comments on social media can create a dangerous situation for pets; Why we need to change the conversation from focusing on our opinions about the problem to focusing on solutions; Challenges faced by pet owners living at or below poverty level; How we can’t jump to conclusions or make assumptions about what goes on in a family; How imparting our own judgments on situations is the root cause of most conflicts and unhappiness; The power of making human connections; The importance of collaborating; Being responsible with social media consumption; and Compassion fatigue and burnout in the animal welfare community and the best way our panelists have found to reverse it. Let's make Liz’s poem go viral! Share now! https://medium.com/creatures/i-adopted-your-pet-today-a-poem-921b7dab43fc Connect with Annie of Charm City Companions: Website: http://www.charmcitycompanions.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charmcitycompanions Podcast Ep. 6: https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-6-annies-story-compassion-in-action/ Connect with Kaitlyn of Finding Knox: Website: https://findingknox.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindingKnox Podcast Ep. 19: https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-19-kaitlyn-thomas-of-finding-knox/ Connect with Liz Weiner: Liz's Writing: https://medium.com/creatures/liz-weiner/home Podcast Ep. 7: https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-7-lizs-story-tovis-gift/ Podcast Ep. 17: https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-17-dog-mom-dog-dad-round-table-shy-fearful-dogs/ Let's Connect: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 23. Peter Ciancarelli of Allie’s Canine Crew Peter is a Dog Dad Extraordinaire! When Peter’s dog Allie was struggling with health issues, he had a difficult time getting the right answers for her – even a veterinary college’s animal hospital couldn’t help. So Peter then started seeking out holistic veterinary practitioners and began working Dr. Margo Roman – one of the pioneers of gut microbiome research in pets – who was able to help Allie begin to thrive. Peter created the Facebook Allie’s Canine Crew to share all that he was learning and doing to help Allie. Allie’s Canine Crew has grown to 5,000+ pet parents who are all trying to make the best health decisions for their dogs. Warning: Poop talk ahead! Peter & I discuss: His childhood experiences with dogs and how Allie came to be “his” dog; How Peter started dog (and people) training as he helped Allie with behavioral issues; Some of the hard times Allie has gotten Peter through; Allie’s health issues and all the places he tried to get help for her; How Peter found Dr. Margo Roman; Fecal Microbiome Transplants and Microbiome Restorative Therapy for dogs; Factors that can negatively impact your dog’s gut microbiome; The most important change you can make to help your dog’s gut microbiome; How to build your pet’s wellness team; Allie’s current health challenges; and Giving ourselves permission to look “outside the box” and find a vet or practitioner with more tools in the toolbox to help our dogs Links Discussed: Join Allie’s Canine Crew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/724785157871642 Dr. Margo Roman http://www.mashvet.com/dr-margo-roman.html Dr. Roman’s Microbiome Restorative Therapy https://microbiomerestorativetherapy.com/ Read more from Dr. Roman https://ivcjournal.com/author/margoroman/ What is Ozone Therapy for our pets? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsdNHLFCASw Find a vet who uses Ozone Therapy http://www.o3vets.com/vets/ Find a Holistic Veterinarian https://www.ahvma.org/find-a-holistic-veterinarian/ Test your dog’s gut microbiome with Animal Biome (Join their email list for discounts!) https://www.animalbiome.com/ MiDog Pet Microbiome Testing (for your vet) https://www.midogtest.com/ Ion Biome Gut Health Supplement for Pets https://ionbiome.com/products/ion-gut-health-pets Canine Healthy Soil Project https://caninehealthysoil.com/ Plechner’s Syndrome http://drplechner.com/what-is-plechners-syndrome/ Dr. Karen Becker https://drkarenbecker.com/ Rodney Habib https://www.planetpaws.ca/ Rita Hogan, Canine Herbalist https://www.canineherbalist.com/ Andrea Ring, DCH, Homeopath https://www.andrearing.ca/ Julie Anne Lee, DCH, of Adored Beast Apothecary https://adoredbeast.com/ Let's Connect – I’ll be sharing photos of Peter and Allie at: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 22. Jasmine & Marc of Round of A-Paws Pet Rescue From the Round of A-Paws Pet Rescue in Baltimore, Maryland, I’m excited for you to meet Jasmine, the founder and President, and Marc, the Vice-President. While Baltimore has its share of problems, our animal welfare community is a huge bright spot. My experiences volunteering with B-More Dog have introduced me to an amazing community of people including Jasmine & Marc. Jasmine, Marc & I discuss: Their childhood experiences with animals; How their careers and volunteer work led them to animals; Why it’s important for the environment that you pick up your dog’s poop; Mental and emotional health in the animal welfare community; Mental and emotional health in the veterinary community; Working in a vet office during COVID-19; Behind-the-scenes of starting a rescue organization; What it’s like being a foster parent for an animal in rescue; Jasmine’s & Marc’s long-term goals for the organization; Providing information and resources to pet owners living in poverty; That people from all walks of life love their animals and benefit from having pets; Round of A-Paws kick-off fundraising event on Saturday, July 17 Links discussed: For info volunteering, fostering and donating to Round of A-Paws Pet Rescue: https://roundofapawspetrescue.com/ To get tickets to the July 17 fundraising event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/round-of-a-paws-pet-rescue-presents-summer-kick-off-pawty-tickets-144696161113 Follow Round of A-Paws on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoundOfAPawsRescue and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roundofapawsrescue/ Let's Connect – I’ll be sharing photos of Jasmine, Marc and Round of A-Paws at: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 21. The Adventures of Paddington & Zurich with Carla & Wayne Greenside. There’s nothing I love more than an unlikely animal friendship. So when Carla reached out to me to share the story of Paddington (the horse) and Zurch (the Swiss Mountain Dog), I was immediately smitten. Paddington & Zurich spent 10 years together as best friends – doing everything from romping in the snow to grazing on grass in the sunshine to sharing some bran mash. Carla, Wayne & I discuss: Their childhood experiences with animals; How Carla & Wayne met; The “gotcha” stories of Paddington and Zurich; How this unlikely friendship started and some of the adventures they shared together; The unexpected health journeys we take with our animals; Making quality-of-life decisions for our animals; Moving through grief and opening our hearts & homes to a new animal; and How Carla & Wayne want to honor the memories of Zurich & Paddington with a children’s book. Links Discussed: Follow Carla, Wayne & Quinn – as well as find photos of Zurich & Paddington: https://www.instagram.com/quinnzurichpaddington/ Morgan Horses: https://www.morganhorse.com/ Let's Connect – I’ll be sharing photos of Zurich & Paddington at: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Support this podcast: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app or leave a rating or review. Email me: [email protected]

Episode 20. Shy & Fearful Dogs: Brittany’s Story with Maria Montgomery, Trainer. After hearing the Shy & Fearful Dog Roundtable (Episode 17), Brittany Roger reached out to me with her own story. While Brittany was a lifelong animal lover, it wasn’t until she & her husband adopted Sam, an elderly obese chihuahua, that they learned exactly how much they didn’t know about dog behavior . . . after a trip to the emergency room. A few years later, after starting her new job at the Maryland SPCA as a Digital Specialist, Brittany fell in love with another chihuahua, Carmelo, who she hoped would have all the good traits of her first dog, with none of the more challenging traits. Carmelo, however, had different plans in mind. When the COVID-19 quarantine hit last year, Maryland SPCA’s Lead Trainer & Behaviorist, Maria Montgomery, was working to move the shelter’s training classes online and with Brittany’s help, was able to do just that. Brittany meanwhile was tasked with editing hours of dog training videos and was learning by osmosis exactly what she needed to help Carmelo become comfortable in his new family at his own pace. Brittany, Maria & I discuss: Brittany’s childhood critters; How Maria, a reluctant puppy owner, accidentally fell into dog training and how it changed her life; How Sam & Carmelo joined Brittany’s family and the challenges that each dog brought; Learning how to “handle” a dog that’s sensitive to being touched; Dealing with the “fantasy” of what we want our dogs to be versus accepting the reality of who our dogs truly are and what they need from us; How Brittany started learning how to help Carmelo during COVID-19 through the Maryland SPCA’s online training videos and consultations; How sometimes our dog’s challenges mirror the same challenges we experience as people – and learning to have compassion for our dogs and ourselves; Why your dog’s growling is a good thing!; Knowing when and how to push your dog – the right way to challenge your dog to expand their comfort zone through creating games and finding your dog’s joy; The importance of training dogs – especially fearful dogs – in short bursts and how to include new skills into your lifestyle; Why we should spend more time watching our dogs; How the Maryland SPCA was able to pivot their dog training classes online during COVID-19; The benefits of online training classes for shy and fearful dogs; Tips for finding the right dog trainer for you and your dog; and How you’re training your dog whether you know it or not. Links Discussed: Maryland SPCA: https://www.mdspca.org/ Maryland SPCA’s Online Training Classes – For any dog owner: https://www.mdspca.org/education/training/ Episode 1, Erin’s Story as a Reluctant Dog Owner https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/erins-story-i-love-lucy/ Let's Connect: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 19. Kaitlyn Thomas of Finding Knox. Coming home from work one day to find that your dog isn’t there is pretty much the worst nightmare of any dog owner. When this happened to Kaitlyn, her plea to get her dog, Knox, back went viral. And Kaitlyn found a way to keep the momentum of her sudden unexpected platform going and turned it into the Finding Knox organization. Finding Knox’s free microchip program has become a valued partner of the B-More Dog Wellness Clinics – the organization I volunteer with – since 2017. Finding Knox has provided nearly 1,000 free microchips to Baltimore residents and are now expanding their programs to provide even more services to Baltimore’s pet owners in need. Kaitlyn & I discuss: Her childhood experience with pets; How Knox came into Kaitlyn’s life; The event that led to Knox disappearing; How Knox was recovered; How Kaitlyn was inspired to turn a negative event into a positive force for good and created the Finding Knox organization; About Finding Knox’s work in the community and Kaitlyn’s inspirations for expanding beyond her initial mission; Supporting Baltimore’s pet owners during COVID-19; Community fostering and informal rescue in Baltimore’s neighborhoods; The power of animal welfare conferences and collaborations; What it’s like to work in an animal shelter; and Kaitlyn & Knox’s humane education experiences. Finding Knox online: Website: https://findingknox.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindingKnox Links Discussed: Maryland SPCA: https://www.mdspca.org/ Charm City Pet Connect: https://www.ccpetconnect.com/ Jasmine’s House: https://jasmineshouse.org/ Project Mickey: http://projectmickey.org/ HSUS Expo: https://humanepro.org/expo HSUS Pets for Life Program: https://www.humanesociety.org/issues/keeping-pets-life Annie Pruitt of Charm City Companions featured on Episode 6: https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-6-annies-story-compassion-in-action/ Michelle Serocki of Pit Bull Advocates of America featured on Episode 15: https://believeindog.podbean.com/e/episode-15-michelle-serocki-pit-bull-advocates-of-america/ Let's Connect: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 18. Kimberly Gauthier of Keep the Tail Wagging. Kim is one of my favorite Dog Moms to follow online. Kim adopted littermates in 2011 and started blogging about her life as a dog mom. When her dog, Rodrigo, started experiencing health issues, Kim discovered the raw feeding model for dogs. When she changed Rodrigo’s diet to raw feeding, all of his health issues cleared up. For years, Kim has been known online for blogging about dog health and nutrition but Kim is expanding her focus to include more dog mom lifestyle topics from trimming your dog’s nails to building the ultimate backyard for your dog. I’m thrilled to have Kim as a guest and to share her story with you. I first discovered Kim around 2014-2015 when my old gals, Lucy & Kahlua, were going through their health issues. By 2017, I was an avid fan of Kim, looking forward to her blog posts and videos. Kim & I discuss: Her childhood experience with dogs, including Jackson Joel Stripe Morris Barnes; How Kim came to adopt a pair of littermates when she decided to bring dogs into her family as an adult; How a dare led Kim to start her blog, Keep the Tail Wagging; How blogging about Rodrigo’s health issues led Kim to discovery raw feeding – even though she didn’t want to blog about his diet at first; How making healthy choices for her dogs has also led Kim to make healthier choices for herself, as well; The power of dogs to unite people of differing backgrounds and differing opinions and how Kim ended up climbing under a giant truck to help a stranger find his teacup yorkie; Having hope when your dog receives a cancer diagnosis and Kim’s journey this year when her dog Sydney was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma; and Some of the life lessons Kim has learned from her dogs. Find Kim Online: Website: https://keepthetailwagging.com/welcome/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeepTheTailWagging Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepthetailwagging_kimg/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/gauthierkimberly Some of my favorite links from Kim – including learning about raw feeding for dogs: Podcasts for Crazy Dog Moms https://keepthetailwagging.com/podcasts-that-are-perfect-for-crazy-dog-moms/ Kim’s Books on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Kimberly-Gauthier/e/B00CDOJRYQ? Kim & Dr. Laurie Coger’s video discussing Fears, Myths and Misconceptions Held by Traditional Vets about Raw Feeding https://www.facebook.com/179269222170227/videos/833165604096137 Kim’s Intro to Raw Feeding https://keepthetailwagging.com/an-introduction-to-raw-feeding-for-dogs/ Kim’s Raw Feeding Resources: https://keepthetailwagging.com/my-top-raw-feeding-resources/ Other Links: Littermate syndrome: https://thebark.com/content/dont-take-two-littermates That ASPCA commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO9d2PpP7tQ Susan Thixton & The Truth About Pet Food: https://truthaboutpetfood.com/ 2007 Pet Food Recall: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_pet_food_recalls Let's Connect: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 17. Dog Mom & Dog Dad Round Table: Shy & Fearful Dogs. We’re trying something different this week! On this episode, we’re welcoming back previous guests, Mindy FitzGerald from Episode 2 and Liz Weiner from Episode 7. We’re also welcoming my husband, Tim, to the podcast for the first time. Today we’re having a round table discussion about pet parents living with shy and fearful dogs. We’re all at different places on our journeys with our pups: Tim & I adopted our dog, Neno, in 2016 and he is the most fearful dog that we’ve encountered. After our previous pit bull ambassador dogs, we’ve had to adjust our expectations for Neno. On Episode 7, Liz told us about adopting the fearful Millie and their journey together. Liz has now added more dogs to her household and shares how this has affected Millie. Liz also shares the perspective she’s learned from working at an animal shelter. 2 weeks prior to the recording of this episode, Mindy adopted a 1-year-old working dog from a farm. This pup had never been on a leash, in a car or spent time in a house before coming home with Mindy. Mindy also shares her experience with adopting a dog during COVID-19. Some of the experiences we discuss: How difficult it is to see your dog be scared; Learning our dogs' limits and respecting their boundaries; Questioning ourselves and our judgment; The emotional toll having a fearful dog can take on pet parents and being honest about own limitations; Seeing our dogs for who they are and adjusting our own expectations; The different ways we’ve bonded with and gained the trust of our shy & fearful dogs; Celebrating our dogs’ small victories; Stepping out of our comfort zone as pet parents to advocate for our dogs; and The rewards of taking on a shy & fearful dog. At the end of the episode, I’ll give quick updates from Liz and Mindy about their pups. We also remember 5 years since Tim & I lost our gal, Lucy, who is memorialized in the Believe in Dog Podcast logo. Links Discussed & Favorite Resources: Facebook Group: Shy & Fearful Dogs – The eXtraordinary Dog Community Website: https://shyandfearfuldogs.com/blog/ Links from Dr. Zazie Todd's (Episode 9) Companion Animal Psychology: 8 Tips to Help Fearful Dogs and De-sensitization and Counter Conditioning Find Liz online: Website: www.pettherapynotes.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pettherapynotes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pettherapynotes/ Find Mindy online: Website: www.hunterandharvest.com Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/hunterandharvest1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterandharvest/ Would you like to be part of a Dog Mom & Dog Dad Round Table? Let's Connect: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Episode 16. Shannon Glenn, Executive Director of My Pit Bull is Family I don’t know about where you live, but I see stickers for My Pit Bull is Family all over Baltimore and throughout Maryland. This organization was so supportive when Maryland’s pit bull advocates were working to get a breed specific law changed from 2012 – 2014 and I still these stickers daily. My Pit Bull is Family has become a national animal welfare leader on the issues of breed discriminatory housing and insurance practices as well as a leader in programs keeping pets & their families together. Shannon has a unique combination of expertise and experience in these areas from both her professional and volunteer activities. Based in Minneapolis, My Pit Bull is Family has been affected by the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd earlier this year. Shannon & I discuss: Her childhood pets and how Shannon started volunteering in the animal welfare world; The “why” behind discrimination against pit bull owners; How My Pit Bull is Family has been responsive to the needs of their community during the civil unrest in their city of Minneapolis following the murder of George Floyd; Challenging “old school” animal welfare beliefs that “people shouldn’t have pets unless they can afford them” or “I’d live in my car before giving up my pet”; The rise of more proactive programs in the animal welfare world that help keep families with their pets; How My Pit Bull is Family is creating inclusive programs to help people and pets without barriers to access and what that means during COVID; Breed discrimination and restrictions in housing and insurance; All dogs are individuals and bringing back the saying: Don’t judge a book by its cover Find My Pit Bull is Family online: Website: https://www.mypitbullisfamily.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyPitBullisFamily/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypitbullisfamily/ North Minneapolis Pet Resource Center: https://www.facebook.com/North-Minneapolis-Pet-Resource-Center-100298391502139/ My Recommendations: Movie: Gridlock’d https://smile.amazon.com/Gridlockd-Tim-Roth/dp/B00007ELEN/ Podcast: Best Friends Animal Society Podcast – Episode 31 https://network.bestfriends.org/tools-and-information/best-friends-podcast/best-friends-podcast-ep-31 Book: Scarcity by authors Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir https://smile.amazon.com/Scarcity-Science-Having-Defines-Lives/dp/125005611X/ Links Discussed: My Pit Bull is Family’s national database of pet friendly housing https://www.mypitbullisfamily.org/housing/ Visual Breed Identification – Literature Review: https://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/research-library/visual-breed-identification-literature-review Study: Comparison of Visual and DNA Breed Identification of Dogs and Inter-Observer Reliability http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.sociology.20130302.02.html Study: “Pit Bulls” misidentified in animal shelters: https://www.maddiesfund.org/incorrect-breed-identification.htm Animal Farm Foundation https://animalfarmfoundation.org/shelter-rescues/removing-breed-labels/ Let's Connect: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

We’re back from summer break. I’m celebrating 5 years with my dog Penny and the good news that most of her hearing has returned. Our first repeat guest. Michelle Serocki from Episode 3 is back today to tell us about the birth of Pit Bull Advocates of America. Michelle and I discuss: The origin story of Pit Bull Advocates of America and how Michelle saw a need and changed her mission from a local to national focus; New national campaigns that the organization is running; Old school vs. modern pit bull advocacy; Why messaging matters in pit bull advocacy and how we can have a united message; What Michelle has learned from the anti-pit bull movement; Michelle’s #1 tip for talking to someone who’s afraid of pit bulls; and Michelle’s biggest animal welfare hero. Pit Bull Advocates of America, The Podcast. Michelle announces the launch of her new podcast and I give a review of the first episode. Find Pit Bull Advocates of America: The Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pit-bull-advocates-of-america-the-podcast/id1529131313 Website: https://pitbulladvocates.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pbaoa/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pitbulladvocatesofamerica/ Links Discussed: Pit Bull Advocates of America Podcast Launch Party on Facebook Live, Tuesday September 1 https://www.facebook.com/events/1242893046041946/ Humane Society of the United States – Animal Care Expo https://www.animalsheltering.org/expo The Jane Goodall Institute https://www.janegoodall.org/ Let's Connect: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review

This one is personal. My own dog Penny has been dealing with a chronic health issue for the past 6 months. In May, she was prescribed a common ear medication by our vet. A few days later I noticed that Penny wasn’t responding to things normally, like not barking at the mailman and not greeting me at the front door. I realized Penny wasn’t hearing properly. Apparently in a tiny percentage of dogs, this ear medication causes an “ototoxicity” reaction that causes hearing loss that's hopefully only temporary. This was totally unexpected and I’m having a lot of Dog Mom guilt. This experience has me curious about communicating and living with a deaf dog, so I reached out to Christina Lee of Deaf Dogs Rock. Deaf dogs hear with their hearts. In 2010, Christina Lee and her husband were contacted by a friend who worked the local animal shelter where Christina volunteered. There was a tiny 8-week-old white boxer puppy who had been found abandoned. The puppy was deaf. The shelter hoped Christina’s family would adopt the dog because they knew he would have a safe and loving environment. Christina and her husband, Chris, took the leap and Nitro joined their family. While researching how to best care for a deaf dog, Christina and Chris didn’t find a lot of information. Looking for guidance, they quickly got Nitro into training classes and he excelled. A local news story highlighted Nitro’s training progress and the story went viral. Suddenly Christina was being contacted by people all over the U.S. who had questions about caring for a deaf dog. And Deaf Dogs Rock was born. Christina & I discuss: How Nitro became an ambassador for deaf dogs and his exciting life All the ways Deaf Dogs Rock provides support for deaf dogs and their families The role of positive reinforcement training for deaf dogs, and how the training methods are very similar for hearing dogs Christina gives a perfect description of how to crate train any dog How Christina learned American Sign Language to communicate with deaf people who adopt deaf dogs The danger of dogs running loose and the measures Christina takes to protect her dogs and herself on walks in her rural mountain area The safer alternative to giving dogs some room to wander in nature while still keeping everyone safe (Hint: Long line leash) Some of Christina’s favorite rescue stories Transcript available: A transcript of this episode is available for download here. Find Deaf Dogs Rock online: Website: https://deafdogsrock.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deafdogsrock/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deafdogsrock/ Links Discussed: Beginning Sign Training with Alisha McGraw Deaf Dogs Rock Training Video Library (including Savannah who signs while training) Deaf Dog Rescue of America Amanda & Winston of Dog Mom Days Long line leashes on Amazon. Give your dog room to explore while keeping them (and everyone around you) safe. Let's Connect: Find photos of Christina, her family, Nitro’s adorable smushy face & more at: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Join: Join the Pandemic Pets Daily Gratitude Challenge! Share one photo, video or moment each day that you are grateful for with your pets during these challenging times. Special free gift coming soon for group members. Di's Story: A brindle pit bull named Snorkle with an underbite and a lust for life changed Di’s world forever. Di & I discuss everything from growing up with “outside dogs” to the life-changing effect your “heart dog” has on your life. Through Snorkle, Di was introduced to dog training and eventually left her corporate job to run her training business full-time. Di believes in bonding and connecting with your dog through training and Di’s specialty is as a trick dog trainer. Di’s dogs do everything from wave to nursing home patients to fetching a beer. You can even train with Di in her online trick training classes launched in response to the COVID-19 quarantine. Di & I also discuss how many pit bull dog owners feel a duty to have well-behaved dogs to avoid judgment and stereotypes. Di and her dogs participate in many difference activities and Di shares her experiences: volunteering with an humane education program in Baltimore City, having your dog freeze during a rally obedience competition, how Di and her mom make therapy dog visits together, what it’s like to have your dog live on QVC and the challenging distractions she encountered when shooting a top-secret national ad campaign that’s coming soon. Find Di & Snorkle's Way: Join Di's online trick training classes at https://www.snorkleswayadaptivedogtraining.com/ Snorkle's Way Facebook Snorkle's Way Instagram The Scuddle Bunch on Instagram Links Discussed: Pets Together, virtually bringing together pets and people to reduce social isolation and loneliness Project Mickey, a program working with children to build positive attitudes towards animals in a safe and empathetic space Wags for Hope, a therapy pet organization in Frederick, MD Do More With Your Dog, the world’s leading trick dog program Find out more about Rally Obedience Let's Connect: Episode 13 photo gallery and more! Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Facebook Group: Pandemic Pets Gratitude Challenge Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

I found out about Pittie Clothing Co. as I was researching for Episode 11 with Sarah Lauch & Live Like Roo Foundation. I love their bright, fun patterns. As a pit bull owner, I know how difficult it can be to find cute clothes that properly fit your dog. Erin Crowley founded Pittie Clothing Co. so she could finally have matching pajamas with her dog. But after having experienced negative public reactions to her own lovable pit bull dog, Erin’s greater mission is to help pit bull dogs look more approachable and defeat stereotypes. Erin & I discuss: Her childhood experiences with pets; How Erin & her boyfriend decided to adopt a pit bull dog and name him Duncan; Erin’s experiences with Duncan’s crate escapism and separation anxiety; How Erin & her boyfriend handled Duncan’s unexpected health issue; Erin’s connection to Sarah Lauch & Live Like Roo Foundation; Pittie Clothing Co.’s origin story and the struggle of pit bull owners to find cute clothes for their dogs; Erin’s process for determining the sizing and samples for Pittie Clothing Co.; The multitude of ways that Erin & Pittie Clothing Co. give back to shelters, rescues and the community; Erin’s hope that pit bulls in pajamas will have make them look more approachable and non-threatening; Erin’s own experiences receiving negative reactions to her dogs; How breed discriminatory housing policies lead to more dogs in animal shelters; The fun of themed dog walks; How Dougie joined Erin’s family; and Pittie Clothing Co.’s products, designs and partnerships. Links discussed: Live Like Roo Foundation Chicago SociaBulls Find Pittie Clothing Co. online: Web: https://pittieclothing.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pittieclothingcompany/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pittieclothing/ Let's Connect: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, subscribe on your favorite app and leave a rating or review.

Sarah Lauch was already a lifelong animal lover and an active shelter and rescue volunteer when she met the dog that changed her life. Roo (shelter name Cisco) was an owner surrender to Chicago’s open admission animal shelter due to his trouble urinating. Unfortunately, Roo’s health issue was caused by a terminal cancer diagnosis. Sarah decided to give Roo the best possible life for all his remaining days. Roo’s Bucket List and Sarah’s #LiveLikeRoo went viral and was even featured on Access Hollywood. After Roo passed away, Sarah started sending out care packages to other families facing a cancer diagnosis in their pet, which featured Roo’s favorite things. These efforts grew into the Live Like Roo Foundation. Today, the Live Like Roo Foundation provides care packages, financial support and emotional support to families facing a cancer diagnosis in their pet. Sarah and I discuss: Her childhood menagerie of animals; How Sarah started volunteering in Chicago’s animal shelter and rescue community; The rewards and challenges of being an animal shelter volunteer; Roo’s story; The beginnings of the Live Like Roo Foundation; The most important type of support that Sarah provides to those dealing with a cancer diagnosis in their pet; How to genuinely connect with your social media audience; The rewards and challenges of growing and scaling an organization to help more pets and their families; and The importance of having a supportive partner, family and friends when running an organization in addition to your full-time day job. More about the Live Like Roo Foundation: Website: https://livelikeroo.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiveLikeRoo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livelikeroofoundation/ Donate: https://livelikeroo.org/donate Let's Connect: Find photos of Sarah & Roo and more at: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] Support this podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating or review.

Have you ever struggled with your dog’s health? Or with getting a proper diagnosis for your dog? Have you ever felt like your veterinarian wasn’t listening? Or felt pressured by your vet to make a decision that you didn’t agree with or couldn’t afford? I’ve been there. On a beautiful spring morning at the end of April 2014, my Lucy collapsed on our walk around the neighborhood. I struggled to get my 60 lb pit bull girl home as she kept falling over after walking a few steps at a time. But then an hour later, she seemed back to normal. And she was fine for a few more days, but then she collapsed again. What was wrong with my girl? I’ve learned many lessons as a Dog Mom and today I’m sharing with you: 8 lessons I learned from my dog having a mystery illness. I learned these lessons the hard way, so hopefully you won’t have to. 8 Lessons Learned: You know your dog better than anyone. If you think something is wrong, weird or unusual with your dog’s health, behavior or appearance, trust yourself. Keep a dog health journal. This can be in a notebook or a typed document in your Google Drive. (**I am working to create a version of this. If you would like to be part of a test group, please email [email protected]) Document your dog’s health concern by photo (e.g. lump, bump, wound) or taking video (e.g. seizure, movement problem, or an intermittent occurrence). It’s ok to say “No” to your vet. Get a second opinion. Or a third opinion. See a specialist. See a holistic vet. Get a consult at a veterinary teaching hospital. Get a copy of your dog’s blood work for your own records. And any other lab results (e.g. pathology report). Compare your dog’s blood work results over time. If you are super organized, create a spreadsheet. (Note: I am not this organized.) Don’t forget your own self-care. When we are dealing with a chronic or terminal illness in our dogs, it’s a very stressful time and can really take a toll on our own well-being. You can’t take care of anyone else if you aren’t taking care of yourself first. Every day with our dogs is a gift. Enjoy every moment, every tail wag, every belly rub. Links Discussed: Understanding your dog's blood work. This is the best link I have found to explain what is being measured, the normal ranges and what these indicate about your dog's health. https://www.caninecancer.com/lab-values Please note: I am not a veterinarian and am not giving medical advice. This is information based on my personal experience as a Dog Mom. Let's Connect: Have you ever struggled to get a proper diagnosis for your dog? Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast Email: [email protected] If you are enjoying this podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating or review.

Zazie Todd did not grow up with pets, while on her way to becoming an accomplished social psychologist. When she & her husband adopted 2 dogs within 6 weeks from their local humane society, Zazie used her psychology and research background to make sure she was doing the “right” things for her dogs. As she began looking into the burgeoning field of canine science and what we are learning about dogs, Zazie shared her findings by starting her blog, Companion Animal Psychology. If you’ve ever wondered if your dog is as happy as you hope, or if you are making the right decisions for your dog, Zazie shares all that she’s learned in her new book Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, which comes out Tuesday, March 10. Zazie and I discuss: Her background and how her dogs Ghost and Bodger joined her family; The behavior issues of her dogs that led to Zazie using her psychology background to looking to the research and science to ensure she was making the right decisions for her dogs; What motivated her to start her blog, Companion Animal Psychology; Attending Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers; How to find the “right” information for training your dog; Taking your dog on a “sniffari" and other items on the Checklist for a Happy Dog; Training cats; Zazie’s work with shelter dogs at her local humane society; The importance of selecting the right dog for your family’s lifestyle; Her #1 training challenge as a dog owner; What does “fear-free” mean for veterinary care?; and End-of-life care for our dogs. I also give you 5 of my favorite takeaways from the book. When you order your copy of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, make sure you find the 3-page Checklist for a Happy Dog. You can even cross-reference each checklist item with the location in the book where this topic was discussed. While you may already be doing many of these but, there are a few that surprised me! Order the book: Paperback or Kindle When your book/ebook is delivered, share a photo in your IG stories, and tag @believe_in_dog_podcast and @zazietodd. Links discussed: Companion Animal Psychology blog The Ultimate Dog Training Tip Is My Dog Happy? How Dogs' Body Language is a Guide 10 Tips to Integrate Dog Training into Your Everyday Life Find Zazie online: Companion Animal Psychology blog, Facebook or Instagram Let's Connect: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram: @believe_in_dog_podcast email: [email protected]

Jen’s lifelong love of animals and work experience in the nonprofit world have combined to create a meaningful career in animal sheltering. Jen became the Executive Director of the HSHC in August 2015 and every year since 2016, the shelter has achieved a 90%+ live release rate. Jen and I discuss: Her background and how her work and volunteer experiences led her to the world of animal sheltering; How special needs animals keep finding her; The importance of building “people” relationships to help more animals; How to get involved in your local and state humane legislation; Why it’s important to get involved in your local shelter and ask questions; What does the term “No Kill” really mean?; The importance of self-care in the animal sheltering world; Replacing “compassion fatigue” with compassion resilience; Pros and cons of social media for animal shelters; and Challenges and successes of the job. Links discussed: Visit Humane Society of Harford County Find HSHC on Facebook and Instagram too. Humane Society of Harford County's 2019 Report Card Maryland Humane Lobby Day (Please note I was could not find a comprehensive link to Humane Lobby Day events in other states, so I encourage you to google “Humane Lobby Day + [your state]" to find out more about events in your area.) Mid-Atlantic Animal Care & Field Services Conference HeARTs Speak Compassion Fatigue Resources: https://www.animalsheltering.org/topics/compassion-fatigue Compassion Resilience: https://redrover.org/resource/compassion-resilience/ Please note: If someone you, or someone you know, is struggling emotionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is confidential, free and available 24/7. 1-800-273-8255 Let’s Connect: Facebook @believeindogpodcast Instagram @believe_in_dog_podcast NEW Email! [email protected]

Liz’s Story – Tovi’s Gift If you’ve ever lost a dog you loved, a dog that changed your life, your heart & soul dog, you may find a piece of yourself in Liz’s story. Special thanks to Mindy of Hunter & Harvest Apothecary from Episode 2 for introducing me to Liz. I start this episode sharing about losing our Lucy (Episode 1) and bonding with my girl, Penny. Liz & Tovi had an amazing life together for 12+ years. In early 2017, Tovi’s health took an unexpected turn and a few weeks later, Liz was saying her final goodbye to Tovi. As Liz tried to navigate life without Tovi, she thought adopting a new dog would help her feel better. But she had a very complicated emotional experience after impulsively adopting her new pup, Mille. Liz struggled to bond with the unexpectedly anxious and fearful Millie and Liz felt a range of emotions from guilt to resentment. Liz is so open and honest about her emotional journey. Through Tovi’s loss, Liz found the courage to pursue her childhood dream of writing. Using her background in psychology, Liz is writing about her own experience, as well as interviewing others about their experiences with pet loss or adopting a pet after loss. Liz and I discuss: Why it’s difficult for her to talk about her childhood family dog; How pet loss can occur in many ways and we want to treat all of these with compassion; How Liz stayed too long in her first marriage out of concern for her pets; How our life experiences have helped us realize that life has many gray areas, not everything is black & white; Liz’s background in psychology and how she got the courage to leave her career to pursue her lifelong dream of writing; How a Greyhound bus ride led to Liz adopting Tovi; Liz & Tovi’s beautiful life together; That we try to make the best medical and end-of-life decisions for our pets based on the information and resources available, and we can’t use hindsight to question ourselves or second-guess; The origin of Pet Therapy Notes; How Liz was simultaneously mourning the loss of Tovi as well as her impulsive decision to adopt Millie; Liz’s relationship with Millie today and what she has learned along the way; An author who has inspired Liz’s writing; and Finding meaning in our grief, honoring the memories of our dogs and honoring our dogs for the individuals they are. Find Liz online: Website: www.pettherapynotes.com Pet Loss Resources: https://www.pettherapynotes.com/resources-1 Liz's Blog: https://www.pettherapynotes.com/blog-1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pettherapynotes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pettherapynotes/ Be a part of Liz's work: If you or someone you know has a story about pet loss to share, please contact Liz through her Pet Therapy Notes website. Liz is particularly looking to interview people who have experienced: a pet that was lost or stolen; if you've had to re-home your pet; euthanasia due to behavioral issues; pet loss due to divorce; or pet loss due to incarceration. Links we discussed: Meghan Daum's The Gift of a Great Dog Let's Connect. You can find photos of Liz, Tovi and Millie on my Facebook and Instagram. If this episode resonated with you, let me know. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believeindogpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believe_in_dog_podcast/ Email: [email protected] If you are enjoying this podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating or review.

Annie’s Story – Compassion in Action with Charm City Companions Happy New Year! Happy New Decade! Today I share a brief reflection on how my volunteer work in the community with B-More Dog has helped me become a happier person than I was 10 years ago by releasing judgment and having compassion for others. I also explain some of the Baltimore-specific references that Annie & I discuss. At the start of Episode 3 with Michelle Serocki, I gave a little bit of background on some of Humane Society of the U.S. programs to help dog owners in underserved communities. HSUS’s former End Dogfighting program morphed into what is now known as Pets For Life. The Pets For Life program helps to address the lack of resources pet owners experience in underserved communities by providing free veterinary care, supplies, services and information. Our guest today, Annie Pruitt of Charm City Companions (“CCC”), literally wrote the book on the Pets For Life program. Annie worked for more than 20 years in the field of communications and market research. When her company was hired by the Humane Society of the U.S. to help create the Pets For Life campaign, Annie’s life changed forever. Through her own experiences, it became so clear to Annie that the benefits of the human-animal bond reach beyond someone’s socio-economic status. Annie now runs Charm City Companions full-time. Her days are spent doing door-to-door community outreach in East Baltimore neighborhoods that are also known for high rates of gun violence. Annie and I discuss: How supporting pets is also creating healthier communities; Annie’s unconventional childhood; How her professional marketing career led to the creation of Charm City Companions; How Annie decided to concentrate CCC’s efforts in the East Baltimore communities of McElderry Park and Ellwood Park; How Annie’s own pets supported her during a life-altering break-up which affected her both personally and professionally and made her realize the strength and importance of the human-animal bond to pet owners of all socio-economic backgrounds; How the work Annie & I have done in underserved communities has changed our perceptions and understandings and how we hope the animal welfare community will continue to evolve in presenting stories in a manner that’s compassionate and respectful to all parties; and Stories about some of the people Annie has met in the community through CCC. To end, I “geek out” about a book I read that affected how I think about poverty, “Scarcity, the New Science of Having Less and How it Defines Our Lives.” This “Malcolm Gladwell-style” read helps us correlate how a busy person’s lack of time, or dieter’s lack of will power, can affect decision-making, similar to a poverty mindset. Find Charm City Companions online: Website: http://www.charmcitycompanions.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charmcitycompanions Links talked about: HSUS Pets For Life Baltimore "butterfly map" and also here Safe Streets - East Baltimore Let’s connect. You can find photos of Annie, her dog Poly and her work with Charm City Companions at: Facebook @believeindogpodcast Instagram @believe_in_dog_podcast NEW Email! [email protected]

Happy Holidays! In Part 2 of John’s Story, we discuss: The biggest challenge John faces as a dog trainer (Hint: we walk on 2 legs); Divorce and dating with dogs; Some of John’s dog training philosophy; What to do if you need help with your dog’s behavior; and How to select a dog trainer and red flags to look out for. Takeaway Training Tips: #1 Most Important Thing when training your dog = consistency; If you want to improve your dog’s behavior, you have to do the work; Sometimes you have to choose your battles; Take responsibility for the energy you bring to working with your dog. If you are frustrated, your dog knows that.; Learn your dog’s body language; 3 dog trainer “red flag” words: fix, guarantee, perfect; When deciding on a dog to join your family, be honest with yourself about your lifestyle. If you are a couch potato, then a purebred herding dog may not be the best choice for you. Dog Training Resources from John: Book: On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas Find an IACP Dog Trainer IACP Videos Canine Human Relationship Institute *Please note: This episode does have a few instances of NSFW (or children) language.* Find John online: http://barktodaytraining.com/ https://www.facebook.com/barktoday/ https://www.instagram.com/bark_today/ Listen to the Why I’m Single podcast, hosted by John’s girlfriend, Amy: https://whyimsinglepod.podbean.com/ or https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-im-single-the-podcast/id1452121345 Let’s connect. You can find photos of John, Amy, Hexie & Hammer on my Facebook and Instagram. Facebook @believeindogpodcast Instagram @believe_in_dog_podcast NEW Email! [email protected]

John Frank did not have very much experience with dogs growing up, but his ex-wife really wanted pets. After a couple discouraging attempts at fostering dogs, John felt overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do with the health and behavior issues of the foster dogs. But after making a commitment to adopt a pit bull to show what good dogs they could be, a sassy gal strutted her way into John’s heart, now named Hexie. In Part 1 of John’s Story, we discuss: Hexie’s adoption story; John’s experience volunteering at the BARCS animal shelter in Baltimore where he started learning about dog behavior; How John learned “a few simple things” that could change a dog’s behavior and make them more likely to get adopted and stay in a home; How volunteering led John to adopting a second dog named Hammer; John’s experience at dog training school; What it was like to work at an animal shelter; and Some of the challenges John faces as a dog trainer Find John online: http://barktodaytraining.com/ https://www.facebook.com/barktoday/ https://www.instagram.com/bark_today/ Listen to the Why I’m Single podcast: https://whyimsinglepod.podbean.com or https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-im-single-the-podcast/id1452121345 Let’s connect. You can find photos of John's dogs, Hexie & Hammer, at the social media links below. Facebook @believeindogpodcast Instagram @believe_in_dog_podcast Email [email protected] *Please note: This episode does have a few instances of NSFW (or children) language.*

Each of my dogs - past and present - have taught me lessons for which I'm very grateful. To celebrate Thanksgiving, I share some of these lessons. Today's interview is with Kate, a volunteer with the Seattle Animal Shelter. Kate & I talk about: Her confusing (and hilarious!) first childhood encounter with a dog; How Kate’s family dog, Muffy, helped her navigate a complicated home life; How Kate’s volunteer work helps her honor the memories of and feel connected to her father and Muffy; and How sometimes loving dogs means knowing that your life is not conducive to having your own dog. Are dogs so special because of how they "hold space" for us? Here's a few links about this concept: From Tiny Buddha; From The Angry Therapist; From The Chopra Center; and 11 Ways to Help You Hold Space for Someone. Let’s connect: Facebook @believeindogpodcast Instagram @believe_in_dog_podcast Email [email protected]

We start with a little background on the Missouri 500 dogs and why they are so important. Our interview is with Michelle Serocki, the founder of the Brew City Bully Club (“BCBC”), who is changing minds and saving lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Michelle and I talk about: How a Craigslist ad led to the start of Brew City Bully Club; Michelle’s experience working with the Missouri 500 dogs rescued from the largest dogfighting bust in the U.S.; BCBC’s work in advocacy and owner support; and BCBC’s unique and creative events. Find Michelle and BCBC online: Website: www.brewcitybullies.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brewcitybullyclub/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brewcitybullyclub/ Ride to End Dogfighting: https://www.facebook.com/ridetoenddogfighting/ Info about the Missouri 500 case from July 2009: https://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/to-pull-off-the-biggest-pit-bull-fighting-bust-in-us-history-investigators-went-deep-undercover-so-did-their-dogs/Content?oid=2492155 Let’s connect. Check out the photos of Michelle’s beautiful Capone tribute tattoo, Michelle’s mayor getting pit bull kisses, scenes from the Ride to End Dogfighting and more at: Facebook: @believeindogpodcast Instagram @believe_in_dog_podcast Email [email protected]

Mindy’s Story: The Majik Touch Mindy FitzGerald was born into an animal-loving family but the first dog that was truly hers, was Majik. Her constant companion during a very transitional time of her life, Mindy is still mourning Majik’s passing. In this episode, Mindy & I discuss: The role Mindy’s pets have played in supporting her through a life-altering illness How a crime scene led to Mindy’s love of pit bulls How a foster cat’s asthma led to the creation of Mindy’s business, Hunter & Harvest Apothecary My own dogs have supported me through medical issues and research even shows that dogs are good for our mental and physical health. Find Mindy online: Website: www.hunterandharvest.com Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/hunterandharvest1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hunterandharvestoils/ Email: [email protected] Mindy’s blog about Majik: https://hunterandharvest.com/blog/2019/10/25/heart-dogs Find Hunter & Harvest products in stores: Untamed Boutique – Hanover, PA Whiskers Vintage & Vinyl – Shippensburg, PA The Feline Rescue Association: http://www.baltimorecats.org/ Trap-Neuter-Return in Baltimore’s Park Heights neighborhood: https://www.facebook.com/ParkHeightsAnimals/ Have your pets helped you through an illness or injury? Let’s connect: Facebook @believeindogpodcast Instagram @believe_in_dog_podcast Email [email protected]

Welcome to the Believe in Dog podcast. My name is Erin Scott and in this first episode I’m sharing with you: how I went from reluctant dog owner to Dog Mom AF, the difference dogs have made in my life and some of the hard times that my dogs have gotten me through, and why I started this podcast My mission is to connect dog lovers by sharing stories that celebrate how the love of a dog is inspiring people to change their lives, the lives of others and changing our world for the better. This is also a place where you can know you aren’t alone in the difficult times, like dealing with your dog’s illness or when you are facing grief and loss. Find out more about the organization B-More Dog (www.bmoredog.org) that I volunteer with. Find out more about Bad Rap, the rock stars of pit bull advocacy and community dog owner support (www.badrap.org). I am an advocate for pit bulls, shelter dogs, rescue & adoption, humane education in schools and dog owner support programs. Who’s the dog that changed your life? Let’s connect: Facebook @believeindogpodcast Instagram @believe_in_dog_podcast or #believeindogpodcast Email [email protected] Sending hugs & belly rubs! Special thanks to: My husband, Tim Amy Dee and Chuck of Why I'm Single, The Podcast (You can hear me on the episode Tell 'em Steve Tim) Kelsey Murphy of the Whiskey & Work podcast and the women of the Podcast with Soul Mastermind