Therapy Dogs and Model Dogs: How Your Dog's Hidden Gifts Can Heal Others with Susan Hartzler

Prefer video? Watch on youtube. Therapy dogs visit hospitals, schools, and nursing homes — but what does it actually take to build that kind of partnership with your dog? Susan Hartzler has been doing therapy dog work for 26 years, and in this conversation, she shares what she's learned about helping dogs and their people bring comfort, connection, and healing to communities. It's a glimpse into a world most of us only see from the outside — and a reminder of just how much dogs give when we learn to work alongside them. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN The difference between service dogs, emotional support dogs, and therapy dogs — and why understanding those distinctions matters if you're considering any kind of working role with your dog How to recognize whether your dog has the temperament for therapy work, and what training foundation they need before stepping into hospitals, schools, or other settings Why therapy dog work is as much about the human as it is the dog — and what it takes to be a calm, present partner at the other end of the leash What happens when a dog intuitively knows what someone needs, and how to follow your dog's lead rather than override it The science-backed benefits of spending time with dogs — from lowering cortisol to calming panic attacks — and how to tap into those intentionally, not just accidentally How Susan taught her dogs to wear hats and sunglasses (and why that skill actually matters in therapy and modeling work) What it's like when your dog becomes both a therapy dog and a professional actor — and how those two worlds surprisingly overlap A FAVOURITE MOMENT "He actually knew what each person needed, and I was just kind of his facilitator at the end of the leash." — Susan ABOUT SUSAN HARTZLER Susan Hartzler is an award-winning writer and passionate advocate for the human-animal bond. For the past 26 years, she and her pack have volunteered as certified therapy dog teams, visiting hospitals, schools, libraries, nursing homes, and community organizations across the country. Her newest book, Teaming Up with Therapy Dogs: Skills to Build Healing Partnerships, offers practical guidance for aspiring therapy dog teams, blending training insights with real stories from the field. She's also the author of two memoirs — I'm Not Single, I Have a Dog: Dating Tales from the Bark Side and The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace — and the creator of BlissDog, a Substack publication exploring the healing power of dogs. Her current pack, Seven and Paige Turner, aren't just therapy dogs — they're also professional actors and models. CONNECT WITH SUSAN HARTZLER Website: susanhartzler.com Substack: blissdog.substack.com Facebook: facebook.com/Blissdog and facebook.com/SevenForPresident YouTube: youtube.com/@SusanHartzler LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susanhartzler CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.

Prefer video? Watch on youtube. Dogs and babies living together isn't always the Instagram-perfect moment many parents imagine. When certified dog trainer Dominika Knossalla-Pado's beloved Labrador showed predatory behavior toward her newborn twins, it shattered the romantic picture she'd held and sent her searching for answers that simply didn't exist. This conversation offers the practical, honest guidance expecting parents and new families need to help both their children and dogs not just survive this transition, but truly thrive. What You'll Learn Why even well-trained dogs can struggle when a baby arrives, and how to recognize the early signs that your dog is finding the transition difficult What you can actually prepare for before your baby is born, including the specific behaviors and routines that matter most (and why you probably don't need that expensive doll) How to create a safe first meeting between your dog and baby, especially if your dog has never been around young children Why those heartwarming social media posts of dogs and babies together can be misleading, and what a truly comfortable dog actually looks like in those moments What to do when your toddler becomes mobile and suddenly your calm dog seems stressed by grabby hands, unpredictable movements and constant noise How to give both your child and your dog the freedom they need without constant supervision becoming overwhelming When separation and baby gates become tools for peace rather than punishment, and how to prepare your dog for these changes before stress builds A Favourite Moment "Give me that neighbor." — Dominika About Dominika Knossalla-Pado Dominika Knossalla-Pado is a certified dog trainer who graduated with honors from the Academy for Dog Trainers. When her beloved Labrador Lola showed predatory behavior toward her newborn twins, Dominika realized most parents lack the tools and knowledge to navigate these critical moments safely. That experience inspired her to found Dog Meets Baby, now a trusted resource for families worldwide through online courses, consultations and free resources. She's also the author of the children's book Lola and the Bubble Mission, which introduces young children to the concept that all animals need their own safe space. Connect with Dominika Knossalla-Pado Website: dogmeetsbaby.expert Instagram: @dogmeets_baby YouTube: Dog Meets Baby Facebook: Dog Meets Baby Pinterest: Dog Meets Baby Free Resources Preparation Checklist for Expecting Parents Rules of Interaction for Caregivers of Toddlers and Preschoolers Guide for Caregivers of Toddlers Dog Meets Family Preparation Checklist Dog Bite Prevention for Families Lola and the Bubble Mission Connect with Soul Touched by Dogs To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.

Prefer video? Watch on youtube. Canine Flow and the energetic lens that changes how we understand dog behaviour — that's what this conversation is about. Caroline shares a perspective that goes beyond traditional training methods, showing how emotions, energy and even water influence our dogs' wellbeing. If you've ever felt there's something deeper going on with your dog than what you can see on the surface, this episode offers a completely different way of looking at the relationship you share. What You'll Learn How your dog's behaviour is actually a flow of emotion seeking expression, not something to suppress or control Why separation anxiety often has less to do with you leaving and more to do with whether your dog can emotionally ground on you when you're present What it means when your dog has "charge" — and how to recognise when energy has built up and needs to be released The surprising role water plays in holding somatic trauma in both humans and dogs, and simple ways to structure your water at home Why enrichment isn't about mentally tiring your dog but about helping them release emotional charge and find contentment How shifts in your own state — like attending a yoga class or releasing stuck emotions — can directly change your dog's behaviour What electromagnetic fields and Wi-Fi may be doing to dogs, who have the largest heart per body mass of any creature A Favourite Moment "The dog is not trying to be in charge. They have a charge." — Caroline About Caroline Caroline has been leading Canine Flow Retreats for dogs and their guardians for the past 16 years, specialising in soul-level behaviour transformation. She brings together decades of experience in canine nutrition and holistic therapies with a unique energetic lens that looks at how a dog's measurable energy field — what she calls the vital life force flow — influences their behaviour. Caroline is also co-founder of the Association of Pet Nutrition Consultants and works as a nutrition consultant in the international pet food industry. Connect with Caroline Website: canineflow.com Facebook: facebook.com/LoveWoofandWonder Connect with Soul Touched by Dogs To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com. And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co — the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.

Prefer video? Watch on YouTube. Setting boundaries with your dog isn't about being harsh—it's about creating safety, connection and calm for both of you. In this conversation, Dutch dog trainer Miranda van der Heijden walks us through the delicate balance between unconditional love and healthy limits, and why the struggles we see in our dogs often mirror the patterns we carry ourselves. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why setting boundaries for your dog is an act of love, not control—and how it helps them feel safer when you're not around How your dog's behaviour often mirrors your own fears, hesitations and resistance to change What it really takes to help a fearful dog move through something new (and why avoiding discomfort keeps them stuck) Why one-to-one training allows for deeper transformation than group classes—for both dogs and their people How agility, scent work and other activities can become therapeutic mirrors for personal growth The unexpected emotional work that comes with teaching people to train their dogs What it means to be connected with your dog without becoming enmeshed—and why that distinction matters A FAVOURITE MOMENT "I'm always training the person… because things don't change if you as a person do not change." — Miranda ABOUT MIRANDA VAN DER HEIJDEN Miranda van der Heijden has been training dogs in the Netherlands since 1987. After years of working with groups, she shifted her focus entirely to one-to-one sessions, where she can look beyond behaviour and into the relationship between dog and human. She's spent over three decades in competitive agility and now works with her own Border Collie in scent detection and mantrailing. Her training centre, located near 's-Hertogenbosch, is a space where dogs learn—and people discover what their dogs have been trying to teach them all along. CONNECT WITH MIRANDA VAN DER HEIJDEN Website: gehoorzamehuishond.nl Instagram: @miranda_gehoorzamehuishond Facebook: De Gehoorzame Huishond Facebook: Hand in Poot Email: [email protected] CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com. And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co—the Ultimate Hub for dogs and the people who love them.

LINK TO YOUTUBE Prefer video? Watch on youtube. Learning from dogs isn't just sentimental—it might be the most practical life advice you'll get this year. Bruce Littlefield, bestselling author and self-described "professional appreciator of American fun," stumbled into this truth one morning when his dog Felix was having the best day ever while Bruce was having the worst. What followed was a notebook full of observations that became a book, and a shift in how he approaches his entire day. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How one melted shirt on book launch day taught Bruce to shake things off—literally—the way dogs do when something goes wrong Why dogs wake up with enthusiasm every single morning, and what happened when Bruce decided to try doing the same thing The surprising side effect of taking 10-minute rest breaks during the day, inspired by watching Felix relax without guilt How a dog's patient vigil by the door reveals something deeper about waiting for what matters without complaint Why learning a few tricks—whether you're a dog or a human—keeps life playful and gives you something to share at parties How Felix's morning patrol around the property became a lesson in checking in, staying grounded, and knowing your boundaries What loyalty looks like in both dog and human form, and why Bruce says it's one of the most important traits we can cultivate A FAVOURITE MOMENT "Felix was like, 'Hey, this is the best day ever.' And so I thought, you know what? I'm going to follow Felix today." — Bruce ABOUT BRUCE LITTLEFIELD Bruce Littlefield is a bestselling author, television personality, designer, and the co-author of 20 books spanning everything from garage sales to Airstream trailers to dog wisdom. His newest book, Everything You Need to Know About Life You Can Learn from a Dog, published by Penguin Random House, is a funny and heartfelt celebration of dogs as the life coaches we never knew we needed. Bruce lives in New York and on his farm in the Catskills with his rescue dog Felix, a border collie/cattle dog mix who inspired the book after helping him shake off a very bad morning. CONNECT WITH BRUCE LITTLEFIELD Website: brucelittlefield.com Illustrator Maribel Lechuga: @maribellechugaillustration Publisher: @penguinkids CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.

Prefer video? Watch on YouTube.Doberman owners often wonder why their high-energy, intelligent dog seems harder to train than other breeds—or why four hours of daily walks still leave them with a restless, sometimes destructive companion. John Walter, founder of Doberman Planet, shares what makes this breed different, how they think in patterns and multi-step sequences, and why mental stimulation matters just as much as physical exercise when raising a loyal, balanced family Doberman.WHAT YOU'LL LEARNWhy Dobermans are called emotional mirrors and what that means for daily life with themHow their pattern recognition can actually work against traditional training methods (and what to do instead)The surprising differences between male and female Dobermans in bonding, maturity and temperamentWhy over-exercising a Doberman can backfire and what they need mentally to truly settleWhat makes this breed both incredibly loyal and sometimes misunderstoodHow to know if a Doberman is the right fit for your family and lifestyleThe importance of routine, consistency and full integration into family life for this breedA FAVOURITE MOMENT"Dobermans think in patterns. They don't learn 'I got in position, I got the treat.' They learn 'I pulled, I went in position, then I got the treat.'" — JohnABOUT JOHN WALTERJohn Walter is the founder of Doberman Planet, a leading online educational platform devoted exclusively to the Doberman Pinscher. Through hundreds of videos, in-depth articles, original breed studies and hands-on work with Dobermans and their families, John helps owners better understand this intelligent, sensitive and often misunderstood breed. With nearly 300,000 subscribers on YouTube and a combined audience of more than 700,000 across all platforms, his work focuses on practical training, behaviour, health and strengthening the bond between Dobermans and the people who love them.CONNECT WITH JOHN WALTERWebsite: dobermanplanet.comYouTube: youtube.com/dobermanplanetDobie Masters Season 2 Playlist: Watch hereFacebook: facebook.com/DobermanPlanetTikTok: tiktok.com/@thedobermanplanetCONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGSTo find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com.And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.

Prefer video? Watch on youtube. Canine nutrition goes far beyond what sits in the bowl. When your dog won't eat, struggles with chronic health issues, or shows puzzling behavioral patterns, the answer might lie in how we understand nourishment itself. Dr. Alexia Mellor shares how her own dog's health crisis led her to question everything she thought she knew about feeding dogs—and ultimately transformed how she understands the bond between dogs and their people. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why "balanced and complete" is a marketing term, and what bioavailability actually means for your dog's ability to absorb nutrients How to start improving your dog's diet without overwhelm, beginning with simple fresh toppers that address what's missing from kibble The FETCH methodology for observing your dog holistically—from tracking behaviors at specific times of day to understanding what environmental factors might be affecting their wellbeing Why restlessness at 11 PM, nibbling at certain times, or seasonal changes in appetite might be telling you something about your dog's internal health How Chinese medicine principles and energetics can unlock puzzling health or behavior patterns that conventional approaches haven't solved What it means to work in partnership with your dog rather than treating them as an optimization project How curiosity about what your dog is showing you can become an entry point for deeper understanding—and why there's rarely just one root cause A FAVOURITE MOMENT "They are gateways to our own spiritual evolution." — Alexia ABOUT DR. ALEXIA MELLOR Dr. Alexia Mellor is a holistic canine nutrition consultant on a mission to transform how we nourish our dogs, ourselves, and the world we share. Through Mystic Dog Mama, she explores what it truly means to be nourished—using dogs as both teacher and guide. Her work brings together canine nutrition, holistic health, systems thinking, and the wisdom of the human-animal bond. With a background in participatory art, design, and climate research, Alexia approaches dog health with curiosity, compassion, and a deep respect for the partnership between dogs and their people. CONNECT WITH DR. ALEXIA MELLOR Website: mysticdogmama.com Podcast: Search for "Mystic Dog Mama" wherever you listen to podcasts Free Resource: Mystic Dog Mama Nourishment Starter Kit at mysticdogmama.com CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.

Prefer video? Watch on YouTube. Your dog heals you in ways you may not fully realize. The simple act of having a dog in your life already offers measurable health benefits, but there's a whole world of untapped potential in that relationship. This conversation explores how the human-dog bond can become a deliberate pathway to better physical health, emotional balance, and everyday wellbeing. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How synchronizing with your dog creates what Michael calls a "cocoon"—an energy system that amplifies wellbeing for both human and dog The measurable health benefits dogs offer, from increased oxytocin and serotonin to reduced cortisol, lower blood pressure, improved immune function, and even potential cancer prevention Why walking your dog while staring at your phone means you're missing the most healing part of the walk How simple rituals like placing your hand on your dog while visualizing love can calm an anxious or traumatized rescue dog The concept of "sniff walks" and why letting your dog lead the pace and choose what to investigate is actually mindfulness practice for you How dogs act as mirrors, reflecting back our own mental and emotional states in ways that can reveal what we need to address in ourselves Why setting too many boundaries with your dog—no couch, no bed, no jumping—might mean you're missing out on the deeper healing potential of the relationship A FAVOURITE MOMENT "Dogs are uniquely attuned to us all the time. We look at our dog, and we see our own mental state as a reflection." — Michael ABOUT MICHAEL PRIV Michael Priv is a wellness innovator, writer, and former energy healer who has spent decades exploring how the human-dog bond can become a powerful pathway to better health and emotional balance. He is the creator of HoundHeart, a human-dog synchronization app that uses paired wearable devices and AI-supported insights to help people unlock the wellness benefits of the relationship they already have with their dog. Michael believes those benefits can be strengthened, measured, and made more intentional through technology and simple daily rituals. CONNECT WITH MICHAEL PRIV Website: michaelpriv.com HoundHeart: houndheartwellness.com Facebook: facebook.com/michaelprivauthor LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelpriv CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com. And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co — the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.

Dog-friendly offices aren't just a perk—they're a productivity strategy. If you've ever declined a job because you couldn't bear to leave your dog at home, or felt your stress spike during a late meeting knowing your pup had been alone all day, this conversation is for you. Emily Birch walks us through how companies can thoughtfully introduce dogs into the workplace in a way that benefits everyone—dogs, employees, and the business itself.WHAT YOU'LL LEARNHow dog-friendly offices actually increase productivity and employee retention, backed by peer-reviewed researchWhy predictability matters more than enthusiasm when it comes to managing dogs (and people) in shared workspacesThe traffic light system that helps dogs settle and prevents over-excitement without feeling restrictiveWhat makes a dog suitable for office life—and the one non-negotiable that rules a dog out entirelyHow to address common concerns like allergies, phobias, and the myth that offices will turn into chaotic doggy daycaresWhy some dogs need a "red light" approach even when they're friendly, and how that sets them up to succeedWhat happens when new management takes over, and how to make the case for keeping dogs in the officeA FAVOURITE MOMENT"I counted and I was like, 'We've got 18 dogs in here,' and yet you wouldn't know. Every dog was just fast asleep under the table." — EmilyABOUT EMILY BIRCHEmily Birch is the Owner and Director of The Office Dog, where she helps organisations introduce dogs into the workplace in a structured, safe, and genuinely beneficial way. She also runs a canine consultancy focused on behaviour work. Based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Emily has been pioneering dog-friendly office environments since 2014, working with businesses at every stage—from policy creation and training through to implementation and probation sign-off.CONNECT WITH EMILY BIRCHWebsite: theofficedog.orgCONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGSTo find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.comAnd if you're a dog lover who wants a calmer, happier dog, come find us at planetcalm.co. The Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them, and the businesses they build.

Is your well-behaved dog actually shut down? A calm, compliant dog might look like the goal — but fear-based obedience isn't the same as trust. In this conversation, journalist-turned-dog-trainer Annie Grossman explains why understanding how your dog feels matters more than getting them to behave, and how a little science goes a long way in building the relationship you both deserve.WHAT YOU'LL LEARNWhy a dog who looks calm and well-behaved might actually be scared and shut down — and how to tell the differenceWhat classical conditioning really means, and why it matters more than you think when it comes to how your dog experiences the worldHow punishment (yes, even "just a correction") can create hidden fallout you won't see in a 30-second Instagram videoWhy dog body language is so misunderstood — and what that little tongue flick actually meansHow focusing on what you want your dog to do instead of what you want them to stop changes everythingWhy there's no such thing as "just dog training" — it's all rooted in the science of behaviour, whether people know it or notWhat questions to ask before choosing a trainer, a method, or even a viral training hackA FAVOURITE MOMENT"A shut down dog can look like a well-behaved dog." — AnnieABOUT ANNIE GROSSMANAnnie Grossman is a dog trainer, journalist, and the author of How to Train Your Dog With Love + Science. A lifelong New Yorker, she spent over a decade running School For The Dogs, a storefront training centre in the East Village where she worked with thousands of dogs and their people. Before diving into dog training, Annie worked as a journalist and producer, writing for outlets like The New York Times and The Boston Globe. She's a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy and a passionate advocate for positive reinforcement rooted in behavioural science. These days, she writes Don't Be a Dick to Your Dog on Substack and speaks at conferences about making dog training less jargon-heavy and more human.CONNECT WITH ANNIE GROSSMANWebsite: anniegrossman.com Instagram: @anniegrossman Facebook: @annie4thedogs Substack: dogtraining.substack.comGet the free guide on How Not To Be A Dick To Your Dog: https://dogtraining.substack.com/p/guideCONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGSTo find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com And if you're a dog lover who wants a calmer, happier dog, come find us at planetcalm.co. The Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them, and the businesses they build.