Ep. 171 - Vanessa Shakib with Advancing Law for Animals

This week I talk with Jackie Jolie, founder of AnimaSol, who has nearly 20 years of experience as an equine and canine bodyworker and specializes in red light therapy for animals. After healing from Lyme disease through holistic methods, Jackie became passionate about photobiomodulation—using red and near-infrared wavelengths to stimulate mitochondria, boost ATP production, and improve circulation and cellular hydration. She explains that LED-based devices offer the same therapeutic benefits as expensive lasers but are safer, more affordable, and accessible for home use, and emphasizes that modern indoor lifestyles create light deficiency in both humans and animals, making light an essential nutrient like vitamins. AnimaSol offers products including full-body blankets with belly bands for systemic healing through gut microbiome stimulation, and the Torch—a handheld device with blue light for antibacterial/antiviral use and attachments for sensitive areas like ears and eyes. Beyond selling products, Jackie's mission is to educate pet owners about improving their animals' light environment for long-term health. To learn more about her work you can check out www.animasol.com or go to @anima_sol on social media. Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Vanessa Shakib, co-founder of Advancing Law for Animals, a nonprofit law firm dedicated to animal advocacy. Vanessa transitioned from traditional litigation to animal law in 2018 after becoming passionate about animal welfare in college. We discuss what it means to bring forth cases on behalf of advocacy organizations and the multitude of ways lawyers can integrate animal cases into their practice, either through pro bono work or through non-profits. We also talk about some of her recent work which includes filing complaints with federal agencies regarding criminal animal abuse on Skid Row in California. For aspiring animal lawyers, she recommends staying flexible, networking at conferences, and utilizing resources like the Brooks Institute, while non-lawyers can contribute through policy work. Vanessa urges public engagement to help bring forth true and lasting change. To learn more you can check out www.advancinglawforanimals.org. Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Jackie Ducci about her lifelong connection to animals and how those relationships shaped her mission to promote the human-animal bond through both storytelling and philanthropy. Jackie discusses creating the documentary Unspoken Bond, which highlights stories of people whose lives were changed or saved by animal. Jackie also shares the origin and work of the Human Animal Alliance, a nonprofit that raises funds and provides targeted grants to existing organizations supporting animal-assisted therapy, keeping pets in homes, and other impactful programs, with nearly $450,000 awarded so far. Throughout the conversation, Jackie emphasizes that helping animals also means supporting people, advocating for compassion over judgment, and focusing on measurable impact, while acknowledging the emotional challenges of the work and the importance of concentrating on the positive difference made—even one life at a time. To learn more about Jackie's work you can go to www.h-aa.org and www.unspokenbondfilm.com. You can also find them on social media @unspokenbondfilm and @human_animal_alliance.Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Thomas Sahm about his involvement in the work of supporting Beau's Law in Alabama. We discuss the work that goes into writing and supporting a bill, how the community came together to contact their representatives to pass Beau's Law, and some of the nail-biting behind-the-scenes as the bill was voted on, even though it was a bipartisan bill. Thomas shares his tips on how to get involved in animal welfare both locally and on a state level. Including the work he is doing in Tuscaloosa specifically to help the greater animal welfare community throughout Alabama. You can learn more about the Animal Welfare Collaborative at www.animalwelfarecollaborative.org.Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Meredith Blanchard, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS), to explore the realities of animal testing and the growing movement toward cruelty-free science. Meredith shares insights into the NAVS mission to replace animal experiments with humane, human-relevant alternatives such as cell-based research methods. We discuss the recent beagle rescue from Ridglan Farms, the challenges of rehabilitating former lab animals, and the ethical complexities faced by researchers and caretakers. Meredith also shares how federal agencies like the FDA and NIH are taking steps to reduce animal use and how individuals can get involved in advocacy to help end animal testing once and for all. To learn more about the work of the National Anti-Vivisection Society check out www.navs.org. Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week Rachel Martinez is back! As one of my first guests ever, Rachel comes back on to talk about growth and energy. We discuss the evolution of her work and her new program Dog Psychology for Embodied Leaders. We also get into the energy side of life with practices that can help you feel more in flow and alignment with yourself. If you have been curious about how internal work can help you with external relationships, this is the episode for you. You can learn more about Rachel and her work on social media @thehealingpack and online at www.thehealingpack.com.Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week  Nicole Navarro, founder of Pawsitive Beginnings Fox Sanctuary, joins us again to celebrate the sanctuary's 6-year anniversary. Nicole shares exciting milestones including publishing her children's book "Reef the Fox" and hosting a yoga fundraiser, while currently caring for 7 foxes rescued from fur farms. She discusses valuable lessons about trusting her instincts, her meaningful work with children from Florida Keys Children's Shelter, and her commitment to self-care. Looking ahead, Nicole remains open to future rescues and hopes to write more children's books addressing important topics like grief and the fur trade. To learn more about Pawsitive Beginnings you can find them online at www.pawsitivebeginnings.org and on social media @pawsitive_beginnings_inc.Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Stephanie Stephan, a lifelong animal lover who transformed her childhood dream of veterinary medicine into a unique practice of Reiki energy healing for animals. In this episode, Stephanie explores the profound spiritual connection between humans and their animal companions, explaining how pets mirror our emotional states, teach us essential life lessons, and even physically manifest our health issues. Discover how animals naturally operate at healing frequencies, why your dog might have chosen you based on lessons you need to learn, and practical ways to raise your emotional frequency through music, nature, and presence. This fascinating discussion bridges ancient healing wisdom with modern science, revealing that our furry friends are far more than companions—they're our greatest teachers and healers. To learn more about Stephanie's work you can find her online at  www.unconditional-love-frequency-with-stephanie-stephan.com/  and to sign up for one of her classes you can visit www.kumaraacademy.com/courses-classes.Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Patti Eddington, author of "Don't Look in the Freezer: The Very Strange Life of a Veterinarian's Wife," who shares her experiences as the spouse of veterinarian Jim, including the challenges of frequent moves, financial struggles, unexpected client home visits, and memorable incidents like confrontations with irate clients and poor hiring decisions. The book addresses misconceptions about veterinary costs while highlighting the compassion and emotional demands of veterinary work, including performing euthanasias while dealing with personal grief. This book is a must read! "Don't Look in the Freezer" is available April 28 everywhere books are sold. But you should definitely support your local indie bookstore! You can also learn more about Patti's work at www.pattieddington.com and on social media @pattieddingtonauthor.Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Genevieve Frederick, founder of Feeding Pets of the Homeless, a national nonprofit founded in 2008 that operates in all 50 states to help homeless individuals care for their beloved pets. Through five key programs - pet food collection, emergency veterinary care, wellness clinics, shelter crates, and veteran support - the organization has collected over 2.7 million pounds of pet food and spent over $1.1 million in 2025 alone providing medical treatment to more than 1,600 pets. Partnering with over 2,000 veterinary hospitals nationwide and operating entirely on donations and grants, Feeding Pets of the Homeless recognizes that for the 33% of homeless individuals who have pets, these animals provide irreplaceable companionship, protection, and purpose, making the human-animal bond essential to their wellbeing. To learn more about Feeding Pets of the Homeless you can find them at www.petsofthehomeless.org and on social media @feedingpetsofthehomeless.Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site