Soul Touched by Dogs

Assistance dogs do far more than most people realise — not just guiding, but helping their humans shower, get dressed, and move through the world with dignity and independence. This conversation with Claudia Hendrix reveals what life with an assistance dog actually looks like when you're a wheelchair user living alone, and how a Labrador named Katya (yes, Cat) became the reason Claudia doesn't need round-the-clock care. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How assistance dogs are trained from puppyhood through foster families, school, and personalised instruction — and why only about 80% graduate What daily tasks an assistance dog performs that most people never think about, from pulling wheelchair users upright in bed to pushing a shower chair out of spray range How the matching process works between dog and handler, and why it's more like dating than a waiting list What retirement looks like for working dogs, including how families are chosen and why handlers don't always get to keep their dogs How to navigate public spaces when not everyone understands the law around assistance dogs — and the creative ways Claudia educates as she goes Why assistance dogs wear specific harnesses and what's being developed across Europe to make identification clearer What happens during the transition period when a handler says goodbye to one dog and begins training with another A FAVOURITE MOMENT "Do you expect me to leave my wheelchair outside also? Because that's what you're asking me to do." — Claudia ABOUT CLAUDIA HENDRIX Claudia Hendrix is a connector, speaker, and advocate living with chronic illness and using a wheelchair in Alkmaar, Netherlands. She's an ambassador for KNGF Guide Dogs, where she speaks openly about how her assistance dog Katya makes independent living possible. Claudia also works as a coordinator at Stichting Still, supporting families navigating the loss of a child or parent. She previously founded JouwTransformatie and made her online academy freely available. Her writing and speaking bring warmth, gentleness, and a touch of humour to difficult topics, creating space for real conversation and hope. CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA HENDRIX Website: https://claudiahendrix.nl Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HulphondKatya Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positiviteitshotje and https://www.instagram.com/claudiahdrx Become a puppy foster family: https://geleidehond.nl/word-puppypleeggezin/ Free online academy: https://academy.claudiahendrix.nl/courses CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit https://soultouchedbydogs.com

Holistic veterinary medicine isn't about rejecting science—it's about expanding it to include what we already know works: energy, joy, and the body's innate ability to heal. In this episode, Dr. Jeff Feinman shares how shifting focus from symptoms to something he calls BEAM (Behavior, Energy, Appetite, and Mood) can transform how we support our dogs' health and happiness.WHAT YOU'LL LEARNWhy symptoms are clues, not problems—and what your dog's body is really trying to tell you when something feels offHow energy balance at the cellular level affects everything from red ears to excessive water drinking, and why these "normal" things might not be normal at allWhat BEAM stands for and why tracking these four simple things matters more than focusing on individual symptomsHow micro-engagements—short bursts of joy like sniff walks or play—can support healing and improve quality of life in measurable waysWhy prescribing happiness (yes, really) might be more effective than reaching for medication firstWhat the "happiness protocol" is and how it upgrades mitochondrial function through what your dog loves mostHow to start making holistic, informed decisions that work alongside—not against—your regular vet careA FAVOURITE MOMENT"We ignore the most accomplished doctor in the room, and that is Doctor Mother Nature." — JeffABOUT DR. JEFF FEINMANDr. Jeff Feinman has been a veterinarian since 1985 and is the founder of Holistic Actions!, a movement bringing compassionate communication and practical veterinary spirituality to pet care. With over 30 years of experience, his mission is to bridge the gap between holistic and conventional veterinary medicine through nature-inspired, energy-driven actions. He empowers pet parents with resources, webinars, and a supportive community, and is the author of a new book that merges molecular biology with indigenous wisdom to help animals live healthier, happier lives.CONNECT WITH DR. JEFF FEINMANWebsite: https://www.holisticactions.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticActionsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/holisticactions/Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/holisticactions/Free Self-Care Package: https://www.holisticactions.com/self-care-package-signup/ — Three inspiring webinars to guide you to a more connected place within yourself so you can be the best guardian for your animal.CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGSTo find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit https://soultouchedbydogs.com

Herding goats with a working dog isn't about force or control—it's about partnership, patience, and understanding what your dog was bred to do. In this episode, we meet a farmer who traded in his old life three years ago to become a goat herder in Wisconsin, bringing regenerative agriculture to his land with the help of his English Shepherd, Dutch. Their work together is a beautiful reminder of what happens when we honour a dog's natural instincts and let them do what they were born for.WHAT YOU'LL LEARNWhy goats need a different kind of herding dog than sheep, and how "loose-eyed" breeds like English Shepherds work up close and personal with stubborn livestockWhat it takes to train a herding dog from scratch when you've never trained a dog before, including why you have to wait a full year before introducing a puppy to stockHow rotational grazing with a working dog can heal degraded soil while producing high-quality goat milk for soap makingThe importance of always backing up your dog around livestock, even when things don't go to plan—and how discouragement can ruin a working dog's confidenceWhat a typical day looks like moving goats from barn to pasture, and how farmer and dog work as a team to guide the herdHow working dogs stay engaged during winter months when there's no grazing, and why skills like "steady" help a dog learn to respect the bubble of space around stockWhy early socialisation between young dogs and livestock matters, and how encouragement builds a dog's ability to be the calm, confident leader of the herdA FAVOURITE MOMENT"I feel bad that I'm the only person here. I think more people should be able to see this." — SethABOUT SETHSeth is a farmer and goat herder at New Plymouth Farm in Wisconsin, where he produces goat milk soap using regenerative agriculture practices. Three years ago, he left his previous life behind to work the land with his English Shepherd, Dutch, who helps move the herd from barn to pasture and back again. Seth is passionate about improving soil health and sharing the peaceful, purposeful work of grazing with others.CONNECT WITH SETHWebsite: newplymouthfarm.comFacebook: New Plymouth FarmSpecial offer: Use code Soul10 for 10% off goat milk soap at newplymouthfarm.com. Sign up for emails to be notified when live herding videos launch this spring.CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGSTo find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit https://soultouchedbydogs.com

Veterinary burnout is reaching crisis levels — but most vets don't see it coming until they hit the wall. If you've ever wondered why your vet seems stretched thin, or why practices feel different than they used to, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what's really happening behind the exam room door.What You'll LearnWhy burnout in veterinary medicine often goes unnoticed until it's too late, and what signs to watch for in yourself or someone you care aboutHow the demands of modern veterinary practice have shifted dramatically from previous generations, and why that matters for both vets and pet ownersWhat makes emergency and critical care both the most rewarding and most emotionally taxing area of veterinary medicineWhy euthanasia can be both deeply honoring and profoundly difficult, depending on the circumstances surrounding the decisionHow crushing student debt and lower-than-expected salaries contribute to mental health challenges in the professionWhat pet owners often misunderstand about veterinary care, costs, and the realities vets face dailyWhy so many veterinarians feel trapped in their career path, and what options actually exist beyond traditional clinical practiceA Favourite Moment'It was never really communicated to me how hard it was.' — MarieAbout Dr. Marie HolowaychukDr. Marie Holowaychuk is a veterinarian and board-certified emergency and critical care specialist with over 20 years of practice experience. After experiencing severe burnout while working at a veterinary college, she founded Reviving Veterinary Medicine to address mental health and wellness in the profession through evidence-based programs and resources. A certified coach, yoga teacher, and author of A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means to Be a Veterinarian, Marie now speaks globally about sustainable veterinary careers while still practicing the emergency medicine she loves.Connect with Dr. Marie HolowaychukWebsite: www.marieholowaychuk.comFree Resource: 10 Things Your Veterinarian Wishes You KnewFacebook: @drmarieholowaychukInstagram: @marieholowaychukLinkedIn: @drmarieholowaychukYouTube: @marieholowaychukdvmConnect with Soul Touched by DogsTo find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit https://soultouchedbydogs.com

Veterinary burnout is reaching crisis levels — but most vets don't see it coming until they hit the wall. If you've ever wondered why your vet seems stretched thin, or why practices feel different than they used to, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what's really happening behind the exam room door.What You'll LearnWhy burnout in veterinary medicine often goes unnoticed until it's too late, and what signs to watch for in yourself or someone you care aboutHow the demands of modern veterinary practice have shifted dramatically from previous generations, and why that matters for both vets and pet ownersWhat makes emergency and critical care both the most rewarding and most emotionally taxing area of veterinary medicineWhy euthanasia can be both deeply honoring and profoundly difficult, depending on the circumstances surrounding the decisionHow crushing student debt and lower-than-expected salaries contribute to mental health challenges in the professionWhat pet owners often misunderstand about veterinary care, costs, and the realities vets face dailyWhy so many veterinarians feel trapped in their career path, and what options actually exist beyond traditional clinical practiceA Favourite Moment'It was never really communicated to me how hard it was.' — MarieAbout Dr. Marie HolowaychukDr. Marie Holowaychuk is a veterinarian and board-certified emergency and critical care specialist with over 20 years of practice experience. After experiencing severe burnout while working at a veterinary college, she founded Reviving Veterinary Medicine to address mental health and wellness in the profession through evidence-based programs and resources. A certified coach, yoga teacher, and author of A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means to Be a Veterinarian, Marie now speaks globally about sustainable veterinary careers while still practicing the emergency medicine she loves.Connect with Dr. Marie HolowaychukWebsite: www.marieholowaychuk.comFree Resource: 10 Things Your Veterinarian Wishes You KnewFacebook: @drmarieholowaychuk Instagram: @marieholowaychuk LinkedIn: @drmarieholowaychuk YouTube: @marieholowaychukdvmConnect with Soul Touched by DogsTo find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit https://soultouchedbydogs.com