Soul Touched by Dogs

Prefer video? Watch on youtube. Mental health benefits of dogs aren't always visible the way physical health is, but they may be the most powerful gift our dogs give us. Daniel Popovic joins the show to talk about grief, rescue dogs who carry trauma, and why the stories we share about our dogs matter more than we might realize — especially when we're struggling. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why the grief of losing a dog can hit harder than you expect, even when you thought you were prepared How dogs pick up on energy and trauma in ways we don't, and what that means when you bring a new dog into your home What caregiver fatigue really looks like when you're caring for a senior dog, and why it's okay to admit it's hard Why resource guarding and reactivity might be about your energy in the room, not just the dog's history How having a dog holds you accountable in ways that quietly shape your mental health, your routine, and your sense of purpose Why younger generations — especially those navigating isolation, stress, or big life transitions — benefit deeply from having dogs in their lives What it means to make room for a dog when your life feels full, and why the sacrifice is worth more than you give back A FAVOURITE MOMENT "Every misstep is a stepping stone to success. There's a diamond underneath every challenge — you just have to look for it." — Daniel ABOUT DANIEL POPOVIC Daniel Popovic is a product innovation executive, author, and podcast host who spent years generating over two billion dollars in product value across multiple industries before turning his attention to what matters most: the human-animal bond. After losing his Doberman Marley in devastating circumstances, he wrote a book to process his grief — and discovered it resonated with others navigating the same heartbreak. Now he hosts the Every Paw Print, Every Story podcast, works with rescue dogs carrying trauma, and is developing a framework to speak at universities about how dogs anchor our mental health and shape us into better leaders and humans. CONNECT WITH DANIEL POPOVIC Website: pawpads.pet 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. Greyhound adoption might not be on your radar if you think retired racing dogs need endless exercise or won't settle into normal life. But what if the reality was completely different — and these gentle, intelligent souls made some of the easiest, most affectionate companions you could ask for? Maritsa Inglessis shares what it's really like to welcome ex-racing greyhounds into your home, from the moment they see a TV for the first time to learning that sofas are, in fact, the best place on earth. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why greyhounds are nicknamed "45 mile an hour couch potatoes" and how little exercise they actually need compared to what most people assume What it looks like when a dog who spent their whole life in racing kennels steps into a home for the first time — stairs, washing machines, sofas and all How greyhounds compare to other rescue dogs in temperament, intelligence and how quickly they adapt to the good life Why their thin skin and low body fat mean they genuinely need coats in winter and careful temperature management in summer What to know about their prey drive, especially around small fluffy dogs or cats, and how that plays out on walks Why finding a vet experienced with greyhounds matters — their blood markers and physiology are different enough to cause confusion Where to look if you're considering adopting a retired racer, and what kind of history you should ask for before bringing one home A FAVOURITE MOMENT "Howard took about one or two weeks to learn that he could actually get up onto the sofa and sit on it. Now he won't actually get off it." — Maritsa ABOUT MARITSA INGLESSIS Maritsa and her husband originally planned to adopt one rescue dog. Instead, they came home with Rocket and Tilly, a bonded pair of ex-racing greyhounds, and quickly discovered that one greyhound is rarely enough. Daisy joined the family soon afterwards, and all three later made the move with them to Greece. After losing Rocket and Tilly last year, Maritsa and her husband recently welcomed Howard into their home as a new companion for Daisy. Having helped Daisy and Howard adjust to life beyond racing kennels, Maritsa has seen them encounter everything from stairs to washing machines for the first time. She is passionate about showing what loving, affectionate and surprisingly low-maintenance pets greyhounds make, while speaking honestly about the realities of the racing industry. CONNECT WITH MARITSA INGLESSIS Website: thepeoplekeeper.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. 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.