As anybody who has ever loved one knows, animals can help us be better people. Emotional regulation, compassion, and trust are all things that animals help us grow in, no matter our age or circumstances. In fact, it can even be its own form of therapy- literally. Today, licensed professional counselor and self-described “horse girl,” Kim Cardeccia joined me to talk about how she combines her love of horses with her practice of therapy to help people learn to bring their brightness to the world.

At first glance, there wouldn’t seem to be much in common between interior decorating and dog training. But, like so many things in life, scratch the surface and you find more similarities than you might think. My guest today, Kym Iffert, left the world of interior design to pursue a career in dog training, and found that the skills she used as a decorator gave her a valuable perspective on dogs. Join us as we discuss her journey from beautifying spaces to training dogs, the difficult decision that led her there, and finding joy and purpose even in hard and draining work. https://colleenpelar.com/119

We talk a lot about the importance of “being yourself,” but what exactly does that mean? How are we supposed to do it? And how can we help other people do it as well? Although it may not be what we first think of, one of the most important things we need in order to be our authentic selves- and help others do the same- is safety. Only when we feel safe are we able to really explore ourselves, to be honest about our weaknesses, and lean in to our strengths. Dog trainer (and aspiring therapist) Kristina Bryte came on the show today to talk about creating a space where not only people but animals can feel safe to be their true selves. https://colleenpelar.com/118

The term “free spirit” is frequently used to describe all different kinds of people--hippies, artists, slightly crazy geniuses. Really, almost anyone who lives life a little off the beaten path. But what does that phrase actually mean? Just what, exactly, makes one a “free spirit?” And if you’re not one, can you become one? If so, how? Today on the show, I talked to dog trainer Carol Sumbry about this very topic. Join us as we discuss her (rather circuitous) path into the world of animals, feeding your soul, and finding moments of gold in your everyday life. https://colleenpelar.com/117

Without meaning to- or sometimes even realizing it- it can be the easiest thing in the world to limit ourselves. All too often we allow outside expectations, other people’s opinions, and our own fear to confine us to a life that is less than fulfilling.   It doesn’t have to be this way, though. Dog trainer Lauren Van Duzer joined me today to talk about how a tragic event pushed her out of her comfort zone and gave her the courage to live a life reaching beyond the confines of “safety.” https://colleenpelar.com/116

Old age, death, and loss are topics most of us prefer to avoid. They’re uncomfortable, sometimes even painful to discuss, and most people don’t like to think about their own mortality. Death, however, is an inevitable part of life, and avoiding conversations about it can make it even harder for us to become comfortable with it. Helen St. Pierre- founder of No Monkey Business Dog Training and the non-profit Old Dogs Go To Helen- has spent the past several years helping senior and hospice dogs to live the best life they can before passing on. She joined me today to talk about becoming comfortable with the reality of death while finding meaning and beauty in caring for animals at the end of their life. https://colleenpelar.com/115

Everybody has a story that will break your heart. We all have our own traumas and dog trainers are no exception. Working with dogs and their owners is deeply rewarding, but it is also often a difficult and emotionally grueling task that leaves trainers feeling burnt out and emotionally and mentally exhausted. While this is a real problem, there are few resources out there designed to help trainers and behaviorists who are struggling in this regard. Annie Phenix knows firsthand the stress and pressure that leads many dog trainers to leave the field they loved, feeling exhausted and frustrated. She joined me today to talk about her own journey in and out of dog training, and her mission to provide support and advocacy for struggling trainers.

Whether we like it or not, fear is a powerful force in our lives- fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of losing the people and things that are important to us. Even as much of the animal world shifts to a “fear free” mindset when it comes to training and interacting with animals, many of us still struggle to let go of our own fears. Too often, that fear keeps us trapped in uncomfortable and painful situations, or prevents us from doing things we love or aspire to.   Mikkel Becker, the lead animal trainer at Fear Free Pets, came on the show today to talk about overcoming the fears that hold us back and keep us from living full and joyful lives. Join us as we discuss giving yourself grace, granting yourself permission to do things, and getting career advice from Diane Sawyer. https://colleenpelar.com/113

What we want to do is very often different from what we should do (or at least, what we think we should do). Obligations and responsibilities need to be met, but the temptation is always there to push them off until later and spend the current moment doing something more pleasurable. Malena DeMartini joined me today to talk about balancing doing what we ought vs. doing what we want and to take me through her roundabout path from corporate America to enthusiastic dog trainer. https://colleenpelar.com/112

None of us like to acknowledge that things might not turn out fine, yet we all know deep down that that’s always a possibility. How do we deal with the chance that things might not be all right in the end? For Veronica Jarvinen, founder of EMMAvet Veterinary Urgent Care, it’s important to acknowledge plainly that things might not be fine, make sure we’ve done everything we can to ensure the best possible outcome, and then go forward secure in the knowledge that we’ve done our best. She joined me today to talk about using this mindset in her own business to create an intentional workplace where her employees can thrive both personally and professionally.

We hear a lot about the importance of not judging, whether that’s not judging ourselves or not judging others. Most of us probably try to live by that advice, but it’s often harder than it sounds. So often we fall into attitudes of judgment without even meaning to, especially when it comes to ourselves, where our judgments are often the harshest of all. That attitude of judgment can cloud our perspective on things, making it hard for us to see the actual truth of the matter. Learning to recognize those moments of judgment and peel them away to see the truth underneath can lead to important insights about ourselves and give us clarity about our lives. Psychologist and dog trainer Amy Binder joined me today to talk about how her work with at-risk kids and at-risk dogs taught the importance of letting go of judgment to look at things honestly.

We’re used to the idea of work and play being not just separate things, but often polar opposites. Work is serious, play is frivolous. Work is necessary, play is more optional. Work is useful and productive, play is our less useful reward for putting in all that productive work. But while this is definitely the case sometimes, does it really have to be the case all the time? Professional pet sitter Collin Funkhouser came on the show to discuss this very thing. Join us as we discuss what the ideal form of work looks like, and finding joy and value in your job- even if it’s one that people don’t take seriously.

“I should do this, I should do that…” Our lives are full of “shoulds,” of tasks and errands that we feel obligated to do, and that gnaw away at us when we don’t. Many of us go through our days carrying the guilt and anxiety that results from not having done or accomplished everything we “should.” Needless to say, this is hardly a recipe for a healthy or flourishing emotional life. What if it didn’t have to be this way, though? What if we could free ourselves from the guilt of “should” and instead embrace a mentality where even necessary tasks become a conscious choice we make, instead of an obligation? Cat behavior consultant Misty Hampton joined me today to talk about the freeing power of getting rid of the “should”s in her life.

Communication is at the heart of any relationship. So much of a healthy relationship depends on being able to communicate our thoughts, feelings, needs, and desires to the people we love. This isn’t always easy, of course- wires get crossed, words get misunderstood. And all of this gets even harder when one of us isn’t human. We love our pets and we think (or at least hope) that they love us as well. But how can we be sure when we can’t speak the same language? Is it even possible for us to have authentic communication with our animal friends? Pat Blocker joined me today to talk about this very issue. A lifelong animal lover, Pat has always had a desire to communicate with pets. Now, in her capacities as both a dog trainer and a certified animal communicator, she does just that. Join us as we discuss how we can communicate better with animals, and what we can learn simply by paying attention.

Each of us has visions of what we want in life- things we hope to do, achieve, and experience. Envisioning, planning, and daydreaming about these things can be useful and is certainly enjoyable, but when it comes time to take action to try and make them a reality…well, that can be intimidating, even frightening. It’s often tempting--and always easier--to simply enjoy the daydream. So how do we inspire ourselves to act? To take that first step towards making our dreams a reality? For Laura Perkins, it means remembering the “beauty, magic, and power” of boldness, even in the seemingly small actions of sending that email or making that phone call. She joined me today to talk about her career, building a community, and being willing to be bold.

It makes sense to say that we can’t do it all. After all, we’re each just one person, and no one person can do everything, right? But then you meet someone like Dr. Meghan Herron who seems like she really has done it all- gone to veterinary school, raised two kids, and single-handedly started an entirely new program of study at OSU- and you can’t help but wonder if maybe there is some way to do it all. But how? What’s the secret? How can you possibly do everything you both need and want to without going stark raving mad? Dr. Herron joined me today to talk about her work as a behavioral vet and her philosophy to “doing it all” while protecting your own mental health and avoiding burnout.

Our lives very rarely take the paths we think they will. Even if we end up where we planned, we seldom take the route we thought we would. Looking back, it’s sometimes easy to see how a combination of seemingly unconnected chances, events, and decisions led us to where we are (for good or ill), but in the moment we often feel as though we’re flying blind. And then there are the times we’re sure we’ve made the right decision only to look back later and see how wrong or misinformed we were, despite our best efforts. Professional pet sitter Maria Giaccio always thought she’d work with animals, but didn’t get there the way she thought she would. Join us as we discuss her roundabout route to owning a doggy daycare, reflect on Maya Angelou’s words about knowing and doing better, and remember the importance of having compassion for our past selves.

Whether it’s relationships, jobs, finances, health, or a dozen other areas, everybody wants to feel as though they have control over their life. We crave the security that comes from knowing–or at least feeling like we know–where we’re headed, and that things are going according to plan. But the truth is that we actually have control over far fewer things than we might like.  While facing the limits of our control can be frightening, it can also be liberating and allow us to achieve a certain amount of calm, even in the face of uncertainty. Today, dog trainer and vet tech Stephanie Kern joined me to talk about her experiences working with dogs and how she’s learned to embrace the fact most things are outside of her control.   https://colleenpelar.com/103

Time, whether we like it or not, marches on. All our experiences, both good and bad, are only temporary. Reminding ourselves of this can be a double-edged sword. While it may make it easier for us to soldier on through the hard times, remembering that they won’t last forever, it can also be disheartening to remember that all the good times will pass away as well. But maybe the well-known saying that “this too shall pass” doesn’t have to be a source of sadness when we apply it to the things we love. Maybe instead, it can be an inspiration to dive headlong into whatever comes our way, making the most of it while it lasts. Dog trainer and anthrozoologist Marika Bell came on the show to discuss this with me, as well as share stories of her many and varied experiences with animals ranging from bears to dogs to deadly snakes. https://colleenpelar.com/102

We all know the old adage “practice makes perfect.” At first glance, it seems like good advice. Isn’t perfection the goal, the thing we should all strive for? After all, if something is perfect it is, by definition, the best it can possibly be. Nothing can be better than that–or can it? Is there something out there that could be better than the ever-elusive “perfect?” Turns out there just might be! Join dog trainer Rebecca Johnson and me as we discuss the limits of perfectionism, as well as gardening, lemurs, and whether there is such a thing as better than perfect. https://colleenpelar.com/101