The Human-Animal Connection - Pet Life Radio Original (PetLifeRadio.com)

What makes life in a zoo better for animals? Being able to make their own choices and bonding with individuals who care for them. In this episode we meet a warm and joyous zookeeper whose job it was among other things, to prepare crocodiles for their regular medical exams. Crocodiles, who can learn their own names, and will come when called are not only the first species you think of when you talk about “animal intuition” – but how do they know it is time for once every two-year medical exam? Learn how they knew from what shirt the zookeeper was wearing they could predict what was coming that day. What makes them suddenly disappear when it is time for a blood test? Learn all about Albert Ferraro’s experiences with these and other zoo animals, including exotic Tapers with personalities and affection, and Siamang monkeys who delighted with a handheld mirror and other joyful tales about how bonding with one special human can make  EPISODE NOTES: What a Zookeeper Learned from Animals

Flying animals out of disaster areas, or from shelters that are overrun is the mission of Pilots to the Rescue. Pilot Michael Schneider tells heart-warming stories of helping animals get out of bad situations and get to better ones! Michael explains that every year close to a million homeless pets are euthanized in the US, primarily due to a lack of space in crowded shelters. With their non-profit organization, they are able to coordinate with shelters who are in dire circumstances and transport the animals to help them find loving homes with families who have open arms and hearts. Helping at risk animals is the mission of Pilots to the Rescue, and learn how the animals do in flight, as they make their way to safety. Their goal for the year 2025 is to save 2,500 animal souls. Listen to this show and feel inspired about how we change the destiny of animals. EPISODE NOTES: Pilots to the Rescue

Penelope Smith, Author of Animal Talk, Interspecies Telepathic Communication, has been lecturing and teaching Animal Communication all over the world for decades. In this episode she explains her deep feelings and understanding of Animal Consciousness. She more conscious than we are about love and life. This is a delightful conversation that will inspire you to open your own heart and mind to the world of Animal Communication. explains that all beings are conscious. They have emotions and make choices and decisions; they have intentions and a purpose in life. We can learn so much from communicating with them about what is important to them, what they think of us, and how they can teach us so much about who we really are. Penelope talks about the cost to humans of having a false dividing line between humans and other animals, how the notion of hierarchy is dangerous because it leads to treating “others” as less than, whether that is different species, different races or genders, it is time to no longer give power to the idea that humans are superior. There is nothing like communicating directly with animals to help us recognize that they are often EPISODE NOTES: Penelope Smith on Animal Consciousness

Healing is in your hands when you learn the art of Tapping, which is like acupuncture without needles. This gentle and friendly technique, called EFT for Emotional Freedom Technique, is loved by most animals and you can learn how to do it yourself to increase the bond and to promote physical, mental and emotional healing. In this episode, Jondi Whitis explains how she uses tapping to bring calm, relieve separation anxiety and help all animals feel better in their bodies and minds. Tapping has no side effects, and you can’t do it wrong, so it is the perfect method to add to your animal-wellness toolbox. Jondi first learned tapping to help herself and other humans, but soon discovered what a powerful method it was for all beings. EPISODE NOTES: Tapping

Nobody wants to think about euthanasia. It is one thing if an animal is ill, suffering, and has reached the end of the possibilities of medical intervention. It is quite another thing to consider putting a physically healthy animal down who has mental illness and behavioral issues that are dangerous to themselves or others. This is a difficult subject to face, but thousands of people live lives of quiet desperation, unable to let their dog interact with others, or not able to easily leave the dog alone. In this episode, Meredith Tollison, Animal Communicator and Behavioral Dog Trainer engages us with a very honest conversation about what happens when an animal and human can’t live together happily, safely and peacefully. It is almost as if some people are trapped with these animals. They feel at the mercy of their concerns about how their animal might react in a variety of situations. While this episode discusses hard-to-face issues, it also is inspirational as Meredith talks about communicating with animals after they have been euthanized and passed into the beyond. Many of these animals did not enjoy life in a body, in a human home, and now feel that they are truly home, safe, calm and ready to connect at a spiritual level. Be brave and listen, you will be glad you did! EPISODE NOTES: Behavioral Euthanasia

Animal Chaplains help people through all stages and phases of their animal’s life. Many times, when people are preparing for the transition, there are so many complex emotions, and you really want to talk to someone who understands the depths of the experience of pet loss. Animal Chaplains are non-denominational and accept people from all faiths, no faiths, and belief systems. Animal Chaplains can help you identify what you need to process this experience, or to create a customized ceremony to celebrate the life of an animal. Animal Chaplains respect the human-animal relationship in all its many phases of love, joy and loss. It is always good to have a plan for transition and Animal Chaplains can walk with you through this experience, so that it may be as beautiful and sacred as possible. Rev. Sarah Bowen is the cofounder of Compassion Consortium, and trains potential Animal Chaplains. Her book Sacred Sendoffs is available online. EPISODE NOTES: What is An Animal Chaplain?

Kate Hawkes was raised in Australia with and by horses! Her father gave her some very wise advice when she was ten years old after a horse “threw her.” He said, “The horse didn’t throw you. You fell off. What were you doing – or not doing – that make the horse knock you off?” The wisdom of recognizing that horses are mirrors for our energy, our behavior, our deeper feelings has helped shape Kate’s healing work with others. The wisdom of horses has inspired Kate to work with many people who are on their healing journey to express their creativity and to truly be themselves. Horses are expert teachers at being true to their own feelings, and because of this, they can clearly see our own selves. Being around healing horses and being truly seen -- can help us to recognize our inner lives and to learn to express ourselves in creative, honest, and joyful ways. EPISODE NOTES: How Horses Inspire Our Creativity

With so many abandoned dogs in shelters, it is easy to lose hope. But for the dogs who do get adopted, lives are changed forever. Not just for the dogs -- but for the people who open their homes and hearts. Katherine Carver is the author and photojournalist of the beautiful book: Abandoned: Chronicling the Journeys of Once Forsaken Dogs which has been endorsed by Jane Goodall. It shows heartfelt photos of dogs left in shelters – sad, lonely, hungry – and then once adopted a follow-up one year later in photos and stories of their happy lives and the joy they have brought to their new families. These inspiring stories of resilience will make you want to run to your shelter and take a little ball of love home! EPISODE NOTES: Abandoned Dogs Give Hope to Many

Spot is a rabbit. But not just your “everyday rabbit.” He is a philosopher who has narrated a book on human-life to his person, Animal Communicator Paloma Baertschi. The book is called “You Set Your Own Limits” and offers much practical wisdom to those of us living in human bodies. This book tells the remarkable story of how Spot insisted that his person needed to learn more before he would speak to her. For two years, he repeated the message that he was a philosopher, and she wasn’t ready to understand what he had to say. Paloma didn’t give up. She refined her understanding and her skills of animal communication, and to this day, the conversation continues. Spot’s partner (the mother of their children) is named Luna. She has her own gifts of communication and is often the expert when animals have to go to the veterinarian, and the causes of illness are not understood. The rabbit Luna telepathically understands what is needed and is often able to help the veterinarian understand what needs to be done to save the animal’s life, even in surgery situations. You will never underestimate Animal Consciousness and wisdom after you listen to this episode. EPISODE NOTES: Down the Rabbit Hole – A Conversation with a Rabbit Named Spot & Paloma Baertschi

When was the last time you had a serious conversation with a Turkey? For Ellie Laks, co-creator of the Gentle Barn, this is a regular occurrence. At her rescue barn, the female turkeys love to cuddle with kids and adults. Looking the person in the eye, they spread their wings, exposing their hearts, and meet people at such a pure and profound level that it often brings tears to their eyes – the human’s eyes! Ellie has been an animal communicator since childhood, and she has had such powerful conversations with her rescue turkeys that it will make your jaw drop and your heart open. These are not just “dumb animals” or meals for holidays. These turkeys have expressed very specific desires and have shown just how truly in service they are to the human race. Ellie Laks is the author of My Gentle Barn and Cow Hug Therapy. For more information visit GentleBarn.org EPISODE NOTES: Talking Turkey with Ellie Laks - The Gentle Barn

If you’ve never been hugged by a cow, you haven’t been fully loved. Ellie Laks, the cofounder of The Gentle Barn rescues farm animals and cows and some of them become therapy cows. Cows are matriarchal, and their priority in life is their family. This might explain some of their compassionate, calm, empathetic, gentle nature. The cows at her barn love to love. And people are transformed by thousands of pounds of mutual tenderness. But Ellie does not just rescue cows. She listens to them. As a natural animal communicator since childhood, Ellie has retained her natural ability to listen to animals, ask them questions, and communicate to them what they want to know. Her examples of conversations with cows will awaken your heart to why these animals have such a deep capacity for comforting others. The insights she has learned about “cow culture” and how they see humans will expand your perception of cows forever. Ellie is the author of Cow Hug Therapy. EPISODE NOTES: Cow Hug Therapy – with Ellie Laks – The Gentle Barn

Debbie McGillivray has been a professional animal communicator for over 25 years. She is the author of three books and has worked with clients across the globe, and with wild animals in sanctuaries. She has learned about the deep wisdom and love that animals who share our lives have for us. Hear about horses who are capable of great forgiveness, animals who have come to both learn and teach us lessons about how to live a gentler, kinder life. We spoke about how most animals know when and how they will transition. And how it can be the greatest gift we can give them to help them transition when their body no longer serves them. Many of the animals currently in Debbie’s life have been with her before, and have come back as a different species, choosing to live a life as a different critter. So many of the stories Debbie tells will uplift you and help you to recognize that the Soul continues. Many animals who have shared our lives and pass on will visit us in subtle ways that we can begin to recognize. EPISODE NOTES: Animal Wisdom and Returning Souls

If you are ever faced with an emergency, are you certain you could call your dog’s name and he or she will instantly return to your side? That is an essential and trainable skill – that can save lives. Lisa Waggoner is an all-positive dog trainer who created a method called Rocket Recall where a dog instantly and happily rushes back to you the moment they hear that cue. She explains why this training is based on a sense of safety and trust, and a deep bond between you and your dog, so that they are motivated to come to you. Find out the major challenges and mistakes and how you can learn to use these joy-affirming methods so you and your dog can feel safe in each other’s presence. EPISODE NOTES: Teaching Your Dog Rocket Recall

Billie Groom has been a canine behavioral consultant and “dogologist” for over 30 years. Looking beyond training methodology, she gets to the core of behavior through understanding canine emotions. Working with her methods of changing how dogs perceive reality, and changing their decisions about how they react to common stressors, she has been able to help thousands of rescue dogs in many countries. As the CEO and founder of the Institute of Canine Psychotherapy she is now dedicated to teaching her methods online with a team of researchers, scientists, and holistic veterinarians. Her goal is to reduce behavioral euthanasia and returns of dogs to shelters by transforming behavior so that humans and dogs can understand each other better and share more harmonious lives. EPISODE NOTES: Canine Cognitive Psychotherapy – Billie Groom

Sometimes mysterious behavior is the result of Soul Loss in an animal. A part of their soul has been separated from them, perhaps due to trauma, complex grief, or extreme reaction to the loss of a human or animal companion. Judy Ramsey is a Shamanic Teacher and Practitioner and professional animal communicator. She helps people and their animals with a Shamanic Journey to help animals who have lost a piece of their soul. Soul loss often results in extreme behaviors, both passive and aggressive, and the inability to have a balanced and happy life. The good news is that it is possible to help an animal get reconnected with their soul, which leads to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual rebalance. Judy tells stories of animals who were suffering physical and emotional pain and had pieces of their soul departed. After the journey to retrieve the missing parts of their souls, they regained their sense of equilibrium and joy in life. EPISODE NOTES: Animal Soul Loss and Retrieval – Judy Ramsey

After being a nurse for thirty years, Karen Thomas followed her childhood dream of creating a sanctuary for dogs with terminal illness. Her goal was to create “the best last days of their lives.” And, since she was an energy healer, and animal communicator, she was able to ask the dog, “What do you want to do today?” Their answers always surprised her and will inspire you. One dog asked for a ride in a golf cart, through the neighborhood, meeting friends and getting a pupsickle. Giving this dog the best day of his life was transformative for her and for the dog. Karen created her non-profit, Payton’s Promise, named after the first dog she took into her sanctuary. Since then, she has healed many dogs by helping them to way outlive their prognosis. For other dogs, whose time had come, she helped them to have the most peaceful transition possible, bringing dignity and sacredness to the process of dying. This is a serious subject, but the stories will bring you joy and fill your heart with the hope of a transformation in how we manage and relate to our beloved canine’s last days, weeks, and longer. EPISODE NOTES: Loving the End of Life

We all have the ability to give healing touch to our animals. Dr. Edward Bassingwaighte, an Australian veterinarian who is both trained in traditional medicine and holistic veterinary medicine explains his method of Whole Energy Body Balance, which he teaches in person and online. His unique perspectives on “Animal’s Invisible Pain” shed light on many mysterious health issues and even behavioral issues that haven’t responded to training. For example, Benny, one big Staffordshire dog he worked with who had severe separation anxiety issues where he destroyed the house, was treated for pain, and four weeks later this behavior disappeared. In this episode we also explore the process of animals and people preparing for transition. He explains how we can release guilt once we understand the “perfect time.” His wisdom on the process of grieving and healing will help many to understand how to prepare to let an animal go and even in time to become ready to love another animal again. You can connect with Dr. Edward at TheHealingVet.com EPISODE NOTES: Healing is in Your Hands

Once in a lifetime, we experience love with an animal unlike any other kind of love. Michelle Slater tells the true story of her soulmate dog, Brady, and how profound their connection was at every level. Anyone who met them could feel it and would say, “He’s your soulmate.” When Brady faced a life-threatening illness leading to kidney failure, Michelle worked with an animal communicator, to guide her through every step of the harrowing medical journey. Michelle always consulted with her dog, Brady, to understand what he wanted and how he felt about continuing treatment. His observations, opinions and desires were clearly communicated, and Brady was a full-partner in the medical decisions and directions Michelle took. He recovered for a year, and when it was time, he fully orchestrated every detail of his passing. This inspiring story shows us how communicating with animals changes our relationship to embrace our Soul Equality. EPISODE NOTES: Soulmate Dog

There is nothing more adorable than kittens playing and cuddling. Have you ever thought about fostering kittens from the shelter? You can help give them love, comfort and security to make them ready for adoption. Shelters are overrun with kittens, and fostering kittens is the only way they will survive. Listen to Kathleen Roscher, a seasoned Kitten Fosterer to learn what you need to do to understand if kitten fostering is right for you. Bringing these little fluffy balls of love and life into your home can be one of the most rewarding things you can do – if you are ready for tiny, furry love. EPISODE NOTES: Fostering Kittens

Using the power of the sound of the human heartbeat combined with lullabies has a remarkable effect on dogs! Terry Woodford, a hit record producer, who worked with the Supremes and all the top bands, created lullabies with human heartbeats. These recordings were tested in neonatal baby cardiac units, and the music restored normal heartbeat in fifteen seconds. Parents with premature babies discovered not only did it reduce crying, but it calmed their dogs also. Terry’s Canine Lullabies are now played in over 4,000 animal shelters and calms whole rows of dogs down in less than two minutes. Calm dogs experience better outcomes in shelters including less kennel cough, less digestive upsets, and more rapid adoptions. These Canine Lullabies relax dogs, children and those will Alzheimer’s. These lullabies help calm dogs with thunder reactivity and other phobias. You will be inspired listening to the power of sound to transform mood, energy and emotions. EPISODE NOTES: Lullabies for Dogs