The Animal That Changed You

Latest Episodes:

Highs & Lows of the Pet Adoption Process with Katya & Jenny Sep 28, 2022

Show notes

Pet adoption is a truly rewarding experience. You're giving a loving home to an animal in need and adding a new family member into your life. But adopting a pet is also a big responsibility and it can come with changes and it might even come with challenges.
In this week's episode, Katya and Jenny explore the resources available to help you through the pet adoption process. One way to make it a smoother journey is to seek out support from a dog trainer or rescue friend, or even from a life coach or counselor who specializes in pet adoption. A little bit of guidance and a lot of understanding - to know you're not in it alone - can go a long way. There is incredible comfort offered when emotional support is given, and during an adjustment period, it means the world. This episode is the beginning of that comfort. And Katya and Jenny are always a DM on Instagram away from giving you even more support. They're there for ya.
So tune in and hear how to prepare for your new pet and hear why it matters to grow your life and your love with a rescue animal.
Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.
Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!
Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Rehabilitating Dogs and Making Difficult Decisions with Saharai Salazar Sep 21, 2022

Show notes

Saharai Salazar is as close to a superhero for animals as it gets. With over 18 years of experience working with canines, Saharai has become a dog rehabilitator, a death row dog advocate, and the go-to person to turn homeless dogs into superstars.

In today’s episode, Saharai shares her story, both professionally and personally, that led her to becoming a shelter dog rehabilitator who works with extreme cases of fear, anxiety, and stress. She tells us about some of the incredible ways the Napa County Animal Shelter functions, and why it’s so important for shelters everywhere to assess their intake and evaluation processes. And Sahari brings up something that has been a common theme for season 2 of The Animal That Changed You: compassion fatigue. We discuss why it’s so important to come together with like-minded people and find a circle of support if you work in the animal welfare space.
This is an insightful, touching episode for animal lovers, especially if you wonder about how to help when the extra challenging. Tune in, get ready to be inspired, and hear about the waves Saharai is making for the dogs nobody else dares to reach. It's about resilience. It's about not giving up. It's about seeing beyond what you see. It's about extending a hand anyway and believing in the good of every living creature.
Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.
Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!
Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Finding the Heart Behind Animal Activism with Moby Sep 14, 2022

Show notes

We have an incredibly special guest on today’s episode of The Animal That Changed You. The one and only Moby joins Jenny and Katya in a most insightful conversation about Moby’s activism, beliefs, and the animals who have changed him.

Moby is a wildly successful musician, producer, singer, and songwriter. He is also one of the most recognizable animal advocates and vegans out there. Hearing him get personal as he shares his stories of childhood is touching. Hearing his perspective on animal cruelty and how human choices can make all the difference is inspiring. Moby is the realest of the real deals and a joy to connect with. He shares how his love for animals developed at a young age, how he takes care of his mental well-being, and how he stays motivated to create when he’s feeling exhausted and frustrated by the reality of animal suffering. If there was a word for him, we'd pick peace. He is peace.

This is a truly epic episode and we feel so lucky to have Moby on our show because to talk with him is to feel, to really feel, the energy of compassion. So tune in and listen and share this episode if you love it as much as we do. Because Moby is one of the most notable animal activists, musicians, and public figures for a reason: he changes minds in a way that'll make you want to sing.
Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.
Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!
Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.)

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Overcoming the Challenges of Running a Non-Profit Animal Transport Organization with Brittnie Battle Sep 07, 2022

Show notes

Does your community need better legislation for animal shelters and rescues? Join us as we welcome Brittnie Battle of Charlie’s Angels Saving Animals (CASA), a 501c3 non-profit rescue transport organization out of Tennessee. CASA brings animals from overcrowded / underfunded local shelters to rescues up in the northeast that don’t have the overpopulation problem that the South has.

In today’s episode, Brittnie talks about the challenges she faces while she's working to push a bill that will help enforce effective oversight of rural shelters in her area. She details the story behind CASA's inception, how CASA operates, and how they’re handling the rapid growth and demand their much-needed efforts bring to the animal welfare world. Brittnie also sheds light on how CASA has learned to create boundaries with shelters, and the discomfort and growth she experiences as they do so.
If you’re interested in proposing legislation to help animals in your state, want to know more about being a rescue partner with CASA, or if you want to get involved with transport (drivers are always needed), tune in to learn how. And thank you, thank you for braving uncomfortable things and growing pains too in order to save animals.
Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.
Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!
Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.)

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Cultivating Compassion and Supporting Animal Welfare Workers with Jessica Dolce Aug 31, 2022

Show notes

Compassion fatigue is a real thing. Especially in the animal welfare industry, especially for those who feel and give with their whole hearts. And it isn’t talked about nearly enough. That's why we’re so excited to have Jessica Dolce here, a compassion fatigue educator and coach with incredible experience and an incredible mission.

In today’s episode, Jessica shares how she got started supporting people struggling with compassion fatigue precisely because of how deeply she had felt it herself. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, reducing stress, and finding satisfaction in your work so that you can make an impact but also be well while you do it. We discuss the complexities of uncertainty and why it’s essential to invest in supportive services for professionals in the animal welfare space so that longevity and overall health aren’t lost along their way.

If you want to learn how you can cultivate more compassion for yourself in the face of difficult situations, if you want to manage how much you care so that you can actually do more to help animals in the long run, then this episode is for you. Tune in as Jessica, Katya and Jenny go deep into a conversation that will bring you closer to your own resilience.
Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.
Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!
Feel free to call ‪(415) 787-3159 to leave a short story about the animal who changed you - we might play yours on our next episode!
Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.)

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Self-Care and Supporting Women in Rescue with Cynthia Sweet Aug 24, 2022

Show notes

Working in animal welfare and animal rescue can be incredibly taxing. Not only is it hard work, but it’s emotionally and mentally draining as well. You’re exposed to upsetting situations that effect both animals and people and it can take a toll on you. You're on call 24/7. So how do rescuers continue doing the important work they do?

Cynthia Sweet, founder of Sweet Paws rescue, a nonprofit in Massachusetts, joins the show today to discuss how the fallout after a pandemic caused an uptick in surrendered animals, how she aims to address the root of the overpopulation problem through teamwork and partnership with other rescue women, and how she strives to find balance. Sweet Paws focuses on supporting animals in two of the poorest counties in Mississippi and Alabama, transporting dogs and cats who don't have a chance locally to their neck of the woods up north where happy homes await. We talk about how different parts of the country experience different issues for animals, how she deals with the sadness of her work, and how she keeps going despite the hardships. It's the good people. It's the good stories. She focuses on those.

If you’re interested in getting involved in the animal rescue scene or perhaps even starting your own, this episode is for you. Tune in and hear Katya, Jenny, and Cynthia laugh and cry as they go over the importance of self-care, compassion, and community support, while remaining aware of intercultural relations and constant need in the world of animal welfare.

Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.
Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!
Feel free to call ‪(415) 787-3159 to leave a short story about the animal who changed you - we might play yours on our next episode!
Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.)

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

The Complicated Street Dog Crisis in Cleveland, Texas Aug 17, 2022

Show notes

Buckle up, friends. Today’s episode is a bumpy ride. Jenny and Katya get deep discussing the trip Jenny took with her board member Megan to Cleveland, Texas. What they witnessed there was upsetting to say the least. Stray dogs. Suffering animals. People in need. We want to take this opportunity to share the experience and talk it out with you in terms of what it means for the community. In terms of how we might be able to help no matter where we are.

It's complicated, the street dog crisis in Cleveland, Texas. Some of the animals are homeless, some dogs have families but are free to roam around and are sadly not in the best shape. But Katya and Jenny debate whether street dogs are better off than shelter dogs - a question that we can’t answer with full certainty as one group struggles openly and another behind bars. The thing is people and pets are always connected - animals need humans but humans also need animals. The dogs of Cleveland, Texas are intertwined with the community, with the people who live there and love them or don't. They carry their stories, they are part of those stories. And how the story will end is up to the support this area gets.

We wrap up this episode by opening the floor to you, by calling out for your ideas. Tune in, chime in, and share your thoughts on what we can do to address the stray dog crisis in Cleveland. Let's help humans and animals anywhere, everywhere, because the truth is their stories aren't separate from ours. It's the same book we're all part of.
Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.
Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!
Feel free to call ‪(415) 787-3159 to leave a short story about the animal who changed you - we might play yours on our next episode!
Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.)

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Want to Help Animals? Here Are a Few Things You Can Do! Aug 10, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to season 2 of The Animal That Changed You! Today, Jenny and Katya are kicking things off with a chat. A chat about you. More specifically, we're talking about how you, a fellow animal lover, can get more involved in the animal welfare space. How you can take action.

In this episode, we cover a wide range of ways big and small that you can make a difference so there’s an option for everyone. From the immediate steps you can take to support animal welfare, like donating, to the more longterm opportunities, like fostering, Katya and Jenny dig into the many possibilities there are for giving back. Even educating the children in your life goes a long way to help animals and is a form of activism. Finally, but of course, we talk about the importance of avoiding animal products to the best of your ability - not eating them, not using them, not exploiting them.

We're so excited for you to tune into this episode and to kick off this season with a bang! Let's share, let's help, let's care, let's love animals together. Let's do something about it.
Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.
Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!
Feel free to call ‪(415) 787-3159 to leave a short story about the animal who changed you - we might play yours on our next episode!
Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.)

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Celebrating Our Growth from Season 1 and Where We’re Heading Next Aug 03, 2022

Show notes

Can you believe that season 1 of The Animal That Changed You is officially coming to a close? In today’s final episode, I’m taking you on a walk through memory lane as we recap our growth across 52 episodes! You guys, I couldn't have done this without you. I mean it.

So I hope you'll join me in reminiscing on the many topics we've covered throughout our first season together and then we'll dig into some of the changes we've got coming for season 2! I'm thrilled that Jenny Franz will become my cohost as of next week so we can focus on activism both big and small, how our mindset affects animals, and how we can support animal rescuers who are doing the heavy lifting. Thanks for being here as we say goodbye in this short and sweet episode. Thanks for being the greatest community animals (and the people who love them) have ever had. See you next week with Jenny as we ramp up for a new season of The Animal That Changed You! We've got so much goodness in store for you.
Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.
Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!
Feel free to call ‪(415) 787-3159 to leave a short story about the animal who changed you - we might play yours on our next episode!
Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.)

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

The Power of Vision Work, Healing, and Dogs with Kristen McGuiness Jul 27, 2022

Show notes

I’m so excited to introduce you to my guest today! Kristen McGuiness is an animal lover, best-selling author, publisher, teacher, and the founder of Rise Writers. She is also my friend as well as someone I am lucky enough to collaborate and work with.

In this convo, Kristen talks about the intuition she taps into whenever she's around animals. She opens up about dabbling in shamanic practice, her experience with energy medicine, and the centering vision work she does when it comes to animals and writing. (My two favorite subjects!) Then of course we dive into the animal who changed her, Peter, and how he has significantly influenced her, and not only because he's the hottest rescue dog on the planet. It's captivating to hear Kristen share stories about her childhood, talk openly about her dad, and reveal some of the ways his energy has remained in her life.
This is an incredibly inspirational conversation about the spirit of animals and the healing that can be found when you write about what matters most to you. Hope you enjoy it, hope you then write something, hope you then snuggle an animal who needs you.
Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.
Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!
Feel free to call ‪(415) 787-3159 to leave a short story about the animal who changed you - we might play yours on our next episode!
Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.)

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.