The Human-Animal Connection - Pet Life Radio Original

Toby was an adopted rescue who was fear-reactive and couldn’t be left at home without leaving a trail of destruction. He destroyed twelve toilet lids! Author Charmaine Hammond brought in an animal behavioralist who told her Toby needed a job. After passing his Therapy Dog Test, Toby became a wonderful ambassador of healing for all he met. He had a five-year career visiting a psychiatric hospital where he met each patient as a unique individual, giving them complete attention and knowing how to engage differently with each one. Then we went on to visit schools and inspired young children to...

Melisa Pearce is a lifelong horsewoman and the founder of Touched By a Horse. She is the creator of the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method. Over the last three decades, she has coached and helped others through her private psychotherapy practice and partnership with horses. She developed her unique method of combining Gestalt with her horses in Gestalt sessions beginning in the 1980s. This episode is filled with inspiring and heart-warming stories of how specifically horses can be our partners in healing. She speaks about horses who read us immediately – knowing whether we war in our head or our hearts, horses th...

Liz Murdoch is a renowned animal communicator recommended by holistic veterinarians to help people understand “when it is time” -- and also when the animal needs a little more time. In many cases, Liz hears from the animal that there is something small that the animal needs to feel complete and ready to let go of the body. Her heart-warming stories of hearing from dogs and cats who are both ready, and some who are not quite ready, tell her about what they need in the final hours, days, or sometimes months.

I ask Liz, “What is it like f...

Dr. Deva Khalsa brings over forty years of veterinary expertise to the table, witnessing a concerning rise in allergies among dogs and cats. Trained in homeopathy, acupuncture, and holistic healing, she integrates the best practices from these disciplines. As a respected global lecturer and author of Natural Dog – Holistic Therapies, Nutrition, and Recipes for Healthier Dogs, (and several other books) Dr. Khalsa delves deep into the root causes of animal allergies, challenging common assumptions. In this enlightening episode, she explores how allergies go beyond mere food sensitivities, delving into DNA disruptions that trigger inflammation and allergic reactions.

Dr. Kh...

It is wonderful to share our lives with animals. But sometimes they can get bored, or stressed with having to fit into our human world. How can we address their needs to help them be more themselves? Animal Chaplain Shel Graves, a dog trainer and cat behavior specialist who has worked in rescue for years, explains simple things you can do to give your animals a greater sense of choice, which increases their well-being by reducing boredom. Animals can get frustrated, anxious, and fearful just like us. Helping them by providing small opportunities to do more of their “natural behaviors” can...

Dogs share our lives, and we do our best to take care of their needs. But we may have overlooked some of the needs that individual dogs may have. Is your dog getting the enrichment they need? There are five types of enrichment that may benefit your dog, no matter their age. They are: physical, social, nutritional, occupational, and sensory stimulation. Many overlap, so if you are doing sensory stimulation games, chances are you are also engaging other parts of their brain and emotions. Just like humans, we can get into trouble if we are bored.

Many undesirable...

We love the animals who share our lives so much that it can be very painful to watch them go through the degenerative processes of aging. They used to run, jump, and play, and easily jump up to cuddle on the bed. Now, they may be doing none of those things. We wonder if they are in pain or suffering, if they need pain medications or other therapies. And, of course, we wonder if we are doing the right things, or enough things, to improve the quality of their daily lives. The amount of time, energy, and focus required to...

Can you imagine running an open-admissions city municipal shelter that has over 500 dogs in a facility built for 235 dogs? That is the job that Steve Kozachik has – Director of Animal Services at PACC, Pima Animal Care Center. And did I mention that there are currently 800 dogs in foster care? And there are 600 cats in foster care. That’s a lot to manage! Hear some of Steve’s hopes, dreams, and frustrations with the situation at this – and many national shelters. The system may be broken, but some small changes are making a huge difference in the lives of shelter animals. Little p...

Dogs are communicating all the time – it is just that we don’t always know what they are saying. Dog Trainer Jesse Sternberg, author of Enlightened Dog Training, has some radical ideas about what dogs need from us and how we can get into sync with each other. First, he doesn’t focus on “trying to get dogs to behave a certain way.” He focuses on what emotion the dog is feeling, which is what drives behavior. Understanding how dogs confront and then can instantly calm each other can go a long way toward creating harmony in the household. Jesse talks abou...

If you aspire to learn Animal Communication or improve your ability to receive clear and accurate messages, you want to listen to this episode. Paloma Baertchi has been teaching Animal Communication for over twenty years, and she has noticed there are certain blocks that keep us from doing our best at receiving messages from animals. In this episode, she explains in clear and simple terms how to overcome these blocks of self-doubt, being in your head, and pressure to get results. She explains that the secret to effective animal communication is to cultivate the heart space where animals live. Paloma...

Some cats cry incessantly, leaving owners worried and frustrated. As a shelter volunteer, I've witnessed owners surrendering their pets out of desperation. But there's hope! Tapas Fleming, a pioneer in Energy Psychology with over 30 years of experience in Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT), explains that crying in cats can often be resolved. Many are sensitive to negative energy patterns, which can cause distress. In this episode, Tapas shares transformative stories of animals whose lives improved after removing these energy blocks. Plus, she works with my dog, Sophia, tackling her physical and behavioral issues. Witness Sophia's relief after just one session addressing...

Discover the extraordinary tale of Doc Key, once a slave, who trained the most intelligent horse in history – Beautiful Jim Key. Under the gentle guidance of Doc Key, Jim Key learned the alphabet, spelling, basic math, and a myriad of tricks that captivated millions at World’s Fairs. But beyond his feats, Doc Key forged a profound bond with his horse, Jim Key, enabling them to communicate deeply and mesmerize audiences of all ages. Their partnership inspired three million children to sign a kindness pledge to all animals. Jim Key was a trailblazer in the burgeoning anti-cruelty movement. Donna Janell Bowm...

Ellie Laks from The Gentle Barn and I share some of our favorite, joyful, inspiring stories about communicating with animals and discovering their rich inner lives. We don’t always realize how multi-dimensional their worlds can be. In this episode, a horse named Whisper who, has gone on to the Rainbow Bridge “appeared” – literally as a shadow that kept crossing the room (you can see this on the YouTube video podcast) – until Ellie told Whisper’s very moving story of healing and transformation. I tell a story about my cat Wolfie, who told me when it was time to pass – the exact day...

TRAK which is Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids brings people of all ages together with animals for fun, comfort, healing, and education. They have four Therapy Donkeys who help kids who might be afraid of larger horses experience a taste of gentleness with a four-legged equine. They have goats, chickens, bunnies, mini horses and of course, retired racehorses for riding lessons. They have seen the transformative power of children of all abilities and adults working with animals to gain more confidence, more understanding of their own emotions – and how animals react to their emotional states. Interacting with animals is ve...

Does your animal have a choice about what they do or don’t do? Retired psychology Professor, Deborah Jones has been training dogs for over three decades and has developed a philosophy and method she calls Cooperative Care. This method is about giving dogs choices whenever possible during training and in daily interactions. Although there will always be situations where the dog has no choice (such as being examined at the vet’s office!), but we can best prepare dogs for this experience by finding and training situations where they can let us know how they are feeling. By paying atte...

Jordan Sucato is a sixteen-year-old high school student with her own non-profit organization. She has raised over ten thousand dollars (of her twenty-thousand-dollar goal) to provide booties for dogs who share their lives with homeless folks. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where summer temperatures can go to 120 degrees, making the pavement 140 degrees. Many dogs who share their lives with homeless families will walk several miles a day in the hot sun. Jordan loves all animals, and her life has found a total sense of purpose with her mission to provide booties for dogs who are living on the streets with...

This week on The Human Animal Connection, host Genie Joseph welcomes Jesse Sternberg, author of Enlightened Dog Training, for a thoughtful conversation about creating peace and harmony in our relationships with dogs. Drawing from decades of experience—including his early days running a doggie daycare—Jessie shares his deep understanding of pack dynamics, canine communication, and how mindful, non-coercive training techniques can transform the way we live with and care for our pets. Genie and Jessie explore the energetic influences of group settings, the subtle art of interspecies connection, and how embracing new, enlightened approaches can lead to more joyful, bala...

Discover the enchanting world of donkeys with Ellie Laks, the co-founder of The Gentle Barn, as she unveils the hidden depths of these gentle creatures. Often misunderstood, donkeys are not only kind and empathic but also surprisingly playful and soulful members of the zebra family. Ellie shares heartwarming tales of the therapy donkeys at The Gentle Barn, revealing how they effortlessly connect with humans in profound ways beyond words. Unlike many animals that resist newcomers, donkeys and cows welcome strangers with open hearts, treating them like long-lost family members. Despite enduring myths of stubbornness, Ellie's stories shatter these misconceptions, showcasing...

For thousands of years, donkeys have walked beside us—carrying our burdens, plowing our fields, and offering quiet companionship in times of peace, war, and hardship. These remarkable beings are far more than beasts of burden; they are deeply intelligent, profoundly social, and, perhaps most importantly, natural healers. Their gentle, steady presence is exactly what the world needs right now.

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Suzanne Velasquez, Director of Forever Home Donkey Rescue and Sanctuary, a 30-acre safe haven in Benson, Arizona, where over 30 rescued donkeys roam freely, at last experiencing the love and kindness th...

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 th...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 lo...

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 t...

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...

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. Sh...

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...

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 natu...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 beh...

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, opinio...

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 re...

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 ex...

When we have dogs inside our homes, we give them so much love and care. But we also take something important away from them – the feeling of autonomy, the ability to make decisions that impact their life. We control what they eat, what they do and when they do it. This has a price in their quality of life and can lead to boredom and behaviors we don’t appreciate. Bryndan Golya, CDBC, is a certified dog behavior consultant, through IAABC. He is the owner of OC Canine Coaching. His programs focus on solutions to behavior issues using reward-based methodology. He e...

Energy Healing can reach places that haven’t responded to traditional medical methods. Carol Komitor is the creator of Healing Touch for Animals, a systematic method to reverse illness and trauma. Since 1996 she and her team have worked with over 15,000 people and their pets. This method is safe, gentle and works with the body’s natural healing wisdom. Carol reveals how working with trauma means repairing the leaks in the energy field that keep both people and animals in the “fight-flight-or freeze” state. Repairing the energy field allows the body to heal more rapidly, because the person or animal is not losi...

Is commercial dog food making your dog sick? Find out why and what you can do about it! Michele Broderick, the daughter of famous veterinarian Dr. R. Geoffrey Broderick, explains how her father began in intense study into why animals were not healing – and fifty years ago began researching the value of organic foods and essential nutrients. His company Cornucopia Pet Foods makes 100% organic dog food that is helping dogs to thrive and live long and healthy lives. Dr. Broderick uses only human-grade food and asks the question, “Why would we ever want to feed our beloved pets foods that we w...

An End-of-Life Doula for all animals, speaks about her journey with helping horses as they prepare for death. By preparing the horse for what is coming and how it will be, it allows others in the herd to say goodbye and for the horse to leave with peace and calm. Hear the stories of helping horses transition from this world to the next with Karen Koehler, who is a Pet Loss Grief specialist and animal chaplain. This podcast deals with the reality of death in a sweet, gentle, and poignant way that helps humans and their horses be better prepared...

Have you ever wondered what horses are feeling or thinking? Energy Healer and Animal Communicator, Adele Kristiansson works with world-championship horses to help understand what they need and why they are behaving the way they are. Working in partnership with trainers and owners, she has received and given life-saving insights “straight from the horse’s mouth.” Discover how horses communicate telepathically with each other, and over great distances. And how one horse will help reveal what another horse needs to thrive. When we work in partnership with horses, and listen to what they have to say, everything good happens.

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Three expert animal communicators tell their stories of communicating with animals who have passed. Yes! It is possible to remain connected beyond death. And some of their helper animals joined us during the podcast to add their thoughts and feelings to our conversation about communicating “beyond the beyond.” Listen to this informative and heartfelt warming episode as Karen, Julie and Meredith from the Animal Communication Collective speak about their journey to become professional animal communicators and how their helper animals guide them and offer insight in every reading they do.

EPISODE NOTES: Communicating with Animals Who Have...

Paloma Baerschi has been an Animal Communicator since 2001. She lives in Switzerland – and her stories of communicating with animals are nothing short of extraordinary. In this episode she talks about how she taught shelter dogs to envision their perfect life, with the perfect human. They sent their messages “out into the ether” – and some humans felt an unmistakable call to drive many miles, crossing several countries, to find their “Soul Dog.” Paloma tells how she found “her” dog this way and how you can learn to not miss these subtle messages from the dog who is waiting for you!

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