In episode 15 of Season 2 I had an enlightening conversation with Jess Adam, a licensed professional counselor and a professor of counseling psychology, who specializes in integrating mental health support into the dog training industry.

Jess shares her insights on the essential role of emotional well-being for dog trainers, explaining how mental health impacts their work and the animals they train.

In this episode, Jess offers practical advice for managing stress and avoiding burnout, aiming to support both dog trainers and owners in their respective journeys. Whether you're facing challenges in training or caring for your dog, discover strategies to enhance your mental resilience and foster a healthier relationship with your canine companions.

--

Want to support or work with Jess?

handlersandhumans.com

IG - @handlersandhumans

Facebook - Handlers and Humans

In Season 2, Episode 14 of  we delve into the Agnieszka Janarek's  journey of Tromplo's creation and its founder's challenges in the realm of mental health. Initially, Tromplo operated on Facebook, where she  connected with dog trainers and enthusiasts, but soon realized the limitations of social media for business. Evolving from a Facebook group, Tromplo was formally launched in 2019 as a platform for animal training, emphasizing science-based methods like Applied Behavior Analysis. 
This episode explores  Agnieszka's vision of Tromplo, the challenges of running it single-handedly for two years, and the pivotal decision to invite colleagues to join and contribute to this growing project.

The discussion also touches on the mental health aspects of managing a growing business. Agnieszka shares personal experiences of handling the stress of business growth, the importance of setting boundaries, and learning to delegate tasks. Together we take a deep dive into the complexities of transforming a passion into a successful business, the mental resilience required, and the journey from being a solo entrepreneur to building a team.
The conversation extends beyond Tromplo, offering insights into the importance of self-care, managing work-life balance, and the need to occasionally step back and reassess for sustainable growth and mental well-being.
---
What to support Agnieszka?
tromplo.com
Follow Agnieszka on IG- @agnieszkajanarektrainer
Follow Agnieszka on TikTok- @agnieszkajanarek
Follow Tromplo on YouTube- @tromplo

In Season 2, Episode 13  we invite Jaime and John Caponetta from Pawsome University whose lives revolve around their love for dogs and each other. 
Their paths crossed in a fairytale-like moment at an animal shelter, leading to both a professional and romantic partnership. Together, they navigated challenges from workplace dynamics to personal tragedies, like the loss of their beloved dog, Opal, showcasing resilience and the power of partnership.

The episode dives into their entrepreneurial journey, discussing the genesis and growth of their businesses. They touch upon the challenges of scaling their venture, integrating technology, and catering to the needs of reactive or fearful dogs.
Their story is not just about building a successful business but also about personal growth, mental health, and the balance between professional and personal life. It's an inspiring tale of following one's passion, the importance of teamwork in relationships, and the unbreakable bond with our canine companions.
---
Want to support Jamie & John?
Follow on IG- @pawsomeuniversity + @jaimethedogtrainer
Follow on YouTube- @pawsomeuniversity
Listen to their podcast- The Podcast For Dog People
Take 15% off their Advanced Pet First Aid & CPR Online Course
--

If you are new to The Leashed Mind Podcast, Mental Health & Dog Training then please don't forget to like, follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
@theleashedmind on Instagram
@theleashedmind.pod on Facebook
@theleashedmind on YouTube

In episode 12 of season 2, host Mandy Boutelle engages in an insightful conversation with Colleen Pelar, a veteran dog trainer and an expert in combating burnout and compassion fatigue among pet professionals. Colleen recounts her journey, which began in dog training in 1991, leading up to her current focus on mental health for pet professionals. She opens up about the personal challenges that catalyzed a reevaluation of her work-life balance, and how these experiences shaped her approach to ...

In Episode 11 host Mandy Boutelle engages in a profound dialogue with Karishma Warr from Calm Canine Academy. This episode, rich with personal anecdotes and shared experiences, delves into the intricacies of dog training, mental health, and personal growth. Mandy and Karishma explore the significance of positive reinforcement, empathy, and acknowledging neurodiversity in dog training, while Karishma opens up about their own journey, highlighting the impact of trauma and the essential role of ...

In Episode 10 of Season 2, your host Mandy Boutelle engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Tressa Fessenden-McKenzie, a seasoned professional in the dog training and shelter world. As Tressa shares her journey, listeners are taken through her transformation from a Petco trainer to her pivotal role as the former Behavior and Training Manager at East Bay SPCA in Oakland, California. After we recorded this episode during summer of 2023 Tressa moved onto helping more dogs and is now the...

In the 9th episode of Season 2, host Mandy Boutelle invites Molly Kelsey, the founder of the Cat Counsellor in Auckland, New Zealand, for a deep dive into cat behavior consultation. Molly shares her intriguing transition from a veterinary nurse to a cat behavior specialist, sparked by her experiences with a unique foster kitten. She emphasizes the criticality of recognizing and catering to each cat's individual needs, advocating for education-driven solutions over blanket approaches.Molly ope...

In Episode 8 of Season 2 your host Mandy Boutelle has a fun and inspiring conversation with Hannah Branigan is an enlightening journey through the challenges and triumphs of being neurodivergent in the dog training business world. Hannah, known for her podcast "Drinking From the Toilet," shares her unique perspective on navigating business ownership while managing neurodiversity. We delve into topics like burnout prevention, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the importance of finding effectiv...

In Episode 7 of Season2, your host Mandy Boutelle engages in a profound conversation with Lorenzo Fox, lead trainer at Synergy Veterinary Behavior in Portland, Oregon. Lorenzo shares his unique journey in the world of positive dog training, delving into his work with animals, particularly dogs with complex behavior issues. His discussion highlights the significance of understanding the underlying causes of animal behaviors, such as undiagnosed physical pain or illness, and underscores the cru...

In Episode 6 of Season 2 your host Mandy Boutelle engages in an enlightening conversation with Andre Yeu from When Hounds Fly. Andre, a seasoned dog trainer, shares the remarkable journey of growing his business to five locations across two cities, managing a team of 10 full-time and 12 part-time employees. His ability to sustain passion, professionalism, and care for his clients, himself, and his team is nothing short of inspiring. This episode is packed with valuable insights from a tr...

In Episode 5 of Season 2 your host Mandy Boutelle welcomes Hayley Martinez from Nakama Dog Training. Haley shares her remarkable journey from launching a pet-sitting business at 15 to evolving into a professional dog trainer. Her specialty lies in addressing aggression, anxiety, and fear-related issues in dogs, a field demanding both skill and empathy. Haley candidly discusses her shift from balanced, compulsion-based training methods to a more humane, force-free, reward-based approach, under...

In Episode 4 of season 2, your host Mandy Boutelle welcomes Sarah Stremming, a renowned dog behavior consultant and podcaster. Their conversation revolves around Sarah's holistic approach to dog training and her personal journey, highlighting how she navigated the challenges of the pandemic. Sarah shares her experiences and coping strategies, emphasizing the importance of mental wellness and self-care, especially in demanding times. This episode delves into the evolution of Sarah's...

In Season 2, Episode 3 your host Mandy Boutelle invites Erin Marion, a certified professional dog trainer specializing in working with deaf, blind, and disabled dogs, for a heartwarming conversation. Erin, a close friend of Mandy's, delves into her transition from running a dog hiking business to passionately training special needs dogs. She shares the rewards and challenges of her unique profession, emphasizing the emotional toll it takes, including coping with burnout and mental health stru...

In Episode 2 of Season 2 your host Mandy Boutelle welcomes Mikkel Becker from Fear Free Pets for a compelling discussion that continues the themes explored in the previous episode with Karen Chapdelaine. The conversation delves into the evolving landscape of the dog training industry, shedding light on its transition from a competitive to a more collaborative environment, especially post-2020. Mandy and Mikkel tackle the crucial topic of mental health support (or the lack thereof) in do...

Season 2, Episode 1, your host Mandy Boutelle engages in a heartfelt conversation with Karen Chapdelaine, a renowned dog trainer known for her empathetic approach. Karen, shares her unique journey in the dog training world, highlighting the importance of showcasing both triumphs and challenges. This episode delves into the refreshingly honest perspective of normalizing the struggles and flaws inherent in dog training, offering a sense of solidarity and reassurance to listeners. Mandy and...

Welcome back to The Leashed Mind Podcast, Mental Health & Dog Training! We are BACK in action for Season 2, which is kicking off on January 2nd, 2024. Join host Mandy Boutelle as we embark on the second season of the Leash Mind podcast, where the worlds of dog training and mental health intersect. This season promises engaging and thought-provoking discussions tailored for dog care professionals and enthusiasts alike.What to Expect:+Insightful conversations with industry experts, explorin...

In this season finale, Mandy takes a step back to appreciate how far the podcast has come since the debut on April 4th, and dive into some profound lessons learned along the way. Join your host for this intimate one-on-one session where she shares 10 key things she wish she knew earlier as both a pet professional and business owner.This episode is a deep dive into the wisdom gleaned from our experiences. Mandy highlights aspects often overlooked in training courses and mentorships, but crucia...

A quick note - there are brief mentions of euthanasia and suicide. In our second-to-last episode Mandy is joined by Annie Phenix, the founder of The Official Midnight Dog Walkers Club, Facebook group - a vibrant community dedicated to owners and trainers of reactive and aggressive dogs. Our conversation goes further into Annie’s journey of establishing the Phenix Advocacy Center, aimed at prioritizing self-care amongst R+ pet professionals and forming a much-needed dialogue on these cri...

A quick note - we do discuss the sensitive subject of behavioral euthanasia and euthanasia in general extensively in this episode. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of animal shelter work and behavior training with, Ashley Devine from Mannered Misfits. Ashley offers an invaluable perspective from their six-year stint working in an animal shelter and their experience in the shelter's behavioral program. Their commitment to prioritizing mental health and creating a balance led t...

In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of success and its complex relationship with comparison. Mandy shares her own unique perspectives on success and offers a fresh perspective, emphasizing that success isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. She dismantles the societal stereotype that success is solely tied to income, number of clients, or constant busyness. She encourages listeners to reframe their definition of success to encompass personal joy, life balance, and resilience in the fac...