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 alleviate many behavior issues.

She explains how you can create novelty in their life with just simple things you can do at home. And as an animal chaplain, she acknowledges that our lives with our animals are always far too short. What we can do is meditate with our animals or have special times where our attention is just on them. This sacred bonding time is something we will never forget, making every minute we have together peaceful and delightful. Shel Graves does consultations online and in person.

EPISODE NOTES: How to Have a Happier Life with Dogs and Cats

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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 behaviors in dogs may be a result of under stimulation in one or more of these five domains. Understanding your dog’s wants, needs, and temperament can help you both have happier, more connected, and fulfilled lives together. You don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy toys, training classes, or wild experiences. Sol Dog Training Program Manager, Kim Stoll, explains how simple objects around your house can be great enrichment opportunities. And when you engage a dog’s nose in any game, you are helping balance their minds and their energy.

EPISODE NOTES: The Five Types of Dog Enrichment – and Why They Work

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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 care for a dog that no longer has normal mobility can be draining and demoralizing at times. They may be unable to maintain their potty-training habits.

These changes, which may be sudden or gradual, can produce compassion fatigue, and people who have not experienced this level of care for an animal may not understand what we are going through. Mobility is directly related to the quality of life, and in many cases, we humans can help, everything from specific exercises to simple household adaptations. Kate Titus is the founder and director of A Loyal Companion, which offers hydrotherapy, wheelchair fitting for paralyzed dogs, and helps their owners make simple changes to accommodate aging dogs' mobility issues. She is the author of From Emotion to Motion.

EPISODE NOTES: Oh, the Guilt! Caring for Very Senior Dogs

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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 programs like read to the dogs, take a dog overnight for a pajama party, take a dog out for lunch – a burger, an ice-cream, or a hike in the mountains. Hear some hard truths, but also some exciting possible ideas to improve the quality of life for all shelter animals.

EPISODE NOTES: A Shelter Director Speaks

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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 about how dogs need structure to make the right choices. How can we create a peaceful, calm experience that dogs will respect and model? That is what his soulful method is all about. Dogs want to respect us, and using fear is not the way to gain their respect. We gain their respect by being a calm, peaceful leader who allows them to look to us for a sense of safety and order. If you are ready to explore this exciting, gentle method, you will love this episode. You can reach Jesse Sternberg at PeacefulAlpha.com and get the first chapter of his new book for free.

EPISODE NOTES: The Forbidden Angle – What Dog’s Know About Confrontation

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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 offers two simple exercises that will immediately help you to connect more accurately and deeply with the animals in your life. Telling stories about her own journey with communicating with her rabbit named Spot, she inspires you to realize you can do this! It is only natural to communicate with animals.

EPISODE NOTES: The Three Blocks to Animal Communication with Paloma Baertschi

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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 energetic disruptions. Curious if your pet is affected by similar disturbances? Don't miss this enlightening episode.

EPISODE NOTES: Why is My Cat Crying?

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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 Bowman's book, Step Right Up, celebrates their story, resonating with readers of all ages. Illustrated beautifully by Daniel Minter, this inspiring tale is a staple in our

EPISODE NOTES: The Smartest Horse: Beautiful Jim Key

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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 and time. When you open the door to animal communication, you enter a rich and delightful world that opens our eyes in so many ways. These heartwarming stories will inspire you go deeper in all your interactions with animals. And they will love you even more for joining them on this delightful journey.

EPISODE NOTES: Whispers from the Rainbow Bridge: Animal Messages of Love

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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 very grounding for children and helps them connect to their senses. TRAK also has senior animals there who live out there days in peace and companionship with animals and the people who love them.

EPISODE NOTES: Animals Help Kids Find Their Gentleness

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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 attention to the way they are communicating with us, we can observe and correctly interpret their feelings — are they comfortable in this situation? What is bothering them? Are they tired? Are they reacting to our tension or agenda? We can greatly improve all situations for the animals who share our lives when we respect their feelings and provide opportunities for them to choose pace, duration and timing.

EPISODE NOTES: Animals Have Feelings Too

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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 their people. The stories of love and joy she tells will delight and inspire you. She tells students her age, “Don’t let anything stop you from your dream of helping animals.”

EPISODE NOTES: Teen Gives Booties to Homeless Doggies

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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, balanced lives for both humans and dogs. If you're curious about expanding your bond with your dog using compassionate, consciousness-based methods, this episode is not to be missed.

EPISODE NOTES: Enlightened Dog Training: Peaceful Solutions for a Harmonious Pack

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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 donkeys' true nature as peaceful, wise animals that prioritize safety and embody healthy boundaries. Join us for an inspiring journey into the world of donkeys, where their warm gazes and serene presence can settle spirits and touch something deep within ourselves.

EPISODE NOTES: Donkeys are the REAL Unicorns

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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 they deserve.

Yet, the story of donkeys is not always one of kindness. Too often, they have been misunderstood, mistreated, and unfairly judged. But if you take the time to truly see them—to look into their soulful eyes—you’ll understand the truth: donkeys are extraordinary. Their ability to sense human emotions and offer comfort as therapy animals is nothing short of life-changing. Therapy donkeys can be our partners in healing. With their deep sensitivity and unshakable calm, they have an innate ability to guide people toward safety—both physically and emotionally. For those who have endured suffering and trauma, simply standing in their presence can be transformative. Donkeys show us what it means to trust, to heal, and to find peace.

This World Donkey Day, we invite you to celebrate with us. Join The Human-Animal Connection and Forever Home Donkey Rescue in honoring and protecting these incredible animals. These stories of resilience, love, and healing will stay with you long after you’ve listened. Tune in and let the magic of donkeys touch your heart.

EPISODE NOTES: Forever Love with Donkeys

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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