Soul Touched by Dogs

Adam Spencer - Furlanthropy: A New Model for Helping Pets in Crisis

When Love Meets Innovation: Helping Pets Get the Care They DeserveSome dogs simply arrive one day… and change everything.In this episode of Soul Touched by Dogs, I’m joined by Adam Spencer, founder of Furlanthropy — an innovative nonprofit that’s reimagining how pet parents can access life-saving veterinary care when money stands in the way.Adam’s journey into animal welfare didn’t begin with a lifelong love of dogs. In fact, it started with reluctance… and a rescue dog named Hazelnut who quietly cracked his heart wide open.What followed was the creation of the first nonprofit-owned crowdfunding platform designed specifically for pets — one that protects donors, supports veterinarians, and keeps families together during their most vulnerable moments.This is a conversation about compassion, dignity, and what becomes possible when we stop accepting “that’s just how it is.”🐾 Key Takeaways🐾 The truth behind “I can’t afford treatment”Why financial barriers are now one of the leading reasons pets don’t receive care — and how this crisis is quietly growing.🐾 The one basic secret of ethical crowdfundingHow trust, verification, and transparency change everything for donors, vets, and pet parents alike.🐾 Why even loving, responsible guardians get stuck:  How rising veterinary costs and debt traps leave families with impossible choices — and why this isn’t a personal failure.🐾 How a single rescue dog can ripple outward:Hazelnut’s story — and how one soul-deep connection inspired help for hundreds of pets across the country.🐾 The overlooked support system behind the scenes: Why veterinarians are often carrying emotional and financial burdens we rarely talk about — and why they matter here too.💬 Favourite Quote“When you touch someone’s heart, you don’t have to convince them to care.”00:00 Introduction to the Soul Touched by Dogs Podcast00:24 Meet Adam and His Journey with Furlanthropy01:40 The Heartwarming Story of Adopting Hazelnut06:25 The Birth of Furlanthropy: A Mission to Help Pets09:37 Challenges in Pet Care and the Role of Furlanthropy14:28 How Furlanthropy Operates and Its Impact17:54 Fundraising Tips and Reaching Potential Donors28:11 How Furlanthropy Supports Various Pet Needs30:45 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsAbout the Guest: Adam SpencerAdam Spencer is the Founder and President of Furlanthropy, an innovative nonprofit charity created to help pet parents raise funds for veterinary expenses — from emergency surgeries to long-term treatment and recovery.With over 20 years of experience as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Adam has raised millions of dollars for causes close to the heart. Furlanthropy was inspired by the rescue of his dog Hazelnut — a moment that transformed Adam’s life and redirected his professional mission toward animal welfare.Adam is a passionate advocate for ethical giving, transparency in fundraising, and innovative solutions that keep pets with the people who love them.He lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with his wife Erica, their five children, and two rescue dogs — enjoying pickleball, e-bike rides, and imported lobster rolls.🔗 Connect with Adam & FurlanthropyWebsite: https://www.furlanthropy.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/furlanthropycharityInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/furlanthropycharityAs always, to find out all about Soul Touched by Dogs, go to👉 https://soultouchedbydogs.com

Miranda Wimbush - Dogs as Mirrors: Healing at the Human End of the Leash

What if your dog’s behaviour isn’t something to fix… but something to listen to?In this beautifully grounding conversation, I’m joined by Miranda Wimbush, founder of The Mindful Canine, to explore what becomes possible when we slow down, soften our nervous systems, and reconnect with the wisdom that lives beneath the noise.Miranda brings together science, intuition, and embodied awareness in a way that feels both practical and profound. We talk about dogs as mirrors, grief as an initiator, and why true change so often begins at the human end of the leash.This is an episode for dog guardians and professionals who feel the pull toward a quieter, more connected way of being with their dogs - and with themselves.🐾 Key TakeawaysThe truth behind “fixing the dog”Why behaviour often shifts when the human nervous system finds regulation first.The one basic secret of intuitive connectionSlowing down enough to feel - not analyse - what’s happening between you and your dog.Why most well-meaning dog guardians are exhaustedAnd how emotional release can restore capacity, clarity, and compassion.How a simple heart-centred practice can change everythingFrom daily stress… to how safe and supported your dog feels with you.The often-overlooked cost of caring deeplyEspecially for pet professionals, and why boundaries and self-connection matter more than technique.💬 Favourite Quote“When we release some of what we’re carrying, our dogs don’t just feel it, they soften with us.”00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:24 Welcoming Miranda Rubush00:54 Miranda's Background and Business02:33 The Shift to Focusing on Dog Owners04:26 Personal Journey and Emotional Healing05:45 Intuitive Connection and Energy Healing07:03 Impact of COVID on Dog Owners08:36 Challenges Faced by Dog Professionals11:45 Meditation and Visualization Techniques16:08 Emotional Connection with Dogs23:40 Conclusion and Resources🌿 About the Guest – Miranda WimbushMiranda Wimbush is the founder of The Mindful Canine, where she supports dog guardians and pet professionals through holistic canine coaching and intuitive healing.With a background as a certified professional dog trainer, veterinary technician, and HeartMath Certified Mentor, Miranda bridges practical, science-based understanding with deep inner work. Her approach helps people regulate their nervous systems, heal unconscious patterns, and reconnect with their own inner wisdom — so their dogs don’t have to carry what isn’t theirs.Miranda’s work is especially powerful for pet professionals experiencing burnout or compassion fatigue, offering a heart-centred path toward sustainability, clarity, and trust — on both ends of the leash.🔗 Connect with Miranda🌐 Website: https://www.mindfulcanine.ca🎁 Free Workshop + Call: Deepening Your Intuitive Connection Workshop & Call(A beautiful entry point into Miranda’s work and lived experience of intuitive connection)https://program.mindfulcanine.ca/intuitiveUse code FREEBIEAs always, to find out all about Soul Touched by Dogs, go to👉 https://soultouchedbydogs.com

Andy Honda - Beyond the Holidays: A Therapy Dog’s Love Letter to New York City

Yes… this episode should have gone out before Christmas.And yet, there’s something quietly perfect about sharing it now, at the very beginning of January.Because this conversation isn’t really about Christmas.It’s about connection.About slowing down enough to notice the magic that’s already there.And about the kind of presence dogs offer us - especially when the world feels loud, fast, or overwhelming.In this episode, Andy Honda invites us into life in New York City through the eyes (and paws) of her therapy dog, Koa, and into the heart behind her children’s book series Koa’s Ruff Life.It’s gentle.It’s grounding.And it’s exactly the kind of story many of us need as we step into a new year.🐾 What we explore in this episodeHow a big, soulful Rhodesian Ridgeback became a certified therapy dogWhat therapy dog visits actually look like - in children’s hospitals and schools for kids with special needsWhy Koa’s calm presence has such a powerful effect on childrenHow everyday walks through New York City turned into stories that educate, comfort, and delightThe surprising thread connecting Andy’s work as a medical executive with her storytelling for childrenWhy paying attention is one of the greatest gifts dogs give usKey takeawaysThe truth behind therapy dogs: It’s not about tricks or obedience - it’s about temperament, attunement, and emotional safetyWhy small, ordinary moments matter: A walk, a pause, a shared smile ... this is where connection livesHow dogs help us regulate: Koa doesn’t “do” much, and that’s exactly why he helps so muchWhy stories are such powerful teachers: Especially for children, learning lands best when it’s wrapped in warmth and curiosity💬 Favorite quote from the episode“There’s something about Koa. He has this calming presence - and an uncanny ability to sense emotion.”About Andy & KoaAndy Honda is a NYC-based medical executive, speaker, and lifelong animal lover. Originally from Hawaii, she brings a spirit of warmth, curiosity, and aloha into everything she creates.Her children’s book series, Koa’s Ruff Life, is inspired by real-life adventures with her therapy dog, Koa - from Central Park mornings to holiday traditions in New York City. Together, Andy and Koa volunteer weekly with children with special needs, offering comfort, companionship, and connection.Her latest release, Koa’s Ruff Life: Christmas Time in New York City, captures the wonder of the season, but as you’ll hear in this episode, its heart goes far beyond Christmas.🔗 Connect with Andy🌐 Website: https://koasrufflife.com🌐 Author site: https://andyhondamd.com📚 Signed books & the full series available via her websiteJanuary often arrives with pressure: new goals, new habits, new energy.This episode offers something different.This is an invitation to begin the year gently.To remember that presence matters more than momentum.And to let dogs - as always - lead us back to what’s real.As always, to find out all about Soul Touched by Dogs, go to👉 https://soultouchedbydogs.com

Stephanie Rombough - How to Stop the Chase (Kindly)

If your “sweet-as-sugar-until-a-squirrel-appears” dog can’t resist the thrill of the chase, this one’s for you. Force-free trainer Stephanie Rombough (Happy Hounds Dog Training, Alberta, Canada) joins me to share the reward-based process behind her new book inspired by her own high-drive herder, Nera. We dig into why chasing is so reinforcing, how to prevent dangerous rehearsals, and exactly how to teach voluntary disengagement—from “laser-eyes on bunny” to “I see it… and I choose you.”You’ll hear how Stephanie moved from a compulsion-based upbringing in dog training to a compassionate, science-grounded approach that works for terriers, sighthounds, herders—and the humans who love them.Key takeaways🐾 The one mistake even experienced guardians make: starting where the dog can’t succeed. Begin well below threshold so you can reward success and build from there.🐾 Management is non-negotiable. While you train, prevent rehearsals: leashes instead of off-leash parks, doors closed, baby gates up. Each “got it!” chase self-rewards like a biochemical jackpot.🐾 Use functional rewards. Sometimes a dry cookie can’t compete with a river, a breeze, or a squeaky critter. Reward with what your dog actually wants in that moment (e.g., a release to sniff/splash or a fur tug to bite).🐾 Three-phase training path:Prompted leave-it (you cue disengagement).Supported watching (dog looks, you cue when needed).Voluntary disengagement (dog chooses you without prompting—keep rewarding this every time).🐾 Replace, don’t just remove. Offer daily “legal” predation outlets—tug, chase games, scent work—so that the “prey-drive battery” drains in healthy ways.🐾 Safety first. Keep dogs on leash during the program to prevent a full predatory sequence (chase → grab → …). Finishing that sequence makes the habit much harder to change.🐾 How long does it take? It varies by dog and setup. Expect meaningful progress in a few weeks; solid reliability often builds over 2–3 months—and sometimes faster once the dog “gets it.”🐾 Why “force-free won’t work with tough cases” is a myth. With the right setup, criteria, and rewards, even high-octane chasers can learn to leave wildlife (and cats!) alone.🐾 Exactly how and what to reward: mark the moment your dog chooses you—even when you didn’t see the squirrel first. That’s the behavior you want on repeat.Favorite quote“Let your dog be a little wolf for 10–20 minutes a day, and they’ll be so much happier.”About Stephanie RomboughStephanie Rombough is a force-free dog trainer and the owner of Happy Hounds Dog Training in Alberta, Canada. She’s best known for clear, practical tutorials and client case studies on YouTube, helping guardians turn everyday struggles into calm, connected wins. Her new book distills a decade of hands-on work into a step-by-step, reward-based system to stop chasing—without pain or fear.Connect with StephanieWebsite: https://happyhoundsdogtraining.ca/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@happyhoundsdogtrainingFree guide: Leash Training Made Easier — https://happyhounds.myflodesk.com/leashtrainingBook: Stop the Chase — now available in print on Amazon (rolling out internationally)As always, to find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, go to https://soultouchedbydogs.com

Dr. Holly Tett - Looking Beyond "Good Dog / Bad Dog" - Healing Both Ends of the Lead

A psychologist walks into a dog park… and realises half her clients have tails.That’s pretty much how Dr. Holly Tett discovered her calling — blending trauma-informed psychology with force-free dog training to heal both ends of the lead.In this lively, heartfelt conversation, we talk about why obedience can’t fix overwhelm, how to spot the difference between shut down and calm, and what happens when we finally look at our dogs — and ourselves — through a lens of compassion instead of correction.Plus, you’ll hear the story behind Holly’s now-famous “Cheeky Chicken” elevator game — proof that a bit of silliness can soothe two nervous systems at once.Key takeaways🐾 The one mistake even experienced guardians make: trying to “train away” big feelings with obedience cues. Skills have their place—but distress needs safety, co-regulation, and time.🐾 How to tell the difference between shutdown and calm: a still body isn’t always a settled nervous system. Look at the whole dog, not just one body part.🐾 Why our own stress backfires on walks: when our fight-or-flight kicks in, memory and technique vanish. Regulate you first so you can help your dog regulate.🐾 A simple pre-walk ritual that changes everything: make connection the goal, not control. (Holly’s “Cheeky Chicken” game is a perfect example.)🐾 How to dodge the public-opinion trap: other people’s looks aren’t data. Notice when old shame or criticism stories resurface, name them — “my mind’s doing that thing again” — then return to your dog.🐾 When life gets busy: compassion fatigue is real. Simplify environments, shorten exposures, and celebrate micro-wins.Favorite quote“Dogs don’t hide who they are — unless they don’t feel safe. Our job is to make safety the baseline so connection can do the teaching.”About Dr. Holly TettDr. Holly Tett is a force-free behaviourist, clinical psychologist, and dog-business coach who helps guardians and professionals strengthen their bond with dogs through a trauma-informed, attachment-based approach.She offers online courses, memberships, and mentorships — including Canine Connection (for guardians) and The Trauma-Informed Dog Practitioner Programme (for pros).Holly also hosts two podcasts: Letters From Your Dog and Training Dogs, Training People and Keeping Our Sh*t Together.She shares life with four beloved teachers — Riggs, Aya, Squid and Strudel — each with their own lessons to offer.Join Holly’s live workshopAre You as Triggered as Your Dog?This popular free session runs regularly (replay available). It’s for anyone who loves their dog but feels the emotional weight of living with a sensitive pup — and wants simple, kind strategies to make life easier for both ends of the lead.➡️ Register: https://www.pawsupdogs.com/triggered/Connect with HollyWebsite: https://www.pawsupdogs.comPodcast (guardians): Letters From Your DogPodcast (pros): Training Dogs, Training People and Keeping Our Sh*t TogetherFacebook Page: Kindness Is Essential, Not OptionalFacebook Group: Kindness Is Essential, Not Optional — Dog Training SupportInstagram (dog parents): @pawsupdogstrainingInstagram (dog pros): @forcefreedogprobusinesssupportAs always, to find out all about Soul Touched by Dogs, go to https://soultouchedbydogs.com