Enrichment for the Real World

Last week we talked with Dr. Valli Parthasarathy about cooperative care for all species, and this week Allie and Emily talk about how to have happier vet visits. 

In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: 

• Why Wants Vs. Needs conversations are important
• Tips for thoughtful antecedent arrangement at the clinic 
• How to determine if your pet does better with you or going in the back with the vet staff

You can fin...

In this week's interview episode, we're joined by Dr. Valli Parthasarathy the owner of Synergy Veterinary Behavior in Portland, Oregon, where she helps families whose dogs, cats, birds, horses, and other species show problematic behaviors. 

In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Valli talk about:

• Common behavior issues in various species
• Cooperative care for significant behavioral special needs
• The ROI of sedatio...

Last week we heard from Dr. Tim Lewis and one of the topics we discussed was the biology of dogs. This week we’re going to dive further into trialing gut-brain health and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.

In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:

• Emily falling out of the space-time continuum 
• Nutrition is a study of one
• Finding objective measures for a food trial

You can find the full ep...

In this week's interview episode, we are joined by Tim Lewis. Dr. Tim Lewis has a PhD in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and studies a wide range of animals from turtles to domestic dogs. 

In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Tim talk about:

• Finding the balance between “save them all” and breed determinism
• Retraining the amygdala
• We all have 5 brains
• Teaching calm

You can find the full e...

In this week's podcast episode, we're joined by Jungle Jordan Veasley, a zookeeper and wildlife educator. Jordan is doing such important work not only for the animals in his care but for humans too! Representation matters and he’s a living, breathing example of why. 

In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Jordan talk about:

• What sorcery this is?
• Relating to other people when they’re not ready to hear what you ha...

Last week we heard from Lori Stevens and one of the topics we discussed was movement & exercise for behavioral therapies. This week we’re going to dive further into creative solutions for physical exercise and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.

In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:

• Risk levels being on a spectrum
• Do you need a new solution or a different version of a current solution...

In this week's interview episode, we're joined by Lori Stevens to talk about the intersection of physical and behavioral health for our pets through movement. In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Lori talk about:

• What exercise is and isn’t about
• Assessing what types of exercise are ideal for an animal
• Cheap and free exercise options
• The difference between canine fitness and movement work

You can find the fu...

Last week we heard from David Roberts and one of the topics we discussed was getting the most out of your dog’s enrichment toys. This week we’re going to dive further into avoiding common enrichment toy mistakes and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.

In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:

• The most annoying and accurate answer to almost every question ever
• Why we need to teach how to use t...

In this week's episode, we are joined by MaryKaye Kendrick, one of our very own behavior consultants and mentors. MaryKaye is a phenomenal educator, teacher, trainer, and human with an incredible skill for empathy and compassion in each case. 

In this episode, you'll hear Emily and MaryKaye talk about 

• Learner-centered teaching 
• Broadcasting body language for children
• How to teach very young children dog skills 
• The import...

Last week we heard from Kalyn Holl and one of the topics we discussed was living a life in moderation. This week we’re going to dive further into everything in moderation and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.

In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:

• How behaviors aren’t necessarily good or bad
• The dangers of all-or-nothing thinking
• A malamute who didn’t want to run

You can find the full...

In this week's interview episode, we are joined by Kalyn Holl, the Head Reindeer Trainer at Chena Outdoor Collective. Whether training reindeer, teaching education programs, or competing in sled dog races, Kalyn brings a beautiful perspective to their training. In this episode, you'll hear Kalyn and Emily talk about: 

• Letting the animal tell you what they need
• Living a life in moderation
• How reindeer are lazier than cari...

Last week we heard from Christina Horne and one of the topics we discussed was Systems for Navigating Service Dog training and society. This week we’re going to dive further into leading with curiosity and how that helps you navigate society and pet parenting and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.

In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:

• Why having a curious mindset can be difficult 
• How th...

In this week's interview episode, we're joined by Christina Horne. Christina delights in working with people and animals alike and has such a fresh take on teaching and training and the relationship between teachers and learners. 

In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Christina talk about:

• Giving your learners space to just do things
• The power dynamic in the teacher/learner relationship
• Acknowledging privilege a...

Last week we heard from Darian Fambro and one of the topics we discussed was environmental diversity. This week we’re going to dive further into providing environmental diversity and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.

In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:

• How we provide environmental diversity for our own pets
• Why Oso has a shredding space
• As we’ve said before, more is not more

You ca...

Last week we heard from Valerie Bogie and one of the topics we discussed was how your self-care is enrichment. This week, we're going to dive further into self-care as enrichment, our own enrichment journeys, and implementation for real life.

In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:

• How their therapy sessions are often just realizing how they can apply what they teach to their clients for themsel...