In this episode of The Resilient Animal, host Annie Petersen talks with Shannon Kopp of the SoulPaws Recovery Project about the therapeutic power of the human-animal bond for mental health recovery. Shannon shares her personal journey recovering from an eating disorder and how animals played a crucial role in her healing process. They also discuss the founding and growth of SoulPaws, an organization dedicated to providing free animal-assisted therapy for individuals with eating disorders and oth...
Apr 01, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In this episode of The Resilient Animal podcast, host Dr. Annie Petersen talks with professional dog trainer and certified behavior consultant Kate LaSala. They explore how LaSala's work with dogs facing fear, aggression, and anxiety benefits both pets and their families, touching on her methods of positive reinforcement and virtual training. LaSala shares her personal journey with her own senior and special needs dogs, which led her to further specialize as an end-of-life pet doula. The discuss...
Jan 21, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In this episode of The Resilient Animal Podcast, Dr. Annie Petersen interviews Brooke Haggerty, an animal advocate and Executive Director of Faunalytics, a nonprofit organization that conducts and shares research to make animal advocacy as effective as possible. Brooke shares her journey into animal advocacy, experiences with grassroots activism, and in-depth insights on the state of animal welfare, humane washing, and the critical work Faunalytics does in supporting the animal protection moveme...
Dec 10, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this episode of The Resilient Animal, host Annie Petersen speaks with Dr. Janet Hoy-Gerlach from Open Door Veterinary Collective about the profound impact of human-animal relationships on mental health and wellbeing. Dr. Hoy-Gerlach shares insights from her social work background and research, highlighting how pets can act as protective factors against suicidality, reduce anxiety, depression, and loneliness, and even improve overall quality of life. They discuss the importance of collaboratio...
Nov 19, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Have you wondered what your animals are thinking and feeling? This episode of The Resilient Animal features an intimate discussion of healing and communication with Cindy Richardson. Cindy discusses her preparation when communicating with all types of animals, including birds and an elephant. This episode can be viewed with captions on YouTube https://youtu.be/2YYROvlJCTw To learn more about Cindy and the services she offers, click on http://www.chatswithanimals.com/ or emailingcindy@gmail.com a...
Sep 10, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 8
The Resilient Animal chats with the one-and-only Michelle Meschko from Small Breed Rescue of Southern California. Michelle works with only small dog breeds (who need a little more TLC) and reptiles too! Previously, we did a video of Michelle and her nonprofit for Animal Bond Academy. You can see Michelle in action on YouTube https://youtu.be/DgIBJAm-cNU This podcast episode can also be viewed with captions on YouTube https://youtu.be/grvYVm2GvCU?list=PL7p248H5KmY3A-z1nmgpPVHjo334goTmU You can le...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In this conversation, The Resilient Animal podcast features Maya Badham from SAHSDA in the United Kingdom. We discuss coercive control and "The Link" between animal and human abuse and her work with law enforcement and veterinarians in rural communities in identifying domestic and animal abuse. This episode can be viewed with captions on YouTube https://youtu.be/4aZB31fPm-w?list=PL7p248H5KmY3A-z1nmgpPVHjo334goTmU You can learn more about this incredibly important organization here: https://sahsd...
Jul 02, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In this conversation, The Resilient Animal podcast features The Cantu Foundation. We speak with Founder Fatima Guevara and Director of Operations Jenna Finch about the dogs they rescue, the process of working on opposite ends of the United States, and how social media can be used for good things in support of nonprofit organizations. This episode can be viewed with captions on YouTube https://youtu.be/2l66z4qx4xQ?list=PL7p248H5KmY3A-z1nmgpPVHjo334goTmU Be sure to check out the Foundation's names...
Jun 18, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Listener Discretion Advised In this conversation, I speak with Amy Bassett, co-founder of the nonprofit Judith A. Bassett Canid Education and Conservation Center (JABCECC) located in Santa Ysabel, California. Amy and her husband Dave founded JABCECC in honor of Dave's mom, Judith A. Bassett. She was an active community member life-long advocate for canids. Along with Judith's legacy, we discuss the rescue of foxes from the cruelty of the fur farming industry and the Healing Programs that take pl...
Jun 04, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this conversation, I speak with Lori Biewen, founder of Libby Lou's Safe Haven, a nonprofit focused on rescuing cows and other animals from the meat and dairy industries. Lori shares her personal journey, explaining how Libby Lou, a miniature Hereford heifer, helped her through her depression, leading to the creation of the sanctuary. She discusses the harsh realities of the dairy and beef industries, highlighting the need for rescuing cows. Lori also discusses the challenges and financial st...
Apr 16, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this conversation, I speak with Eileen Persia founder of the nonprofit The Troll House Animal Sanctuary located in New Jersey. Eileen shares her journey of starting the Sanctuary amid the COVID-19 pandemic and her own cancer diagnosis. This is a story of resiliency through difficult times, the therapeutic role animals have played in her cancer recovery and the establishment of Troll House as refuge for abused and neglected animals. We focus on the transformative power of caring for others, bo...
Apr 02, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In this conversation, I speak with Michael Overlie founder of the group Dogs and Men. Michael and I discuss the intersection of community building, emotional literacy, and the human animal bond. Michael details his efforts in creating an online community for men and they how they connect over their shared experiences with dogs, providing them with a platform to address their emotional needs and improve their overall wellbeing. This episode can be viewed with captions on YouTube https://youtu.be/...
Mar 19, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In this conversation, The Resilient Animal speaks with Susan Nowicke, founder of the nonprofit reptile animal sanctuary Ecovivarium. Susan shares her journey on how she started working with animals and the nonprofit’s unique operations. She sheds light on the adoption process to ensure that the animals are getting a lifetime family and also the challenging aspect of running a sanctuary that works with animals that have arrived in extremely poor health. This episode can viewed with captions on Yo...
Mar 05, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 1
People build and work in animal sanctuaries for different reasons and evidence shows that helping other living things may benefit our own mental health and wellbeing. The Resilient Animal podcast creates a forum for animal rescuers to talk about challenges and joys and the reason WHY they chose to rescue. I speak to people who work in small animal, wildlife, and domestic animal sanctuaries. I’m Annie Petersen, Doctor of Education with a Masters in Mental Health Recovery and Trauma-Informed Care ...
Feb 01, 2024•54 sec
