Our dogs have a way of ushering us into the exact lessons we need.

In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist and resilience specialist Dr Kate Lund to talk about what happens when the life we imagined falls apart — and how we build something meaningful on the other side.

Dr Kate shares the story of her childhood diagnosis of hydrocephalus, the many hospitalisations that followed, and how her dog Peanut helped her cultivate courage, hope, and orientation toward possibility. Those early experiences inspired her life’s work supporting paediatric patients and families navigating illness, trauma, and profound change.

We discuss why resilience is not toughness, positivity, or spiritual bypassing. It’s the set of skills, supports, and perspectives that help us optimise within the reality we are living.

You’ll hear:

✨ What resilience actually means in real life
✨ Why we must move through difficulty, not around it
✨ How strengthening our own resilience changes the way we show up for our dogs
✨ The surprising ways dogs demonstrate resilience every day
✨ How Dr Kate supported her own children through the terror of a lost puppy
✨ How that experience led her to partner with her therapy dog Wally serving families at a children’s hospital in Seattle
✨ Practical ways to build confidence and agency in kids and dogs
✨ What it means to “find a new normal”
✨ Why dogs so often arrive exactly when we need them most

I also share how Lucky has continually invited me to become more resilient — especially in the moments I doubted myself most — and how recognising his resilience changed our relationship.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay open-hearted while the ground beneath you shifts… this conversation is for you!.

Connect with Dr Kate Lund: https://www.katelundspeaks.com/

Connect with me!

Website: https://mysticdogmama.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com

Come join my free Facebook group,  FETCH First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlight

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.