Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast

It might sound like a cliché, but Marc Silpa has known he wanted to be a veterinarian since he was 12 years old. He spent his middle school years volunteering at local small-animal and wildlife clinics, and by high school, he was routinely waking up before dawn to patrol two-mile stretches of coastline to locate and protect nesting sea turtles. Marc graduated from the New College of Florida in 2008, where he developed a deep focus on marine mammal medicine, followed by a post-baccalaureate certificate in Zoo and Aquarium Science from Western Illinois University in 2009. He then earned his veterinary degree from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh in 2014. While in Scotland, Marc pulled double duty—working overnight ER shifts while spending his days responding to marine mammal strandings with British Divers Marine Life Rescue. After graduation, he completed a year-long internship at the Miami Seaquarium’s Manatee and Sea Turtle Hospital. A subsequent move to the desert—an environment famously lacking in marine life—prompted a natural evolution in his career: shifting his focus to pet exotics. Since 2022, Marc has practiced at the Exotic Animal Veterinary Center in Pasadena, California. In 2024, he achieved board certification through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in Exotic Companion Mammal Practice, making him one of only two specialists with this distinction in the entire state of California.

Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests. 

Exotic Animal Veterinary Center Pasadena, California

Thank you for listening to the Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast. I hope that you and your beloved pets have found valuable insights for a more harmonious life together. Please remember that this podcast provides educational information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary or behavioral advice. If you need personalized support, please don't hesitate to contact me to explore how we can work together to achieve your pet behavior goals. You can reach me at www.enlightenedpetbehavior.com or via email at [email protected]. 

Special thanks to Mac Light for composing the podcast's music; you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

If you find the show helpful and enjoyable, please consider showing your support! Subscribing, following, rating, reviewing, and sharing with friends takes just a moment but significantly boosts the show's visibility, helping more pet parents discover it. Thank you for your support!

Lily Hargis is a full-time trainer at Animal Behavior Wellness Center - a Veterinary Behaviorist's practice owned and operated by Dr Amy Learn and Dr Amy Pike. She is a skilled and compassionate behavior consultant who helps dogs experiencing fear, reactivity, aggression, and separation anxiety. Lily believes that progress blossoms when both dogs and their humans feel genuinely supported, and Lily approaches every case with empathy, creativity, and teamwork at the core.

Lily holds a BFA from Boston University and has a strong background in communication and relationship-focused care, including teaching bedside manner and empathy skills to VCU medical students. She completed an apprenticeship with aggression specialist Gabrielle Johnson and has designed behavior education programs for pet professionals caring for complex dogs. Additionally, she has introduced Fear Free® techniques to grooming teams across Richmond and continues to deepen her expertise as a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT), a Research Bites member, and a FluentPet course instructor.

Particularly passionate about supporting families facing separation anxiety, Lily understands the emotional weight this challenge can bring. She loves helping guardians feel confident advocating for their dogs and celebrates every meaningful step forward—no matter how small.

Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host or any of the guests. 

Website: http://abwellnesscenter.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abwellnesscenter/?hl=en 

Thank you for listening to the Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast. I hope that you and your beloved pets have found valuable insights for a more harmonious life together. Please remember that this podcast provides educational information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary or behavioral advice. If you need personalized support, please don't hesitate to contact me to explore how we can work together to achieve your pet behavior goals. You can reach me at www.enlightenedpetbehavior.com or via email at [email protected]. 

Special thanks to Mac Light for composing the podcast's music; you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

If you find the show helpful and enjoyable, please consider showing your support! Subscribing, following, rating, reviewing, and sharing with friends takes just a moment but significantly boosts the show's visibility, helping more pet parents discover it. Thank you for being so supportive! 

Amy Cowan is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and the founder of DigUp, the premier directory connecting NYC pet parents with trustworthy, high-quality care. After spending the first decade of her career in finance and tech, Amy's path shifted when she adopted her rescue dog, Theo, whose early struggles with fear and reactivity led her to discover the power of force-free, positive reinforcement training.

That experience inspired her to leave the tech world, learn more about dog behavior and the pet care industry, and earn her professional certification. Frustrated by how unregulated and confusing the pet care industry can be, Amy founded DigUp to bring transparency and accountability to the search for quality care. Today, Amy splits her time between working directly with clients and their dogs and building DigUp into NYC's most trusted resource for pet care.

Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host or any of the guests. 

Website: digup.nyc

Instagram: @digupnyc

Thank you for listening to the Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast. I hope that you and your beloved pets have found valuable insights for a more harmonious life together. Please remember that this podcast provides educational information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary or behavioral advice. If you need personalized support, please don't hesitate to contact me to explore how we can work together to achieve your pet behavior goals. You can reach me at www.enlightenedpetbehavior.com or via email at [email protected]. 

Special thanks to Mac Light for composing the podcast's music; you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

If you find the show helpful and enjoyable, please consider showing your support! Subscribing, following, rating, reviewing, and sharing with friends takes just a moment but significantly boosts the show's visibility, helping more pet parents discover it. Thank you for your support! 

Dr. Andy (Andrzej) Ogrodny earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Midwestern University in 2020 after graduating from Colorado Mesa University in 2014. A first-generation American, he completed a small-animal rotating internship followed by a residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine at Michigan State University, achieving board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) in 2024.

In addition to practicing referral internal medicine, Dr. Ogrodny is passionate about education. He regularly teaches veterinarians and veterinary students while also creating evidence-based educational content for pet owners through his social media platform, @dogtor_andy. His work focuses on translating complex medical concepts into practical, accessible information and challenging commonly held misconceptions in veterinary medicine, including picky appetites, chronic gastrointestinal disease, chronic cough, kidney disease, and the interpretation of laboratory test results.

Dr. Ogrodny has been invited to serve on the dvm360® Editorial Advisory Board, regularly contributes educational content to the veterinary community, and lectures on topics in small animal internal medicine. His mission is to improve communication between veterinarians and pet owners while making specialty medicine more approachable and understandable.

Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host or any of the guests. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogtor_andy

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dogtor.andy

Thank you for listening to the Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast. I hope that you and your beloved pets have found valuable insights for a more harmonious life together. Please remember that this podcast provides educational information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary or behavioral advice. If you need personalized support, please don't hesitate to contact me to explore how we can work together to achieve your pet behavior goals. You can reach me at www.enlightenedpetbehavior.com or via email at [email protected]. 

Special thanks to Mac Light for composing the podcast's music; you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

If you find the show helpful and enjoyable, please consider showing your support! Subscribing, following, rating, reviewing, and sharing with friends takes just a moment but significantly boosts the show's visibility, helping more pet parents discover it. Thank you for your support!

Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, MSc (in Operations Management) is a fully certified dog behavior consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She is currently pursuing an M.S. in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare at Husson University (graduates in summer 2026). Eileen believes that understanding each dog as an individual is the foundation of a good cross-species relationship. She enjoys helping humans and dogs communicate more effectively to create brilliant relationships filled with joy, purpose, and fulfillment for all involved. Eileen offers private consulting for serious dog behavior issues, obedience/manners, and agility training. She developed a unique online course to help pet parents and trainers teach reliable snake avoidance behavior off-leash through positive reinforcement techniques. These techniques have been applied by trainers worldwide to teach dogs to avoid dangerous environmental hazards and respect off-leash property boundaries. Eileen lives on a small ranch in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband and their Nederlandse Kooikerhondjes.

Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests. 

[email protected]

Website: https://www.confidentcaninesdogtraining.com

Thank you for listening to the Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast. I hope that you and your beloved pets have found valuable insights for a more harmonious life together. Please remember that this podcast provides educational information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary or behavioral advice. If you need personalized support, please don't hesitate to contact me to explore how we can work together to achieve your pet behavior goals. You can reach me at www.enlightenedpetbehavior.com or via email at [email protected]. 

Special thanks to Mac Light for composing the podcast's music; you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

If you find the show helpful and enjoyable, please consider showing your support! Subscribing, following, rating, reviewing, and sharing with friends takes just a moment but significantly boosts the show's visibility, helping more pet parents discover it. Thank you for your support! 

Bonnie Harlan is the Founder of Prevent Pet Suffocation, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to spreading public awareness of the suffocation dangers pets face from chip bags and other food packaging. Bonnie created Prevent Pet Suffocation shortly after her four-year-old rescue dog, Blue, suffocated in a Frito Lay Cheetos chip bag in 2011. Prevent Pet Suffocation has grown to an international following reaching people in countries all over the world. Bonnie has written numerous articles on pet suffocation and appears regularly on television interviews, radio interviews, webinars, and podcasts. A media piece Bonnie collaborated on with WUSA9-CBS won an Emmy in 2020 for excellence in television. She is available for speaking engagements, interviews, and writing articles for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. Bonnie typically hears from 3 to 4 devastated dog owners a week who have lost their pet to suffocation and had never heard of it before. Bonnie has a Master of Liberal Arts from Houston Baptist University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona. She resides in Texas with her husband and her English Springer Spaniel, Pip.

Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests.

WEBSITE: www.preventpetsuffocation.com

PET SUFFOCATION SURVEY: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/petsuffocationsurvey

PETITION TO FRITO LAY: https://www.change.org/p/frito-lay-add-pet-suffocation-warning-labels-to-your-chip-bags#

INFOGRAPHICS: https://preventpetsuffocation.com/pet-suffocation/

Thank you for listening to the Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast. I hope that you and your beloved pets have found valuable insights for a more harmonious life together. Please remember that this podcast provides educational information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary or behavioral advice. If you need personalized support, please don't hesitate to contact me to explore how we can work together to achieve your pet behavior goals. You can reach me at www.enlightenedpetbehavior.com or via email at [email protected].

Special thanks to Mac Light for composing the podcast's music; you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

If you find the show helpful and enjoyable, please consider showing your support! Subscribing, following, rating, reviewing, and sharing with friends takes just a moment but significantly boosts the show's visibility, helping more pet parents discover it. Thank you for your support!

Celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast with Susan and her special guest, editor, podcast producer, and husband Monte Light. In this episode, Susan answers common dog and cat behavior questions and shares insights every pet parent wants to know about raising happy, healthy pets.

Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host or any of the guests.

Thank you for listening to the Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast. I hope that you and your beloved pets have found valuable insights for a more harmonious life together. Please remember that this podcast provides educational information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary or behavioral advice. If you need personalized support, please don't hesitate to contact me to explore how we can work together to achieve your pet behavior goals. You can reach me at www.enlightenedpetbehavior.com or via email at [email protected]. 

Special thanks to Mac Light for composing the podcast's music; you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

If you find the show helpful and enjoyable, please consider showing your support! Subscribing, following, rating, reviewing, and sharing with friends takes just a moment but significantly boosts the show's visibility, helping more pet parents discover it. Thank you for your support! 

I’m Aubrey, a Certified Pet First Aid Instructor, and I work with pet professionals who want to feel properly prepared — not just hopeful that they’ll know what to do.

I’ve supported dog walkers, groomers, trainers, pet sitters and daycare teams to build practical, real-world skills they can rely on when it matters most. No fluff, no scare tactics... just clear, straightforward training that helps you stay calm and take action. Because this work is built on trust. And part of that trust is knowing you can handle the unexpected. If you’ve ever thought, “I should probably learn this properly,” this is your sign. 

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My qualifications include an Associates Degree in Animal Agriculture (ASc), Certified Pet First Aid Instructor, and a Certificate in Education and Training.

I have previously ran my own successful reactive dog specialist walking business for 3 years, as well as previous work on farms, animal adoptions agent, and being a college/university lecturer.

Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests. 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) / Ready.gov: The official U.S. government preparedness site outlines how to safely evacuate and shelter household pets. https://www.ready.gov/pets

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC provides essential guidelines for keeping pets safe during emergencies and handling health risks. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/emergency-preparedness/index.html

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): The USDA provides regulatory information, disaster preparedness, and links to federal standards. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-care/emergency-programs

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): As the nation’s leading veterinary medical organization, the AVMA offers step-by-step guides for everyday emergencies like heatstroke, CPR, and choking. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners

American Red Cross: The Red Cross is the premier national nonprofit for disaster-relief training and certifications. https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cat-dog-first-aid.html

Thank you for listening to the Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast. I hope that you and your beloved pets have found valuable insights for a more harmonious life together. Please remember that this podcast provides educational information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary or behavioral advice. If you need personalized support, please don't hesitate to contact me to explore how we can work together to achieve your pet behavior goals. You can reach me at www.enlightenedpetbehavior.com or via email at [email protected]. 

Special thanks to Mac Light for composing the podcast's music; you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

If you find the show helpful and enjoyable, please consider showing your support! Subscribing, following, rating, reviewing, and sharing with friends takes just a moment but significantly boosts the show's visibility, helping more pet parents discover it. Thank you for your support!

Michelle Pennarola is a dog trainer and behavior specialist, holding a certificate in training and counseling from the esteemed Academy for Dog Trainers, and is also a Fear-Free Certified Professional. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and began her career as an environmental educator, caring for and training non-releasable wildlife for educational programs in schools.

Today, Michelle lives and works in York, Pennsylvania, where she owns Modern Manners Dog Training. She specializes in helping dogs with reactivity, resource guarding, and stranger-directed aggression, using a compassionate, reward-based approach to create lasting behavior change.

Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host or any of the guests. 

Michelle's Website:

https://modernmannersdogtraining.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmannersdogtraining/ 

Thank you for listening to the Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast. I hope that you and your beloved pets have found valuable insights for a more harmonious life together. Please remember that this podcast provides educational information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary or behavioral advice. If you need personalized support, please don't hesitate to contact me to explore how we can work together to achieve your pet behavior goals. You can reach me at www.enlightenedpetbehavior.com or via email at [email protected]. 

Special thanks to Mac Light for composing the podcast's music; you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

If you find the show helpful and enjoyable, please consider showing your support! Subscribing, following, rating, reviewing, and sharing with friends takes just a moment but significantly boosts the show's visibility, helping more pet parents discover it. Thank you for your support! 

Malena DeMartini is on a mission to make the world a better place for dogs who panic when left alone — one calm goodbye at a time.

A Certified Trainer and Behavior Consultant with over two decades of experience, Malena is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work with separation anxiety. She’s the author of two celebrated books, the creator of the widely respected online course Mission: POSSIBLE, and the founder of a global certification program for skilled dog professionals who want to dive deep into this challenging yet hopeful work.

Malena’s approach blends heart and science, offering real-world hope to dogs and their people through humane, effective strategies. Whether she’s mentoring professionals, speaking at conferences, or cheering on dog guardians through the tough days, her passion is clear: helping every dog feel safe being home alone.

Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice or professional services by either the host nor any of the guests. 

More resources and support can be found at malenademartini.com

Book: Separation Anxiety In Dogs: Next Generation Treatment Protocols and Practices https://a.co/d/034rmQsd

Book: Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs https://a.co/d/03SKdpGX 

Online, self-paced course for guardians!  https://malenademartini.com/possible 

Mission: POSSIBLE! Online Course Discount Code: LightSA26

Thank you for listening to the Enlightened Pet Behavior Podcast. I hope that you and your beloved pets have found valuable insights for a more harmonious life together. Please remember that this podcast provides educational information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary or behavioral advice. If you need personalized support, please don't hesitate to contact me to explore how we can work together to achieve your pet behavior goals. You can reach me at www.enlightenedpetbehavior.com or via email at [email protected]. 

Special thanks to Mac Light for composing the podcast's music; you can find him at www.maclightsongwriter.com

If you find the show helpful and enjoyable, please consider showing your support! Subscribing, following, rating, reviewing, and sharing with friends takes just a moment but significantly boosts the show's visibility, helping more pet parents discover it. Thank you for your support!