In this insightful episode of The Happy Pawdcast, Sonali is joined by Tusshar Kapoor, an actor and producer, and Subhadra Cherukuri, Founder of Wag-Ville, and Dog Trainer to explore the powerful role animals play in education, emotional development, and mental well-being.

The conversation sheds light on how therapy animals, especially dogs and horses, support children and individuals with mental health challenges, including autism. From improving emotional regulation to fostering maturity and empathy, the guests discuss how growing up alongside animals can positively shape a child’s development.

Tusshar shares a personal perspective on how his pet influenced his son’s emotional growth, while Subhadra explains how therapy animals are trained and integrated into educational and therapeutic settings. The episode also examines changing relationships with animals as children grow, the realities of training therapy animals, and the importance of understanding animal behaviour beyond the idea of pets as simple “stress busters.”

A thoughtful and eye-opening conversation on how animals can become meaningful partners in learning and healing.