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Soul Touched by Dogs
Soul Touched by Dogs episodes
- Senior Dog Longevity and Cognitive Decline: What You're Actually Missing with Carter Easler
Prefer video? Watch on YouTube.
Cognitive decline affects thirty percent of dogs by age ten — yet most guardians are told there's nothing that can be done. Carter Easler, a clinical researcher in functional medicine, spent years caring for senior and hospice dogs in rescue, and what he learned changed how he thinks about aging, whole-dog health, and the quiet changes we can make before symptoms become crises.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
How to recognize the early signs of cognitive decline in your dog — including changes to sleep, disorientation, and shifts in temperament that often go unnoticed
Why sleep quality is one of the most underrated pillars of longevity and resilience in dogs, and how tracking rest patterns can reveal what's really happening beneath the surface
How intermittent fasting for dogs — restricting their eating window to eight to ten hours a day — supports gastrointestinal health, liver function, and cognitive clarity
What root cause thinking looks like in practice, and why issues like reactivity, allergies, and anxiety often trace back to gut health and inflammation
How to collaborate with your vet even when your approaches don't fully align — including what questions to ask, what information to bring, and when it might be time to find a more integrative partner
Why the best diet for your dog isn't about perfection, but about whole foods, minimal processing, and what's realistic for your life and budget
How to create an "ideal day" baseline for your dog that makes it easier to notice subtle changes, track progress over time, and show up to vet visits prepared
A FAVOURITE MOMENT
"There's no such thing as too late, even with our older dogs." — Carter
ABOUT CARTER EASLER
Carter Easler is a clinical researcher in functional medicine and the founder of Rootd Pet, where he helps guardians build whole-dog health plans alongside their vets. His work with aging dogs began in animal rescue, caring for senior and hospice dogs who had been surrendered because their families were told nothing more could be done. That experience led him to serve as Principal Investigator of The Senior Dog Study, a twelve-week study of a mushroom-based supplement in dogs with cognitive decline, published in the Journal of Clinical Medical Research in 2025. Carter has spent a decade teaching vets, retailers, and pet parents about cannabinoid and mushroom science — and he's known for making complex research usable, and for being honest about where the evidence is strong and where it's thin.
CONNECT WITH CARTER EASLER
Website: rootdpet.com
Instagram: @rootdpet
Free resource (Vet Visit Playbook): rootdpet.com/soultouched
CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS
To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com.
And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co — the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.
35 min - Play-Based Dog Training: Why Your Dog's Joy Becomes Your Confidence with Marc Windgassen
Play-based dog training might sound like it's just for puppies, but Marc Windgassen has spent over 30 years proving otherwise — from hunting dogs carrying raw eggs without breaking them, to reactive dogs learning to see other dogs as background noise. In this conversation, he walks us through why play, not treats, becomes the most sustainable way to teach your dog what matters, and how understanding the "why" behind any method is what keeps it working long after the trainer leaves.
Prefer video? Watch on youtube.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why your dog might not play tug (even though every dog is wired to chase, catch and hold), and how to build that drive back without pressure or proximity stress
How to use a game of tug to redirect a reactive dog in real-world environments — and why it works faster than trying to suppress the behaviour
What happens in your dog's brain when you replace an old neural pathway (like lunging at cats) with a new one (like looking for the toy), and why consistency matters more than perfection
Why teaching your dog the "why" behind a cue — not just the action — helps you adapt when life doesn't follow the script
How to keep an older dog physically and mentally sharp through play, and why those small stabilizing muscles matter more than you think
What it looks like to train online without losing influence — and why having the owner hold the leash from day one creates more lasting change
How to create an invisible boundary in your kitchen (or anywhere else) using spatial pressure, so your dog stays safe and your mobility stays intact
A FAVOURITE MOMENT
"If your neighbors think you've gone mental, you're doing it correctly." — Marc
ABOUT MARC WINDGASSEN
Marc Windgassen is a German dog trainer with over 30 years of experience across multiple countries and disciplines. He specializes in online training and believes that explaining the "why" behind every method is what makes change stick. Marc is the founder of Dog Point, where he works with dog owners internationally to solve behaviour challenges and build confidence through understanding, not compliance.
CONNECT WITH MARC WINDGASSEN
Website: dogpoint.pet
Instagram: @dogpoint.usaTikTok: @dogpointusaFacebook: dogpointLinkedIn: Marc WindgassenNewsletter: The Dogpoint NewsletterCONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS
To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com.
And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.37 min - Pet Canvas Prints That Preserve Your Dog's Story | with Luke Welsh
Prefer video? Watch on youtube.
Turning cherished dog photos into lasting art sounds simple until you realize most of those hundreds of images on your phone will never make it off the screen. Luke Welsh understands the gap between digital memories and something you can hold, see every day, and pass down — and he's built a business around closing it with the kind of quality and care that honours what those photos actually mean.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why a professional-grade canvas matters more than you think when it comes to preserving a memory that will hang in your home for years
How to choose the right photo from your camera roll, even if you're not sure which one captures the moment that still makes you laugh or tears at your heartstrings
What happens behind the scenes when someone who actually cares about your story takes your photo and prepares it for printing, including colour correction and enhancement
The kinds of moments dog lovers most often want to preserve beyond the passing of a beloved dog — family portraits, celebrations, even the everyday shots that somehow mean everything
How a custom canvas can become the gift you give when someone already has everything, especially when it's a photo they didn't know they needed on their wall
Why working with someone who treats your pet's photo like the family treasure it is makes all the difference in what you receive
A FAVOURITE MOMENT
"These people are trusting us with this photo. Even though it's not a valuable gold watch or diamonds, it's so valuable to them." — Luke
ABOUT LUKE WELSH
Luke Welsh is the co-founder of Love My Pet Canvas, a business he runs with his wife Tammy. With 42 years of experience in the printing industry as a quality manager, Luke brings meticulous attention to detail and professional-grade standards to every canvas they produce. More than that, he and Tammy are devoted pet lovers who've adopted and cared for many dogs over the years — each one leaving pawprints on their hearts and inspiring them to help others preserve those same kinds of precious memories.
CONNECT WITH LUKE WELSH
Website: lovemypetcanvas.com
Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070365874880
Special offer for Soul Touched by Dogs listeners: Use promo code Pawsome at checkout for a discount on your order.
CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS
To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com
And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.
27 min - Heal The Nervous System: How Your Stressed Dog Transforms in 30 Days with Annie Phenix
Prefer video? Watch on YouTube.
Trauma recovery in dogs isn't just about bad behavior that needs fixing — it's about a nervous system that got stuck in survival mode and can't switch off. When your dog startles at every sound, can't settle, or seems suspicious of the world, training alone won't reach what's really going on. Annie Phenix, a certified behavior expert who specializes in the most serious cases, shows why healing the body first is the missing piece in helping anxious, reactive, and traumatized dogs find peace.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why some dogs bounce back from hard experiences while others get stuck in a trauma loop — and what that has to do with how their nervous system regulates itself, not the event itself
How a dog's nervous system works almost exactly like ours, and why addressing it first makes behavior change happen faster than counter-conditioning alone
What it looks like when a 120-pound Doberman Dane who wanted to eat strangers heals in six months — and why he could do it faster than most humans with similar trauma
Why your dog jumps up on the counter or digs in the couch when they're anxious — and how these behaviors are actually attempts to self-soothe and ground their nervous system
The one simple environmental change (a white noise machine) that can help noise-sensitive dogs finally get deep, restorative sleep in their own home
How to know if your dog's behavior problem is actually rooted in pain — and why even mild physical issues can create huge emotional responses
What glimmers are, and why looking for tiny moments of peace, joy, and curiosity is more useful than waiting for your dog to be "fixed"
A FAVOURITE MOMENT
"You can't heal in the environment that caused the stress." — Annie
ABOUT ANNIE PHENIX
Annie Phenix is a certified canine behavior expert and trauma-informed professional who works virtually with dog owners around the world. She specializes in the most serious and complex behavior cases — the dogs other trainers say can't be helped — and has a remarkable success rate. Annie is the author of two best-selling books on canine behavior, including Positive Training for Aggressive and Reactive Dogs, and runs the Canine Trauma Clinic, a private community where dog lovers learn how to regulate their dog's nervous system and support real healing. She's also the founder of the Phenix Advocacy Center for R+ Canine Professionals, a nonprofit focused on mental health and wellbeing in the dog training world.
CONNECT WITH ANNIE PHENIX
Website: choosetotrainhumane.com
Canine Trauma Clinic: choosetotrainhumane.com/canine-trauma-clinic
Facebook: facebook.com/phenixdogs
Free guide — 7 Steps to Quick Healing: phenix-dogs-canine-behavior-experts-llc.kit.com/7-steps
CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS
To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com.
And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co — the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.
37 min - Dogs for Mental Health: Why Your Dog Becomes Your Anchor with Daniel Popovic
Prefer video? Watch on youtube.
Mental health benefits of dogs aren't always visible the way physical health is, but they may be the most powerful gift our dogs give us. Daniel Popovic joins the show to talk about grief, rescue dogs who carry trauma, and why the stories we share about our dogs matter more than we might realize — especially when we're struggling.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why the grief of losing a dog can hit harder than you expect, even when you thought you were prepared
How dogs pick up on energy and trauma in ways we don't, and what that means when you bring a new dog into your home
What caregiver fatigue really looks like when you're caring for a senior dog, and why it's okay to admit it's hard
Why resource guarding and reactivity might be about your energy in the room, not just the dog's history
How having a dog holds you accountable in ways that quietly shape your mental health, your routine, and your sense of purpose
Why younger generations — especially those navigating isolation, stress, or big life transitions — benefit deeply from having dogs in their lives
What it means to make room for a dog when your life feels full, and why the sacrifice is worth more than you give back
A FAVOURITE MOMENT
"Every misstep is a stepping stone to success. There's a diamond underneath every challenge — you just have to look for it." — Daniel
ABOUT DANIEL POPOVIC
Daniel Popovic is a product innovation executive, author, and podcast host who spent years generating over two billion dollars in product value across multiple industries before turning his attention to what matters most: the human-animal bond. After losing his Doberman Marley in devastating circumstances, he wrote a book to process his grief — and discovered it resonated with others navigating the same heartbreak. Now he hosts the Every Paw Print, Every Story podcast, works with rescue dogs carrying trauma, and is developing a framework to speak at universities about how dogs anchor our mental health and shape us into better leaders and humans.
CONNECT WITH DANIEL POPOVIC
Website: pawpads.pet
CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS
To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com.
And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.
35 min - Adopting Ex-Racing Greyhounds: Athletes That Make Surprisingly Perfect Pets - Maritsa Inglessis
Prefer video? Watch on youtube.
Greyhound adoption might not be on your radar if you think retired racing dogs need endless exercise or won't settle into normal life. But what if the reality was completely different — and these gentle, intelligent souls made some of the easiest, most affectionate companions you could ask for? Maritsa Inglessis shares what it's really like to welcome ex-racing greyhounds into your home, from the moment they see a TV for the first time to learning that sofas are, in fact, the best place on earth.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why greyhounds are nicknamed "45 mile an hour couch potatoes" and how little exercise they actually need compared to what most people assume
What it looks like when a dog who spent their whole life in racing kennels steps into a home for the first time — stairs, washing machines, sofas and all
How greyhounds compare to other rescue dogs in temperament, intelligence and how quickly they adapt to the good life
Why their thin skin and low body fat mean they genuinely need coats in winter and careful temperature management in summer
What to know about their prey drive, especially around small fluffy dogs or cats, and how that plays out on walks
Why finding a vet experienced with greyhounds matters — their blood markers and physiology are different enough to cause confusion
Where to look if you're considering adopting a retired racer, and what kind of history you should ask for before bringing one home
A FAVOURITE MOMENT
"Howard took about one or two weeks to learn that he could actually get up onto the sofa and sit on it. Now he won't actually get off it." — Maritsa
ABOUT MARITSA INGLESSIS
Maritsa and her husband originally planned to adopt one rescue dog. Instead, they came home with Rocket and Tilly, a bonded pair of ex-racing greyhounds, and quickly discovered that one greyhound is rarely enough. Daisy joined the family soon afterwards, and all three later made the move with them to Greece. After losing Rocket and Tilly last year, Maritsa and her husband recently welcomed Howard into their home as a new companion for Daisy. Having helped Daisy and Howard adjust to life beyond racing kennels, Maritsa has seen them encounter everything from stairs to washing machines for the first time. She is passionate about showing what loving, affectionate and surprisingly low-maintenance pets greyhounds make, while speaking honestly about the realities of the racing industry.
CONNECT WITH MARITSA INGLESSIS
Website: thepeoplekeeper.com
CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS
To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com
And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.
28 min - Therapy Dogs and Model Dogs: How Your Dog's Hidden Gifts Can Heal Others with Susan Hartzler
Prefer video? Watch on youtube.
Therapy dogs visit hospitals, schools, and nursing homes — but what does it actually take to build that kind of partnership with your dog? Susan Hartzler has been doing therapy dog work for 26 years, and in this conversation, she shares what she's learned about helping dogs and their people bring comfort, connection, and healing to communities. It's a glimpse into a world most of us only see from the outside — and a reminder of just how much dogs give when we learn to work alongside them.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
The difference between service dogs, emotional support dogs, and therapy dogs — and why understanding those distinctions matters if you're considering any kind of working role with your dog
How to recognize whether your dog has the temperament for therapy work, and what training foundation they need before stepping into hospitals, schools, or other settings
Why therapy dog work is as much about the human as it is the dog — and what it takes to be a calm, present partner at the other end of the leash
What happens when a dog intuitively knows what someone needs, and how to follow your dog's lead rather than override it
The science-backed benefits of spending time with dogs — from lowering cortisol to calming panic attacks — and how to tap into those intentionally, not just accidentally
How Susan taught her dogs to wear hats and sunglasses (and why that skill actually matters in therapy and modeling work)
What it's like when your dog becomes both a therapy dog and a professional actor — and how those two worlds surprisingly overlap
A FAVOURITE MOMENT
"He actually knew what each person needed, and I was just kind of his facilitator at the end of the leash." — Susan
ABOUT SUSAN HARTZLER
Susan Hartzler is an award-winning writer and passionate advocate for the human-animal bond. For the past 26 years, she and her pack have volunteered as certified therapy dog teams, visiting hospitals, schools, libraries, nursing homes, and community organizations across the country. Her newest book, Teaming Up with Therapy Dogs: Skills to Build Healing Partnerships, offers practical guidance for aspiring therapy dog teams, blending training insights with real stories from the field. She's also the author of two memoirs — I'm Not Single, I Have a Dog: Dating Tales from the Bark Side and The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace — and the creator of BlissDog, a Substack publication exploring the healing power of dogs. Her current pack, Seven and Paige Turner, aren't just therapy dogs — they're also professional actors and models.
CONNECT WITH SUSAN HARTZLER
Website: susanhartzler.com
Substack: blissdog.substack.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Blissdog and facebook.com/SevenForPresident
YouTube: youtube.com/@SusanHartzler
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susanhartzler
CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS
To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com
And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.
30 min - Dog Meets Baby: Beyond Instagram's Perfect Picture with Dominika Knossalla-Pado
Prefer video? Watch on youtube.
Dogs and babies living together isn't always the Instagram-perfect moment many parents imagine. When certified dog trainer Dominika Knossalla-Pado's beloved Labrador showed predatory behavior toward her newborn twins, it shattered the romantic picture she'd held and sent her searching for answers that simply didn't exist. This conversation offers the practical, honest guidance expecting parents and new families need to help both their children and dogs not just survive this transition, but truly thrive.
What You'll Learn
Why even well-trained dogs can struggle when a baby arrives, and how to recognize the early signs that your dog is finding the transition difficult
What you can actually prepare for before your baby is born, including the specific behaviors and routines that matter most (and why you probably don't need that expensive doll)
How to create a safe first meeting between your dog and baby, especially if your dog has never been around young children
Why those heartwarming social media posts of dogs and babies together can be misleading, and what a truly comfortable dog actually looks like in those moments
What to do when your toddler becomes mobile and suddenly your calm dog seems stressed by grabby hands, unpredictable movements and constant noise
How to give both your child and your dog the freedom they need without constant supervision becoming overwhelming
When separation and baby gates become tools for peace rather than punishment, and how to prepare your dog for these changes before stress builds
A Favourite Moment
"Give me that neighbor." — Dominika
About Dominika Knossalla-Pado
Dominika Knossalla-Pado is a certified dog trainer who graduated with honors from the Academy for Dog Trainers. When her beloved Labrador Lola showed predatory behavior toward her newborn twins, Dominika realized most parents lack the tools and knowledge to navigate these critical moments safely. That experience inspired her to found Dog Meets Baby, now a trusted resource for families worldwide through online courses, consultations and free resources. She's also the author of the children's book Lola and the Bubble Mission, which introduces young children to the concept that all animals need their own safe space.
Connect with Dominika Knossalla-Pado
Website: dogmeetsbaby.expert
Instagram: @dogmeets_baby
YouTube: Dog Meets Baby
Facebook: Dog Meets Baby
Pinterest: Dog Meets Baby
Free Resources
Preparation Checklist for Expecting Parents
Rules of Interaction for Caregivers of Toddlers and Preschoolers
Guide for Caregivers of Toddlers
Dog Meets Family Preparation Checklist
Dog Bite Prevention for Families
Lola and the Bubble Mission
Connect with Soul Touched by Dogs
To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com
And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.
33 min - Shift Your Energy, Change Your Dog’s Behavior with Caroline Griffith
Prefer video? Watch on youtube.
Canine Flow and the energetic lens that changes how we understand dog behaviour — that's what this conversation is about. Caroline shares a perspective that goes beyond traditional training methods, showing how emotions, energy and even water influence our dogs' wellbeing. If you've ever felt there's something deeper going on with your dog than what you can see on the surface, this episode offers a completely different way of looking at the relationship you share.
What You'll Learn
- How your dog's behaviour is actually a flow of emotion seeking expression, not something to suppress or control
- Why separation anxiety often has less to do with you leaving and more to do with whether your dog can emotionally ground on you when you're present
- What it means when your dog has "charge" — and how to recognise when energy has built up and needs to be released
- The surprising role water plays in holding somatic trauma in both humans and dogs, and simple ways to structure your water at home
- Why enrichment isn't about mentally tiring your dog but about helping them release emotional charge and find contentment
- How shifts in your own state — like attending a yoga class or releasing stuck emotions — can directly change your dog's behaviour
- What electromagnetic fields and Wi-Fi may be doing to dogs, who have the largest heart per body mass of any creature
A Favourite Moment
"The dog is not trying to be in charge. They have a charge." — Caroline
About Caroline
Caroline has been leading Canine Flow Retreats for dogs and their guardians for the past 16 years, specialising in soul-level behaviour transformation. She brings together decades of experience in canine nutrition and holistic therapies with a unique energetic lens that looks at how a dog's measurable energy field — what she calls the vital life force flow — influences their behaviour. Caroline is also co-founder of the Association of Pet Nutrition Consultants and works as a nutrition consultant in the international pet food industry.
Connect with Caroline
Website: canineflow.com
Facebook: facebook.com/LoveWoofandWonderConnect with Soul Touched by Dogs
To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com.
And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co — the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.41 min - Dog Training Starts With You: Boundaries and Connection with Miranda van der Heijden
Prefer video? Watch on YouTube.
Setting boundaries with your dog isn't about being harsh—it's about creating safety, connection and calm for both of you. In this conversation, Dutch dog trainer Miranda van der Heijden walks us through the delicate balance between unconditional love and healthy limits, and why the struggles we see in our dogs often mirror the patterns we carry ourselves.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why setting boundaries for your dog is an act of love, not control—and how it helps them feel safer when you're not around
How your dog's behaviour often mirrors your own fears, hesitations and resistance to change
What it really takes to help a fearful dog move through something new (and why avoiding discomfort keeps them stuck)
Why one-to-one training allows for deeper transformation than group classes—for both dogs and their people
How agility, scent work and other activities can become therapeutic mirrors for personal growth
The unexpected emotional work that comes with teaching people to train their dogs
What it means to be connected with your dog without becoming enmeshed—and why that distinction matters
A FAVOURITE MOMENT
"I'm always training the person… because things don't change if you as a person do not change." — Miranda
ABOUT MIRANDA VAN DER HEIJDEN
Miranda van der Heijden has been training dogs in the Netherlands since 1987. After years of working with groups, she shifted her focus entirely to one-to-one sessions, where she can look beyond behaviour and into the relationship between dog and human. She's spent over three decades in competitive agility and now works with her own Border Collie in scent detection and mantrailing. Her training centre, located near 's-Hertogenbosch, is a space where dogs learn—and people discover what their dogs have been trying to teach them all along.
CONNECT WITH MIRANDA VAN DER HEIJDEN
Website: gehoorzamehuishond.nl
Instagram: @miranda_gehoorzamehuishondFacebook: De Gehoorzame HuishondFacebook: Hand in PootEmail: [email protected]CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS
To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com.
And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co—the Ultimate Hub for dogs and the people who love them.39 min
About Soul Touched by Dogs
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to the Soul Touched by Dogs Podcast, the show for dog lovers who see dogs not as toys or tools, but as wise souls worth our respect and care.
The 30-minute interviews with "Pawsome Humans", people who do great work for dogs and their people, you're listening to here on the podcast are one of the ways we celebrate the human-canine connection and advocate for holistic approaches to canine health and well-being.