The Deal with Animals with Marika S. Bell

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Episode 3 of series 15: Animal Communications   Transcript

From energetic impressions to emotional insights, Maribeth shares how she supports guardians through behavioral challenges, end‑of‑life transitions, and the deep bonds we form with our animal companions. 

Maribeth Coye Decker is an intuitive animal communicator, energy healer, and retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander. After becoming a Reiki Master, Maribeth discovered her ability to connect intuitively with animals — a skill that grew into her life’s work. She now helps people understand their animals’ emotional and energetic needs, navigate behavioral challenges, and find peace during end‑of‑life transitions.

Maribeth is the author of Peace in Passing: Comfort for Loving Humans During Animal Transitions, and she offers courses, consultations, and resources through her practice, Sacred Grove. Her work focuses on strengthening the bond between humans and the animals they love, including those who have passed on.

Website: https://sacredgrove.com

Guest Book recommendations: Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home: And Other Unexplained Powers of Animals by Rupert Sheldrake doctor.

Related Links: 

107. October Special! Ghost Dogs and The Anthropology of Paranormal Pets with Researcher and Author, Jen Golbeck

101. Burn Zone (S11: Animals of the Maui Wildfires)

70: Beyond Symbolism: Understanding Animals as Ancestors with Author, Ben Stimpson (S7)

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Episode 2, Series 15: Transcript

Join us to explore the ethical implications of the words we use and how they affect both our understanding and treatment of animals in research, our homes, and our moral imaginations.

Guest Bio: Nuno Henrique Franco has degrees in Natural Sciences and Teaching (BSc + MSc), Animal Biology (BSc Hons), Basic Studies in Veterinary Sciences (BSc) and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. Nuno is a researcher at the i3S (University of Porto) on the topics of laboratory animal welfare, animal ethics and the 3Rs, scientific quality, thermoregulation, veterinary education, and other topics. He is vice-president of the Portuguese Society for Laboratory Animal Science (SPCAL), Past-President of the E.U. Education & Training Platform for Laboratory Animal Science (ETPLAS), and President of the Animal Research Tomorrow society. He sits on the Animal Welfare Body of the i3S and of the U.Porto faculty of medicine, and founded and coordinates the Portuguese Network of Animal Welfare Bodies – RedeORBEA.

Book Recommendations: The book, animal Ethics and Animal Research by Helena Röcklinsberg, Mickey Gjerris, I. Anna S. Olsson and Putting The Horse Before Descartes by Bernard Rollin

Related Links: 50: New Year's Special- Recognizing and Overcoming Compassion Fatigue with Hilary Hager (Encore (Ep: 7))

93: Human Relevant Testing: A Conversation on Enhancing Human Health and Animal Welfare with Dr. Aysha Akhtar (S9)

85: Crossover Special! All Around Science with Bobby and Maura

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Project Coyote Wild Voices webinar- Writing on Behalf of Other Species

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Episode 1 of Series 15:  Transcript

We explore the story of Washoe, the first non-human to learn American Sign Language, and discuss the broader implications of chimpanzee communication on our understanding of language, culture, and ethics. The conversation covers the challenges of raising chimps in human environments, the role of sanctuaries in their care, and the ongoing reliance on monkeys in U.S. laboratories.

Guest Bio: Mary Lee Jensvold, Ph.D. is the Primate Communication Scientist and Associate Director at Fauna Foundation and a Senior Lecturer in the Primate Behavior and Ecology Program and Anthropology Department at Central Washington University. She is the former director of the Chimpanzee & Human Communication Institute at Central Washington University. She has spent her career working with the signing chimpanzees, Washoe and her family. Her expertise is in behavior and communication, including American Sign Language in chimpanzees and other apes. Her research includes communication among and between chimpanzees and humans, and captive caregiving practices. Her interest in chimpanzee sanctuaries include care practices, behavior, design, and welfare. She is a member of the board of directors of the Animal Welfare Institute, Fauna Foundation, and Friends of Washoe. She is on the steering committee of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA). She has numerous publications in journals and books. She has authored and co-authored books including Chimpanzee Behaviour: Recent Understandings from Captivity and the Forest.

Book Recommendation: Next of Kin: My Conversations with Chimpanzees (Living Planet Book) 

Related Links: 

E22: Ecofeminism and Entangled Empathy with Lori Gruen

124. What Can a Matriarchal Society Teach Us About Sex and Compassion? A Bonobo Perspective with Dr. Lori Gruen (S13)

93: Human Relevant Testing: A Conversation on Enhancing Human Health and Animal Welfare with Dr. Aysha Akhtar (S9)

47: Expressions of Emotion in Animals with Dr. Mariska Kret (S6)

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Transcript

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Episode 8 of Series 14: The Dog's Days of Autumn...  Transcript

Featured is a roundtable discussion focusing on the integration of humane, science-based techniques that prioritize emotional safety and trust. Key insights are provided on how trainers' philosophies intertwine with their ethical beliefs and the real-life applications for managing behavior through kindness and curiosity.

Grisha Stewart is a celebrated dog trainer, who runs the Grisha Stewart Academy, providing continuous education for professional dog trainers. She's the author of the "Behavior Adjustment Training" and "HMSA Dog Training Manual." Her passion lies in bridging the connections between people and dogs through positive reinforcement.

Laurie C. Williams, another expert trainer, owns and directs the Pup and Iron Canine Enrichment Center in Virginia. With a career spanning over 35 years, Laurie has seen the industry evolve from backyard endeavors to lucrative professions, and she advocates for a more empathetic approach to dog training.

Other Round-Table Episodes

83: Unmasking COVID-19's Impact on Animal Welfare with Nanette McCann and Corey Regnerus-Kell (S8)

84: How To Build a Bond With a New Dog with Stacey Colino and Jen Golbeck (December Special!)

63: EVAT Mini-series (Part 6): Free-Living Cats and Farm Animal Sanctuaries a Round Table with Kris Hill and Dr. Jacqui Sadashige

Original Episode: 

76: Staying Curious: Empowerment and Change in the Dog Training Community with Grisha Stewart and Laurie C. Williams (Special Episode!)

Related Links

 AVSAB Position Statement The Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals 

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Episode 7, Series 14: Dog's Days of Summer/Autumn...   Transcript

From genetics to environment, we unpack the science behind your dog’s actions and what it means to live compassionately with them. Plus, a follow-up conversation with Kim and Kate dives deeper into the ethics of behavior change and the language we use to describe our canine companions. 

Guest Bio: Kim Brophey, CDBC, CPDT-KA, LFDM, is an applied ethologist and award-winning behavior consultant with over 25 years of experience working with dogs and their families. She’s the creator of the L.E.G.S.® model of integrated canine science and founder of Family Dog Mediation®, a groundbreaking approach that reframes behavior through the lens of learning, environment, genetics, and self. Kim’s work has earned international recognition, including the APDT Outstanding Trainer of the Year award and eight consecutive Best Dog Trainer of WNC honors.

Her book Meet Your Dog, TED talk, and global speaking engagements have helped shift public and professional conversations about dog behavior. Through the Family Dog Mediation Education Center and her L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology course, Kim leads a growing international movement to redefine how we understand and live with dogs. She recently transitioned from local consulting to focus fully on the L.E.G.S. Initiative, inviting trainers, scientists, and guardians alike into a more compassionate, science-informed dialogue about our canine companions.

Related Episodes:

34: Aggression in Dogs Conference Mini-Series: with Michael Shikashio, CDBC Part 1

35: Aggression in Dogs Con Mini-Series: with Dr. Amber Batson Part 2

37: Raising Children and Dogs with Colleen Pelar, CPDT(S5)

Original Episode:

67: May Special!: Barking Up the Right Tree: Applied Ethology and the Human-Dog Connection with Kim Brophey

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Episode 5 of Series 14- Dog's Days of Summer...Fall?...*shrug*, I'm in the middle of an international move. 

Guest Bio: Kayla is currently a PhD student and NSF-GRFP Fellow at Oregon State University in Taal Levi's lab. Her research there focuses on the combination of scat detection dogs and genetic methods to answer questions regarding diet and movement of sea wolves in southeast Alaska and the recolonization of pumas in El Salvador.
After earning her degree in ecology from Colorado College, Kayla spent 3 years working as a dog behavior consultant in animal shelters and private practice. She has been an IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant since 2017 and is dedicated to humane, creative, and progressive dog training for high-drive dogs.
When she's not working on K9 Conservationists projects, you can find Kayla dancing salsa and bachata, doing jigsaw puzzles, or cross-country skiing. Kayla's main canine partners are Barley and Niffler.       K9 Conservationists

Related Episodes: 

51: Canid Olfaction and Our Shared Umwelt with Dr. Simon Gadbois (S6) (apologies for the sound issues in this episode)

72: 7 Misunderstood Beliefs in Animal Welfare: Myth Busting with Scott Giacoppo (S8)

E13: Conservation Detection Dogs with Kayla Fratt of Conservation K9

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Episode 5 of series 14: Dog's Days of Summer... Autumn Transcript

Simone shares her expertise on identifying, controlling, and redirecting predatory behaviors through various training techniques and games, ensuring safety and solidifying the human-animal connection.

Guest Bio: Simone Mueller, MA is a certified dog trainer and dog behaviour consultant (ATN) from Germany.
She specialises in force-free anti-predation training and is the author of the books of the Predation Substitute Training series.
Simone is proud to be an Associate Trainer at the Scotland-based Lothlorien Dog Training Club (AT-LDTC) and a member of The Initiative of Force-Free Dog Training, the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe (PDTE).
Follow Simone’s work on Facebook and Instagram: #predationsubstitutetraining
Learn more: http://www.predation-substitute-training.com

Related Episodes:
E19: Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law- A Chat with Author, Mary Roach

E23: Hunting Women: Exploring a hunter's perspective on killing, providing, and connection to the natural world with Sue Alexander

52: Predation in Practice with Simone Müller (S6)

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Episode 4 of Series 14: Dog's Days of Summer

We discuss the cultural acceptance of these dogs in India, their social structures, and the recent controversial legislation in New Delhi aimed at removing street dogs. This episode also delves into larger themes of human-animal relationships, ethics, and the importance of respecting canine autonomy.

Guest Bio: Sindhoor is a canine behaviour consultant, Galen myotherapist, an independent ethology researcher, an engineer by qualification and an educator in Bangalore, India. She is a TEDx speaker, the author of the book, Dog Knows and an independent ethology researcher studying the free-living dogs in India. Sindhoor is the founder of BHARCS. BHARCS offers a UK-accredited level 4 diploma on canine behaviour and ethology and boasts of students from all parts of India and across the globe. Sindhoor is also the country representative for Pet Dog Trainers of Europe (PDTE) and is currently pursuing her masters in Anthrozoology from Exeter University (UK). 

Related Episodes:  34: Aggression in Dogs Conference Mini-Series: with Michael Shikashio, CDBC Part 1

40: Aggression in Dogs Con Mini-Series: A Dog's World with Marco Adda Part 4

Original Episode: 49: The Culture of Free Living Dogs with Sindhoor Pangal (S6)

Material Links: Dog Activists in India

NY Times Article- Indian Court Ruling

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Jake and Ava- New Book by Jonathan Balcombe

www.jonathanbalcombe.com

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Episode 3 of Series 14: Dog's Days of Summer

Dr. Clive Wynne from July 2022,  shares insights from his book 'Dog Is Love' and discusses why dogs succeed in our world by forming powerful emotional bonds. Then, dog trainer Kate Lasala joins me, along with a visit from Dr. Wynne, to chat about dog stuff:)

Guest Bio:
Professor Clive D. L. Wynne, Ph.D. hails from the UK and has lived and worked in Germany and Australia in addition to the United States where he is now based.  Wynne melds his wide personal experience with dogs and wolves with a deep professional involvement in the science of canids. His primary area of research is the behavior and cognition of dogs in interaction with humans, but he has also published on canine genetics and collaborates with archaeologists and anthropologists in understanding the origin of dogs.  His research papers count among the most highly-cited studies on dog psychology. He is the author of a textbook, now in its third edition, Animal Cognition, and Do Animals Think? (Princeton University Press 2004), an academic book on animal intelligence. His research is also regularly featured in many news media, and he is often called on to offer an opinion on the latest findings. He has appeared in several television documentaries about dogs on CBC, PBS, BBC, Netflix among others. His online class on dog behavior on EdX.org has been taken by over 18,000 people.

Related Episodes: E27: Summer Special! with Clive Wynne Its all about the dogs...

34: Aggression in Dogs Conference Mini-Series: with Michael Shikashio, CDBC Part 1

51: Canid Olfaction and Our Shared Umwelt with Dr. Simon Gadbois (S6)

72: 7 Misunderstood Beliefs in Animal Welfare: Myth Busting with Scott Giacoppo (S8)

78: Speeding Up the System with Kristen Hassen (S8)

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