What makes life in a zoo better for animals? Being able to make their own choices and bonding with individuals who care for them. In this episode we meet a warm and joyous zookeeper whose job it was among other things, to prepare crocodiles for their regular medical exams. Crocodiles, who can learn their own names, and will come when called are not only the first species you think of when you talk about “animal intuition” – but how do they know it is time for once every two-year medical exam? Learn how they knew from what shirt the zookeeper was wearing they could predict what was coming that day. What makes them suddenly disappear when it is time for a blood test? Learn all about Albert Ferraro’s experiences with these and other zoo animals, including exotic Tapers with personalities and affection, and Siamang monkeys who delighted with a handheld mirror and other joyful tales about how bonding with one special human can make 

EPISODE NOTES: What a Zookeeper Learned from Animals

Flying animals out of disaster areas, or from shelters that are overrun is the mission of Pilots to the Rescue. Pilot Michael Schneider tells heart-warming stories of helping animals get out of bad situations and get to better ones! Michael explains that every year close to a million homeless pets are euthanized in the US, primarily due to a lack of space in crowded shelters. With their non-profit organization, they are able to coordinate with shelters who are in dire circumstances and transport the animals to help them find loving homes with families who have open arms and hearts. Helping at risk animals is the mission of Pilots to the Rescue, and learn how the animals do in flight, as they make their way to safety. Their goal for the year 2025 is to save 2,500 animal souls. Listen to this show and feel inspired about how we change the destiny of animals.

EPISODE NOTES: Pilots to the Rescue

Penelope Smith, Author of Animal Talk, Interspecies Telepathic Communication, has been lecturing and teaching Animal Communication all over the world for decades. In this episode she explains her deep feelings and understanding of Animal Consciousness. She more conscious than we are about love and life. This is a delightful conversation that will inspire you to open your own heart and mind to the world of Animal Communication.
explains that all beings are conscious. They have emotions and make choices and decisions; they have intentions and a purpose in life. We can learn so much from communicating with them about what is important to them, what they think of us, and how they can teach us so much about who we really are.

Penelope talks about the cost to humans of having a false dividing line between humans and other animals, how the notion of hierarchy is dangerous because it leads to treating “others” as less than, whether that is different species, different races or genders, it is time to no longer give power to the idea that humans are superior. There is nothing like communicating directly with animals to help us recognize that they are often

EPISODE NOTES: Penelope Smith on Animal Consciousness

Healing is in your hands when you learn the art of Tapping, which is like acupuncture without needles. This gentle and friendly technique, called EFT for Emotional Freedom Technique, is loved by most animals and you can learn how to do it yourself to increase the bond and to promote physical, mental and emotional healing. In this episode, Jondi Whitis explains how she uses tapping to bring calm, relieve separation anxiety and help all animals feel better in their bodies and minds. Tapping has no side effects, and you can’t do it wrong, so it is the perfect method to add to your animal-wellness toolbox. Jondi first learned tapping to help herself and other humans, but soon discovered what a powerful method it was for all beings.

EPISODE NOTES: Tapping

Nobody wants to think about euthanasia. It is one thing if an animal is ill, suffering, and has reached the end of the possibilities of medical intervention. It is quite another thing to consider putting a physically healthy animal down who has mental illness and behavioral issues that are dangerous to themselves or others. This is a difficult subject to face, but thousands of people live lives of quiet desperation, unable to let their dog interact with others, or not able to easily leave the dog alone.

In this episode, Meredith Tollison, Animal Communicator and Behavioral Dog Trainer engages us with a very honest conversation about what happens when an animal and human can’t live together happily, safely and peacefully. It is almost as if some people are trapped with these animals. They feel at the mercy of their concerns about how their animal might react in a variety of situations. While this episode discusses hard-to-face issues, it also is inspirational as Meredith talks about communicating with animals after they have been euthanized and passed into the beyond. Many of these animals did not enjoy life in a body, in a human home, and now feel that they are truly home, safe, calm and ready to connect at a spiritual level. Be brave and listen, you will be glad you did!

EPISODE NOTES: Behavioral Euthanasia

Animal Chaplains help people through all stages and phases of their animal’s life. Many times, when people are preparing for the transition, there are so many complex emotions, and you really want to talk to someone who understands the depths of the experience of pet loss. Animal Chaplains are non-denominational and accept people from all faiths, no faiths, and belief systems. Animal Chaplains can help you identify what you need to process this experience, or to create a customized ceremony to celebrate the life of an animal. Animal Chaplains respect the human-animal relationship in all its many phases of love, joy and loss. It is always good to have a plan for transition and Animal Chaplains can walk with you through this experience, so that it may be as beautiful and sacred as possible. Rev. Sarah Bowen is the cofounder of Compassion Consortium, and trains potential Animal Chaplains. Her book Sacred Sendoffs is available online.

EPISODE NOTES: What is An Animal Chaplain?

Kate Hawkes was raised in Australia with and by horses! Her father gave her some very wise advice when she was ten years old after a horse “threw her.” He said, “The horse didn’t throw you. You fell off. What were you doing – or not doing – that make the horse knock you off?” The wisdom of recognizing that horses are mirrors for our energy, our behavior, our deeper feelings has helped shape Kate’s healing work with others. The wisdom of horses has inspired Kate to work with many people who are on their healing journey to express their creativity and to truly be themselves. Horses are expert teachers at being true to their own feelings, and because of this, they can clearly see our own selves. Being around healing horses and being truly seen -- can help us to recognize our inner lives and to learn to express ourselves in creative, honest, and joyful ways.

EPISODE NOTES: How Horses Inspire Our Creativity

With so many abandoned dogs in shelters, it is easy to lose hope. But for the dogs who do get adopted, lives are changed forever. Not just for the dogs -- but for the people who open their homes and hearts. Katherine Carver is the author and photojournalist of the beautiful book: Abandoned: Chronicling the Journeys of Once Forsaken Dogs which has been endorsed by Jane Goodall. It shows heartfelt photos of dogs left in shelters – sad, lonely, hungry – and then once adopted a follow-up one year later in photos and stories of their happy lives and the joy they have brought to their new families. These inspiring stories of resilience will make you want to run to your shelter and take a little ball of love home!

EPISODE NOTES: Abandoned Dogs Give Hope to Many

Spot is a rabbit. But not just your “everyday rabbit.” He is a philosopher who has narrated a book on human-life to his person, Animal Communicator Paloma Baertschi. The book is called “You Set Your Own Limits” and offers much practical wisdom to those of us living in human bodies. This book tells the remarkable story of how Spot insisted that his person needed to learn more before he would speak to her. For two years, he repeated the message that he was a philosopher, and she wasn’t ready to understand what he had to say. Paloma didn’t give up. She refined her understanding and her skills of animal communication, and to this day, the conversation continues.

Spot’s partner (the mother of their children) is named Luna. She has her own gifts of communication and is often the expert when animals have to go to the veterinarian, and the causes of illness are not understood. The rabbit Luna telepathically understands what is needed and is often able to help the veterinarian understand what needs to be done to save the animal’s life, even in surgery situations. You will never underestimate Animal Consciousness and wisdom after you listen to this episode.

EPISODE NOTES: Down the Rabbit Hole – A Conversation with a Rabbit Named Spot & Paloma Baertschi

When was the last time you had a serious conversation with a Turkey? For Ellie Laks, co-creator of the Gentle Barn, this is a regular occurrence. At her rescue barn, the female turkeys love to cuddle with kids and adults. Looking the person in the eye, they spread their wings, exposing their hearts, and meet people at such a pure and profound level that it often brings tears to their eyes – the human’s eyes! Ellie has been an animal communicator since childhood, and she has had such powerful conversations with her rescue turkeys that it will make your jaw drop and your heart open. These are not just “dumb animals” or meals for holidays. These turkeys have expressed very specific desires and have shown just how truly in service they are to the human race. Ellie Laks is the author of My Gentle Barn and Cow Hug Therapy. For more information visit GentleBarn.org

EPISODE NOTES: Talking Turkey with Ellie Laks - The Gentle Barn