Ali has spent 20 years as a Western Australian ranger — starting in the city, working the outback in Karratha, and now covering the South West — and in that time she's seen nearly everything: sheep bolting down freeways, a dog rescued from under a car with a horrific eye injury, a mob of cows that wandered into town under a full moon while their owners holidayed in Canada, and thousands of scared, surrendered, and misunderstood animals passing through pound doors.

In this conversation, Ali talks candidly about what the job actually involves — the parts people never see, from the compassion of reuniting lost pets with grieving owners to the heartbreak of euthanising animals hit by trains. She shares what 20 years of reading dog and cat body language has taught her about how badly we misunderstand our pets, why "ring the ranger, not the vet" could save more lives, and why sterilising cats and dogs matters more than most owners realise.

Ali also opens up about the job's intensity and using alcohol to self-medicate, and how she's since found sobriety — channeling what she's learned into her own podcasts about ditching the booze and living fully. It's a conversation about animals, yes, but also about resilience, compassion under pressure, and what three decades on the front line of animal welfare can teach us about being better humans.

Guest :

Ali

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/laughs-without-lager/id1813514971

keywords

ranger, animal rescue, wildlife, legislation, animal behavior, community education, pet ownership, animal welfare, rescue stories, Western Australia

key topics

• Animal rescue stories including Rosie the dog and stray cattle
• Pathways to becoming a ranger and legislation involved
• Learning animal body language and behavior
• Dealing with stock animals and wildlife emergencies
• The importance of education and sterilization in animal welfare
• Challenges and rewards of working in rural and urban areas

Sound Bites

• "You go to TAFE to become a ranger, it’s about legislation."
• "Every day is different, that’s what I love about it."
• "Working with animals is the reason I do this job."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Allie's career as a ranger

02:01 Memorable rescue stories: Rosie the dog and stray cattle

04:12 Pathways to becoming a ranger and legislative training

05:52 Learning animal body language and behavior

08:12 Dealing with stock animals and wildlife emergencies

10:53 What keeps Allie passionate about her work

13:01 The role of education and sterilization in animal welfare

15:55 Understanding animal behavior and socialization

19:05 The emotional aspects of working with animals

22:01 Community engagement and education efforts

24:51 The importance of compassion and understanding in animal rescue

28:04 Challenges faced by rangers and the importance of awareness

30:12 Personal reflections and the rewarding nature of the job

33:02 Closing thoughts and future aspirations

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In this episode, Jen, a dog trainer and owner of Your Best Mate Canine Trainer in Perth, Western Australia, shares her journey from health professional to dog trainer, emphasizing the importance of understanding animal behavior, meeting dogs' needs, and effective communication between humans and their pets.

keywords

dog training, animal behavior, pet care, human-animal relationship, training tips

key topics

• Jen's career transition from health to dog training
• The importance of ethics and evidence-based training
• How learning theory applies across species
• Meeting dogs' physical, social, and mental needs
• The role of communication and reading dog body language
• Training strategies for urban dogs and breed-specific needs
• The impact of environment and distractions on training
• The misconception that you can't teach an old dog new tricks

Sound Bites

• "Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer"
• "Learning theory applies to most species"
• "Dogs learn 24/7, not just during training"

Contact Jen:

Email: [email protected]

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourbestmatewa

Music by: Silent Partner

Song: Spring in My Step. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siCmqvfw_1g

Host and producer: Sian Gard

Contact: [email protected]

Watch episodes : https://www.youtube.com/@Whosagoodhuman-podcast

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jen's Career Transition

00:25 Why Jen Chose Dog Training

01:02 Training and Education Pathways

03:52 Surprising Lessons from the Course

06:48 Learning Theory Across Species

08:10 Meeting Dogs' Core Needs

12:33 Common Pet Behavior Challenges

14:08 Insights on Human-Animal Relationships

16:37 Training in Distractions

18:02 Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks

19:10 Personal Reflection and Fulfillment

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Meet Eamon — Eamon and his partner Mel are lifelong Border Collie devotees whose family has been shaped by four generations of the breed, from childhood dog Cassie to current pack members Billy and Sunny. In this episode of Who's a Good Human, Eamon shares how his late Border Collie Fudge was discovered at a café and cast in the short film Inheritance, alongside Travis Jeffery, Matt Nable and director Myles Pollard (McLeod's Daughters) — plus how Billy landed a leading role in a WA road safety TV commercial.

We dig into what makes Border Collies so intensely intelligent and communicative (Fudge taught herself hand signals as a puppy), their surprising second career as therapy dogs supporting a school psychologist and palliative care patients at Hollywood Private Hospital, and the chaos of raising a new puppy — including one very expensive diamond earring incident.

A story about grief, loyalty, movie-star dogs, and why once you've had a Border Collie, you never really go back.

🐾 Follow Who's a Good Human for more stories of the people and animals who shape each other's lives.

Music: Spring in my Step, by Silent Partner.

00:00 - Introducing Eamon and his Border Collie obsession

00:39 - Fudge’s “hands up” trick and uncanny communication

02:32 - Early memories of Cassie and the start of a lifelong breed love

03:16 - Daily life with Border Collies and why they need mental stimulation

05:09 - Billy and Sunny become instant best friends

06:21 - Billy’s long history as the bottom dog in the pack

08:15 - Mel’s Border Collie journey, agility work, and therapy dog training

09:43 - What makes a good therapy dog and why intuition matters

11:27 - How Border Collies respond to grief and household changes

12:59 - Fudge’s discovery and the making of the short film Inheritance

13:53 - Billy’s role in the road safety commercial

15:12 - What it was like being approached for film work

16:20 - The experience of bringing dogs onto a film set

17:30 - Community support and catering on the Dunsborough shoot

18:26 - What Inheritance is about and where it has screened

19:40 - Fudge’s memorial moment in the finished film

20:55 - How Billy ended up with future casting opportunities

21:59 - Mel’s advanced training background and agility titles

23:10 - Agility as fun first, competition second

24:10 - Why Border Collies bring Eamon and Mel so much joy

25:43 - Why they’ll likely always own Border Collies

26:46 - Sunny’s expensive puppy chaos and repeated vet visits

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Lee had always wanted a dog, and when she met Ollie, she believed she had found her 'dogmate' (soulmate of dogs). Ollie loved food, Lee loved food. Ollie was adventurous, so was Lee. It was a match made in heaven!

Then COVID happened and Lee was locked down in Melbourne. Her life changed when a family member needed care and she was faced with a hard choice.

keywords

dog stories, pet-human bond, Ollie the dog, emotional stories, pet loss, lockdown pets, dog training, animal companionship, heartfelt stories, pet memories

key topics

• The story of how Lee rescued Ollie from a rescue center
• Ollie's unique personality and traits
• The emotional support Ollie provided during COVID lockdown
• The bond and trust developed between Lee and Ollie
• The impact of Ollie's passing and the grief process
• The significance of pets in emotional well-being

guest name

Lee

key frameworks

• Pet-Human Bond Theory
• Grief and Healing Process

titles

• Ollie: The Dog Who Changed My Life
• The Paw Prints of Love: Ollie's Story

Sound Bites

• "I think Ollie might have been a bit stoned."
• "You're so loved, Ollie. I wish we had more time."
• "Every time I hear that song, I think of Ollie."

Music: Spring in my step by Silent Partner

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ollie: A Special Bond

03:03 The Adoption Story: Finding Ollie

06:08 Ollie's Unique Personality and Food Adventures

08:36 Building Trust: Ollie's Journey with Lee

11:14 The Protective Nature of Ollie

14:10 Ollie's Impact: Love and Companionship

16:00 Moments of Connection: Recognizing the Bond

19:26 Ollie's Support During Tough Times

21:30 The Difficult Goodbye: Ollie's New Home

27:09 Reflections on Ollie's Life and Legacy

27:16 Remembering Ollie: A Heartfelt Tribute

30:15 The Joy of Companionship: Lessons from Our Pets

33:07 The Emotional Connection: Music and Memories

36:01 The Healing Power of Pets: Sharing Love and Loss

36:20 NEWCHAPTER

• Twitter
• LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summary

In this heartfelt interview, Rob shares the touching stories of his dogs Astro and Bonnie, exploring themes of love, loss, intuition, and the deep bond between humans and animals. Discover how pets can sense emotions, provide comfort, and leave lasting legacies in our lives.

keywords

dogs, pet loss, intuition, love, companionship, grief, rescue dogs, animal stories, emotional connection, pet care

key topics

• Dogs' intuitive abilities to sense human emotions
• The deep bond and mutual love between humans and dogs
• Stories of rescue and the significance of pet loss
• The unique personalities and quirks of Astro and Bonnie
• The emotional journey of grief and healing through pets

takeaways

• Dogs can sense when someone needs comfort and often seek to provide it.
• The bond with a pet can be a source of healing after loss.
• Rescue dogs often have special traits and stories that enrich our lives.
• Recognizing and honoring the memories of pets is a vital part of healing.
• The unconditional love of animals offers profound emotional benefits.

titles

• The Unbreakable Bond: Stories of Astro and Bonnie
• How Dogs Sense Emotions and Offer Comfort

Sound Bites

• "Bonnie just knows who needs comfort"
• "People go to the beach to sit alone and gaze out to sea"
• "Sometimes the life force is just too great"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rob and his dogs, Astro and Bonnie

00:39 Bonnie's intuitive behavior on the beach

02:11 Rob shares stories of Bonnie comforting people

04:24 Astro's personality and remarkable resilience

06:16 The story of Astro's near-death experience

07:42 Bonnie's connection to Astro and their shared space

10:14 The mutual love and bond between Rob and his dogs

13:38 Astro's tricks and personality quirks

16:52 Astro's passing and the grief process

22:21 Bonnie as a lively and adventurous pup

25:29 The importance of dogs in Rob's family life

29:58 Rob's outlook on future dogs and ongoing adventures

31:30 Humorous stories of Astro and Bonnie’s antics

33:08 Closing thoughts and gratitude for the dogs' impact

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

summary

Pete and Anya share their journey of adopting and training their unique dogs, Amare and Freddie, exploring breed traits, training techniques, and the joys of dog ownership.

keywords

dog training, Logotto, poodle, dog breeds, obedience training, scent training, dog water activities, pet ownership

Music by : Spring in my step - Silent Partner : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siCmqvfw_1g

key topics

• Breed selection and characteristics of Logotto and Poodle
• Training techniques including scent detection and obedience
• The importance of routines and socialization in dog training
• Water activities and their benefits for dogs
• Managing multi-dog households and littermate syndrome

guest name

Pete and Anya

titles

• The Unique Journey of Amare and Freddie: A Dog Lover's Tale
• Training and Bonding with Logotto and Poodle Dogs

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Amare and Freddie

02:57 Choosing the Right Breed: Logotto Romagnolo

06:09 The Breeder Experience: Finding Amare

08:55 Bringing Amare Home: The First Day

11:51 Naming Amare: The Story Behind the Name

14:56 Amare's Working Dog Traits

17:58 Introducing Freddie: The Second Dog

21:05 Managing Littermate Syndrome

24:03 Life with Two Dogs: Routines and Relationships

27:14 Community and Support: Connecting with Other Logotto Owners

30:11 The Unique Experience of Sniffing School

39:36 Training Insights: Learning and Bonding with Dogs

46:15 The Joy of Daily Life with Dogs

51:05 Water Adventures: The Joy of Swimming Dogs

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Summary

In this episode, Leroy shares the heartfelt story of his bond with Mac, a lovable Pomeranian, and how he became a vital part of his life. Discover the joys, challenges, and special moments of pet ownership that highlight the deep human-animal connection.

keywords

pets, dogs, Pomeranian, bonding, emotional connection, pet care, dog grooming, companionship, love for animals

key topics

• Bonding with pets
• Pet care and grooming
• The emotional impact of animals
• Pet ownership challenges and joys
• The significance of companionship

titles

• The Heartwarming Bond Between Leroy and Mac
• How a Pomeranian Changed Leroy's Life

Sound Bites

• "Meet Leroy and his beloved dog Mac"
• "I fell in love with him instantly"
• "Mac means the world to me"

Music thanks to, Sping in my step by Silent Partner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siCmqvfw_1g

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leroy and Mac

00:32 How Mac Came Into Leroy's Life

01:50 The Moment Leroy Fell in Love with Mac

03:17 Claiming Ownership of Mac

04:52 Mac's Personality and Behavior

07:52 The Origin of Mac's Name

08:33 Mac's Attention and Outfits

09:28 Training and Behavior of Mac

09:53 Grooming and Bathing Mac

14:39 Leaving Mac in Queensland for Study

16:09 Reunion with Mac in Queensland

17:21 The Joy of Coming Home to Mac

18:09 Spending Time with Mac During Mum's Absence

19:29 What Leroy Loves Most About Mac

20:25 Mac as More Than a Pet

21:24 Final Thoughts and Appreciation

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A walk down memory lane — Leisl remembers Spence and Nipster, two ginger boys who left paw prints on her heart.

This isn't just a highlight reel — it's a love letter. To the 3am zoomies. The judgmental stares. The knocked-over cups and the quiet moments curled up together at the end of a long day.

Spence and Nipster weren't just cats to Leisl. They were family — her two ginger shadows, her comic relief, her quiet comfort. They taught her more about patience, presence, and unconditional love than she ever expected two small, mischievous creatures could.

This is where Leisl comes to remember them. To laugh again at the chaos they caused, and to sit for a moment in the love they left behind.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If Frank was a human he would be a cop or a criminal, Ava a smart pup who played the bimbo to get what she needed , and Miles a cat that couldn't live without his mum. Meet Naomi's rescue animals and learn how these three very different animals transformed her life. Discover the lessons of loyalty, love, and the spiritual connections we share with our pets.

 Keywords

#animalrescue #petstories #loyalty #emotionalconnection #petafterlife #rescueanimals #animalbehavior #petloss #animal #companionship #cats #dogs #cat #dog

 Key topics

Rescue stories of Frank, Ava, and Miles

The impact of pets on mental health and well-being

Spiritual connections with animals and afterlife beliefs

Behavioral traits of rescue animals and their personalities

The healing power of caring for animals

 Takeaways

Rescue animals often have complex backgrounds but can bring immense joy and loyalty.

Pets can serve as emotional anchors and help manage mental health issues.

Spiritual beliefs about animals' afterlife can provide comfort and closure.

Understanding animal behavior helps in building stronger bonds and training.

The act of caring for animals is a profound way to find purpose and healing.

Guest Name

Naomi

Titles

The Rescue Dogs Who Changed My Life

Frank, Ava, and Miles: Lessons in Loyalty

 Sound bites

"Frank literally jumped into my arms on the street."

"Losing them leaves a huge emptiness in your house."

"Many people report seeing their pets in near-death experiences."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rescue and Loyalty

02:59 The Story of Frank: A Runaway Terrier

06:12 Frank's Unique Personality and Impact

09:02 Life with Frank: Challenges and Joys

12:11 The Healing Power of Pets

15:09 Introducing Ava: A New Companion

18:02 Ava's Adventures and Achievements

21:10 The Bond Between Frank and Ava

23:49 The Heartbreak of Loss

27:09 Traveling with Miles: A Unique Bond

28:15 The Impact of Loss on Other Pets

30:30 Creating a Memorial: Honoring Their Memory

31:38 Signs from Beyond: Connecting with Departed Pets

38:18 The Transformative Power of Pets in Our Lives

 resources

Pound Pooches Book - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Pound+Pooches+book

Naomi's Website -

Animal Afterlife Beliefs - https://animalafterlife.com

Music credit: Spring in my step - Silent Partner

Resources

www.whosagoodhuman.com.au

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591167952693

https://www.instagram.com/whos_a_good_human/?hl=en

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Matt gives insights into rehoming animals, the challenges faced, and the importance of matching pets with the right families. Matt tells his heartfelt journey with animals, from caring for pets to running a rescue organization. Discover insights into rehoming animals, the challenges faced, and the importance of matching pets with the right families.

 keywords

animal rescue, pet adoption, animal welfare, rehoming, pet care, rescue organization, animal behavior, pet love

 key topics

Matt Aitken's journey from caring for pets to running a rescue organization

Challenges and rewards of animal rehoming

The importance of matching pets with suitable families

Behavioral and medical challenges in rescue animals

The emotional impact of pet adoption and relinquishment

 guest name

Matt Aitken

Titles

From Shelter to Home: Matt Aitken's Animal Rescue Journey

The Heart of Rehoming: Insights from a Rescue Expert

 sound bites

"It's time today, you know, I don't want you to suffer."

"Her behavior changed almost instantly after de-sexing."

"Having animals in my life makes the house feel full."

Chapters

00:00 The Emotional Journey of Animal Care

03:01 From Pet Ownership to Animal Rescue

06:00 The Challenges of Running a Rescue Organization

08:51 Matching Pets with Their Forever Homes

11:46 The Importance of Understanding Rejection in Adoption

15:00 The Administrative Burden of Animal Rescue

18:08 The Rewards of Rescuing and Adopting Older Animals

23:17 The Journey of a Unique Companion

28:12 Building a Diverse Animal Family

36:15 Navigating the Challenges of Pet Ownership

40:15 The Emotional and Financial Commitment of Pet Care

 resources

Animal Rescue Australia - https://animalrescue.org.au

Pet Medical Crisis Fund - https://petmedicalcrisisfund.org

Blue Cross Wonga Park Shelter - https://bluecross.org.au

Music credit : Spring in my step - Silent Partner

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