Working Like Dogs - Service Dogs and Working Dogs - Pet Life Radio Original

Don’t miss this powerful episode of Working Like Dogs on Pet Life Radio featuring Felicia Ako and Celeste Walsen from the Courthouse Dogs Foundation. Hosts Marcie and her amazing service dog, Fenway, sit down with Felicia and Celeste to explore how their groundbreaking nonprofit partners with facility dog handlers to support children and other vulnerable victims of crime. With heart and expertise, they share how these specially trained dogs provide comfort and a sense of safety to those navigating the justice system—not just in the U.S., but around the globe. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the healing power of dogs and the critical role they play in the courtroom.

EPISODE NOTES: Courthouse Facility Dogs

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Tune in to Working Like Dogs on Pet Life Radio as Marcie and Fenway welcome the incredible Tamara Martin. With over 40 years in the criminal justice system, Tamara has dedicated her career to supporting both victims and offenders. She and her first facility dog, Willow, pioneered the first statewide facility dog program in the U.S., transforming how facility dogs provide comfort and support in the legal system. Now, as a Facility Dog Handler for the HERO program with the Office of Prosecution Services in Montgomery, Alabama, Tamara continues to make a profound impact with her current facility dog, Yahini. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about the life-changing role of facility dogs in the justice system!

EPISODE NOTES: Empower, Restore, and Overcome!

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Caitlin Erickson, Executive Director of Horses for Healing joins Marcie and Fenway to share her inspiring journey into the transformative power of equine-assisted therapy. Caitlin’s passion for horse-centered and client-centered behavioral health work shines through as she reveals how these magnificent animals help individuals heal from trauma, build confidence, and rediscover their inner strength. Through deep connection and nonverbal communication, horses provide a safe, judgment-free space for clients to process emotions and develop resilience. This conversation is a powerful reminder of the profound impact of the human-animal bond and the magical healing potential of equine therapy!

EPISODE NOTES: Horses for Healing

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Listen in as Dr. Maggie O’Haire takes us on an inspiring deep dive into the transformative power of service dogs for veterans with PTSD. Dr. O’Haire’s groundbreaking Service Dog and Veteran Experiences Study (SERVES) research project at the University of Arizona is the first national, randomized clinical trial to scientifically measure the medical benefits of service dogs compared to anecdotal beliefs. Dr. O’Haire’s work is proving what many have long believed—service dogs are more than companions; they are essential partners in healing, helping veterans reclaim their independence, confidence, and peace of mind. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes in the extraordinary power of the human-animal bond!

EPISODE NOTES: SERVES!

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Steve Morris from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) visits with Marcie and Fenway about his office’s recent report focusing on the working conditions of Uncle Sam’s working dogs. Dozens of federal agencies employ working dogs to fulfill their missions, including Homeland Security and the Department of State. Dogs are deployed throughout the U.S. and abroad. Keeping these dogs healthy and ensuring their quality of life is paramount and this recent report suggests that federal agencies need to do a better job addressing the health and welfare of their working dogs.

EPISODE NOTES: How Many Dogs Work for the United States (U.S.) Government?

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Marcie and Fenway welcome Dr. Brennen McKenzie to the show to learn about his groundbreaking research with Loyal for Dogs on medical treatments that will potentially expand the lifespan of large breed dogs. The concept of doubling dogs’ current lifespan is no longer science fiction. It is becoming a scientific fact! Dr. McKenzie talks about the hormonal changes identified in large breed dogs and how lifechanging drugs may soon be available to address the accumulation of the harmful effects of aging and substantially extend our dogs’ lives. He shares information about what you can do right now to keep your dog healthy for longer. And, Dr. McKenzie discusses the clinical trials currently underway and how you and your dog might be able to participate.

EPISODE NOTES: Extending the Lifespan of Our Dogs

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Suzanne Elshult, K9 search and rescue professional volunteer, and her K9 Keb stop by to visit with Marcie and Fenway about their many intense search and rescue missions, adventures and new book, A Dog’s Devotion: True Adventures of a K9 Search and Rescue Team. Suzanne discusses the active crime scenes, wilderness, avalanches, mudslides, and other dangerous terrains she and her dogs traverse to find missing individuals or remains. She shares information about the different types of search and rescue trainings, including the fascinating historical training, that ensured her and her K9 search and rescue dogs’ success in the field. Suzanne graciously provides practical insights into how you too can become a sought-after search and rescue dog handler.

EPISODE NOTES: A Dog’s Devotion: True Adventures of a K9 Search and Rescue Team

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Executive Producers SQuire Rushnell and Louise Duart Rushnell stopped by to talk with Marcie and Fenway about their upcoming Netflix feature movie, Rescued by Ruby which tells the remarkable TRUE STORY of a shelter dog that was saved from being put down, made history by becoming the first shelter dog to earn a spot on the Rhode Island State Police K9 unit, and then went on to make a rescue so incredible, and unlikely, that it earned Ruby the honor of being named as the nation’s “Search and Rescue Dog of the Year.” You don’t want to miss one inspirational and heartwarming moment of this conversation!

EPISODE NOTES: Rescued by Ruby

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Dr. Philip Tedeschi, Director Emeritus and Founder of the University of Denver’s Institute for Human-Animal Connection and co-author of the new book Transforming Trauma Resilience and Healing Through Our Connections with Animals, visits with Marcie and Fenway and discusses the power of animal-assisted interventions. Dr. Tedeschi describes the pioneering and innovative ways canines support humans through trauma recovery, isolation, and loneliness.

EPISODE NOTES: Transforming Trauma

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Dr. David Crenshaw, Clinical Director of the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, stops by to talk with Marcie and Lovey about the many ways highly-trained facility dogs are supporting children and youth who have experienced trauma. Dr. Crenshaw shares his experiences and how it all began with a canine named Rosey. Rosey, trained by Educated Canines Assisting Disabilities, was the first dog to comfort a witness in a criminal trial in New York State. Dr. Crenshaw discusses the myriad of ways that facility dogs are serving young people today in all types of criminal justice and therapeutic environments.

EPISODE NOTES: Facility Dogs – Supporting Children

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