We are approaching the 12 year anniversary of a massive tornado that decimated a mile-long swath in Missouri, particularly impacting the town of Joplin, in the northwestern corner of the state. One resident, Tara Prosser, happened to have an incredible Weimaraner named Lily who was uniquely suited and trained for finding missing people, both living and deceased. So often, the work of these human/canine teams remains invisible, but in Lily's case, writer and illustrator Carolyn Mueller made sure her story was told. Carolyn's book, inspired by Tara's dog Lily, is called Lily: A True Story of Courage and the Joplin Tornado. It has just been re-released in paperback! You can find it on Carolyn’s website here! or at ReedyPress.com Read more about Lily and Tara and Carolyn: https://www.salisburypost.com/2014/02/23/book-to-honor-rescue-dog-from-joplin-tornado/   Sources and Resources  for this episode include the following: Wikipedia article about the 2011 Joplin, MO tornado: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Joplin_tornado   SAR dogs in Joplin  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyyFnKmSwsc Rescue of a dog after the Joplin tornado:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OBJdhYLluU   Join our community on social media! Follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! We’d love to hear what you think of the stories our guests share and see pictures of your own beasties.   Beastie Bonds theme: King James by Ghost Beatz, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library Additional music in this episode includes: More Than One Way to Go Home by Amherst, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library The Perfect Puzzle by Cody Martin, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library

In this episode, AJ and Jasmine discuss search and rescue (SAR) dogs, and guest Dr. Wendy McIlroy, a retired veterinarian and instructor with the professional association of diving instructors (PADI), who is also an evaluator for the Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States (SARDUS) K-9 team shares some of her experiences with animals including training and partnering with her search and rescue dogs.  Special thanks to guest Wendy McIlroy & check out Jenner’s Run, the facility where AJ played the “hider” for Wendy’s dog Aidan and Peter’s dog, Luna! Link to donate to SAR Dogs of the United States here!) Search and Rescue Dogs of the US Want to take the leap and get involved with your own beastie? Check this out   Join our community on social media! Following the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! We’d love to hear what you think of the stories we share and see pictures of your own beasties.   Sources for this episode include: LA Times article about the 2018 Montecito mudslide Golden Dale Sentinel article about training  search and rescue dogs More about Wendy McIlroy!   Beastie Bonds Theme: King James by Ghost Beatz, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library Episode Theme Music includes: Vision, by DeHartmann. Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library Cool, by EILOH. Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library  

So far in the show, we've heard amazing stories of how animals help keep us humans safe, by detecting illnesses, tracking missing people. But in today's story, the tables are turned.  What happens when humans have to keep their beasties safe?  In the sunshine state of Florida, there are over a million alligators. They say anywhere there's water, there's an alligator in it: ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, swamps, and man-made canals. They're found in all of Florida 67 counties. Alligators have one of the strongest bite forces in the entire animal kingdom next to the Nile crocodile and the great white shark. Alligators maintain a bite strength of over 2100 PSI, which is about 300 pounds per square inch! They have among the most powerful jaws on the planet.  Richard "Rick" Wilbanks and his dog, a Cavelier King Charles spaniel named Gunner, live in Estero, Florida. When Gunner was just a puppy, Rick took him for a walk near his house on a beautiful fall day. But on this day, their walk was anything but typical. See the amazing footage of Rick, Gunner and the alligator here! Beastie Bonds Theme: King James by Ghost Beatz, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library   Episode Theme Music includes: Caravan Macabre by Wicked Cinema, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library Sources for this episode include: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/11/24/florida-man-saves-puppy-from-alligator-jaws-shares-update-dog/6404437002/ https://www.keywestaquarium.com/ultimate-guide-alligators https://www.wtsp.com/article/life/animals/living-among-alligators-florida-facts-safety/67-b462cb35-0ece-4d86-8d88-5eee11ebb29c

In honor of April Fool's Day, I have some fun stories of beasties (& humans) being total goofs! Special thanks to Leah Bee, Scott Z., and Nate M. for sharing their stories featured in this episode.   Sources for this episode include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Octopus https://www.peta.org/features/5-times-octopuses-made-headlines/ An Orion Magazine article by Sy Montgomery: https://orionmagazine.org/article/deep-intellect/ The Washington Post article by Darragh Johnson “Lurking at the Aquarium, Brilliant Houdinis of the Deep” (2006) https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2006/08/16/lurking-at-the-aquarium-brilliant-houdinis-of-the-deep/db7daab6-255e-4fef-be98-601c31e80fd9/ https://www.sherryduquet.com/otto-the-octopus/ A CNN article from 2019 by authors Lou and Griggs: https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/11/health/dog-sniffs-endangered-animals-trnd/index.html   Episode 14 is sponsored by Turkey Milk Farms™ TurkeyMilkFarms.com: Are you tired of the same old boring milk? Want to try something new and exciting? Introducing Turkey Milk Farms™, our Turkey Milk is the best-tasting milk around! Our milk has a robust, savory flavor that will have you coming back for more. Plus, it's packed with extra fiber and vitamins that help keep your appendix and nails strong. Don't just take our word for it, try Turkey Milk™ for yourself and join the ranks of satisfied customers like Benjamin Franklin and Michelle Obama. Throttle up your waddle, drink Turkey Milk. Visit the Turkey Milk Farms™ website at www.turkeymilkfarms.com today to take the "Is Turkey Milk Right For You" quiz and learn more about America's newest milk.   Join our community on social media! Follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! We’d love to hear what you think of the stories our guests share and see pictures of your own beasties.   Musical Credits- Beastie Bonds Theme: King James by Ghost Beatz, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library   Music featured in this episode is from the Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library, including:  In the Money by King Flamingo Dogs and Cats Living Together by Dresden, The Flamingo Skeptical by Lincoln Davis Candy Shop by Matt Wigton  

This episode’s guest, Melisa Pearce is a psychotherapist, teacher, and author. She has coached and helped others for 3 decades through her private psychotherapy practice, which centers on her deep understanding of Gestalt therapy. Melisa has also pioneered an approach in the field of human/horse healing called the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method. A groundbreaking 2017 study found that the Equine Gestalt Coaching (EGC) Method may have an effect on improving the emotional state in children, adolescents, and adults. For clients who participated in an EGC Method session, increases were found in their feelings of hopefulness, self-esteem and self-worth (see TouchedByAHorse.com for study details). According to the Touched By a Horse website, “(horses) have deep somatic understanding and can read the human body on several energy levels." Horses are therefore uniquely equipped to be healers for us humans! On the show, Melisa shares some of the amazing experiences she has had partnering with horses to support the healing of her clients.   Sources for this episode include the following: https://touchedbyahorse.com/ What is Gestalt Therapy? PsychologyToday Check out Melisa’s podcast, Touched By A Horse Podcast to learn more about the human/horse healing partnership and more of Melisa’s stories and interviews. I really liked Episode 31: Sweet Gabriel, the story she tells about Gabriel’s work with a young mom is pretty neat. Join our community on social media! Follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! We’d love to hear what you think of the stories our guests share and see pictures of your own beasties.   Beastie Bonds Theme: King James by Ghost Beatz, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library   Episode 13 Music: Breezy by Transmuter, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library To Explore by In This World, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library

In today's episode I want to get a little personal and talk about something that is difficult for many of us to think about.... death. What happens to our beastie when we die?  For many of us, our non-human companion is a beam of sunlight that lights up our world. We agonize that their lifespan is so much shorter than our own; I’ve seen this in so many places on social media with tear-jerking pictures of sad beasties, “While a dog is only a part of your life, you are their entire world.” So, what happens to them when we become incapacitated or outlive them? Most people I’ve talked to tell me, “I never really thought of that! That’s a good question!” In this episode of Beastie Bonds we explore this. I hope you come away with some inspiration to act and put a plan in place or at least identify someone in your life who will act as your point person should the unthinkable occur. If you do, let us know! Post your plan on our socials (& don’t forget to share a picture of your beastie!). You can share on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.   Sources for this episode, as well as resources for you to explore,  include: SafeHaven Humane Society’s Legacy Leader’s, Friends for Life Program in Oregon USA but likely a program that exists in some form all around the county: Legacy Leaders - SafeHaven Humane Society Beastie Bonds Episode 05 Forever If Ever which featured my interview with Linda Barish of Eleventh Hour Rescue, New Jersey USA Eleventh Hour Rescue | Morris County NJ (rescuegroups.org) Senior Dog Sanctuary in NJ Senior Dog Sanctuary - Marty's Place (martysplace.org) Blog by TayoBear: https://tayobear.com/god-mother-or-a-god-daddy-for-your-doggy/?unapproved=639&moderation-hash=77d06d148b8da5ab8775c513caf2d361#comment-639 MyAnimals.com article on how to choose a godparent for your pet: https://myanimals.com/animals/choose-a-godparent-for-your-pet/ Dog Godparent Agreement: GodParent for your Pet (2018), by Diana Lynn Bozarth Join our community on social media! Follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! We’d love to hear what you think of the stories we share and see pictures of your own beasties.   Beastie Bonds Theme: King James by Ghost Beatz, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library   Episode Theme Music includes: To Ashes, by JCar. Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library

This episode’s guest, Jennifer Whiberley, was the busy mum of three lively children with all that entails. Then out of the blue, her five year old, Thomas, got terribly sick and was diagnosed with brittle type one diabetes. This diagnosis forced an extreme pivot to the normalcy of Jennifer’s family life and reshaped everything. But one golden sunbeam of light in this abrupt and terrifying experience is Poppy the Springer Spaniel. Poppy was placed with Thomas by Hypo Hounds, a charitable organization in the UK that trains dogs to detect and alert to potentially dangerous changes in type 1 diabetic owner’s blood sugars, and are focused on children, enabling them to gain independence and freedom. Poppy’s specialized training and bond with Thomas ended up making all the difference between life and death for Thomas in October of 2022.    Jennifer’s personal blog on Facebook can be found at Mum to a Type One.  See a video Jennifer’s Incredible Fundraising Stunt for Hypo Hounds! Find out more about the organization that trained Poppy and placed her with Thomas, and consider making them a donation at www.hypohounds.co.uk Support Jennifer's loop-the-loop stunt fundraising effort!   Articles about Thomas and Poppy: Family dog saves schoolboy's life by SMELLING out urgent health issue - Mirror Online Diabetes-sniffing dog saves boy’s life by detecting low blood sugar | The Independent   Sources for this episode include the following: Diabetic Assistance Dogs - Hypo Hounds Type 1 diabetes - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic Join our community on social media! Follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! We’d love to hear what you think of the stories our guests share and see pictures of your own beasties.   Beastie Bonds Theme: King James by Ghost Beatz, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library   Episode Theme Music: Reason for Living by Alsever Lake, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library

The combination of a beastie bond and good ol’ science saved Carol Witcher’s life. The intimacy of our relationships with dogs and our co-evolution offers such incredible potential for saving human lives. Scientists like Heather Junqueira of BioScent Detection Dogs, are driving the research forward. In this episode of Beastie Bonds, AJ & Jasmine discuss the story of Carol and her hero dog Floyd Henry with insights from Dr. Junqueira about medical detection dogs, including how Floyd Henry may have been able to do what he did. Did you know that dogs have smell receptors that are 10,000-100,000 more accurate than humans, enabling them to smell and differentiate odors that we can't perceive, including conditions like: COVID, Cancer, Parkinson's, Narcolepsy, Migraines, Low Blood Sugar, Seizures, & Fear and Stress?! The way their noses are designed enhances this incredible ability- they have different ways of breathing than we do, with each of their nostrils containing separate openings for breathing in and out. Their nostrils even have the ability to operate independently! This means that dogs can pick up on different smells that are coming from different directions, covering way more ground (literally). Also, besides being closer to the ground where the smells are, dogs can sniff faster than we can, at least five to six times per second.    Join our community on social media! Following the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! We’d love to hear what you think of the stories we share and see pictures of your own beasties.   Very special thanks to Heather Junqueira, CEO and Founder of BioScent Detection Dogs, for sharing her time and expertise with the show! Check out the amazing work Heather is doing at https://www.bioscentdetectiondogs.com/our-team   Sources for this episode include: Jenkins, Eileen K., et al. “When the Nose Doesn’t Know: Canine Olfactory Function Associated with Health, Management, and Potential Links to Microbiota.” Frontiers of Veterinary Science, 5, 2018, doi:10.3389/fvets.2018.00056 Hills pet.com floyd henry.com Southern Living The Walton Tribune An April, 2011 article from the Times Herald Devoted: 38 Extraordinary Tales of Love, Loyalty and Life with Dogs, a National Geographic book by Rebecca Asher Walsh Beastie Bonds Theme: King James by Ghost Beatz, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library   Episode Theme Music includes: Vision, by DeHartmann. Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library Cool, by EILOH. Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library  

I don't know about you, but some of my favorite smells include the smell of fresh-brewed coffee in the morning, and baking bread. But, did you know that dogs have smell receptors that are 10,000-100,000x more accurate than a humans’? This means they can smell things we can't possibly perceive. On this episode, my guest Rosee Douthett, shares an incredible story about her husband Jerry, and their dog Kiko. Maybe a fortunate combination of love and science explain how Kiko's gastric predilections saved Jerry's life.... Want to connect with Rosee? Reach out to her on Facebook. You can also email her at: [email protected] Join our community on social media! You can also follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! We’d love to hear what you think of the stories we share and see pictures of your own beasties.   Episode Sources and Additional Information about Rosee, Jerry & Kiko, as well as Diabetes Alert Dogs YouTube: Rosee and Jerry on CNN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un9DnTkQSNQ From Wood TV8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKCvhTaLyqQ   News Articles: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/body-odd/dog-chews-owners-toe-may-have-saved-his-life-flna1C9386936 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dog-saves-mans-life-did-toe-chewing-terrier-sniff-owners-diabetes/ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-08-05/dog-chews-off-us-mans-toe-saves-his-life/933176 https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/dog-chews-off-owners-toe-saves-his-life https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1300339/Dog-saves-drunk-owners-life-chewing-infected-big-toe.html https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/uk-world-news/odd-zone-dog-chews-owners-3057991 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dog-saves-mans-life-by-biting-off-toe-jerry-douthett-has-best-hangover-ever/ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dog-idUSTRE6735S820100804 https://cedarspringspost.com/2010/08/12/dog-chews-off-owner%E2%80%99s-toe-saves-life/ https://people.com/pets/dog-eats-owners-big-toe-and-saves-his-life/ https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/08/04/Dog-chews-owners-toe-off-owner-happy/48861280934964/ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dog-eats-mans-toe-saves-h_n_670298   Research: A narrative journal review of diabetes alert dogs: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/cclm-2018-0842/html Supporting the work of diabetes alert dogs: https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/2556288.2557396 Dogs can be trained to detect hypoglycemia in Type 1 diabetes patients: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13300-015-0135-x   Beastie Bonds Theme: King James by Ghost Beatz, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library Episode Theme Music includes: Playing Games by Cody Martin, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library Never Be The Same by Shells By The Sea, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library

Beastie Bonds is back for Season Two! Welcome to the first episode of 2023. In Season Two, we will continue to produce guest interviews that feature true experiences of the animal human “beastie” bond. In addition, your host, AJ, will be joined by co-host Jasmine to discuss stories of beastie bonds from the news, including details that might help get at the how and why of these incredible true stories. Our first episode of the new season features 2 situations that occurred in the freezing cold of winter, where an animal took the initiative to protect, and ultimately save, the lives of two incredibly fortunate humans. Join our community on social media! Please consider following the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! We’d love to hear what you think of the stories we share and see pictures of your own beasties.   Beastie Bonds Theme: King James by Ghost Beatz, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library   Episode Theme Music includes: Vision, by DeHartmann. Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library Cool, by EILOH. Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library   Sources for the first story include: Rose Troup Buchanan for The Independent, Jan. 2015 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/russian-cat-called-masha-saves-baby-abandoned-in-the-cold-9983367.html The BBC World News https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-30893297 News Corp Australia Network https://www.news.com.au/world/europe/russian-cat-saves-baby-abandoned-in-entranceway/news-story/a779ec192ee0224eb71be91ea8e20bdb Associated Free Press https://news.yahoo.com/homeless-russian-cat-saves-abandoned-baby-boy-194721258.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABxDFHE9q86n18OS-pJyyDa0V_AnU-SxP3rAiIR5ODUMzapvRto4uJdlRM1bw5wRMiIoaxdGyQTIyqfCbjqSCRempphC-kkiWaRCjZZyHlPFXl4Y9-sWTkVIKur4vTPxkA3XliFUtQMeay0nhFlxM1KjOGk0G0cQqADvXtuKnOtF Ryan Grenoble from the HuffPost https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cat-saves-abandoned-baby-freeezing-russia_n_6486866 Chris Perez from the New York Post https://nypost.com/2015/01/15/hero-cat-saves-baby-from-freezing-to-death/ The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2015/jan/19/cat-saves-baby-from-freezing-russian-night-video   Sources for the second story include: Will Worley, 1/13/2017 in the Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/dog-saves-owners-life-snow-freezing-conditions-neck-broken-barks-help-mclaren-northern-michigan-hospital-a7526646.html Eun Kyung Kim, 1/13/2017 in Today https://www.today.com/pets/dog-stays-owner-s-side-20-hours-after-man-falls-t106996 Reported on TV 10 WBNS from CBS News, 1/11/2017 https://www.foxnews.com/health/dog-stays-with-owner-for-20-hours-after-man-breaks-his-neck-in-michigan com, M Dee Dubroff, 1/24/2017 http://petslady.com/article/kelsey-hero-retriever-lies-owner-20-hours-and-keeps-him-freezing-death http://www.animalcognition.org/2015/04/07/yawns-are-contagious-in-dogs-too/   Dogs who know when their owners are coming home and other unexplained powers of animals by Rupert Sheldrake. Crown Publishers; 1st edition (September 21, 1999).   The genius of dogs: understanding the unique intelligence of man’s best friend by Brian Hare & Vanessa Woods. Oneworld Publications (February 21, 2013).