Dog Save The People

MOST POPULAR 2024 EPISODE (Re-issue): We are re-issuing our interview with Ben Moon – surfer, climber, photographer, and outdoors enthusiast – as the most popular episode of Dog Save The People during 2024. Ben’s lifelong journey with dogs at different ages is something many can identify with. From seeking constant adventure to having a health scare at a young age, to now learning to appreciate slowing down and being in one place, his dogs have served as a reflection of his path at each stage. Many know his Husky and Pit mix Denali from Ben’s short film and memoir, but now his current Australian Shepherd and Husky mix Nori is helping him write a new chapter.

Human-animal behavior research and education has grown significantly over the past decade. One person who has stayed on top of these developments has been Zazie Todd, PhD, a psychologist, trainer, behaviorist, and writer. Through her website, Companion Animal Psychology, Zazie has written since 2012 about the ways science can help our animal companions have happier lives through digestible insights that everyone can understand. She writes a regular series for Psychology Today today too, called Fellow Creatures, exploring the social world of people and animals. She has also now written three books about the science behind our dogs' emotions.In this episode, we hear from Zazie about her thoughts on better understanding the anxiety and fear of dogs at any given age, and why positive reinforcement is important.For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links: dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/zazie-todd-2024

Lisa Jhung is a freelancer outdoors writer, author, and editor. She writes a regular column about outdoor adventure gear for Outside Magazine and has also written extensively for Runner’s World. Dogs have been a constant in her life through early childhood and now as a mother. One particular way she has always loved to spend time with a dog is being out in nature. Whether running on trails or even going for a morning walk, dogs bring their joy to life to the activity, and Lisa feels it is contagious. As a writer, Lisa also feels that a dog’s company is important in her creative process.For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/lisa-jhung-2024

Vanessa Woods is the Director of Duke University’s Puppy Kindergarten program, which studies what qualities are important in becoming a great service dog. The program is funded by the National Institute of Health and works with puppies from Canine Companions, the largest service dog provider in the United States. While this is primarily intended to learn what makes the best service dogs, it has also been informative about all dogs. Her husband, Brian Hare, is the Founder of the Duke Canine Cognition Center, the first academic program dedicated to studying dogs in the country. Together they co-wrote a new book, called Puppy Kindergarten, where they take the valuable lessons learned from their years of research studying service dogs as the ideal model for how dogs live with us in today's culture. They share tips, activity ideas, and more insights on for all dog parents raising puppies.Their goal is to help everyone develop a happier and healthier relationship with their dogs from a young age, which carries on throughout the rest of their lives.For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/vanessa-woods-2024

The Turkish Parliament passed new legislation this summer that aims to remove all stray dogs from the streets by 2028, as these dogs are labeled by the government dangerous and causing harm to humans. This is a significant shift in policy in a country where street dogs have been embedded and accepted into its culture for centuries. Turkish animal welfare groups say in reality there are very few deadly dog attacks, but social media sensationalization and politicization of incidents have complicated debates. While everyone agrees there needs to be better plans to manage the country’s dog overpopulation, there is conflict on how to handle it. Animal advocates argue the 100,000 capacity in current shelters cannot humanely accommodate an estimated four million street dogs, calling the new stray dog legislation the “massacre law.” In the first episode of this two-part series, we explore the unique culture tradition of stray dogs living in Turkey, and discuss the problems and challenges around this new stray dog removal law.We spoke to several guest experts about their perspective on Turkey’s stray dog dilemma with the new law. Guests include Elizabeth Lo (filmmaker), Nazlan Ertan (journalist), Lisanne Hillen (Melez Dog Rescue), and Ahmet Senpolat (HAYTAP, Animal Rights Federation).For more information about the episode, guests, and featured links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/turkey-stray-dog-dilemma-2024-pt-1

Marianne Leone is an actress, screenwriter, essayist, and author. She is well-known for her recurring role in The Sopranos. After her son, Jesse, had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and passed at a young age, Marianne found comfort in dogs. From Goody, who had been Jesse’s best friend, to current dogs of Titi and Sugar, the mix of bichon’s have provided great comfort. Along with her husband, Chris Cooper, they have been able to find joy amidst hardship. Marianne’s latest book, Five-Dog Epiphany, honors the positive impact of these dogs on her life.The host for this episode is Dr. Sharon Holland, a Distinguished Professor of American Studies at the University of North Carolina (UNC) and contributing host for Dog Save The People.For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links:www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/marianne-leone-2024

For centuries, stray dogs in Turkey have lived outside amongst their humans. These strays do not have individual guardians, but are rather taken care of by the community. Last week, at the end of July 2024, Turkey’s parliament passed a new law that aims to get the strays off the streets, which would completely change this longstanding cultural relationship. With this re-issue episode, we wanted to bring back a conversation we had with filmmaker Elizabeth Lo about her documentary on stray dogs in Istanbul. Elizabeth Lo is an award-winning nonfiction filmmaker born and raised in Hong Kong and a graduate of the NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Her debut feature film, Stray, looks at how strays in Istanbul live and interact with a community who looks out for them.For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links: dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/elizabeth-lo-reissue-2024

Winnie Au is a photographer who has worked on many dog-related projects over the years. Her most notable project to date is Cone of Shame, with its name taken from the stigma connected to the cone-shape object dogs have to wear after medical procedures. Through her colorful and creative photos, Winnie has aimed to flip that concept around and show that this is actually a beautiful transition into a better life ahead for the dogs. What started as a small set of 12 photos turned into 60, all with different dogs and custom cones, which have now turned into a new book out this Fall.Winnie knows from experience how a cone can lead to a better life because her own basset hound, Clementine, who had to wear one when initially being rescued from a puppy mill. Since adopting her around a decade ago, Winnie and her husband have seen Clementine’s initial PTSD, fear, and anxiety diminish greatly. Through taking care of her as a delicate rescue dog, they also realized recently that they were ready to have a child. Now, their home has entered a new stage with a senior dog and young toddler. Pre-order Winnie’s forthcoming ‘Cone of Shame’ book (out Sept 10), filled with her amazing dog photography series:https://www.winniewow.com/cone-of-shame For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/winnie-au-2024

EPISODE 5 of our new DOG PARKOLOGY narrative series:We’ve become disconnected from the natural world around us. However, our dogs – and our dog parks – can help us reconnect to our environment in a more attentive and curious way. When we start to feel a deeper understanding of our place within the larger ecosystem, we can start to care more about protecting it and living symbiotically with all non-human creatures and wildlife.Listen to Dog Parkology on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!In this episode, we hear from guest experts Annette McGivney, Anjulie Rao, and Ed Yong. This series is narrated by Jenna Blum, author and dog mom.Dog Parkology is a show about the importance of dog parks as public space. The series is produced by As It Should Be Productions, the creators of the Dog Save The People and Dog Walk Meditation podcasts.FEATURED LINKSDog Parkology websiteDog Parkology on InstagramJenna Blum on InstagramSign up for dog park people newsletterDog Save The People websiteDog Save The People on Apple PodcastsDog Save The People on SpotifyDog Walk Meditation websiteDog Walk Meditation on Apple PodcastsDog Walk Meditation on Spotify

EPISODE 3 of our new DOG PARKOLOGY narrative series:Dog parks provide a chance for us to meet strangers we might not otherwise. Through our shared love for our dogs and the inherent trust of meeting another dog parent, we can foster new relationships with those around us. These interactions can allow us to widen our perspectives, increase our sense of empathy for others, and come together in greater unity.Listen to Dog Parkology on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!In this episode, we hear from guest experts Teena Patel, Dr. Camille Ward, and Meredith May. This series is narrated by Jenna Blum, author and dog mom.Dog Parkology is a show about the importance of dog parks as public space. The series is produced by As It Should Be Productions, the creators of the Dog Save The People and Dog Walk Meditation podcasts.FEATURED LINKSDog Parkology websiteDog Parkology on InstagramJenna Blum on InstagramSign up for dog park people newsletterDog Save The People websiteDog Save The People on Apple PodcastsDog Save The People on SpotifyDog Walk Meditation websiteDog Walk Meditation on Apple PodcastsDog Walk Meditation on Spotify

EPISODE 1 of our new DOG PARKOLOGY narrative series:Many dog parks today still resemble the traditional fenced-in spaces established almost 50 years ago. However, our understanding of how dogs think and the number of dogs in American households have grown considerably in the last few decades. Humans have also become increasingly isolated due to the usage of digital technologies and the decline of public spaces for real-life interactions. Through it all, dog parks remain one of the few enduring third places that attract all types of people. It’s more important than ever to build out from the dog park paradigm, to strengthen community ties and raise appreciation for the beauty of nature.Listen to Dog Parkology on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! This series is narrated by Jenna Blum, author and dog mom.Dog Parkology is a show about the importance of dog parks as public space. The series is produced by As It Should Be Productions, the creators of the Dog Save The People and Dog Walk Meditation podcasts.FEATURED LINKSDog Parkology websiteDog Parkology on InstagramJenna Blum on InstagramSign up for dog park people newsletterDog Save The People websiteDog Save The People on Apple PodcastsDog Save The People on SpotifyDog Walk Meditation websiteDog Walk Meditation on Apple PodcastsDog Walk Meditation on Spotify

MOST POPULAR 2023 EPISODE (Re-issue): We are bringing our interview with Margot Guralnick – the Architecture and Interiors Editor at Remodelista and Creator of Dog Walk Diary – as the most popular episode of the show last year. As we all learn from our dogs about how to slow down and appreciate nature, like our Dog Walk Meditation series, Margot started realizing that everything around her could make for beautiful collages. She started to make them and now has an amazing collection of art from these dog walks. She credits Enrique, her canine companion, for changing the way she goes through the world.

As a farewell story from our host John Bartlett, we are resurfacing a special story from him right in time for the holidays. John has had many dogs in his life, but the most special and important relationship he had was with Tiny Tim, a three-legged pit bull rescue who lost a leg on Christmas Eve one year. But with John, Tiny Tim found his forever home. They would galavant around New York City and it enriched John’s life in many ways. Tiny Tim also inspired John to create a foundation in his name to support independent dog shelters and rescues in honor of his hairy soulmate.