Dog Rescue & Adoption: The Real Truth About Fostering & Shelter Work w/ Esa Van Dusen

Dog Rescue & Adoption: The Real Truth About Fostering & Shelter Work w/ Esa Van Dusen

From My Dog Is Better Than Your Dog by Dr. Lily Chen

April 5, 2026 · 56 min · Episode 89

About this episode

Esa Van Dusen shares her experiences in animal rescue, highlighting the emotional challenges and realities of fostering and shelter work.

Most of us can't imagine doing rescue work the way Esa Van Dusen does. This isn't about fostering a dog here and there. This is about finding a pit bull chained to a tree with no access to water. Getting a video of a terrified dog living in spray paint cans and bushes. Driving straight into a hurricane to pull animals out of abandoned boarding kennels. Esa has been rescuing animals for 15 years in Austin and LA. She's a digital writer, advertiser, energy healer, and someone who shows up for animals in ways most people never will. Her vision? A healing sanctuary ranch for animals and people. But this conversation isn't about feel-good adoption photos. It's about the real version of rescue. The version where you have to reconcile with the fact that you cannot save them all. The version where you sit in your car crying because the weight of it is too much. And the version where you learn to follow the energy of one. Esa found a blind and deaf Catahoula dog (originally called Possum) in an abandoned kennel during a hurricane and found her a magical home with two Australian Shepherd brothers where she's still thriving today. But here's what makes this conversation so important: we…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Lily Chen

Guest: Esa Van Dusen

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Catahoula, Australian Shepherd

Places: Austin, LA

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