Wonderful Reminder w/ Rob Grabow

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A Lens on How Dogs Can Help With Addiction & Recovery

About The Episode

Rob Grabow was born in Wyoming, but his family moved around. They had several Newfoundlands growing up, and they were a way that Rob was able to have consistency and safety during formative years. They were a breed that he felt could be both protective and safe while also being gentle and loving at the same time.

Rob grew up in Alaska for key years of his childhood, preceding and in the midst of his teenage years. There, one of the villages he lived in was Takotna, which was very small and remote. It was right along the Iditarod Trail, and so Rob got to know about the culture of mushing.

When on a mushing trip to Montana in more recent years, Rob struck up a conversation with a gentleman on the trip. The man revealed he was dealing with addiction and struggling to stay sober, but that he had stayed strong because of his dog. Rob started to reflect about his own experiences and people he knew around this topic, and felt compelled to share this story of connection. This led to his new film, The Year of the Dog. The story tells the journey of a man, Matt (played by Rob himself), is trying to become sober – and how his dog, Youpik (played by a dog named Chad), is helping him do it.

People suffering from addiction can have a special relationship with dogs. They can learn lessons about meeting each other where we're at, really being attuned to one another's needs and emotions, a constant reminder to be in the moment, and a model for the positivity that can be felt instead of only suffering. Dogs also provide a chance to help rebuild yourself and your relationship with others, and do so one day at a time with whatever speed you want to go. But they will not give up on you, and they will push you forward. And when you can repair together, both the human and dog can grow and heal.

Working with a dog in a film isn't always easy, as they typically aren't as focused as actors. However, Rob felt like his journey with his furry co-star, Caleb, was a positive experience and their dynamic ties back to the nature of the film – learning to attune to the other being, learning together and being open to the spontaneity (even on a structured film project), and meeting each other where they were at.

Dogs are able to help us in many parts of our lives. But for folks struggling with addiction, they can have a special place in that process.

About The Guest - Name

Rob Grabow is an actor, director, writer, entrepreneur, and more. His new movie, The Year of the Dog, is inspired by a true story about a man having a difficult journey with alcoholism and addiction, who works towards sobriety thanks in large part to one of his dogs, a high-spirited Alaskan husky. Through their journey together, they learn to emotionally connect and build trust. Rob created the story and is the lead actor in the movie.

Featured Links

InterviewJack SommerMental Health, Art / Creativity