The simple idea behind the show is how the selfless act of caring for a dog transforms who we are as people.
This responsibility often awakens in us a greater understanding that all people, all creatures, are connected as one.
It helps us learn to love ourselves, connect with one another, and treat all living beings with empathy and respect.
Raising her kids from a young age to when they were going off to college, while raising a dog from a puppy to a senior simultaneously, Tracy Beckerman saw many parallels in how fast life can go and how important it is to stop, smell the fire hydrants, and appreciate the humor in it all.
Read MoreAs an elementary school teacher who also helps raise pups for the nonprofit Guide Dogs of America, Holly has seen firsthand how much a positive impact it can make to have dogs in the classroom environment.
Read MoreTraveling in airports can make you feel stressed and anxious. What better way to take a moment to breathe and escape than with petting a dog? The Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUPs), founded by Heidi Huebner, brings therapy dogs into the airport environment to help find comfort amidst the chaos.
Read MoreAshley McCaffrey was suffering from PTSD after her time in the Air Force and was in search of a solution to help her persevere. She found it in Hope, the service dog she was connected with through K9s for Warriors, who has given her a new lease on life again.
Read MoreDr. Linda Harper is a clinical psychologist and pet bereavement specialist who helps people to overcome the loss of their pets by focusing on upholding the positive bond, legacy, and spirit we share with them.
Read MoreAlexis Devine has worked with her sheepadoodle, Bunny, to be able to “speak” with buttons that play pre-recorded words and phrases. Through their enhanced communication, Alexis has learned lessons about how we as humans can be better about how we express ourselves to each other and listening with a more compassionate and accepting ear.
Read MoreJack Jackson is the Co-Founder of the Don’t You Want Me Project, which aims to highlight the strength and healing that the trans and queer community have found through their rescue dogs by capturing compelling portraits and pairing them with personal narratives.
Read MoreChris Hannah and his “deaf superhero” pitbull, Cole, go to schools in the Tri-State area to teach about the importance of empathy and bringing empowerment to those with special needs. Through the lens of a dog, the message is able to be communicated in a manner that resonates in a special way.
Read MoreAfter being inspired to write by her soulmate dog, Christine Hassing’s new book tells the stories of how service dogs make a transformative impact on veterans struggling with PTSD through their unconditional acceptance.
Read MoreSally Muir is a dog artist whose lifetime love for dogs eventually became her artistic muse. Her latest project and book “Old Dogs” focuses on the beauty and patience of dogs in their senior years. European Correspondent, Nina May of Wunderdog Magazine, speaks to Sally about how her own senior dogs inspired the project.
Read MoreEllen Furlong specializes in the study of canine cognition, including a focus on dogs’ sense of smell. With her background in helping found Yale University’s Canine Cognition Center and now an Associate Professor of Psychology at Illinois Wesleyan University, including directing their Dog Cognition Lab, Ellen has an extensive history in studying our canine companions.
Read MoreSylvia Heisel is an award-winning fashion designer and current co-founder of DogPark Production, a company she started with her husband Scott Taylor in an effort to revitalize the dog park for both dogs and their humans with a more engaging design. Sylvia talks about the ways they are implementing their ideas to create new experiences.
Read MoreAfter leaving his corporate job, Nick’s new puppy Otto made him realize he’d been lost in the daily work cycle, not open to the small details of the world anymore. Through that experience, Nick was willing to try out a Men’s mental health wellness group he came across, Dudes & Dogs, around guys going for walks with their dogs and opening up about their feelings. It turned out to be extremely cathartic, and so much so that he’s now become one of the dog walk hosts with Otto by his side.
Read MoreKate Leaver is a journalist, book author, and speaker. Her new book, Good Dog, draws on science and real-life examples to show how much a dog can help with dealing with life hardships. This includes her own story of navigating her lifelong battle with mental health and how much of a difference her dog, Bert, made after coming into her life. He's brought her companionship, got her outside and embracing of nature, and managed to provide comfort during even the most stressful times.
Read MoreAfter learning about dog sensitivity and how his own actions were being reflected through his first dog, Cooper, Michael Burke decided to gain a better understanding of dog behavior and psychology. He became certified in the field and trained with Cesar Milan and today helps clients around the world to communicate with their dogs better, helping the relationship for both sides.
Read MorePhilip Tedeschi co-founded the first program to offer specialization in human-animal interactions alongside a graduate-level social science degree. In studying those relationships, he's become an expert on the dog-human relationship in particular – and how crucial they are to each stage of our lives, especially with a child's social development.
Read MoreBefore getting his dog Rosenberg, Topher Brophy had been going through the motions in life, feeling like he had an emotional void and was too self-absorbed. It was only after becoming a Dog Dad that he started putting others first, which also prepared for his later step into family and fatherhood. He now has multiple kids with his wife and co-creator, Chantal Adair, The Dog Styler.
Read MoreWhile certain Western countries like the United States emphasize an individualized responsibility for dogs, some places like Istanbul are proving an independent dog bond with multiple humans may successfully exist - supported by legal protections for dogs.
Read MoreAs a kid, George Hahn felt bad about not being as appreciative and loving of his childhood dog who went to live on a farm when his parents felt he wasn't being responsible enough. He vowed to one day get a dog as an adult, and when he finally did he was ready. But they gave back more to him than he was even expecting.
Read MoreWhen Dr. Robert Garofalo learned of his own HIV diagnosis, he found it impossible to follow the same advice he had been giving his patients on how to cope. It wasn't until he adopted a Yorkie that balance and joy were restored in his life. Later he started a non-profit charity in honor called Fred Says - which supports organizations across the U.S that care for HIV+ youth. Now, Rob and our former guest, photographer Jesse Freidin, have launched a new book When Dogs Heal that looks at how dogs have helped people with HIV across the country.
Read More
