Animal Welfare And Industry Spotlights Episodes

Ever wondered what it’s really like to dedicate your life to saving animals? In this special episode, I’m the guest on The Story of My Pet podcast, hosted by Julie Marty-Pearson. I share my journey from a childhood encounter with a feral cat named Snippy to founding Starlight Outreach and Rescue and committing my life to animal rescue. This conversation offers a raw, honest look at the emotional weight, daily chaos, and deep joy that come with being an animal rescuer. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LIS...

What makes a community celebration truly unforgettable? Love—and pets. In this episode, I talk with Father Justin Briggle of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church about the story behind Harvest PawFest, a joyful festival created to honor the deep bond between pets and their people. Originally an Oktoberfest-style event, Harvest PawFest has grown into a heartwarming community tradition centered on animal blessings, family fun, and the unique connection we share with our pets. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LIS...

What happens to a pet when their military family is suddenly deployed? In this episode, I talk with Alisa Sieber-Johnson, co-founder of Dogs on Deployment, a nonprofit that connects military members and first responders with volunteer pet boarders across the country. Born out of her own experience as a dual-military family with no options for pet care, Alisa turned a personal challenge into a national movement—ensuring no pet has to be surrendered due to deployment. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTE...

What if helping animals could also grow your business? In this special crossover episode, I’m interviewed by Eliza Burr on Off the Leash with the Pet Business Coach. We dive into what makes a partnership between a pet business and an animal rescue not only possible, but powerful. You’ll hear practical strategies for building collaborations that serve both your mission and your bottom line—without sacrificing one for the other. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: How to approach r...

What happens when you hit the road with a rescue dog, and everything goes wrong? In this episode, I share the story of my 1,672-mile journey from Texas to New York with my best friend Bev and a sweet rescue dog named Bonnie. From a hurricane reroute to car trouble, sketchy hotel rooms, and a surprise stop in Memphis during Elvis Week, this adoption road trip was anything but smooth, but absolutely unforgettable. And yes, buried in the chaos are some real pet travel tips you can steal for your o...

Want your town or workplace to be more dog-friendly? Here’s how to make it happen. In this episode, I talk with Beth Miller, founder of Wagtown Consulting, about what it really takes to build communities that welcome and support dogs—and the people who love them. Beth shares her mission to transform neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces into more inclusive, dog-centric environments with lasting impact. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: What defines a truly dog-friendly commun...

Think you’re ready to adopt a pet? You might want to double-check. In this candid episode, Amy breaks down 10 common reasons adoption applications get denied, and most people have no idea they’re raising concerns. Drawing from 15 years in rescue and sheltering, Amy shares the subtle signals that make a rescue pause. These aren’t the obvious deal-breakers like animal hoarding or a history of abuse. This is the stuff well-meaning adopters accidentally say or do that screams, “This might not be th...

What does it really take to turn your passion for pets into a thriving business? A lot of people dive in headfirst, only to find out too late that love for animals isn’t enough. In this episode, I talk with Eliza Burr, a seasoned pet business coach and host of Off the Leash with the Pet Business Coach, about what most aspiring pet entrepreneurs get wrong—and how to set yourself up for success. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Common myths and mindset traps that keep new pet b...

Ever look at shelter posts and think, “I want to help, but I can’t adopt right now”? Most shelters are overwhelmed, and a lot of people assume adoption is the only way to make a real difference. It’s not. In this episode, I’m joined by April Pfeiffer from the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) for a behind-the-scenes look at what actually makes a shelter successful, even when intake is rising and resources are tight. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: The progra...

Ever wonder what happens before a guide dog ever meets the person who needs them? Most people picture formal dog training, but the real foundation is built first by volunteer puppy raisers, the families who teach the basics, build confidence, and expose these pups to the real world. In this episode, you’ll hear from longtime puppy raisers Roxanne (and her husband Jim), now raising their 11th puppy, and Donna Mack, a guide dog handler and disability access leader, whose guide dog Wella has chang...