Life With Pets Episodes

Think all dogs with vests are legit service animals? Think again. In this episode, Amy Castro sits down with disability experts Elisa Hayes and Donna Mack to break down the facts—and fiction—surrounding service dogs. Together, they explore the real legal definitions under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the responsibilities of handlers, and what happens when people abuse the system. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: What truly qualifies a dog as a service animal unde...

What happens when your life needs a second act -- and your dog leads the way? In this episode, Amy Castro talks with Joyce A. Miller, who transformed herself from a mechanical designer into an author and freestyle dog dancer after adopting retired racing Greyhounds. Joyce shares the emotional highs and lows of Greyhound rescue, the myths every pet parent should know about racing dogs, and how life with pets can inspire reinvention you never expected. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YO...

Ever feel like something’s lost in translation at the vet’s office? Veterinary social workers may be the solution you didn’t know existed. In this episode, Amy speaks with Emily Carveth, LCSW, to explore how these professionals support both pet parents and veterinary teams, especially in high-stress or emotional situations. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: What veterinary social workers do and why they’re essential to modern pet careThe emotional toll veterinary staff face d...

What Is Your Pet Trying to Tell You—And Are You Listening? What if your pet’s “bad” or unwanted behavior isn’t bad at all... but a message you’re missing? Most pet parents unknowingly send mixed signals to their animals, then feel frustrated when the problems persist. Whether it’s barking, hiding, nipping, or peeing outside the litter box, your pet may be trying to tell you something important—and you might not even realize it. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: The most commo...

What makes someone set their heart on a specific breed, and what happens when real life doesn’t match the picture in their head? In this episode, Amy talks with speaker and leadership coach Laurie Hall about her honest path from planning to buy a purebred to rescuing not one, but two shelter dogs. No judgment, no “gotcha,” just the real mix of grief, timing, expectations, and those moments that quietly change your mind. If you’re deciding between adoption and buying, or you’ve ever side-eyed so...

What No One Tells You About Losing a Pet Do you feel like you're already grieving your pet… even though they're still here? That heartbreak has a name and in this episode, you’ll learn how anticipatory grief affects both you and your pet, and why it’s one of the most misunderstood parts of pet loss. Whether you're nearing the end of your pet's life or supporting someone who is, this conversation with grief expert Nancy Gordon, LCSW, will help you prepare emotionally, avoid guilt, and find pea...

Every podcast starts somewhere, and this one began with a name that meant a lot to me. In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind the show, why it originally launched as Starlight Pet Talk, and how that name connected to my rescue work and the pets who shaped my mission. My best friend, Bev Brooks, joins me as we talk about where this idea came from, the early days of the podcast, and why the purpose behind the show has stayed the same even as the name changed. If you’re new to the podcast,...