In this episode, I chat with Emma, an animal lover and entrepreneur. She shares her life with horses, pigs, goats, chickens, dogs, and many other animals on her beautiful hobby farm. Emma also founded Mikko’s Choice, a CBD product line for animals, to improve the lives of our pets. We chat about the potential health benefits of CBD, how Emma came to have such an incredible animal haven, and how she connects with species beyond the “classic companion animal” like a dog or cat. We also hear about two very special boys that have made an impact on Emma’s life: Mo the wolfdog and Mikko the mustang. Their stories are sure to make you believe in the unbreakable connection we have with our animals, in life and after death. Grab your tissues folks; you’ll need them!

Content warning: this episode includes discussions of pet loss, which may be difficult for some listeners.

Links:

ASPCA National Pet Loss Hotline (24 hour support): 1-877-474-3310

Dog People by R.M. Drake (quoted at the end of the episode): Pre-order here

Always consult with a veterinarian before making changes to your pet’s diet and supplementation.

Guest info

CBD company (Mikko’s Choice) website: https://mikkoschoice.com/

CBD company (Mikko’s Choice) Instagram: @mikkos_choice

Main Instagram: @briankangal

Contact us

Podcast Instagram and TikTok: @animalsoulmatespod

Podcast email: animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com

Credits

Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Abbie Viscardi

Production Team: Citizens of Sound, https://www.citizensofsound.com/

In this episode, I chat with Anne Marie Farage-Smith, a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and author of Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss: An Animal Lover’s Guide to Grief. Anne Marie discusses the basics of grief, including what it is and what it feels like, and then goes through the different types of grief that may be encountered on your healing journey, including acute, anticipatory, ambiguous, disenfranchised, and complicated. We hear about why it’s so important to address pet loss and the associated grief, even when it feels too painful or overwhelming. We also chat about self-care, acknowledging the “wins” as you move through the grieving process, and where to find additional support.

Resources: Content warning: this episode includes discussions of pet loss, which may be difficult for some listeners.

ASPCA National Pet Loss Hotline (24 hour support): 1-877-474-3310

Link to purchase Anne Marie’s book on Amazon: Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss: An Animal Lover’s Guide to Grief

Guest info

Website: https://farage-smith.com/

Email: annemarie@petlossroc.com

Contact us

Podcast Instagram and TikTok: @animalsoulmatespod

Podcast email: animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com

Credits

Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Abbie Viscardi

Production Team: Citizens of Sound, https://www.citizensofsound.com/

In this episode, I chat with Sheley Revis, a general internist and founder of the Fabulous McGrady and Friends Foundation, about the dog who changed her life and would later become the namesake of her organization. McGrady, a deaf, tri-coloured Australian Shepherd, was rescued from Ashe County Animal Control. Sheley had no experience working with deaf dogs but found McGrady to be a quick study, eager to learn with the sweetest temperament. McGrady worked as a therapy dog throughout his life, regularly working at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, to ease stress in travelers and airport staff alike. McGrady’s legacy will live on through the McGrady Foundation, which advocates for deaf dogs and supports rural animal shelters in need in North & South Carolina.

Resources: Content warning: this episode includes discussions of pet loss, which may be difficult for some listeners.

ASPCA National Pet Loss Hotline (24 hour support): 1-877-474-3310

Guest info

McGrady Foundation website: https://fabulousmcgrady.org/

Instagram: @fabulousmcgrady

Contact us

Podcast Instagram and TikTok: @animalsoulmatespod

Podcast email: animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com

Credits

Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Abbie Viscardi

Production Team: Citizens of Sound, https://www.citizensofsound.com/

In this episode, I chat with Allen Frye about his service dog Max. Max, a gorgeous German Shepherd, was trained by Allen to assist with his mobility after he experienced a serious spinal cord injury in 2018. We hear about Allen’s accident, his road to recovery, and how Max has been a constant source of love and support. We talk about the benefits to having a service dog that go beyond the tasks they are trained to do and why general obedience is the key to having a solid service dog like Max.

Resources:

VA Adaptive Sports and Arts, Grant Program

AlaskaMan Extreme Triathlon 2017

Guest info

Instagram: @onlyslightlyquadriplegic

Contact us

Podcast Instagram and TikTok: @animalsoulmatespod

Podcast email: animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com

Credits

Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Abbie Viscardi

Production Team: Citizens of Sound, https://www.citizensofsound.com/

In this episode, I continue my chat with Shannon Kiley, a professional dog trainer, who discussed her experience in search and rescue work with her dogs in Ep 16. This week, Shannon shares Reckon’s story. Reckon, a black and tan Doberman, came from a line of successful search and rescue dogs. Instead of following in his family’s footsteps, Reckon entered into the world of musical freestyle, which eventually led him to be featured on Season 13 of America’s Got Talent. While an untimely injury caused his AGT career to be cut short, Reckon stole the hearts of many with his winning smile and joyful demeanor. Privately, Reckon also got Shannon through the immense grief of losing her Dad, once again demonstrating the power and multifaceted nature of the human-animal bond.

Resources: Content warning: this episode includes discussions of pet loss, which may be difficult for some listeners.

ASPCA National Pet Loss Hotline (24 hour support): 1-877-474-3310

Watch Shannon and Reckon on America’s Got Talent here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEvAqP6HpoE

Guest info

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sardobe

Website: www.dobiedetectives.com

Instagram: @shannonandreckonthesequel

Contact us

Podcast Instagram and TikTok: @animalsoulmatespod

Podcast email: animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com

Credits

Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Abbie Viscardi

Production Team: Citizens of Sound, https://www.citizensofsound.com/

In this episode, I chat with Shannon Kiley, a professional dog trainer who was involved in search and rescue work with her dogs for 18 years. Her incredible Dobermans Soleil, Dagger, Never, and Savor, were specialized in human remains detection; we hear about what it takes to train a cadaver dog, why a “one size fits all” approach is not ideal, and we discuss some of the cases that her dogs participated in during the course of their careers. Finally, we chat about the connection Shannon shares with her dobies and her undying love for the breed.

Resources: Content warning: this episode includes discussion of crimes involving death, which may be difficult for some listeners

Guest info

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sardobe

Website: www.dobiedetectives.com

Instagram: @shannonandreckonthesequel

Contact us

Podcast Instagram and TikTok: @animalsoulmatespod

Podcast email: animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com

Credits

Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Abbie Viscardi

Production Team: Citizens of Sound, https://www.citizensofsound.com/

In this very special bonus episode, I am joined by my significant other, Brandon Reid, and we share the story of Romeo. Romeo, the absolute sweetest pittie boy, was the first dog we ever adopted together. While his time with us was short due to an undiagnosed medical condition, he taught us so much about love and resiliency. I am forever grateful for this boy and hope Romeo’s story will inspire others to take a chance on the underdog and to love your animals intensely, because you never know which day will be their last.

Resources:

ASPCA National Pet Loss Hotline (24 hour support): 1-877-474-3310

Contact us

Podcast Instagram and TikTok: @animalsoulmatespod

Podcast email: animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com

Credits

Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Abbie Viscardi

Production Team: Citizens of Sound, https://www.citizensofsound.com/

In this bonus episode, I chat again with Krystal Hise, a pet portrait artist and our guest featured in Ep 11, about reactivity in dogs. We talk about what this behaviour looks like in Frank and Freya and share our experiences working through reactive behaviour in our pups. We are honest about the challenges associated with having a reactive dog and discuss the many ways we advocate for them. If you are struggling with reactive behaviour in your dog, I hope you find this conversation helpful. There are a ton of resources available. Also, trazodone.

Resources:

Victoria Stilwell, positive reinforcement dog trainer: https://positively.com/

Helpful reactivity resources from Krystal’s blog: https://krystalhise.com/blog-archive/freyas-recommended-resources

Dr. Amy Cook, “The Play Way”: http://playwaydogs.com/classes/

• Management for Reactive Dogs class recommended by Krystal

Guest Info

Instagram: @krystalhiseportraits

Website: https://krystalhise.com/

Contact us

Podcast Instagram and TikTok: @animalsoulmatespod

Podcast email: animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com

Credits

Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Abbie Viscardi

Production Team: Citizens of Sound, https://www.citizensofsound.com/