Episodes
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Vanessa Woods is the Director of Duke University’s Puppy Kindergarten program, which studies what qualities are important in becoming a great service dog. The program is funded by the National Institute of Health and works with puppies from Canine Companions, the largest service dog provider in the United States. While this is primarily intended to learn what makes the best service dogs, it has also been informative about all dogs.
Her husband, Brian Hare, is the Founder of the Duke Canine Cognition Center, the first academic program dedicated to studying dogs in the country. Together they co-wrote a new book, called Puppy Kindergarten, where they take the valuable lessons learned from their years of research studying service dogs as the ideal model for how dogs live with us in today's culture. They share tips, activity ideas, and more insights on for all dog parents raising puppies.Their goal is to help everyone develop a happier and healthier relationship with their dogs from a young age, which carries on throughout the rest of their lives.
For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/vanessa-woods-2024 -
PART TWO - One of the most hot-button discussions in Turkey is how street dogs impact everyday citizens. Most people in cities like Istanbul are used to it, with a long tradition of living alongside them. However, in peripheral areas, there is not always as much support. When government municipalities started to push strays from city centers to outside suburban and rural areas, out of their natural environment, there have been a relatively small number of attacks and accidents. These have reportedly been sensationalized in the media, making it seem like a bigger phenomenon, and said to be weaponized by the government to instill fear.
With the Turkish parliament passing the so-called ‘massacre law’ in July 2024, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government positioned it as a way to protect civilians from these stray dogs. However, in reality, this will be used as a way to significantly harm many strays. Animal rights activists have tried to present alternate solutions or volunteer their time and services, but so far the government has closed the door on that dialogue.
In the second episode of this two-part series, we spoke to local guests about how much stray dogs would be missed from the streets and how the government should embrace the passionate and hard-working animal rights community to reach a better solution that still addresses the overpopulation problem while going about it safely and humanely.
Guest experts featured, in order, include Ahmet Senpolat (HAYTAP, Animal Rights Federation), Nazlan Ertan (journalist), Lisanne Hillen (Melez Dog Rescue), and Elizabeth Lo (filmmaker).
For more information about the episode, guests, and featured links: dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/turkey-stray-dog-dilemma-2024-pt-2 -
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The Turkish Parliament passed new legislation this summer that aims to remove all stray dogs from the streets by 2028, as these dogs are labeled by the government dangerous and causing harm to humans. This is a significant shift in policy in a country where street dogs have been embedded and accepted into its culture for centuries. Turkish animal welfare groups say in reality there are very few deadly dog attacks, but social media sensationalization and politicization of incidents have complicated debates. While everyone agrees there needs to be better plans to manage the country’s dog overpopulation, there is conflict on how to handle it. Animal advocates argue the 100,000 capacity in current shelters cannot humanely accommodate an estimated four million street dogs, calling the new stray dog legislation the “massacre law.”
In the first episode of this two-part series, we explore the unique culture tradition of stray dogs living in Turkey, and discuss the problems and challenges around this new stray dog removal law.
We spoke to several guest experts about their perspective on Turkey’s stray dog dilemma with the new law. Guests include Elizabeth Lo (filmmaker), Nazlan Ertan (journalist), Lisanne Hillen (Melez Dog Rescue), and Ahmet Senpolat (HAYTAP, Animal Rights Federation).
For more information about the episode, guests, and featured links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/turkey-stray-dog-dilemma-2024-pt-1
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Ben Moon is a photographer and filmmaker who has integrated his passion for the outdoors into his work, including as a longtime contributor to Patagonia with climbing and surfing imagery in particular. Dogs have always been part of Ben’s life, but it was after a divorce, living out of a car, and then a colon cancer diagnosis at 29, that the companionship with his rescue dog Denali, a pit-husky mix, took on a new meaning. Their strong connection was highlighted in a 2015 short film called ‘Denali’ which honors his late dog and has amassed over two million views. As a follow-up, Ben then wrote a 2020 memoir, also entitled Denali, that took an even more introspective look at the power of their human-dog relationship.
Now at a new life stage, with his 8-year-old rescue dog Nori, an Australian shepherd and husky mix, they have settled down in a beach house on the Oregon Coast. Ben is learning to appreciate the slow build and the benefits that come from settling down in one place.
Ben speaks about his life journey and dogs with Dr. Sharon Holland, an author and distinguished Professor of American Studies at the University of North Carolina (UNC), as well as the host for Dog Save The People.
For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/ben-moon-2024
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Marianne Leone is an actress, screenwriter, essayist, and author. She is well-known for her recurring role in The Sopranos. After her son, Jesse, had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and passed at a young age, Marianne found comfort in dogs. From Goody, who had been Jesse’s best friend, to current dogs of Titi and Sugar, the mix of bichon’s have provided great comfort. Along with her husband, Chris Cooper, they have been able to find joy amidst hardship. Marianne’s latest book, Five-Dog Epiphany, honors the positive impact of these dogs on her life.
The host for this episode is Dr. Sharon Holland, a Distinguished Professor of American Studies at the University of North Carolina (UNC) and contributing host for Dog Save The People.
For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links:
www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/marianne-leone-2024 -
Jennifer Holland is a longtime writer for National Geographic where she has covered animal behavior, evolutionary biology, natural history, and more. She is also a book author, whose latest work ‘Dog Smart’ looks at the different ways we can re-consider the intelligence of our canine companions. Instead of anthropomorphizing them and evaluating against our own standards, we need to look at them for who they truly are.
Former guest and psychologist Dr. Chris Blazina is the contributing host for this conversation with Jennfier about her new book and what she learned in the process of writing it.
For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links:
www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/jennifer-holland-2024 -
For centuries, stray dogs in Turkey have lived outside amongst their humans. These strays do not have individual guardians, but are rather taken care of by the community. Last week, at the end of July 2024, Turkey’s parliament passed a new law that aims to get the strays off the streets, which would completely change this longstanding cultural relationship. With this re-issue episode, we wanted to bring back a conversation we had with filmmaker Elizabeth Lo about her documentary on stray dogs in Istanbul.
Elizabeth Lo is an award-winning nonfiction filmmaker born and raised in Hong Kong and a graduate of the NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Her debut feature film, Stray, looks at how strays in Istanbul live and interact with a community who looks out for them.
For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links: dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/elizabeth-lo-reissue-2024 -
Anastasia Stellato is the Principal Investigator at Texas Tech University’s Human-Animal Interaction Lab, where she studies animal welfare. After becoming more of a dog person in her personal and professional life, Anastasia wanted to understand better why dogs react and behave in certain ways. More importantly, she wanted to figure out how to help them further. Through her research and the One Welfare approach that takes into account human welfare and environmental context, Anastasia and her PhD students study different situations and learn how to identify causes and solutions most accurately. She believes that we are just scratching the surface of what we can learn about our dogs, how we can be better companions to them, and how to apply our learning to improve our mutual connection.
For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/anastasia-stellato-2024 -
Winnie Au is a photographer who has worked on many dog-related projects over the years. Her most notable project to date is Cone of Shame, with its name taken from the stigma connected to the cone-shape object dogs have to wear after medical procedures. Through her colorful and creative photos, Winnie has aimed to flip that concept around and show that this is actually a beautiful transition into a better life ahead for the dogs. What started as a small set of 12 photos turned into 60, all with different dogs and custom cones, which have now turned into a new book out this Fall.
Winnie knows from experience how a cone can lead to a better life because her own basset hound, Clementine, who had to wear one when initially being rescued from a puppy mill. Since adopting her around a decade ago, Winnie and her husband have seen Clementine’s initial PTSD, fear, and anxiety diminish greatly. Through taking care of her as a delicate rescue dog, they also realized recently that they were ready to have a child. Now, their home has entered a new stage with a senior dog and young toddler.
Pre-order Winnie’s forthcoming ‘Cone of Shame’ book (out Sept 10), filled with her amazing dog photography series:
https://www.winniewow.com/cone-of-shame
For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/winnie-au-2024 -
Alexis Devine has been determined over the past five years to grow the types of communication she has with her dogs. It started with her sheepadoodle, Bunny, who she trained to learn 100+ pre-recorded buttons that helped express feelings, wants, and needs. Today, this has grown to include other techniques like gestural commands or pointing.
Through this process, Alexis has made sure to try to give as much agency to the dogs as possible when making these decisions. Not forcing choices on them, and instead allowing them to lead the way, also enables you to better understand their true nature by paying close attention to subtle cues. In reserving any judgement and just embracing our dogs for who they are, we can do a better job to help accommodate their needs. Along the way, we’ll likely learn a thing or two about ourselves as well.
Since last appearing on Dog Save The People in 2021, Alexis recently released a new book ‘I Am Bunny’ which you can find here:
harpercollins.com/products/i-am-bunny-alexis-devineFor more information about the episode, guest, and featured social media or links: dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/alexis-devine-2024
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EPISODE 5 of our new DOG PARKOLOGY narrative series:
We’ve become disconnected from the natural world around us. However, our dogs – and our dog parks – can help us reconnect to our environment in a more attentive and curious way. When we start to feel a deeper understanding of our place within the larger ecosystem, we can start to care more about protecting it and living symbiotically with all non-human creatures and wildlife.Listen to Dog Parkology on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
In this episode, we hear from guest experts Annette McGivney, Anjulie Rao, and Ed Yong. This series is narrated by Jenna Blum, author and dog mom.
Dog Parkology is a show about the importance of dog parks as public space. The series is produced by As It Should Be Productions, the creators of the Dog Save The People and Dog Walk Meditation podcasts.
FEATURED LINKS
Dog Parkology website
Dog Parkology on Instagram
Jenna Blum on Instagram
Sign up for dog park people newsletter
Dog Save The People website
Dog Save The People on Apple Podcasts
Dog Save The People on Spotify
Dog Walk Meditation website
Dog Walk Meditation on Apple Podcasts
Dog Walk Meditation on Spotify -
EPISODE 4 of our new DOG PARKOLOGY narrative series:
Third places like dog parks can help us form ties and cohesion among neighbors. Developing this trust and dependability can foster communities that are more unified, safer, and friendly. It’s also important, however, to ensure that there is equitable access for all neighborhoods to benefit from this foundational support.Listen to Dog Parkology on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
In this episode, we hear from guest experts Megan Mueller PhD, Setha Low, Amanda McDermott, and Anjulie Rao. This series is narrated by Jenna Blum, author and dog mom.
Dog Parkology is a show about the importance of dog parks as public space. The series is produced by As It Should Be Productions, the creators of the Dog Save The People and Dog Walk Meditation podcasts.
FEATURED LINKS
Dog Parkology website
Dog Parkology on Instagram
Jenna Blum on Instagram
Sign up for dog park people newsletter
Dog Save The People website
Dog Save The People on Apple Podcasts
Dog Save The People on Spotify
Dog Walk Meditation website
Dog Walk Meditation on Apple Podcasts
Dog Walk Meditation on Spotify -
EPISODE 3 of our new DOG PARKOLOGY narrative series:
Dog parks provide a chance for us to meet strangers we might not otherwise. Through our shared love for our dogs and the inherent trust of meeting another dog parent, we can foster new relationships with those around us. These interactions can allow us to widen our perspectives, increase our sense of empathy for others, and come together in greater unity.Listen to Dog Parkology on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
In this episode, we hear from guest experts Teena Patel, Dr. Camille Ward, and Meredith May. This series is narrated by Jenna Blum, author and dog mom.
Dog Parkology is a show about the importance of dog parks as public space. The series is produced by As It Should Be Productions, the creators of the Dog Save The People and Dog Walk Meditation podcasts.
FEATURED LINKS
Dog Parkology website
Dog Parkology on Instagram
Jenna Blum on Instagram
Sign up for dog park people newsletter
Dog Save The People website
Dog Save The People on Apple Podcasts
Dog Save The People on Spotify
Dog Walk Meditation website
Dog Walk Meditation on Apple Podcasts
Dog Walk Meditation on Spotify -
EPISODE 2 of our new DOG PARKOLOGY narrative series:
Guided Play is a learning approach borrowed from child education that may be applied to dogs, too. It involves ongoing observation and interaction to understand the subject's needs and preferences. As dog parents, we should actively pay attention to our dogs at dog parks to ensure optimal engagement. Some dogs may love socializing or only want to play catch with you. Some dogs may prefer wide open, unfenced public land to explore and express their natural instincts.Listen to Dog Parkology on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
In this episode, we hear from guest experts Teena Patel, Dr. Camille Ward, and Meredith May. This series is narrated by Jenna Blum, author and dog mom.
Dog Parkology is a show about the importance of dog parks as public space. The series is produced by As It Should Be Productions, the creators of the Dog Save The People and Dog Walk Meditation podcasts.
FEATURED LINKS
Dog Parkology website
Dog Parkology on Instagram
Jenna Blum on Instagram
Sign up for dog park people newsletter
Dog Save The People website
Dog Save The People on Apple Podcasts
Dog Save The People on Spotify
Dog Walk Meditation website
Dog Walk Meditation on Apple Podcasts
Dog Walk Meditation on Spotify -
EPISODE 1 of our new DOG PARKOLOGY narrative series:
Many dog parks today still resemble the traditional fenced-in spaces established almost 50 years ago. However, our understanding of how dogs think and the number of dogs in American households have grown considerably in the last few decades. Humans have also become increasingly isolated due to the usage of digital technologies and the decline of public spaces for real-life interactions. Through it all, dog parks remain one of the few enduring third places that attract all types of people. It’s more important than ever to build out from the dog park paradigm, to strengthen community ties and raise appreciation for the beauty of nature.Listen to Dog Parkology on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
This series is narrated by Jenna Blum, author and dog mom.
Dog Parkology is a show about the importance of dog parks as public space. The series is produced by As It Should Be Productions, the creators of the Dog Save The People and Dog Walk Meditation podcasts.
FEATURED LINKS
Dog Parkology website
Dog Parkology on Instagram
Jenna Blum on Instagram
Sign up for dog park people newsletter
Dog Save The People website
Dog Save The People on Apple Podcasts
Dog Save The People on Spotify
Dog Walk Meditation website
Dog Walk Meditation on Apple Podcasts
Dog Walk Meditation on Spotify -
Introducing a new narrative series about the importance of dog parks as public space. Through expert guest interviews, the podcast will reframe how the concept of dog parks may evolve to improve our lives and the planet. The show will examine dog parks through our relationships with dogs, each other, and the land.
Listen to Dog Parkology on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
This series is narrated by Jenna Blum, author and dog mom. It is produced by As It Should Be Productions, the creators of the Dog Save The People and Dog Walk Meditation podcasts.
FEATURED LINKS
Dog Parkology website
Dog Parkology on Instagram
Dog Parkology on X
Dog Parkology on Facebook
Jenna Blum on Instagram
Sign up for dog park people newsletter
Dog Save The People on Apple Podcasts
Dog Save The People on Spotify
Dog Walk Meditation on Apple Podcasts
Dog Walk Meditation on Spotify -
MOST POPULAR 2023 EPISODE (Re-issue): We are bringing our interview with Margot Guralnick – the Architecture and Interiors Editor at Remodelista and Creator of Dog Walk Diary – as the most popular episode of the show last year. As we all learn from our dogs about how to slow down and appreciate nature, like our Dog Walk Meditation series, Margot started realizing that everything around her could make for beautiful collages. She started to make them and now has an amazing collection of art from these dog walks. She credits Enrique, her canine companion, for changing the way she goes through the world.
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To finish the year, this episode highlights 2023 guests who joined us on Dog Save The People. This year the conversations centered around companionship, acceptance, creativity, therapy, family, health, grief, home, and more. For more information about the episode, guests, and featured social media or links: dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/2023-recap
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As a farewell story from our host John Bartlett, we are resurfacing a special story from him right in time for the holidays. John has had many dogs in his life, but the most special and important relationship he had was with Tiny Tim, a three-legged pit bull rescue who lost a leg on Christmas Eve one year. But with John, Tiny Tim found his forever home. They would galavant around New York City and it enriched John’s life in many ways. Tiny Tim also inspired John to create a foundation in his name to support independent dog shelters and rescues in honor of his hairy soulmate.
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Longtime show host John Bartlett is stepping down after five years on the Dog Save The People podcast. With a new job position at Parsons School of Design, he will often be traveling internationally and have more obligations that necessitate his time. We're happy to see him take this new career step. It's been a privilege for us to have John leading conversations on the show for all these years, speaking to over 150 guests. In this announcement, John shares his appreciation for the meaningful conversations fellow dog parents shared with him on the show.
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