What if your local dog park could double as a vibrant community hub and a safe haven for both pets and their owners? In this episode, we chat with Ramy Saleh, visionary CEO of Zoomies Dog Park, about how he's transforming this dream into reality. Ramy shares his inspiring journey from Cairo to Houston and explains how his passion for dogs fueled the creation of a revolutionary dog park model. At Zoomies, safety and cleanliness take center stage, thanks to a members-only system that requires v...
In this episode of Starlight Pet Talk, Blair Lott, co-founder of Rescue Dog Wines, shares a heartwarming story of passion, purpose, and pets. Transitioning from a successful music career to crafting wine in Northern California, Blair and his wife Laura turned their love for winemaking into a mission to save rescue dogs. Discover how they’ve combined business and philanthropy, with each bottle of Rescue Dog Wines directly supporting animal welfare organizations across the U.S.Blair dives into ...
Angie Winters, the insightful author of "Don't Train Your Dog," challenges everything you thought you knew about dog training. She argues that traditional training methods relying on treats and fear miss the mark, emphasizing that true guidance comes from understanding a dog's emotional needs and forming a genuine bond. Tune in as Angie shares her innovative approach to pet parenting, based on over two decades of experience in dog rehabilitation and parenting, revealing how dogs are naturally...
In this special episode of Starlight Pet Talk, we’re sharing an inspiring episode from one of our sister pet podcasts, The Story of My Pet. In this episode, our host Amy Castro is interviewed by "Story of My Pet" host Julie Marty-Pearson. Discover Amy’s journey from her childhood encounter with a feral cat named Snippy to founding Starlight Outreach and Rescue and dedicating her life to saving animals.Amy reflects on the emotional highs and lows of rescue work, offering listeners a heartfelt ...
Unlock the Secrets of Canine Intelligence with Jennifer S. HollandEver wonder how smart your dog really is? In this episode, Jennifer S. Holland, New York Times bestselling author of Dog Smart: Life-Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence, takes us on a journey into the amazing world of canine intelligence. From their incredible sense of smell to how they adapt to life with humans and their individual pet parent's lifestyle, you'll gain a new perspective on how dogs think and communicate.Key ...
In this episode, we sit down with Father Justin Briggle of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church to uncover the heartwarming story behind Harvest PawFest, a unique festival celebrating the deep bond between pets and their families. Originally an Oktoberfest event, Harvest PawFest has evolved into a community-wide gathering that includes the cherished tradition of blessing pets in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.Father Justin shares touching stories of past pet blessings, from baby goats to hedgehogs,...
Have you ever wondered if the everyday items your pet uses, like toys and food containers, could be harming their health? In this eye-opening episode, we dive into the hidden dangers of plastics in pet products with Aidan Charron from EarthDay.org, who shares startling findings from the “Pets vs Plastics” report.What You'll Learn:- The Hidden Health Risks: Discover the shocking chemicals like phthalates and BPA found in common pet items and learn how they can contribute to serious health issu...
What happens when both you and your spouse are suddenly called to military duty, leaving your beloved pet with no one to care for them? This was the challenge Alisa Sieber-Johnson faced, which inspired her to co-found Dogs on Deployment. This nonprofit provides crucial support for military families by connecting service members and first responders with volunteer pet boarders through their online platform. This ensures that no pet has to be surrendered due to deployment. Additionally, the org...
In this episode, we unlock the secrets to thriving pet businesses and animal rescues when host Amy Castro is interviewed on the "Off the Leash with the Pet Business Coach" podcast hosted by Pet Business Coach Eliza Burr. Amy and Eliza reveal strategic insights on forming powerful, mutually beneficial partnerships between pet businesses and animal rescues. Learn how these alliances can drive both business success and rescue efforts, with Amy sharing invaluable tips on generating income, ...
CHANGES ARE COMING TO THE SHOW! We'd love to have your input as we rebrand the show over the next month- take this one question survey and help us pick our new show name! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6LJWJK9What happens when a hurricane derails your plans, your car breaks down, and you end up in a sketchy hotel? Join us on an epic 1,672-mile journey from Texas to New York, where my best friend Bev and I, Amy Castro, faced these challenges and more—all in the name of finding the perfect fore...
CHANGES ARE COMING TO THE SHOW! We'd love to have your input as we rebrand the show over the next month- take this one question survey and help us pick our new show name! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6LJWJK9Join host Amy Castro as she sits down with expert dog trainer Ruth Hegarty to tackle one of the most misunderstood challenges for dog owners—separation anxiety. This episode cuts through the noise to deliver practical, proven strategies that can make a real difference for you and your do...
CHANGES ARE COMING TO THE SHOW! We'd love to have your input as we rebrand the show over the next month- take this one question survey and help us pick our new show name! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6LJWJK9In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Wainberg, Senior VP of Synchrony Financial Service’s Pet Business, to discuss the rising costs of pet care and how to manage them. With pet ownership at an all-time high, many of us will face unexpected pet health expenses we're likely not prepa...
In this episode, Amy is joined by Dr. Marlene Siegel as they explore new and innovative ways to help our pets live longer. Dr. Siegel is a pre-eminent expert in bioregulatory veterinary medicine, emphasizing the crucial role of addressing the root causes of disease rather than suppressing symptoms. Dr. Siegel shares her holistic five-step approach to pet health, covering everything from diet and water quality to emotional well-being.Takeaways:Address the root causes of disease with a co...
This episode explores the many benefits humans gain from interacting with pets, even if they're not their own!Amy interviews Denise M. Dudley, PhD, a distinguished psychologist, communication and relationship coach, and founder and former CEO of SkillPath Seminars. Denise's background in behavioral psychology offers unique insights into how pets enhance our well-being.Key Takeaways:Stress Reduction and Mood Enhancement: Pets trigger the release of feel-good hormones, reducing stress and boost...
In this episode, Amy is joined by dog training expert Ruth Hegarty to discuss solutions for common dog behavior problems. From leash pulling, nuisance barking, and recall, to jumping up and destructive chewing, Ruth emphasizes the importance of identifying the root causes of these behaviors and offers practical tips for addressing them through consistent training and positive reinforcement.Key Topics:Leash PullingNuisance BarkingRecallJumping UpDestructive ChewingKey Takeaways:- Consistency a...
Join us as we dive deep into the world of dog-friendly communities with Beth Miller, the founder of Wagtown Consulting. Discover how Wagtown is transforming neighborhoods and workplaces by promoting dog-friendly initiatives that benefit residents and their dogs.Episode Highlights: Beth shares her journey and mission to create dog-friendly communities, discussing the benefits these initiatives bring to residents and pets, the importance of assessing community needs, and strategies for engaging...
In this candid episode of Starlight Pet Talk, host Amy Castro sheds light on the common challenges shelters and rescues face with potential pet adopters. Drawing from her 15 years of experience in animal rescue and sheltering, Amy shares 10 significant problems that can arise during the adoption process. These issues can not only delay the adoption but also lead to an adopter being declined. And we're not talking about obvious reasons for rejection like animal hoarding or abuse. Instead...
In this episode of Starlight Pet Talk, host Amy Castro chats with wedding expert Nicole Ettenhofer about the exciting idea of involving pets in weddings. They cover essential planning and considerations to ensure a smooth and joyful experience for everyone, including our furry friends.Amy and Nicole discuss the key factors to consider before deciding to include a pet in your wedding, such as evaluating your pet's behavior in public and ensuring both partners are comfortable with the idea. The...
In this episode of Starlight Pet Talk, host Amy Castro discusses disaster preparedness for pets with Roxana Petzold from the American Red Cross. They cover common disasters that pet parents need to prepare for, such as hurricanes and wildfires, and provide tips on how to make a plan, pack a go bag, and stay informed during an evacuation. They also discuss the importance of microchipping pets, developing a buddy system, and training pets for emergencies. The Red Cross offers resources and tool...
In this episode, host Amy Castro dives deep into the world of emotional intelligence and its profound impact on our interactions with pets. Joined by guest Amy Budd, an expert in emotional intelligence and HeartMath techniques, they discuss the critical role of awareness and regulating our own emotions before expecting our pets to regulate theirs. The conversation reveals how heart math techniques, like heart-focused breathing, can help manage emotions, enhance the bond with pets, and positiv...