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In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer, I talk with Heather Mishefske of Embark Dog Training School.

I’ve spent my whole life with herding dogs. Then I got an Australian Terrier… and realized pretty quickly that my usual way of doing things wasn’t going to work.

This little guy has opinions.

So I went looking for help, and that’s how I found Heather.

We talk about what it’s like to live with dogs in a very human world, and why so many of the struggles we see make more sense when you look at things from the dog’s side.

Heather works with dogs and their people every day. What I appreciate most is how she helps people understand the dog in front of them, instead of trying to make every dog fit the same approach.

If you’ve ever had a dog that didn’t respond the way you expected… you’ll probably recognize this conversation.

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In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer Podcast, I talk with horsewoman and educator Gabi Neurohr about building trust with horses, understanding horse behavior, and creating a true partnership between horse and human.

From the moment we started talking, I felt an immediate connection to the way Gabi sees horses. So much of what she said rang true for me and my own experience working with them.

We talk about what horses are really trying to tell us, how trust between horse and human is built, and why true leadership with horses is not about control, it's about understanding.

At one point in the conversation Gabi said something that stopped me in my tracks:

“Every horse is a soul in a non-human body.”

That simple sentence really captures the heart of this conversation.

If you love horses and care about building a a better relationship with them, I think you'll enjoy this episode.

How to reach Gabi - https://www.facebook.com/GNunderstandinghorses

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“Find a dog that’s going to make you happy.”

I sit down with Denise Fenzi to talk about choosing the right dog for your real life — not the one you think you should want. We talk about fit, expectations, training, and working with the dog in front of you.

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In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer, I talk with Amelia Thomas about what it really means to listen to animals.

We’re not talking about techniques or quick fixes. We’re talking about slowing down, paying attention, and noticing what animals are already showing us—often in very quiet, subtle ways. Amelia shares how listening starts with presence, not interpretation, and how that shift can change the way we relate to animals.

If you live or work with animals and have ever felt like there’s more going on than you can put into words, this conversation is for you.

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In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer Podcast, Barbara O’Brien talks with Rachel Windchaser, author and equine rewilding coach. Rachel runs Winchaser Ranch in Spain, where she cares for a rare herd of Spanish Mustangs.
They talk about what it really means to “rewild” — how slowing down, breathing, and paying attention can change the way we connect with horses and with ourselves. Rachel explains the value of touch, rhythm, and trust, and why real horsemanship starts with self-awareness and kindness.

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In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer podcast, host Barbara O’Brien chats with Jessica Gonzalez, a dedicated horse rescuer and author of Equine Empowerment. They discuss how horses help people heal, the power of positive reinforcement training, and the deep bond between horses and young people. Jessica shares her journey, the challenges of running a nonprofit, and the importance of trust, patience, and second chances—both for horses and humans.

Key Takeaways:

• Horses provide healing and companionship, especially for those struggling socially.
• Positive reinforcement builds trust between horses and people.
• Understanding horse behavior and emotions improves training.
• Working with rescue horses teaches patience, resilience, and empathy.
• Jessica’s nonprofit empowers youth through equine therapy.
• Every horse—and every person—deserves a second chance.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on love, trust, and the transformative power of horses!

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Barbara O’Brien talks with horse trainer, coach and author Dr. Shelley Appleton about building trust and confidence between riders and their horses. Shelley shares how things like fear, aging, and hormones can affect riding, especially for women. They talk about the importance of patience, understanding, and learning to see things from the horse’s point of view.
In addition to being the host of the Canter Therapy podcast, Shelley is the author of two books - Confidence & Trust, Solving the Human & Horse Equation; and Buying & Supporting a New Horse, The Essential Guide.
This episode is full of tips for riders and the value of working with others to grow and learn.

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Have you ever wondered what it takes to train a service dog that can transform someone's life? In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with Chelsey Bosak from Helping Paws Minnesota, an organization that specializes in training service dogs for individuals with physical disabilities, veterans, and first responders affected by PTSD. Chelsey shares her journey to becoming Helping Paws’ volunteer coordinator and offers an inside look at the organization's mission to provide highly trained service dogs free of charge, thanks to the dedication of volunteers and donors.

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