Ep.8 - Camille Martens: From Walking Pumas to Walking Dogs (A Wild Path Into Pet Care)

In this episode, we sit down with Camille Martens from Farley’s Friends Pet Care to explore her incredible journey through the animal world — from working with wild cats in Bolivia to tree planting in the forests of BC with her loyal “bush dog,” and eventually building a dog walking business focused on trust and connection.Camille shares stories of feeding and walking pumas on leash, living deep in the jungle, and learning to read body language across species. We talk about how those early experiences shaped the way she understands dogs today, especially those with big feelings.This conversation is about more than wild adventures. It’s about the thread that connects all animals: trust, safety, and the power of consistent relationships. Camille reflects on the dogs who shaped her, the lessons learned from different species, and how every dog is a new opportunity to learn.If you’ve ever wondered how someone goes from walking big cats in the jungle to walking dogs in their community, this episode is for you.Key Takeaways• Trust is the foundation of every relationship with animals, no matter the species.• Exposure and real-world experiences can build confidence more than just obedience training alone.• Body language awareness is a universal skill when working with animals.• Consistency and relationship-building help sensitive dogs feel safe and grow.• Every dog is different, and every day offers a chance to learn something new.• Our early experiences with animals often shape the way we work with them later in life.Keywordsdog behaviourdog walkingbig feelings dogsreactive dogsanimal body languagetrust-based trainingworking with wild animalspumas on leashbig cat sanctuarytree planting lifeadventure with dogshuman-animal bondexposure vs socialization