PODCAST · kids
Paws for Thought
by Animal Therapies Ltd
Paws for Thought is a podcast about animals changing human lives for the better. Anecdotally we know about the therapeutic powers of animals but the science and research are now validating those beliefs.Produced by Animal Therapies Ltd, animal-assisted services is a recognised field worldwide and through this podcast we hope to educate, entertain and raise awareness among listeners about the countless ways that animals are helping humans.
Episodes
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Aboriginal youth reaping the benefits of equine-assisted learning in the Kimberley
It's a sad indictment on Australia that despite comprising just 6.6% of the nation's population, Aboriginal youth are 27 times more likely to be in juvenile detention than non-Indigenous young people. This over-representation reflects a history of trauma, cultural dispossession, and forced...
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Horses lead the way in helping children heal from trauma
A new Australian study is shining the spotlight on the healing power of horses, revealing that equine-assisted therapy could help address the growing mental health crisis among children. As childhood mental illness rates spiral, compounded by lengthy waiting times for counsellors and the...
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How do we stop assistance animals from being turned away in public places?
A recent study led by Dr Tiffani Howell from La Trobe University confirms what many people in the assistance animal community are reporting anecdotally: increasing rejections from transport companies, hospitality outlets and even medical centres. An online survey of 77 handlers said these…
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From chaos to calm: how horses changed one man's path
In years past, Dean Mighell spent his days treading the floors of Parliament House in Canberra, lobbying on behalf of thousands of workers for better pay and conditions, in his role as Head of the Electrical Trades Union. A 25-year career defined by conflict and immense pressure left behind deep...
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Why chickens are the best teachers in a neurodiverse world
17-year-old Summer Farrelly (they/them) is the creator of a unique animal assisted learning program called Chickens 2 Love, developed for autistic and other neurodivergent people to help them develop social skills. The program came into being when Summer was just 10 years of age, living in...
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What can we do to improve life for blind people and their guide dogs?
More than 500,000 people in Australia are legally blind or vision impaired, yet only 5% of those have access to a guide dog due to a shortfall in funding. For those fortunate enough to receive a guide dog, they face multiple challenges on a daily basis, including being rejected by taxi and Uber...
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Medical alert dogs for diabetics
Australian Lions has been training hearing assistance dogs for 43 years, pairing more than 690 dogs with hearing-impaired people over that time. More recently, they have branched out to train medical alert dogs for people living with type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition that affects more than...
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How horses help us heal and experience joy
Vanessa (Ness) Hawkins is a self-confessed horse nut, who was riding ponies in England before she could walk. Emigrating to Australia as a young child and growing up in rural Victoria, where her British accent made her a target for bullies, Ness found solace in pony club, eventually competing at...
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Teaching old dogs (and children) new tricks
Like many new teaching graduates, Sarah Macdonald started her career full of promise and hope for the potential impact she could have on a child’s life. But she soon realised that a great curriculum and a supportive environment were not enough. Children who weren’t in the right headspace and who...
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Neurodiverse students thrive in outdoor setting on horseback
If not for the Dunalley bushfires in 2013, Tasmanian teacher Cheri Allanby may still be delivering lessons to her students in the same way that millions have done before her - standing in a classroom, whiteboard behind her, explaining simple concepts to children and hoping that the sea of young...
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How dogs are helping first responders cope with trauma
Karen Hollings is a highly experienced paramedic who has been employed by St John Ambulance in Western Australia since 2003. She loves her job and has been awarded several commendations over the course of her career, but it has also come at a high cost. Like so many other first responders, she is...
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When life gives you lemons, make lemonade
Wendy Coombe's world came crashing down in November 2014 after years of buried trauma and corporate burnout led to a breakdown. Overnight, a successful career as a high-functioning executive collapsed, leaving her floundering without a 'safe place' (her professional life) and a shattered…
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What horses can teach us about leadership
Not many people can put their hand on their heart and say their job makes their heart sing. Vicki Macdermid counts herself among the lucky few. The executive business coach and chartered accountant has established a model for leadership that accesses the power and wisdom of horses. Her workshops...
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Love and attachment: two words that define the human:animal bond
Why do animals play such a pivotal role in helping humans to heal? And how can we ensure this powerful bond is taken seriously by governments and the community? Child psychologist Dr Aubrey Fine has spent 50 years working in the field of animal-assisted therapy and will deliver the keynote…
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Veterinarians in crisis
Seventy per cent of veterinarians know at least one colleague who has taken their own life and almost the same number are experiencing mental health issues within their practice. Long hours, low pay, high stress, unrealistic client expectations, financial pressures and a lack of mentoring and...
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A little equine magic in Australia's Top End
Northern Territory resident Rashida Khan wears many hats: animal nutritionist; horse, cattle and miniature mule breeder; equine assisted therapist; and corporate and personal coach; not to mention full-time carer for her 82-year-old father. There’s not much downtime juggling four businesses from...
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COVID sniffer dogs: the world's fastest screening tool
With a sense of smell up to 100,000 times more powerful than a human’s, it’s perhaps no surprise that dogs can reliably detect hundreds of different scents, including COVID-19. But as Dr Anne-Lise Chaber explains, their potential as an effective screening tool goes way beyond the pandemic - into...
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Prisoners and Pets
Ever thought of pairing prisoners with retired greyhounds to domesticate the latter for adoption in the community? It's an odd combination but it pays dividends, for inmates and ex-racing dogs alike. Since 2014, the women's and men's prisons in South Australia have re-homed 400 greyhounds as part...
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How wild animals heal human trauma
Dr Lorin Lindner is a clinical psychologist based in the Californian mountains above Los Angeles. She operates two very special sanctuaries that pair traumatised wildlife with returned US military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress. Her recovery program places rescued parrots, wolves…
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A tragedy with a silver lining
Lesley Porter was orphaned at the age of five when she lost her entire family in a car accident in England. She was the only survivor. Raised by her grandmother, who brought her to Australia, Lesley was shunted between relatives and friends for the next six years. Between them, they abused her...
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A paw-fect storytime buddy
Childhood literacy rates in Australia are among the worst in the developed world, with one in five children failing to meet international standards. The Federal Government is pouring millions of dollars into addressing the literacy crisis, but is there a simpler solution staring us in the face –...
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Assistance dogs and veterans
Dani Hale was living her dream life, serving her country in the Army and then in the Navy. But the physical demands of the job took a heavy toll over many years, leading to multiple back operations, a spinal cord implant and, inevitably, a medical discharge. Pain and depression were her…
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Protecting our pets from domestic violence
One in three women experiencing domestic violence don't leave - or delay leaving - because of their pets. But services are now available in Australia to provide safe havens for both. The law is also catching up, with recent legislation in NSW and Victoria recognising animal abuse as a form of...
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Alpacas spreading the love
Since 2003, Nils Lantzke and his herd of alpacas have been spreading the love around Canberra, helping those doing it tough and putting a smile on people's faces. After 17 years, Nils is hanging up the reins, leaving a remarkable legacy.
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From the Horse's Mouth: Part 2
Mental health social worker Zel Tomasevic explains why she stepped away from her office four years ago and now spends her days in a paddock, getting her clients to work alongside horses - with much better results.
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From the Horse's Mouth: Part 1
What can a horse teach us about ourselves? Jasmine Hobbs explains how equine therapy has transformed her world, helping to reduce her anxiety and better manage social interactions.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Paws for Thought is a podcast about animals changing human lives for the better. Anecdotally we know about the therapeutic powers of animals but the science and research are now validating those beliefs.Produced by Animal Therapies Ltd, animal-assisted services is a recognised field worldwide and through this podcast we hope to educate, entertain and raise awareness among listeners about the countless ways that animals are helping humans.
HOSTED BY
Animal Therapies Ltd
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Paws for Thought have?
Paws for Thought currently has 26 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Paws for Thought about?
Paws for Thought is a podcast about animals changing human lives for the better. Anecdotally we know about the therapeutic powers of animals but the science and research are now validating those beliefs.Produced by Animal Therapies Ltd, animal-assisted services is a recognised field worldwide and...
How often does Paws for Thought release new episodes?
Paws for Thought has 26 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Paws for Thought?
You can listen to Paws for Thought on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Paws for Thought?
Paws for Thought is created and hosted by Animal Therapies Ltd.
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