Soul Touched by Dogs - Cindy Ojczyk - Two Lives Changed: The Mutual Benefits of Dog Fostering

Cindy Ojczyk - Two Lives Changed: The Mutual Benefits of Dog Fostering

10/13/24 • 25 min

2 Listeners

All about Soul Touched by Dogs - free live masterclasses, The Weekly Treat newsletter, the podcast and more - at https://soultouchedbydogs.com

A Journey of Fostering: Love, Loss, and Lessons

In this episode of the Soul Touched by Dogs Podcast, I engage in a heartfelt and enlightening conversation with Cindy, a passionate dog lover and rescuer, living near Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Cindy shares her deeply personal journey of coming into the world of dog fostering, starting with her accidental adoption of a dog named Snuka during college.

We explore the emotional rollercoaster that fostering can be, as Cindy recounts her family's experiences in dealing with the grief of losing a pet and the therapeutic role fostering new dogs played in their lives.

Cindy discusses how her family navigated fostering challenges, the impact of adopting pets after experiencing loss, and the bittersweet journey of letting go.

She provides insight into the fostering process, its emotional demands, and the lessons learned in balancing family life with fostering responsibilities.

Cindy also shares details about her newsletter 'Like People, Like Pets' on Substack, aiming to inspire potential fosters and adopters by showcasing the enriching symbiotic relationships between humans and pets. Tune in to hear how fostering can teach valuable life lessons and foster family bonds, even through tumultuous times.

00:00 Welcome to the Soul Touched by Dogs Podcast
00:24 Meet Cindy: A Passionate Dog Lover
01:42 Cindy's Journey with Dogs
04:57 The Challenges and Joys of Fostering
09:24 The Emotional Impact of Fostering
11:56 Insights on Fostering and Adoption
22:51 Connecting with Cindy and Final Thoughts

To find out more and connect with Cindy:

Website: https://cindyojczyk.substack.com/

Bio: Cindy Ojczyk muses about the parallels between people and pets in her weekly newsletter, Like People, Like Pets, at cindyojczyk.substack.com. She lives with her husband in Minnesota, U.S, two rescue pets, and a revolving door of foster animals. Her two adult children live independently with their own menageries.

Social media links: / cindyocheck

All about Soul Touched by Dogs - free live masterclasses, The Weekly Treat newsletter, the podcast and more - at https://soultouchedbydogs.com

A Journey of Fostering: Love, Loss, and Lessons

In this episode of the Soul Touched by Dogs Podcast, I engage in a heartfelt and enlightening conversation with Cindy, a passionate dog lover and rescuer, living near Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Cindy shares her deeply personal journey of coming into the world of dog fostering, starting with her accidental adoption of a dog named Snuka during college.

Cindy discusses how her family navigated fostering challenges, the impact of adopting pets after experiencing loss, and the bittersweet journey of letting go.

She provides insight into the fostering process, its emotional demands, and the lessons learned in balancing family life with fostering responsibilities.

To find out more and connect with Cindy:

Website: https://cindyojczyk.substack.com/

Social media links: / cindyocheck

Previous Episode

Ellen Whiteside - From Four-Legged Wisdom to Peaceful Getaways

1 Recommendations

All about Soul Touched by Dogs - free live masterclasses, The Weekly Treat newsletter, the podcast and more - at https://soultouchedbydogs.com

Magical Retreats & Soulful Connections

In this episode of the Soul Touched by Dogs Podcast, host Anke Herrmann is joined by Ellen from Gold Hill, North Carolina.

Ellen shares her enchanting story about living on an 11-acre paradise, where she runs retreats and rents out Airbnbs surrounded by natural beauty and tranquility.

Ellen recounts her connection with her dog, Murphy, and their involvement in the book project 'Pawthers'.

They discuss the concept of dogs as wise souls and how they met through the project. Ellen talks about her potential retreat offerings for stressed dogs and their owners to find peace together in nature.

The episode highlights the transformative power of the environment to help both people and dogs connect and heal. If this magical retreat with your furry companion sounds appealing, find out more at Ellen's Sacred Grove Retreat website.

00:00 Welcome to the Soul Touched by Dogs Podcast
00:24 Meet Ellen: A Magical Life in North Carolina
01:28 The Story Behind 'My Fur Baby' Book
03:42 Murphy's Arrival and Connection
07:58 The Healing Power of Nature for Dogs and Humans
13:01 Creating a Dog-Friendly Retreat
16:55 The Power of Collaboration and Connection
22:25 Conclusion and How to Connect with Ellen
24:08 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Get the book at https://mybook.to/furbabybook

Find out more and connect with Ellen:

Website: https://sacredgroveretreat.com/

Bio: In May, 2006, I purchased Sacred Grove Retreat Center and moved there with my partner, Tim Beebe. We worked tirelessly to improve and beautify this magical land.

I am a gracious hostess, and my superpower lies in effortlessly creating rapport with every visitor. I possess a natural talent for making anyone who sets foot on the land feel warmly welcomed. Affectionately referred to as the “Goddess of the Grove”, I take great pleasure in embracing this title.

Social media links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-whiteside-58649911/

Next Episode

Joanne Burton - ACE Free Work - The Power of Giving Your Dog Choices

2 Recommendations

Find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs at https://soultouchedbydogs.com

In this episode:

Unveiling the Wonders of ACE Free Work: Transformative Dog Training Insights with Jo from Paw and Order Noosa

In this engaging episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jo from Paw and Order Noosa, based in beautiful Queensland, Australia.

Jo shares her inspiring journey into the world of dog training, initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic with the innovative Animal Centered Education (ACE) Free Work method developed by Sarah Fisher.

We discuss the principles behind ACE Free Work, a technique that uses different sensory stimuli and environments to help dogs feel safe, relaxed, and naturally expressive. Jo delves into the practical aspects of setting up free work stations, recognizing individual dog needs, and the incredible benefits this method brings, especially for reactive dogs.

By providing dogs with choices and observing their behaviors, caregivers can build stronger bonds, enhance trust, and potentially uncover hidden health issues. Jo's ongoing educational journey with Sarah Fisher aims to bring this unique approach to dog training in Australia, and she shares insightful advice for both novice and seasoned dog caregivers.

Tune in to discover the magic of free work and how it can transform your relationship with your dog.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions
00:11 Location and Business Background
01:09 Specialization in Animal Centred Education (ACE)
02:41 Understanding ACE Free Work
03:54 Practical Applications of Free Work
06:01 Observation and Engagement Techniques
08:03 Learning and Teaching ACE Free Work
10:04 Empowering Dog Owners
10:36 Interactive Games for Dogs
11:21 Understanding Free Work
11:51 Recognizing Dog's Finishing Cues
13:07 Setting Up Free Work Stations
13:22 Consulting a Professional
14:19 Customizing Free Work for Your Dog
15:11 Affordable Free Work Solutions
15:32 Incorporating Different Elements
16:25 Chewing as a De-stressor
17:01 Building Trust and Bonding
17:48 Introducing Dogs to Each Other
18:34 Finding More Information
19:35 The Magic of Free Work
19:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Find out more and connect with Joanne:

Website: https://www.pawordernoosa.com.au

Bio: I am the only authorised Australian offering Animal Centred Education (ACE) FREEWORK.
I live with my dog Keetah (black labrador) and my Cat named Cat Burton in beautiful Noosa in Qld Australia.
I offer one to one in home Canine Education sessions centred around Freework.
Practicing a more dog centred rather than task orientate approach dog training.
Lead magnet: Paw & Order Noosa monthly newsletter with give aways with each edition

Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/pawnorder/
https://www.instagram.com/pawandordernoosa/
@joanneburton3137 youtube

Soul Touched by Dogs - Cindy Ojczyk - Two Lives Changed: The Mutual Benefits of Dog Fostering

Transcript

00:00:00.789

Welcome to the Soul Touched by Dogs Podcast, the show for dog lovers who see dogs not as toys or tools, but wise souls worth our respect and care. I'm an Herrmann, and I'm your host. I talk to poor some humans, people who do great work for dogs and their people. So come and join us for today's conversation.

Anke00:00:25.204

Hello and welcome, Cindy. I'm very excited to have you here.

Cindy00:00:30.854

It'