The Empathetic Trainer
Barbara O’Brien
Welcome to ”The Empathetic Trainer,” the podcast that explores the power of empathetic animal training
Animals just want to be heard. This is an emerging trend among trainers, veterinarians, pet professionals and animal lovers just like yourself. Join us as we learn the challenges our guests faced, as they grew their understanding and connection with the animals in their lives.
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Top 10 The Empathetic Trainer Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Empathetic Trainer episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Empathetic Trainer for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Empathetic Trainer episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Dr. Shelly Appleton - My Horse's Problem was Actually Me - S2 E23
The Empathetic Trainer
11/16/24 • 70 min
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.
https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/
Chris Lombard - The Power of Patience and Presence in Horse Training - S2 E21
The Empathetic Trainer
07/22/24 • 73 min
Have you ever felt a profound connection to something that completely shifted your life's direction?
In this episode of the Empathetic Trainer Podcast, we chat with Chris Lombard, a horse trainer and author who found his calling in the equine world at the age of 26. Chris shares his transformative journey from a conventional life to one filled with the peace and purpose he discovered through horses. We explore the deep emotional bonds between humans and horses, the courage it takes to follow one's heart, and the healing power of equine therapy.
Throughout our conversation, Chris and I dive into themes of reconnecting with nature, the innate wisdom within us, and the courage required to pursue our true passions amidst societal pressures. We also touch upon the emotional bond formed between humans and horses, especially through Chris's poignant experience of losing his beloved horse, Rocky. These narratives highlight the importance of patience, presence, and bravery in building trust and meaningful connections with animals.
Chris shares valuable insights on healing from past injuries and overcoming fears, illustrating how horses can catalyze personal growth. Join us to discover the lessons that horses teach us about living authentically, embracing uncertainties, and fostering deep, soulful connections.
https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/
Chelsey Bosak - All Of Our Dogs End Up Where They Are Meant to Be - S2 E 22
The Empathetic Trainer
09/21/24 • 44 min
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.
https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/
Ingrid Henry - What we are Trying to Communicate is Trust - S2 E20
The Empathetic Trainer
07/20/24 • 60 min
Ingrid Henry, an equine coach, discusses the importance of trust and consistency in building a strong relationship with horses. Ingrid emphasizes the need for patience and understanding when working with challenging horses and highlights the value of undemanding time spent with them. She also addresses the issue of fear in horse-human relationships and offers advice on how to overcome it.
In this conversation, Ingrid discusses her passion for dressage and eventing, emphasizing the importance of building a harmonious connection with horses. She shares insights on how to overcome fear and frustration in riding, highlighting the role of emotional awareness and regulation. Ingrid also talks about the significance of confidence, leadership, and honesty in horse-human relationships. She provides practical tips for handling spooking incidents and promoting a sense of curiosity and confidence in horses. Finally, Ingrid emphasizes the value of continuous learning, empathy, and gentle honesty in developing a harmonious connection with horses.
We tackle the challenging emotions tied to horse handling, especially after traumatic experiences. Our host recounts a pivotal moment involving an Arab mare and a broken pelvis, highlighting how past traumas can influence current training sessions. By comparing the responses of different horses to their handlers, we emphasize the crucial role of self-awareness and emotional control. Through personal stories and practical examples, we discuss the journey of overcoming fear, emphasizing the importance of not projecting past anxieties onto new equine relationships.
https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/
Kari Bastyr - Your Dog is Not Bad, He is Just Having a Hard Time S2 E18
The Empathetic Trainer
05/27/24 • 60 min
Kari Bastier of Wag &Train, is a dog behaviorist and canine nutritionist. She debunks the dominance theory, showing that dogs act out due to stress and anxiety and not a desire to dominate their owners. Carrie emphasizes the gut-brain connection, sharing stories about Paisley, a chocolate lab, whose behavior issues were improved by a simple change in diet.
https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/
Julie Smart - What Horses Want - Trust, Communication and Leadership
The Empathetic Trainer
05/11/24 • 75 min
New Zealand Horse advocate and author, Julie Smart joins Barbara O'Brien in a conversation not just about training, but about retraining ourselves to listen, to watch, and to feel the subtle cues that horses give us when trying to communicate.
We talk about how spending undemanding time with our horses changes how they feel about and us and can really help build a better, more trusting relationship. We also talk about how horses never stop learning and can be trained at any age with atunement and understanding.
Julie recommends books like 'True Horsemanship Through Feel' by Bill Dorrance and Leslie Desmond, and 'Warwick Schiller's Principles of Training'. Julie shares her biggest failure, which involved a horse named Ethel, and how it taught her the importance of not believing what others say about horsemanship. They also talk about fear and the need to acknowledge and respect it, as well as the luckiest thing that has happened to Julie, which is having her mother as a role model.
https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/
Susan Friedland - The True Story of Marguerite Henry and Misty of Chincoteague S2 E16
The Empathetic Trainer
04/16/24 • 76 min
Susan Friedland and I explore the world of Marguerite Henry, a beloved author whose stories have enchanted readers for years. From "Misty of Chincoteague" to "King of the Wind" and so many others, Henry's books have made a lasting impression on people of all ages.
We talk about how much Henry loved horses, especially Morgan horses, and how her stories were influenced by her roots in the Midwest. Susan shares how Henry was kind and caring towards her readers, even writing them personal letters. Susan also had the chance to see original art by Wesley Dennis who illustrated many of Henry's books.
Our chat also touches on how Henry's books have inspired young readers to love horses and how they've brought horse lovers together. Whether we're talking about the excitement of the Chincoteague Pony Penning Swim or the comfort horses can bring, we celebrate Henry's legacy and the happiness her books bring to so many people.
https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/
Laura Carter - What Your Dog Wants is You - S2 E15
The Empathetic Trainer
04/02/24 • 43 min
https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/
Kera Wilhelmsen - You Want Your Dog to Trust You, Right? S2 E14
The Empathetic Trainer
03/24/24 • 55 min
In this interview, Barbara O'Brien talks with Kara Wilhelmsen from Creature Comforts Pet Services about her approach to animal training. Kera stresses the importance of kindness and understanding when working with animals, rather than using fear or intimidation. She shares her experiences working with dogs, including her own challenges with a reactive border collie named Tayla. Kera emphasizes using positive reinforcement and empathy in training, focusing on relaxation techniques and behavior modification. She also discusses the need for owners to learn about science-based training methods and the importance of reading dogs' body language. Kara warns against quick fixes and misinformation in training, and encourages empathy and compassion in both human and animal interactions.
https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/
Lynn Acton - Alternatives to Dominance Based Horsemanship - S2 E12
The Empathetic Trainer
01/30/24 • 70 min
Tune in to hear Lynn Acton, acclaimed author and horse trainer, share practical tips on how to build trust and connection with your horse. Learn about the basics of earning trust, using clear body language, moving away from dominance based training, and understanding horses' emotions. Lynn also talks about being a protector leader and what horses really want from us. Get simple and actionable advice for creating a strong bond with horses and keeping them happy by avoiding unnecessary stress. Whether you're a horse enthusiast or just curious, Lynn's down-to-earth wisdom makes it easy to connect with these amazing animals.
https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Empathetic Trainer have?
The Empathetic Trainer currently has 24 episodes available.
What topics does The Empathetic Trainer cover?
The podcast is about Pets & Animals, Equine, Relationship, Kids & Family, Empathy, Pets, Cat, Podcasts, Self-Improvement, Education, Horse and Dog.
What is the most popular episode on The Empathetic Trainer?
The episode title 'Ingrid Henry - What we are Trying to Communicate is Trust - S2 E20' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Empathetic Trainer?
The average episode length on The Empathetic Trainer is 60 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Empathetic Trainer released?
Episodes of The Empathetic Trainer are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of The Empathetic Trainer?
The first episode of The Empathetic Trainer was released on Aug 1, 2023.
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