The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)
Stacie J. King
Two crises. One overlooked solution.
60 million Americans struggle with mental health. 340,000 rescue dogs are euthanized every year. Both systems are overburdened, underperforming, and wildly expensive.
What if dogs—trained, matched, and integrated through Social Prescriptions—could help solve both?
The TH-CA Podcast explores how trained rescue dogs are a cost-effective, scalable, organic mental health intervention hiding in plain sight. These dogs aren’t just pets—they’re untapped resources for emotional support, social connection, and daily structure.
While the U.S. spends $282B/year on mental illness and $2B/year on shelter systems, TH-CA offers a third path:
✅ A natural, drug-free solution
✅ A second chance for rescue dogs
✅ A new model for care that’s community-backed and tech-powered
Through AI-driven matchmaking, targeted training, and real human-canine connection, we’re building a system that curbs crisis—not just treats symptoms.
Plus, go behind the scenes in “Real Life Business” segments to hear what it really takes to build a hybrid nonprofit-for-profit org from scratch—and disrupt two major industries along the way.
If you care about mental health, rescue dogs, or bold new ideas in public health, this podcast is for you.
Let’s flip the script. Let’s turn America’s Human-PILL Bond into a Human-CANINE Bond. 🐾
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Top 10 The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA) Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA) episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA) 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 Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA) episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Hard Data, Real Impact: Rescue Dogs & the People They Help
The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)
01/27/25 • 28 min
In this episode, Stacie dives into the remarkable skills and contributions of service dogs and the transformative potential of rescue dogs to become one. Expect a deep dive into folks who already see benefits from a trained canine, including vets with PTSD and kids with autism.
Stacie highlights key statistics showing the rising need for service dogs—from improving lives to delivering economic benefits. She also shares the heartwarming story of The Big Fix project in Northern Uganda, where civil war survivors and rescued street dogs are paired to help each other heal.
Resources:
- Pet Statistics (ASPCA)
- Facts & Figures (Coalition for Pets & Public Safety)
- Industry Stats & Trends (APPA)
- 2024 Stats (AKC)
- AKC Detection Dog Task Force Report (AKC)
- National Animal Welfare Statistics (SAC)
- The Big Fix Uganda
- Animal Assisted Intervention & Research (Research Gate)
- Let’s Hear it for Autism Assistance Dogs (ADI)
- Blindness and Visual Impairment (WHO)
- Deafness and Hearing Loss (WHO)
- Disability Impacts All of Us Infographic (CDC)
- National Diabetes Statistics Report (CDC)
- Epilepsy Data and Statistics (CDC)
- Food Allergies (AAAAI)
- Autism Data and Statistics (CDC)
- Anxiety Disorders & Major Depression (NIMH)
- PTSD in Veterans (VA)
- ADHD Data and Statistics (CDC)
- Child Abuse and Neglect Fast Facts (CDC)
- National Survey of Children's Health (NCSH)
- Loneliness and Social Connections (AARP)
- Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures (Alzheimer’s Association)
The Mental Health Shift Everyone’s Talking About: Why Social Prescriptions Are Going Global
The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)
04/24/25 • 37 min
In this fired-up episode, Stacie dives into the incredible world of Social Prescribing—a powerful, doctor-backed movement in over 30 countries that’s already changing lives by prescribing community, connection, and non-medical solutions like gardening, hiking, and with our help...rescue dogs trained for a person's specific needs.
Learn how the UK’s Social Prescribing model has already helped millions tackle mental health, loneliness, and stress without meds, and meet the unsung heroes of the movement: Link Workers—the compassionate connectors filling in where doctors can’t.
Stacie breaks down:
- Real-time global snapshot of Social Prescriptions + why it's spreading rapidly
- Why the UK nationalized it in 2019 and 30+ countries are currently investing in it
- Where the U.S. stands and how we might be closer than we think to this kind of revolution
- How The Human-Canine Alliance Matchmaking App could become a prescribing tool for emotional wellness
This episode is a strong dose of education and a powerful look at global mental healthcare trends towards Social Prescriptions.
Help us lay the groundwork for Social Prescriptions in America. 🐾
Resources used in this episode:
- Social Prescribing Academy (UK)
- National Lottery Community Fund (UK)
- Elemental Software (UK)
- Jameel Arts and Health Lab
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- National Academy for Social Prescribing (UK)
- Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing (CISP)
- Social Prescribing USA
- Benjamin Goldberg Foundation
- ArtPharmacy.co
- Culture Rx
- Health Leads
- Wholesome Wave
- Park Rx
- The Art Therapy Project
- VAGA (Visual Arts and Galleries Association)
- Stanford University's Art Prescriptions Program
The Missing Link: Why Social Prescriptions Deserve a Place in Economic Strategy
The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)
05/20/25 • 31 min
Despite mounting clinical evidence for art therapy, nature therapy, music therapy, and dance therapy, Social Prescriptions remain on the periphery of U.S. healthcare. But the issue may not be proof of concept — it’s proof of value.
This episode argues that Social Prescriptions should be seen not just as wellness tools, but as strategic levers for economic development, long-term cost savings, and workforce readiness. If we want to see Social Prescriptions scale in the U.S., we need to speak the language of systems, incentives, and return on investment.
We unpack the Federal Reserve’s own commentary on “missing markets” — the gap between high-impact community solutions and the formal infrastructure needed to scale them — and show how Social Prescriptions fit squarely in that space.
From Park Rx programs that drive traffic and funding to public lands, to creative therapies that improve mental health while stimulating local economies, Social Prescriptions are already creating real impact. But until that impact is economically legible, it will likely remain unrecognized — and less than scalable.
Starting and Scaling Social Prescriptions Webinar Series hosted by CISP starting June 18, 2025: https://www.afhto.ca/news-events/events/starting-and-scaling-social-prescribing
Sources used in this episode:
- March 2025 Webinar: The State of Social Prescribing in United States
- May 2025 Jameel Arts & Health Lab Conversation Series
- Creative Arts Therapies: Evidence and Examples of Practice
- Social Prescribing USA: https://www.socialprescribingusa.org/
- Park Rx America: https://www.parkrxamerica.org/
- The Campaign to End Loneliness: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/
- National Academies of Sciences – Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/25663/social-isolation-and-loneliness-in-older-adults-opportunities-for-the
- U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation (2023): https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
- UK National Health Service – Social Prescribing Overview: https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/social-prescribing/
- World Health Organization: Social Prescribing Toolkit (2023): https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240072674
- The King's Fund – What is Social Prescribing? https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/social-prescribing
Ripple Effects: How Human-Canine Partnerships Are Changing Lives Around the World
The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)
02/03/25 • 23 min
This episode explores the profound relationships formed between humans and canines, highlighting five organizations actively transforming lives one human-canine alliance at a time. Through their programs, they illustrate the ripple effects human-canine relationships do have, and can have, on communities all over the world. Stacie also discusses the many ways to support and get involved with these impactful organizations:
• K9s For Warriors (US)
• The Underdog Project (South Africa)
• HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response (US)
• Dogs for Good (UK)
• Warrior Canine Connection (US)
Resource(s) used in addition to the organizations' websites:
Rescue. Train. Transform: Inside The Human Canine Alliance
The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)
01/13/25 • 13 min
Stacie introduces The Human Canine Alliance (THCA), an initiative founded in 2025 to revolutionize the societal role of rescue dogs by turning them into companions for people who could benefit from a trained canine. THCA plans to start by focusing on the 61 million people considered to be disabled in America. The podcast will serve as a live documentary detailing the process of building THCA, which combines grassroots partnerships and modern technology to match rescue dogs with compatible humans. Stacie discusses the various roles canines play in society, and highlights the underutilization of rescue dogs. Stacie reveals THCA's plan to develop an APP that matches rescue dogs with individuals in need based on compatibility, with support from community fundraising. She is actively building relationships with rescue centers and trainers to execute this plan, aiming to form working relationships and document the journey through this podcast.
THCA Rescue statistics are pulled from the following resources:
- Pet Statistics by ASPCA
- Facts & Figures by Coalition for Pets & Public Safety
- Industry Stats & Trends by American Pet Products Association
- 2024 Stats by American Kennel Club
- AKC Detection Dog Task Force Report by American Kennel Club
- National Animal Welfare Statistics by Shelter Animals Count
Rescue Dogs: An Untapped Solution to America's Mental Health Crisis
The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)
03/21/25 • 25 min
In this Real Life Business episode of The Human-Canine Alliance Podcast, Stacie connects powerful data points to show that rescue dogs are more than just pets—they’re an undervalued asset in addressing America’s mental health crisis.
With 60 million adults struggling with mental illness, suicide rates at an all time high, and wait times for professional care stretching up to six months, what if doctors could prescribe a dog—trained for an individual’s specific needs—before reaching for a pill?
Stacie breaks down how dogs offer natural, side-effect-free benefits like social connection, routine, and emotional support, challenging the status quo of mental health treatment.
Tune-in to learn how THCA aims to create a pathway to transform two industries—mental health and dog rescue—while improving countless lives in the process.
Join the movement in shifting society from a Human-Pill Bond to a Human-Canine Bond.
Resources used for this episode:
Real Life Business: Discoveries & Growth Within THCA
The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)
02/19/25 • 25 min
This is Episode #2 of the "Real Life Business" live documentary series, offering an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of The Human-Canine Alliance (THCA). In this episode, Stacie shares the realities of building a purpose-driven brand, revealing the challenges and breakthroughs in podcast production—from structuring compelling episodes to implementing marketing strategies that drive engagement and impact.
Beyond content creation, she dives into the operational backbone of THCA, exploring the intricate balance of social media management, budgeting constraints, and the integration of AI tools to streamline workflows. More than just tactics, Stacie unpacks the strategic mindset behind these decisions—demonstrating how innovation and adaptability are essential in scaling a mission-driven initiative.
At its core, this episode highlights the bigger vision: leveraging digital platforms and business acumen to elevate the societal value of rescue dogs, while fostering a dedicated community that champions pet adoption and advocacy. This is real-life business in action—where passion meets strategy to drive real-world change.
Resources used for this episode:
- National Animal Welfare Statistics by Shelter Animals Count
- Industry Stats & Trends by American Pet Products Association
- Pet Statistics by ASPCA
- Facts & Figures (Coalition for Pets & Public Safety)
- AKC Detection Dog Task Force Report (AKC)
- Buzzsprout
- Descript
- Canva
- Buzzy
Real Life Business: Inside The Human-Canine Alliance
The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)
01/20/25 • 14 min
This episode kicks off the "Real Life Business" live documentary series, chronicling the journey of building The Human-Canine Alliance (THCA) from the ground up. Join Stacie as she shares real-life triumphs, challenges, and lessons learned while creating a meaningful organization.
In this first episode, Stacie takes you back to where THCA began—what started as a lighthearted idea quickly transformed into a mission-driven app. Packed with actionable insights, this episode is perfect for new entrepreneurs and animal advocates.
With a background in marketing and communications, Stacie offers practical tips on starting a podcast, using no-code tools to build an app, and adopting person-first language when discussing disabilities.
Tune in as Stacie navigates the challenges of turning a big idea into a thriving business that makes a real impact on the rescue industry. This is just the beginning of an inspiring series—stay with us for the next chapter!
THCA Rescue statistics are pulled from the following resources:
- Pet Statistics by ASPCA
- Facts & Figures by Coalition for Pets & Public Safety
- Industry Stats & Trends by American Pet Products Association
- 2024 Stats by American Kennel Club
- AKC Detection Dog Task Force Report by American Kennel Club
- National Animal Welfare Statistics by Shelter Animals Count
The Heart & Science of Dog Rescue: Exploring the Human-Canine Bond
The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)
03/10/25 • 20 min
In this episode of The Human-Canine Alliance, Stacie explores the powerful connection between humans and dogs, highlighting both grassroots rescue efforts and groundbreaking scientific research. She spotlights inspiring initiatives like Police Helping Paws and Eric and Joey—Instagram accounts making a real impact—while diving into a special edition of TIME Magazine, How Dogs Think: Inside the Canine Mind.
Did you know that a dog's brain has 40 times more space dedicated to smell than a human’s? Or that the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 led Congress to mandate disaster preparedness plans that accommodate pets? These fascinating insights shed light on the deep-rooted bond we share with our canine companions.
Stacie also shares a heartfelt story about her dog, Blue, and provides an exciting update on Toto—a rescue dog now in foster care with hopes of a forever home. Plus, she’s offering free promotional support to rescues and fosters struggling to place dogs—if you have a hard-to-place pup, reach out to THCA for podcast and social media exposure!
Resources used for this episode:
- TIME Magazine, "How Dogs Think: Inside the Canine Mind"
- FEMA's Key Planning Factors for Service Animals and Household Pets
- Burke County Animal Services
- @Police_Helping_Paws
- @Eric.and.Joey
Rx: One Dog, Daily – The Rise of Social Prescriptions
The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)
04/09/25 • 16 min
What if your next prescription didn’t come from a pharmacy—but from a shelter?
In this eye-opening episode, host Stacie explores the global rise of social prescriptions, a revolutionary shift in healthcare that trades pills for purpose. From the UK’s National Health Service to community health programs around the world, doctors are now “prescribing” activities like dog walking, volunteering, and time in nature to combat anxiety, depression, isolation, and more.
At the center of this movement? Dogs. 🐾
Learn how rescue dogs are becoming powerful agents of change—naturally delivering emotional support, structure, connection, and healing in ways traditional medicine can’t. We break down the science, the stats, and the stories behind this shift, and ask: Why isn’t the U.S. following suit?
This episode dives deep into how The Human-Canine Alliance is bridging that gap—with technology, training, and a vision to make “One Dog, Daily” a real prescription in America’s mental health toolkit.
If you’ve ever believed there’s more to healing than pills, this is your episode.
Resources used in this episode:
- NHS Social Prescribing Overview
- World Health Organization – Loneliness and Social Isolation
- U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Loneliness (2023)
- Journal of Public Health (Oxford Academic)
- Pet Partners – Therapy Animal Program & Research
- American Heart Association – Dog Ownership and Heart Health
- Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)
- University of British Columbia – Therapy Dog Study
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA) have?
The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA) currently has 11 episodes available.
What topics does The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA) cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Ptsd, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Mental Health, Documentary, Podcasts and Business.
What is the most popular episode on The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)?
The episode title 'Real Life Business: Inside The Human-Canine Alliance' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)?
The average episode length on The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA) is 25 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA) released?
Episodes of The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA) are typically released every 13 days.
When was the first episode of The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA)?
The first episode of The Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA) was released on Jan 13, 2025.
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