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PODCAST

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast

For anyone working or interested in animal-assisted services, particularly with therapy dogs, this is the podcast for you!Samantha King is a Psychologist, accredited dog trainer and industry expert in the field of Animal Assisted Therapy with over 10 years of experience. Sam and co-host Max (Therapy Dogs Australia head of creativity) chat amongst themselves and to guests to highlight some of the challenges and golden moments experienced by those working in the industry.We regularly have animal

education courses

All Episodes

101:31

S5:E15 Mouthing & Jumping: Why This Matters When...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/09/22

S5:E15 Mouthing & Jumping: Why This Matters When Training Therapy DogsGot an adolescent dog who loves using their mouth or jumping up at people?In this episode, Sam explains why mouthing and jumping can become important issues for future therapy dogs and what handlers can do about them.From managing excitement and setting boundaries to knowing when your dog simply needs a nap, Sam shares practical ways to navigate these very normal adolescent behaviours while keeping future therapy work in

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98:56

S5:E14 Reading The Dog In Front Of You: Temperament...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/09/08

S5:E14 Reading The Dog In Front Of You: Temperament Assessments & Behaviour (Guest: Jens Didriksen)Dog trainer Jens Didriksen from NorAus Canine Services joins Sam and Max to chat about his journey into dog training and the experiences that shaped his approach.Jens is also one of our locum TDA temperament assessors, and shares his perspective on what goes into a comprehensive therapy dog assessment and why handler education matters.They also dive into neuroscience, reactivity and aggression,

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68:07

S5:E13 Let’s Talk Insurance & Puppy Allocations!

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/08/25

S5:E13 Let’s Talk Insurance & Puppy Allocations!In this episode, Sam chats with Amy about some of the insurance pitfalls that can catch therapy dog handlers and animal-assisted professionals off guard, and why it’s so important to understand exactly what your policy covers.Then it’s onto puppies! Sam shares an update how Kiki’s litter is doing in their new homes, while Amy talks about temperament testing with her puppy Norman, and why thoughtful puppy allocation is such an important part of

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76:08

S5:E12 Kiki's Puppies Are Heading To Their New Homes:...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/08/11

S5:E12 Kiki's Puppies Are Heading To Their New Homes: The Final WeekSam and Max are back with an update from the whelping box as Kiki’s three Anatolian Shepherd puppies prepare to head off to their new homes.At seven and a half weeks old, the puppies have grown quickly, and Sam shares what these final weeks have looked like, from weaning and teething to managing rough play, introductions to the other dogs, and the realities of raising a litter while working from home.Plus, Sam shares more about life

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68:17

S5:E11 Kiki's First Litter: Puppy Temperaments,...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/06/30

S5:E11 Kiki's First Litter: Puppy Temperaments, Growth & Early CareIn this episode, Sam shares an update from the whelping box as Kiki settles into motherhood with her three Anatolian Shepherd puppies.She takes listeners behind the scenes of the first few weeks of life, discussing puppy growth, emerging temperaments, daily care, health monitoring, and the realities of responsible breeding. Sam also shares the importance of carefully matching puppies to the right homes and the many decisions that

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100:05

S5:E10 Choosing a Future Therapy Dog & Preparing for...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/06/02

S5:E10 Choosing a Future Therapy Dog & Preparing for a LitterIn this TDA family chat episode, Sam, Max, and Amy introduce Norman, Amy’s new Australian Cobberdog puppy and future school therapy dog prospect.Amy shares her journey of finding the right breeder, what she looked for in a puppy, and the importance of ethical breeding, temperament, early socialisation, and strong foundations when raising a future therapy dog. The conversation explores breeder education, guardian programs,

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67:17

S5:E9 School Leadership with a Therapy Dog (Guest:...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/05/19

S5:E9 School Leadership with a Therapy Dog (Guest: Elly Patterson)In this episode, Sam chats with Deputy Principal Elly Patterson about introducing her therapy dog Elphie into a school environment and the thoughtful planning behind building a successful therapy dog program.Elly shares how Elphie supports both students and staff through emotional regulation, transitions, connection, and wellbeing, while also discussing the importance of clear boundaries, documentation, and protocols in educational

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124:52

S5:E8 Burnout, Boundaries & Better Leadership (Guest:...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/05/05

S5:E8 Burnout, Boundaries & Better Leadership (Guest: Chelsea Beegling)In this episode, Sam is joined by psychologist and business owner Chelsea Beegling to explore the realities of stepping into leadership, often without formal training.They discuss burnout, boundaries, and the transition from technical roles into leadership, as well as the unique challenges faced by women in business, particularly in health and education sectors. Chelsea shares insights from her work in leadership coaching,

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130:00

S5:E7 Puppy Board & Trains: What You Need to Know...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/04/21

S5:E7 Puppy Board & Trains: What You Need to Know (Guest: Sue Chipperton)In this episode, we’re joined by experienced Hawaii-based Professional studio animal trainer Sue Chipperton to unpack the often debated topic of puppy board-and-train programs.We explore common misconceptions, from bonding concerns to ethical questions, and what actually makes a high-quality program. Sue shares insights from her 30+ years in the dog training industry, including how structured early training, safe

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85:47

S5:E6 Navigating Consent and Image Sharing in Schools...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/04/07

S5:E6 Navigating Consent and Image Sharing in Schools in the Age of AI (Guest: Christine Waters)In this episode, Christine Waters joins us again as we explore the growing complexities of consent and image sharing in school settings, particularly as AI continues to evolve.We unpack what media consent actually covers, where the boundaries lie when sharing images beyond school platforms, and why additional permissions are often required, even for non-identifying photos.An important conversation for

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90:47

S5:E5 Safety, Standards & Speaking Up With Therapy...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/03/24

S5:E5 Safety, Standards & Speaking Up With Therapy Dogs (Guest: Christine Waters)In this episode, we’re joined by Christine Waters, a primary school chaplain and therapy dog handler, who shares her experience navigating a challenging situation involving another therapy dog in a school setting.Christine reflects on observing concerning behaviour, the steps taken to address risk, and the importance of accountability, training, and clear processes when issues arise. The conversation highlights the

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90:29

S5:E4 From Puppy School To Professional Therapy Dog &...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/03/10

S5:E4 From Puppy School To Professional Therapy Dog & Handler Team (Guest: Melissa Ashford)In this episode, we chat with Mel, founder of Pynmanto in Far North Queensland, about her journey with Pascal, a mini Labradoodle who started as a “wet weather backup” and has now become a therapy dog supporting teen mental health.Mel shares how she trained Pascal through puppy and adolescent programs with Therapy Dogs Australia, the importance of boundaries and animal advocacy, and what it looks like to

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115:07

S5:E3 AAI: Learning To Learn

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/02/24

S5:E3 AAI: Learning To LearnAAI (Animal-Assisted Intervention) Learning To Learn.In this episode, we dive into how therapy dogs can be thoughtfully integrated into clinical work with neurodivergent children and teens. From managing demand avoidance and school refusal to rebuilding confidence and engagement in learning, we share practical, session-ready intervention ideas. A practical and honest look at animal-assisted therapy in real-world settings.Please remember to subscribe, follow and like this

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90:31

S5:E2 If Your Dog Is Growling...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/02/10

S5:E2 If Your Therapy Dog Is GrowlingIn this episode, Sam shares some exciting wins from the Therapy Dogs Australia community- including the impressive scores of our latest graduates and celebrating the 2026 Australia Dog Of The Year who happens to be one of our teams!We also take a deeper look at why your therapy dog or pet dog may be growling, including what it really means, why it happens, and how to respond. Whether you’re a new handler or an experienced one, this episode offers valuable

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109:35

S5:E1 'What Is A Good Dog?' with Pat Stuart

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2026/01/27

S5:E1 'What Is A Good Dog?' with Pat StuartIn the first episode of Season 5 of the Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast, Sam dives into a conversation with dog training expert Pat Stuart. Kicking off 2026, Sam and Pat discuss balancing high energy and drive in dogs, the importance of suitable breed selection, and effective management strategies for adolescent dogs. Pat introduces his new online community designed to offer a safe forum for dog training enthusiasts. Throughout the episode, they explore

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104:14

S4: E20 Critical Thinking with Pat Stuart

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2025/11/04

S4:E20 Critical Thinking with Pat StuartIn this episode of the Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast, Sam sits down with the one and only Pat Stuart, a professional dog trainer, co-host of The Canine Paradigm podcast, and owner of Serious Dog Business.Pat shares his journey from the Army to professional dog training, reflecting on how critical thinking and behavioural science have shaped his philosophy. Together, Sam and Pat discuss the importance of understanding each dog as an individual, staying

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20:55

S4:E19 Planning a Training Session for Your Dog

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2025/10/22

S4:E19 Planning a Training Session for Your DogIn this episode of the Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast, we break down how to plan and structure an effective training session for your dog — no matter what stage of training you’re in.Sam shares practical advice on creating a consistent training plan, using marker words correctly, and focusing on control positions over flashy obedience. You’ll learn how to correctly use reinforcement tools, manage your dog to set them up for success, and integrate

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92:56

S4:E18 Insights From Assessing Teams with K9 Essence...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2025/09/30

S4:E18 Insights From Assessing Teams with K9 Essence (Guest: Brianna Mackay)In this episode, Sam sits down with Brianna Mackay from K9 Essence, one of our locum dog trainers who conducts temperament assessments for Therapy Dogs Australia teams. Brianna shares valuable insights from her work with handlers and their dogs at different stages of their journey, whether just starting out, or freshly graduated.This episode includes tips on building strong handler-dog relationships, phasing out food

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57:30

S4:E17 Creating Impactful Therapy Dog Programs...

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2025/09/16

S4:E17 Creating Impactful Therapy Dog Programs (Guest: Chakera Houtby)In this episode, we sit down with Chakera Houtby to hear her inspiring journey into the world of animal-assisted therapy alongside her therapy dog, Alfie. 💜We cover the realities of therapy dog visits – highlighting the challenges in different workplace settings to the costs and logistics of running professional animal-assisted services. Chakera also opens up about her business, Waggly Woofs, and developing animal-assisted

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45:01

S4:E16 When Things Go Wrong (Part 2)

Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast ·

2025/09/02

S4:E16 When Things Go Wrong (Part 2)Listener discretion is advised: This episode includes references to self-harm and blood.In Part 2 of this episode, Sam and Max get into the spicier side of therapy dog work, sharing real, anonymously submitted stories where things really went off script.From intense client encounters to unexpected incidents involving blood, these are the kinds of moments that test your training, your boundaries, and your ability to think on your feet. Sam breaks it all down with

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