When compassion meets action, lives truly change — for both people and their pets. In this powerful episode, we welcome back Diane, founder of KARE (Kitsap Animal Rescue and Education), to share her incredible journey from corporate trainer to passionate dog behaviorist, rescuer, and advocate for families in crisis.Diane takes us behind the scenes of HOPE, a groundbreaking co-sheltering program in Washington State that allows individuals and families experiencing homelessness or escaping domestic violence to stay safely with their beloved animals. For so many, pets are family — a source of comfort, safety, and unconditional love — yet traditional shelters often force people to make the heartbreaking choice between protection and companionship. HOPE changes that.Through empathy, trust-building, and an understanding of both human and canine behavior, Diane and her team are proving that compassion and structure can coexist. You’ll hear moving stories of resilience — including people who say this program quite literally saved their lives — and learn how KARE and HOPE are creating a model that communities across the country can follow. From training rescue dogs to building systems of compassion, Diana will inspire anyone who believes in the human-animal bond.

Cats may seem mysterious, but just like dogs, they’re constantly communicating. In this episode, Shannon sits down with author and illustrator Lily to talk about her book Kitty Language—a fascinating guide to feline body language, scent communication, and the subtle ways cats share their feelings. From the importance of recognizing fearful versus confident signals to surprising lessons about how scent can completely change the way cats interact, this conversation highlights how much our feline friends are saying if we only know how to listen. Lily also shares personal stories about her own cats, the challenges of misunderstood behaviors, and how she blends her creative talents with her passion for animal behavior. If you’ve ever wondered what your cat is really trying to tell you—or if you’ve experienced those puzzling moments when a trip to the vet turns into a sudden conflict between bonded cats—this episode will give you insight, tools, and appreciation for the rich world of feline communication. Be sure to check out Lily’s books, art, and resources, available online and in select bookstores.

In this episode of Backyard Pet Talk, Shannon Riley sits down with renowned animal behaviorist and author Kathy Sdao to explore one of the most fundamental—and often misunderstood—concepts in training: cues. From dolphins to dogs, Kathy shares her journey and explains how cues are more than commands—they’re invitations for communication. Whether you're a pet parent or professional trainer, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. Stay curious!

How one woman turned her passion into a life-changing mission for animals and people

In this episode of Backyard Pet Talk, Shannon Riley chats with multi-talented author and paddleboarding enthusiast Scott Graham. Scott shares how he got into standup paddleboarding (SUP), why he started training his dogs to join him, and the unique steps he took to teach them safely and confidently. You'll hear about his inspiring background, his approach to dog training on the water, and his latest book all about SUP with dogs. Plus, Scott offers practical tips for anyone ready to try paddleboarding with their pup!

In this episode of Backyard Pet Talk, host Shannon Riley sits down with Fernando Sandoval from State Farm to answer one of the most common questions pet owners have: Do I really need pet insurance?As veterinary costs continue to rise, more people are looking into how to protect their pets—and their wallets. Fernando breaks down how State Farm partners with Trupanion, what their pet insurance covers, and how easy it is to get started (hint: you don’t even need to be a State Farm customer!).✅ Why pet insurance is becoming more important✅ What State Farm offers and who it's for✅ How to get a quote and what to expect✅ Answers to common questions pet parents haveWhether you're a new pet parent or just trying to plan ahead, this episode is packed with useful info to help you make a smart decision for your four-legged family members.

This week on the podcast, we’re thrilled to share a conversation that’s as heartwarming as a kitten curled up in a sunbeam. We sat down with Kat, the visionary behind a brand-new cat café that’s more than just a cute concept—it’s a bold entrepreneurial leap powered by passion, purpose, and plenty of purrs.Starting a business is never easy, and as a woman navigating the world of small business ownership, Kat brings honesty, creativity, and courage to the journey. From building a welcoming space where people can relax with adoptable cats, to launching unique merch and time-based cat-cuddle sessions, she’s truly crafting something special for the community.In this episode, we talk:* How Kat turned her dream into reality* The challenges (and joys!) of opening a cat café* Why supporting women-owned businesses matters* What’s next for the café—including sneak peeks at merch and experiences* And of course... so much cat talk

In this podcast episode of Backyard Pet Talk, host Shannon Riley welcomes Deassa Benstock, the founder of the Ripple Effect Animal Project, a dog rescue in Napa, California. Shannon and Deassa have known each other for a long time, having worked together as vet techs. Deassa shares her journey into animal rescue, which started in college when she rescued a fearful dog with many issues. This experience led her to connect with Bad Rap, an organization in Oakland, and sparked her passion for rescue work. They discuss how people can help, including through social media, donations, and financial support, which allows organizations like Ripple Effect to continue their efforts in helping more animalsFind out more about Ripple Effect Animal Project Here: https://rippleeffectnapa.rescuegroups.org/Donate Here: https://rippleeffectnapa.rescuegroups.org/info/donateView Podcast Episode on YouTube here:https://youtu.be/pGFOFT6z23U

In today's special episode, we talk with Zazie Todd, PHD, about some scientific studies; some dogs are harder to train than others, adolescent dogs have more issues than puppies, the puppy blues thing!If you would like to donate ...

In this podcast episode of Backyard Pet Talk, host Shannon Riley welcomes Deassa Benstock, the founder of the Ripple Effect Animal Project, a dog rescue in Napa, California. Shannon and Deassa have known each other for a long time, having worked together as vet techs. Deassa shares her journey into animal rescue, which started in college when she rescued a fearful dog with many issues. This experience led her to connect with Bad Rap, an organization in Oakland, and sparked her passion for rescue work. They discuss how people can help, including through social media, donations, and financial support, which allows organizations like Ripple Effect to continue their efforts in helping more animalsFind out more about Ripple Effect Animal Project Here: https://rippleeffectnapa.rescuegroups.org/Donate Here: https://rippleeffectnapa.rescuegroups.org/info/donateView Podcast Episode on YouTube here:https://youtu.be/pGFOFT6z23U

In today's paw-some episode, we’re chatting with Affordable Pet Labs about their tail-wagging journey—how they got started, why they’re on a mission to make pet wellness easier, and what every pet parent really needs to know to keep those furry friends healthy and happy!About Affordable Pet Labs: Affordable Pet Labs was founded by two passionate veterinarians with a shared vision: to revolutionize access to pet diagnostics and wellness. Frustrated by the barriers pet parents faced in obtaining quality care, they set out to create a solution that brought lab work and health monitoring directly to homes. Driven by a commitment to convenience, affordability, and accuracy, they established Affordable Pet Labs to ensure every pet could receive the best care possible, right where they feel most comfortable.Find Out More about Affordable Pet Labs here: https://affordablepetlabs.com/ (https://affordablepetlabs.com/)

In today's episode, we talk with Misti Soo Hoo, RVT, instructor at Ojai School of Canine Massage about how she got started with canine massage, the benefits, fun tips on how pet owners can help their pets by doing massage at home! You can find Misti Soo Hoo here: https://ojaischoolofmassage.com/

Dr. Rachel Malamed, DVM, DACVB, CABC, tells us about how she become a Veterinary Behaviorist, what types of behavior problems she commonly sees with cats, behavior modification + medication, and cat training tips!Check out book, Decoding Your Cathttps://www.amazon.com/Decoding-Your-Cat-Ultimate-Behaviors/dp/0358566045Get Cat Body Language Poster: https://trulyforcefree.com/product/understanding-body-language-poster-cat-8-5x11/Feliway Calming Spray: https://prf.hn/l/8jmdz20

Kristina Spaulding, PHD, CAAB, tells us how stress impacts your dog's brain, behavior and welfare! When you understand and recognize stress in your dog, you will help be able to prevent and deal with problematic behavior!Check out her newly released book, "THE STRESS FACTOR IN DOGS UNLOCKING RESILIENCY AND ENHANCING WELL-BEING"

Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB tells us about how she became a veterinary behaviorist, how she got started working with GiGi's and how she has helped the shelter dogs cope! She also provides recommendations for shelters and those who are looking to adopt from shelters.Check out her newly released book, "Introduction to Animal Behavior and Veterinary Behavioral Medicine" recommended for beginning veterinarian students!

In todays episode, we talk with Clarissa Black, founder of Pets For Vets (https://www.petsforvets.com/), about her background and WHY + HOW she started Pets For Vets. She also tells us where you can FIND these trainers and HOW you can GET INVOLVED! At Pets For Vets they help develop the relationships between animals and veterans based on mutual trust and respect helping veterans find pets that fit their lifestyle so both can feel seen, heard and to build the superbond between pets and people where all needs are met! You can find their success stories here https://petsforvets.com/matches

In todays episode, we talk with Dr. Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB, (https://drlisaradosta.com/) about how she became a behaviorist and why she loves her career! We also talk about the common behavior change trends since COVID-19 in 2020, seeing medication use increase for specific behaviors + why medication is important when working with a fearful dog. 

In todays episode, we talk with Judy Moore from Canine Behavior Counseling, LLC (https://caninebehaviorcounseling.com/) about arousal in dogs and how it can be genetic. She provides tips on what you can do when your dog is overly aroused, how resilience affects the ability to change or modify arousal, the differences between the different types of arousal and a dogs ability to process information as well as skills owners should teach their puppy to prevent arousal!

In todays episode, Shannon Riley talks with Erika Austin From Dogwise (https://www.dogwise.com/) about how this small family run business got started and how you can find the most trusted and up to date source of information for dog training. These books are easy to understand and to apply to your everyday life. If you really want to learn about dog training, visit dogwise here: https://www.dogwise.com

In todays episode, we discuss what appropriate play looks like, what signs to look for when resource guarding and what really motives your puppy!