The Animal That Changed You – Details, episodes & analysis

Spurred by a bothersome text exchange between Jenny’s rescue friend and a local person who wanted to rehome four puppies, in this week’s episode, Katya and Jenny find themselves discussing what it takes emotionally to be in the field of animal welfare. The toll, the toil, and the tribulations.

They share their feelings about how to deal with privileged people and the ways in which humans justify their ideas about animals, the struggle to resist the urge to numb out in this line of work, as well as the importance of healthy detachment so we don’t carry all the pain around constantly.

This convo helps the duo lean into announcing the big changes coming at The Animal That Changed You, why it was time for this change to be made, and what they hope for with their new podcast: Somebody Save Me! Because at the end of the day, it's the triumphs that keep us going when it comes to saving lives. 

Katya and Jenny would love for you to let them know that you’re coming with them over to the new show and invite you to share what you think about it by emailing them at [email protected]. Get used to that new address and get in touch! And to Ophelia, dear Ophelia, the one who started it all - a forever love. RIP here, there, and everywhere.

The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook will remain open to you -- feel free to check out the website while you're at it.

Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!

Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Bully breeds - we love them, we’ve taken the time to educate ourselves about them, and we can talk about them until we’re blue in the face. But not everyone is as open-minded when it comes to these particular kinds of dogs.

Because of two upsetting meet and greets Jenny had to deal with recently, this week Katya and Jenny find themselves discussing how peoples’ negative biases can affect Pitbulls, even when they’re precious little wee pups. The duo shares about their own positive experiences with bully breeds and their own frustrations with people who make automatic assumptions. They also talk about the shift from The Animal That Changed You, which is ending, toward their new podcast: Somebody Save Me, which launches in a week! It's bittersweet but purposeful, and Jenny and Katya hope you'll join them on the ride because they're in it for you, hopefully with you.

And if you have more than one bully breed dog, they especially want to hear from you! How did you navigate the relationship between your dogs? How do you navigate other peoples' biases? Listen to this episode and then email your bully stories and tell K&J all about your bully love at: [email protected] 

Also don’t forget to follow the new socials at @somebodysavemepodcast on Instagram and TikTok! The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook will remain open to you --  feel free to check out the website while you're at it.

Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!

Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Okay, let’s take some deep breaths. Warning: today’s episode will likely bring about strong feelings, but you know Katya and Jenny. They don’t shy away from discussing the ins and outs of a topic pertaining to animals just because it’s challenging! So, they’re talking about breeding. They’re talking about dogs bred for profit or on accident, about spay or neuter, about health issues and how some dogs can’t even give birth naturally anymore.

In this episode of The Animal That Changed You, the central question is this: if we paid attention to which dogs were being bred, if we bred for personality and health instead of breed confirmation or aesthetics, how much better off would we be when it comes to having dogs? Because otherwise, adopting a dog is no “riskier” than purchasing one. Because otherwise, it’s about looks without any regard to genetic disposition, nature or nurture, and that means more money spent to get the dog doesn’t buy you a guarantee.

But then. Prioritizing character when it comes to breeding means not every rescue dog being spayed and neutered, means not leaving the breeding of which dogs come into this world up to chance or profit. It also means cultivating more patience with the dogs that are living now as we learn how to best help them and love them, how to reinforce good behavior and set them up to succeed, knowing we’d prefer not to create more of them.

There may not be an easy solution, but Jenny and Katya bring it and they hope it gets you thinking, gets you talking, and motivates you to send them an email and get in on the convo. Because the benefits and risks of breeding versus adoption is not a one-size-fits-all discussion, and it’s definitely controversial. So your feedback and thoughts are welcome here, are called for, and are already appreciated. 

Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.

Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much! (And if you’ve already left a review and need to get in touch about a prize, email us for it!)

Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

In this episode of The Animal That Changed You, we are joined by Sam Woyak, caregiver extraordinaire at Best Friend’s Animal Society's sanctuary! With the wealth of knowledge Sam has gained, day in and day out, through taking care of rescue and shelter dogs, she shares her experiences of working in the animal welfare field. And she's unafraid to talk about her very first job in the industry, the one before Best Friends, the one that broke her.

It's a pleasure to hear Sam's personal stories about her time with dogs, from the light and funny to her relationship with a dog rescued from a fighting ring. Though at times things take on a more serious tone, like when Jenny and Sam discuss the intricacies and complexities of “no kill” ideals, listening to Sam just feels good, like hanging out with an old friend you're glad to be around.

Finally, Katya, Jenny and Sam discuss the importance of paying attention to how dogs communicate, assessing and understanding their reactions, and always giving them agency. They conclude that at the end of the day, every living being has the right to defend themself in the ways they know how. This is a (vegan) meaty episode that connects like-minded animal lovers with each other, while making space for those are just warming up to their own passion for animal welfare. And if you happen to have a soft spot in your heart for dogs, this conversation is for you.

Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.

Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!

Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Are addicts attracted to animal rescue? When does being of service become codependency?

In this episode of The Animal That Changed You, Jenny and Katya get very real. Like, very very real. They take an honest deep dive into their relationship between animal loving, food addiction, and eating disorders. They shed light on the tornado of shame, guilt, and self-hatred that comes with disordered eating, and how that can be affected by the added stress of being a passionate animal advocate. J & K discuss how difficult it can be to implement self-care while fighting the good fight for animal welfare, especially when being pulled by sugar or restriction, dealing with weight gain or loss.

But on a brighter note, Jenny and Katya highlight how very important it is for animal lovers to prioritize their own health and well-being, and they call on the community for support. Because we can't give what we don't have so if we want to help animals, we must help ourselves. Bonus update: tune in to hear what's going on with Penny, the adorable Pitbull Jenny rescued from he streets of Cleveland, Texas!

And if you are dealing with any of the issues talked about in this episode, don’t hesitate to reach out and email [email protected] so Katya and Jenny can point you towards mental health professionals they trust. Though they are not therapists, they will hold space for you and remind you that your recovery matters.

Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.

Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!

Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

The one and only Sue Sternberg is on the show today so y'all might want to take a seat, grab a cocktail or a hot tea, and sink in. Get ready for a very honest talk from a renowned behaviorist with 30+ years of experience working with dogs and a keen ability to look at all sides of complicated situations. Sue is able to hold space for what is difficult or heartbreaking or even downright dangerous, and she doesn't shy away from the truth.

As you know, Katya and Jenny are major shelter dog people so this discussion was like catnip for them. It brought them front and center to many of the controversies within  animal rescue, temperament testing, and the 3 general categories we can think about when we're assessing dogs. Sue shares her data, her experiences, and how she got into this line of work, and she explains why she thinks society’s definition of “good dogs” has changed over the last few decades. From nature versus nurture to why some people who work in animal shelters avoid assessing dogs overall to the polarizing decisions around euthanasia, this is an incredibly eye-opening episode for animal lovers and dog parents everywhere.

If you’ve ever wanted a close up and highly informative look at rescue dogs and behavior, this episode is for you. If you've ever wanted to hear a cutting edge dog trainer who isn't afraid to challenge and debate others as well as her own ideology, then Sue is somebody you might want to know. Jenny and Katya sure are glad they do. (Yeah, if you've ever wanted to hear two co-hosts fan girl hard then definitely tune in.)

Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.

Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!

Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Katya and Jenny break down the 3-3-3 rule for y'all today. That's right, it's a day of 3's. From explaining what the 3-3-3 rule actually is to unpacking why patience, time, and understanding are necessary when a rescue dog adjusts into your home, these animal-loving ladies highlight how to set you and your adopted dog up for a lifetime of success. 

Together, Jenny and Katya share stories about their own foster and rescue dogs and how they've relied upon the 3-3-3 rule time and time again. You'll hear some updates from Jenny about Glover,  Katya will reveal some of her experiences with Wally, and you'll walk away with many ideas and tools to support your own dog relationships.

This is an episode chock full of special connections, insight into the process of fostering, and tips for transitioning rescue animals into your family. Because hey, it’s all about opening our minds, hearts, and homes, right? 3-3-3 for all 3.

Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.

Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!

Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Kathy Stevens is in the house today! A farm girl, writer, teacher, and the founder of Catskill Animal Sanctuary, a 150-acre refuge for farm animals rescued from cruelty, neglect, and abandonment, Kathy joins us to share the behind-the-scenes look at  20+ years of running a sanctuary.

She shares stories of incredible rescues, from her most recent rescue, taking in 40 sheep at once, to what made Kathy decide to start an animal sanctuary specifically for farm animals in the first place. This episode is an inspiration for anyone who truly loves all creatures.

Kathy divulges how many of the animals end up at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, what hoarding looks like, and most importantly, the art of saying no to protect your own energy. It's amazing to hear about the activities that take up most of her time these days and how she introduces farm animals to one another in order to help them coexist peacefully. And they do. So many animals do. We humans can learn a lot from them.

If you’ve ever been curious about or have wanted to sink into barn life, then tune in to hear from one of the industry’s most prolific figures. Because Kathy makes the Catskill Animal Sanctuary thrive and survive so that countless animals can too.

Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.

Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!

Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Today on The Animal That Changed You, we’re joined by Margo Donohue! Margo is the brain and heart behind the blog, Brooklyn Fit Chick. She's a lover of pop culture, podcasting, writing, health, and fitness as well as the author of the new “Filmed in Brooklyn,” Margo’s first book project for History Press.

Margo shares with us intimate stories about her two cats, Sarah and T, recounting how she became the lucky mom to Brooklyn’s cutest kitties. Sure, the patience she had to cultivate as she adjusted to become a new cat mama was not an easy feat. But she's so happy she did it! Margo tells us how Sarah has the innate ability to sense whenever Margo is in need of a lap snuggle, she discusses how her cats play a part in her creative process, and how, ultimately, they have immensely changed her life.

This is an uplifting conversation about how our pets are there for us through thick and thin, a reminder of animals' amazing ability to gift us creativity, comfort, and safety.

Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.

Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!

Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.

Calling all the believers, the brave ones, the spirit seekers! Guys, today we have a truly incredible episode. We’re joined by the one and only astrologer and poet, Heidi Rose Robbins, to dive into the world of animals and astrology. Being that this is one of the most popular ways we can discover ourselves, we thought: why not explore how astrology can help us better understand animals and our relationships with them?

Enter our guest, Heidi, a professional astrologer for over 25 years. After thousands of clients, she is here to discuss animals with us in relation to our charts. She pinpoints some of the specific patterns in birth charts that may lend themselves to loving animals, whether because we're naturally nurturing or fierce protectors. Then, Heidi reaffirms the work that Katya and Jenny do together through what's reflected in their respective birth charts. Then, she identifies why their partnership is a perfect match, how their overlap makes them almost destined. Then, Katya and Jenny squeal and cry about it. 

This is such a fun episode so make sure you tune in to listen and tune in to connect with the stars. Hearing Heidi describe how animals come into our lives full of intention and how our individualized missions are bolstered by their love might change your ideas about the intuitive, guiding light that astrological charts can offer all living beings.

Join The Animal That Changed You community on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -- we're waiting to welcome you! Feel free to check out the website while you're at it.

Please leave a rating or review of the show. Your support matters so much!

Woof, meow, oink, moo, cheep (of course, you know that means thanks for listening.

Produced by Adode Media; a full-service podcast production agency.