Animal Soulmates

A Wolfdog named Mo & A Mustang named Mikko

In this episode, I chat with Emma, an animal lover and entrepreneur. She shares her life with horses, pigs, goats, chickens, dogs, and many other animals on her beautiful hobby farm. Emma also founded Mikko’s Choice, a CBD product line for animals, to improve the lives of our pets. We chat about the potential health benefits of CBD, how Emma came to have such an incredible animal haven, and how she connects with species beyond the “classic companion animal” like a dog or cat. We also hear about two very special boys that have made an impact on Emma’s life: Mo the wolfdog and Mikko the mustang. Their stories are sure to make you believe in the unbreakable connection we have with our animals, in life and after death. Grab your tissues folks; you’ll need them! Content warning: this episode includes discussions of pet loss, which may be difficult for some listeners.  Links: ASPCA National Pet Loss Hotline (24 hour support): 1-877-474-3310  Dog People by R.M. Drake (quoted at the end of the episode): Pre-order here [https://rmdrake.com/products/dog-people] Always consult with a veterinarian before making changes to your pet’s diet and supplementation. Guest info CBD company (Mikko’s Choice) website: https://mikkoschoice.com/ [https://mikkoschoice.com/]  CBD company (Mikko’s Choice) Instagram: @mikkos_choice [https://www.instagram.com/mikkos_choice/]  Main Instagram: @briankangal [https://www.instagram.com/briankangal/]  Contact us Podcast Instagram and TikTok: @animalsoulmatespod [https://www.instagram.com/animalsoulmatespod/]  Podcast email: animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com [animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com]  Credits Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Abbie Viscardi Production Team: Citizens of Sound, https://www.citizensofsound.com/ [https://www.citizensofsound.com/]

Ep 20: A Licensed Mental Health Counselor Offering Pet Grief and Loss Support

In this episode, I chat with Anne Marie Farage-Smith, a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and author of Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss: An Animal Lover’s Guide to Grief. Anne Marie discusses the basics of grief, including what it is and what it feels like, and then goes through the different types of grief that may be encountered on your healing journey, including acute, anticipatory, ambiguous, disenfranchised, and complicated. We hear about why it’s so important to address pet loss and the associated grief, even when it feels too painful or overwhelming. We also chat about self-care, acknowledging the “wins” as you move through the grieving process, and where to find additional support.  Resources: Content warning: this episode includes discussions of pet loss, which may be difficult for some listeners.  ASPCA National Pet Loss Hotline (24 hour support): 1-877-474-3310  Link to purchase Anne Marie’s book on Amazon: Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss: An Animal Lover’s Guide to Grief [https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Wisdom-Pet-Loss-Animal-ebook/dp/B0C9HB9PFT] Guest info Website: https://farage-smith.com/ [https://farage-smith.com/]  Email: annemarie@petlossroc.com Contact us Podcast Instagram and TikTok: @animalsoulmatespod  Podcast email: animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com [animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com]  Credits Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Abbie Viscardi Production Team: Citizens of Sound, https://www.citizensofsound.com/ [https://www.citizensofsound.com/]

Ep 19: An Australian Shepherd named McGrady

In this episode, I chat with Sheley Revis, a general internist and founder of the Fabulous McGrady and Friends Foundation, about the dog who changed her life and would later become the namesake of her organization. McGrady, a deaf, tri-coloured Australian Shepherd, was rescued from Ashe County Animal Control. Sheley had no experience working with deaf dogs but found McGrady to be a quick study, eager to learn with the sweetest temperament. McGrady worked as a therapy dog throughout his life, regularly working at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, to ease stress in travelers and airport staff alike. McGrady’s legacy will live on through the McGrady Foundation, which advocates for deaf dogs and supports rural animal shelters in need in North & South Carolina. Resources: Content warning: this episode includes discussions of pet loss, which may be difficult for some listeners.  ASPCA National Pet Loss Hotline (24 hour support): 1-877-474-3310  Guest info McGrady Foundation website: https://fabulousmcgrady.org/ [https://fabulousmcgrady.org/]  Instagram: @fabulousmcgrady Contact us Podcast Instagram and TikTok: @animalsoulmatespod  Podcast email: animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com [animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com]  Credits Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Abbie Viscardi Production Team: Citizens of Sound, https://www.citizensofsound.com/ [https://www.citizensofsound.com/]

Ep 18: A Service Dog named Max

In this episode, I chat with Allen Frye about his service dog Max. Max, a gorgeous German Shepherd, was trained by Allen to assist with his mobility after he experienced a serious spinal cord injury in 2018. We hear about Allen’s accident, his road to recovery, and how Max has been a constant source of love and support. We talk about the benefits to having a service dog that go beyond the tasks they are trained to do and why general obedience is the key to having a solid service dog like Max. Resources:  VA Adaptive Sports and Arts, Grant Program [https://department.va.gov/veteran-sports/grant-program/] AlaskaMan Extreme Triathlon 2017 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_Y_VP1WjIM] Guest info Instagram: @onlyslightlyquadriplegic  Contact us Podcast Instagram and TikTok: @animalsoulmatespod  Podcast email: animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com [animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com]  Credits Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Abbie Viscardi Production Team: Citizens of Sound, https://www.citizensofsound.com/ [https://www.citizensofsound.com/]

Ep 17: A Doberman named Reckon

In this episode, I continue my chat with Shannon Kiley, a professional dog trainer, who discussed her experience in search and rescue work with her dogs in Ep 16. This week, Shannon shares Reckon’s story. Reckon, a black and tan Doberman, came from a line of successful search and rescue dogs. Instead of following in his family’s footsteps, Reckon entered into the world of musical freestyle, which eventually led him to be featured on Season 13 of America’s Got Talent. While an untimely injury caused his AGT career to be cut short, Reckon stole the hearts of many with his winning smile and joyful demeanor. Privately, Reckon also got Shannon through the immense grief of losing her Dad, once again demonstrating the power and multifaceted nature of the human-animal bond.      Resources: Content warning: this episode includes discussions of pet loss, which may be difficult for some listeners.  ASPCA National Pet Loss Hotline (24 hour support): 1-877-474-3310  Watch Shannon and Reckon on America’s Got Talent here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEvAqP6HpoE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEvAqP6HpoE]  Guest info YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sardobe [https://www.youtube.com/@sardobe]  Website: www.dobiedetectives.com [http://www.dobiedetectives.com/]   Instagram: @shannonandreckonthesequel  Contact us Podcast Instagram and TikTok: @animalsoulmatespod  Podcast email: animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com [animalsoulmatespod@outlook.com]  Credits Host & Executive Producer: Dr. Abbie Viscardi Production Team: Citizens of Sound, https://www.citizensofsound.com/ [https://www.citizensofsound.com/]