From Zen Monastery to Vermont Dog Camp: John Godfrey on Discipline, Compassion, and Building a Life with Animals

From Zen Monastery to Vermont Dog Camp: John Godfrey on Discipline, Compassion, and Building a Life with Animals

In this episode of Wild Awake, I sit down with John Godfrey, founder of Vermont Dog Camp [https://vtdogcamp.com] and co-founder of Wonder Web Creative [https://wonderwebcreative.com]. John’s path to working with dogs is anything but ordinary—he spent nearly a decade as a Zen Buddhist monk at Daitokuji Temple in Kyoto, Japan, where he took full ordination and immersed himself in a life of meditation, discipline, and simplicity. Now based in Vermont with his partner Ramona, stepson Weston, their dog, and two cats, John brings the lessons of Zen into his work with animals and people. We talk about what monastery life really looked like (spoiler: lots of meditation, little sleep, and plenty of mosquito bites), how animals find us when we need them most, and why compassion and discipline aren’t opposites but partners in training and in life. John also shares his biggest piece of advice: “Always be prepared for anything you strongly believe to be turned upside down.” This mindset—being willing to shift perspective when the dog (or life) shows you something new—shapes the way he works with animals and the way he approaches every challenge. He also recommends two books that shaped his thinking: * Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson – a must-read for understanding how dogs really see the world. * Mountains Upon Mountains by Sogen Yamakawa – transcriptions of a Zen roshi’s talks, translated by a brother disciple John deeply respects. 📍 Learn more about John’s work: * Vermont Dog Camp → vtdogcamp.com [https://vtdogcamp.com] * Wonder Web Creative → wonderwebcreative.com [https://wonderwebcreative.com] Whether you’re a dog lover, a trainer, or simply curious about weaving presence and compassion into your daily life, this conversation offers a unique perspective on what it means to grow alongside our animals.

What It Means To Truly Love Your Dog Ft Premier Guest Amanda Fair

Description:In this episode of Wild Awake, Valerie Naegele sits down with longtime friend and dog professional Amanda Fair to explore what it truly means to love our dogs. Drawing from Amanda’s 12+ years in the dog daycare industry, her time as a dog sledding guide, and her work as an outdoor therapy guide, they dive into the balance between affection and boundaries, why enrichment matters more than bandanas and beds, and how dogs mirror back our own emotional patterns. You can view Amanda's paper "Dogs & Emotional Intelligence" at the link below! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bIz5C5R3D2GYzsh-a-GvWv9iPuLpDB_Z/view?usp=sharing Together, they reflect on: * Why dogs need to be loved as dogs, not as humans or toys * How enrichment and lifestyle changes can solve more than training alone * The role of boundaries in creating safety and trust * The powerful ways dogs reflect our emotional intelligence * Amanda’s personal journey with her dog Balder and Valerie’s with Lewen * Books and resources that helped Amanda along the way Whether you’re a dog owner, trainer, or simply someone curious about the deeper lessons animals offer, this conversation will inspire you to see your dog—and yourself—with new clarity. Resources mentioned: * The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey * Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza

Listening Deeper: Equine Massage, Groundwork & Connection featuring Morgan Tobin of Approach Point Massage LLC

Description: Welcome to Wild Awake—the podcast where training and business meet personal and spiritual awakening, led by the wisdom of our canine and equine companions. I’m your host, Valerie Naegele. In this episode, I sit down with equine massage practitioner, trainer, and instructor Morgan Tobin of Approach Point LLC to explore the deeply connected world of equine massage, groundwork, saddle fit, and compassionate horsemanship. Whether you’re a horse owner, rider, or trainer—or simply someone seeking a deeper connection with your animals—this conversation is full of insights to help you better understand your horse’s mind, body, and movement. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * The art of approach: why listening to subtle signals builds trust and safety. * How massage, groundwork, and saddle fit come together to support performance and relaxation. * Common tight areas in horses and how compensation patterns develop. * Building a supportive “team” for your horse—vet, farrier, trainer, and massage practitioner—working together. * Training with low expectations first to build confidence, clarity, and willingness. Guest spotlight — Morgan Tobin (Approach Point LLC): An 18-year horse-industry professional, Morgan blends equine massage with training to create a holistic, horse-centered approach. Her work supports everything from body comfort and athletic performance to building deeper partnership through connection. Resources mentioned: * Beyond Horse Massage by Jim Masterson * Horse Anatomy for Performance by Gillian Higgins Connect with Morgan: * Website: approachpoint22.com * IG & Facebook: @ApproachPointLLC * Email: approachpoint22@gmail.com If you love the way we talk about connection, calmness, and clarity here, you’ll want to check out my My Dream Dog Course. It’s a complete, step-by-step education that helps you build a relaxed, responsive, and reliable dog—without relying on quick fixes. Plus, you’ll have a supportive community so you never feel like you’re training alone. Doors open September 2025, and spots will be limited. Join the waitlist now [https://www.venturedoggie.com/courses/my-dream-dog] to be the first to know when enrollment opens. Join the My Dream Dog Waitlist https://www.venturedoggie.com/courses/my-dream-dog

Animal Give Us The EXACT Lessons We Need - it's humbling!

Description:Welcome to Wild Awake, the podcast where training and business meet personal and spiritual awakening—led by the wisdom of our canine and equine companions. In this episode, we dive into the humbling truth that our animals are not being difficult or stubborn — they are reflecting us. They show us where we need more clarity, consistency, or even where we may need to pause and ask for help. Whether you’re a dog or horse owner, an aspiring trainer, or someone building a heart-led animal business — this episode offers real talk, powerful mindset shifts, and practical insights to help you grow alongside your animals. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * How our animals mirror our energy, habits, and patterns in training and life. * Why true connection starts with presence and acceptance, not pressure. * The importance of accountability and asking for help without guilt or shame. Resources mentioned: 📘 Free eBook: The Secret to a Relaxed & Responsive Dog 🎥 Mini Course: Calm on Cue 🐶 My Dream Dog Course – Opening September 2025: Join the waitlist now for my most comprehensive program — a step-by-step system to help you create a calm, focused, and responsive dog you can take anywhere with confidence. Subscribe & Follow: Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop weekly!

Premier Guest Speaker Lisa Bruno: Choose Connection During Life’s Pauses, and Growth Becomes the Gift

In this episode of Wild Awake, I sit down with my lifelong friend and fellow animal lover, Lisa Bruno, to talk about what happens when life asks us to step back from our usual routines with our animals. From welcoming a new baby to navigating a horse’s surgery and rehab, we explore how pausing our training goals can actually deepen connection, shift perspective, and create unexpected growth. Whether you’re a horse or dog owner, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful progress comes in the pauses. ✨ Ready to train with Val and Explore more ways to grow with your dog? www.venturedoggie.com * Free Ebook: The Secret to a Relaxed and Responsive Dog * Mini-Course: Calm on Cue * Full Online Program: My Dream Dog Course - get on the waitlist doors open in September 2025!!!!! * Private Dog Training (Maine + Virtual) • Private Training in Southern Maine: • Dog Training [https://www.venturedoggie.com/dogtrainingprograms] • Puppy Training [https://www.venturedoggie.com/puppytraining] • Podcast: • Wild Awake [https://open.spotify.com/show/2ylIbZtLT2I5JkhQURaeNo] • Instagram @venturedoggie [https://instagram.com/venturedoggie] •Facebook @venturedoggie [https://www.facebook.com/venturedoggie] Connect with Lisa Bruno Instagram @Lis_gee