Vet check! Pain may be behind new behavior challenges. "...pain in pets often goes unrecognized because animals are very good at hiding pain, so we don’t always recognize that they’re suffering..." www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/pet-pain-wha... #PainAwarenessMonth #FearFreeTrainer #FearFree

Canine Superpowers, a poem to guide walkies: "We stroll the grounds and stop at every tree./Their noses lead to every thing I see." — Michael Kleber-Diggs @mkdordiggsy.bsky.social in @orionmagazine.bsky.social orionmagazine.org/article/you-... #dogs #poetry #poems #sniffari #sniffwalks #villanelle

Washington State 💚 Ferries 💚⛴️ is trialing a new pet policy -- dogs on leash allowed in all passenger areas (except food galleys). Yay! We took advantage for some dog adventure/local tourism. Walk on Mukilteo, great new smells at the Clinton beach. 💚🐾 #HappyDogs #WAferries #DogsofBlueSky #PawsUp

New blog post: Behind the scenes of "well-behaved" dogs. From puppy mill rescues to adventure dogs! 🐾🚣‍♀️ www.shelgravesanimal.com/post/time-an... #dogtraining #puppymillrescues #rescuedogs #positivereinforcementworks

Are cats actually easy pets? They would be better off if we paid more attention to what they need. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fell...

It also tells us which educational certifications and credentials Canadian dog trainers have, and which methods they use--which is so important for dog welfare. I made a little video for this one too youtu.be/YtoQcEswv4w

Some new research from UBC and the BC SPCA shows that most dog trainers in Canada would like regulation--but there are different opinions on how it should work. I wrote about it here www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2025/07/cana...

Fabulous!

In the newest Pets and Their People blog post, Don Hanson shares tips to help make every walk with your dog enjoyable...for both of you! Read the post here: www.petprofessionalguild.com/pet-owners/p... #dogs #walkingwithdogs #letthemsniff

A lovely list of animal welfare heroes via @humaneworldorg.bsky.social incl. one of mine, Sarah Bowen, chaplain to animals and people who love them, contributed by fellow #animalchaplain Jen Tucker of Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania #animalwelfare #humaneworld www.compassionconsortium.org/act

Fear Free Vet Visits: Enjoyable vet visits for dogs and cats with less fear, stress, and anxiety for all www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/kit/fear-fre... #happydogs #happycats #fearfree #fearfreehappyhomes

Dog Trainer Reviews Superman: Why I Loved Krypto's "Behavioral Issues" www.shelgravesanimal.com/post/dog-tra...

Aw, Krypto is based on the director James Gunn's rescue dog Ozu and helped shape the film. I loved the explanation of why Krypto (a foster dog) has "behavioral issues" --that line and scene was delightful.

Nice feature on station training for cats with trainer Erin Britton and Karen Pryor Academy. Can you train your cat? Yes! And teaching your cat where it pays to hang out is a great skill for cats! karenpryoracademy.com/station-trai... #cattraining #happycats #karenpryor

Veterinary end-of-life mobile practitioners: Motivators, challenges, job fulfillment and burnout -- International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care board members' contributed to study published in Human-Animal Interactions Journal www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/...

@zazietodd.bsky.social I can see where you wouldn't be too sad to turn focus away from Meta (since they unfairly banned you from FB), but I will miss discussing Feminism in the Wild. Great book club pick!

Nice article by trainer Daniel H. Antolec for @petguild.bsky.social on why retractable leashes are risky. www.petprofessionalguild.com/pet-owners/p... I recommend a 6 foot rope or biothane lead and a front clip no pull harness (optionally a 15-20 foot lead too for sniff walks). #dogwalk #dogtraining

Good news from Whidbey Island: St Augustine's-in-the-Woods' Animal Ministry's Dog Fellowship (Tails-a-Waggin') Coffee Hour. www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5yL... #animalchaplaincy #animalchaplains #humananimalbond

Find an animal chaplain www.findanimalchaplain.com/washington/e... #animalchaplain #humananimalbond

I like this piece by Marc Bekoff and Mary Angilly www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/anim...

Doubling up on nonfiction reading about veterinary practice (The Other Family Doctor by Karen Fine) and animal behavior (Feminism in the Wild by Ambika Kamath and Melina Packer. "Our animals' lives are intertwined with our own, physically, emotionally, even spiritually..." — Karen Fine, DVM

"I bear witness to the vast possible love between species, to the connections I have come to know as no less wondrous because they are common." — Karen Fine, The Other Family Doctor Finally getting to this #BarkFest read. It's delightful!

2024. Goats and Humans: Can Goats Sense Emotions? Goats Are Sensitive to People’s Emotions during Goat–Human Interactions. #AnimalWelfare #PositiveAnimalWelfare - goatjournal.iamcountryside.com/ownership/go...

AAVChap Welcomes New Board Members: A Step Forward for Veterinary Chaplaincy aavchap.org/aavchap-news...

Everett's Animal Chaplain Fosters Spiritual Bonds with Cherished Pets aavchap.org/Members-in-t... #animalchaplain #humananimalbond

Pleased to say I've joined the Board of Directors of the American Association of Veterinary Chaplains. Envisioning a world where the human-animal bond is strengthened and supported through compassionate and inclusive #chaplaincy care. aavchap.org #animalchaplain #humananimalbond #animalwellbeing

The Cats Who Ignored Me in Spain: I love this reminder from @petiteover40.bsky.social Be. Here. Cat. open.substack.com/pub/petiteov... #cats #travel #mindfulness

For Juneteenth and until the end of July, #CAREquity is offering discounts on its REDI courses www.facebook.com/careforequit...

Why Your Cat Needs a Safe Space by Emily Strong petharmonytraining.com/why-your-cat... #happycat

A recent review explores the social support that pets can provide to LGBTQ+ people. My latest at @psychologytoday.com www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fell...

I'm pleased to see Jean Donaldson's Train Your Dog Like a Pro cited in this paper. Excellent book!

For Juneteenth, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity offers a discount on their REDI (racial equity, diversity, and inclusion) training for those working for animal-wellbeing, in veterinary professions, and in animal care and control. www.shelgravesanimal.com/post/care-s-...

Animal Chaplaincy to Offer Compassion: An animal chaplain provides emotional and spiritual care for people who care deeply for animals and for the animals themselves. www.shelgravesanimal.com/animal-chapl... #animalchaplain

Everett's animal chaplain fosters spiritual bonds with cherished pets youtu.be/Gr5puWEPlpc?... #animalchaplain

Great quote!

New blog post: What is an animal chaplain? On KING5 Evening Magazine www.shelgravesanimal.com/post/what-is...

Everett's animal chaplain fosters spiritual bonds with cherished pets -- Shel Graves offers spiritual and emotional care for pets and their owners. Airs again tomorrow 3:30 pm, Tues., June 17, KING5 Evening Magazine: www.king5.com/article/ente...

Looking forward to Miss Liberty movie: A Taste of Freedom misslibertythemovie.com In the works...a Main Street Vegan production.

What is an animal chaplain? Find out more tonight when Shel Graves' interview with KING5 Evening Magazine airs. Show 7:30pm and again 3:30 pm, Tues., June 16. Featuring delightful Cinnamon dog! #animalchaplain #humananimalbond #KING5Evening

New paper! On the welfare consequences of dog morphology: www.preprints.org/manuscript/2... by @functionalbreeding.bsky.social @sophiebarton.bsky.social

(Members only link unfortunately, but a nice article) Animal Chaplains Help After the Death of a Pet @aarp.org www.aarp.org/benefits-dis...

Now in paperback! Recommend!

New post: Dog training, dog treats, and dog handling techniques! If we don’t want shock, choke, and prong collars to be used on dogs — and we don’t! What do we want? Dog training, dog treats, and dog handling techniques! www.shelgravesanimal.com/post/dog-tra...

Blog post on Haymitch rooster with @roosterhaus.org and a review of Click With Your Chick: A Complete Chicken Training Course Using the Clicker-excellent! Teach your chicken to be comfortable in a crate for vet care! Doing Our Best for Roosters and Chickens www.shelgravesanimal.com/post/doing-o...

Nice article @petguild.bsky.social When Cats Grieve: Understanding Feline Loss and How to Help by Mary Stevens www.petprofessionalguild.com/pet-owners/p... #animalchaplain

Blog post: Six Steps to Soothe Senior Dogs and Cats

If you're struggling with your dog's behaviour, you (still) shouldn't use aversive methods, because they have risks for dogs' welfare. My latest @psychologytoday.com www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fell...

Very happy to see the launch of Consulting for Animals, Care and Preparedness for Sanctuaries and Shelters www.consultingforanimals.com

New blog post: Does the Cute Dog Want to be Petted? or Goodness! Please, Don't Put Your Face in the Dog's Mouth www.shelgravesanimal.com/post/does-th...

🐈‍⬛What do cats need for good welfare? 🐈‍⬛ I did the illustrations in this series of cat welfare handouts developed by @mikeldelgado.bsky.social & Kristyn Vitale with Annenberg Petspace. annenbergpetspace.org/about/leader...