You probably don't need to be convinced that there is something special to the human animal connection, the "beastie bond". Maybe you appreciate how, compared to navigating the complexity of relationships with fellow humans, the one you share with your horse, your cat, or your dog more predictably leaves you feeling more seen and unconditionally accepted. But have you ever wondered, beyond how good it feels to always have someone clearly glad to see you, what measurable impacts it may have on your physiology?

Today's guest, Dr. Nancy Gee,  Director of the Center for Human Animal Interaction at Virginia Commonwealth University, stands in the sweet spot of a heart-led, research-backed perspective of the beastie bond. 

Check out Nancy’s new book, The Role of Companion Animals in the Treatment of Mental Disorders

By Nancy Gee (Editor), Lisa Townsend (Editor) & Robert Findling (Editor)

Resources Related to this Episode’s Theme:

https://chai.vcu.edu/

https://www.inverse.com/science/do-therapy-dogs-work

Join our community on social media! Follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! We’d love to hear what you think of the stories our guests share, and see pictures of your own beasties!

Beastie Bonds theme:

King James by Ghost Beatz, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library

Additional music featured in this episode includes:

Music by Olexy from Pixabay

In this bonus episode, AJ celebrates the 1-year anniversary of the show! Hear highlights from the past year and some updates from the past year of podshow guests!

Want to help us celebrate?! Please please please rate and review the show, and be sure to join our community on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! We’d love to hear what you think of the stories our guests share and see pictures of your own beasties.

The Beastie Bonds theme:

King James by Ghost Beatz, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library

Additional music featured in this episode includes:

Assorted past episode tracks, all from Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library

Music by Leonid Timachev from Pixabay

This episode features one of my favorite kinds of stories: those in which a fortuitous string of seemingly unrelated events all lead to an incredible outcome! 

According to the American Kennel Club, the Great Pyrenees is a dog breed known to be trustworthy and mellow companions; vigilant guardians of home and family. Meet Moose, a dog who lived up to this reputation and then some.

One rainy Friday afternoon, Chris Cushna & Sheila Jane, their granddaughter Luna (age 8) &  their 2 children Anya (age 10), Logan (age 12) were looking for something to do and decided to “check out” a dog from the Portsmouth Humane Society’s “field trips for shelter dogs” Paws Around P-Town program. You won’t believe what happened next!

Learn more about, and consider supporting the Portsmouth Humane Society, where Moose lived before hero-dom!

To learn more about Chris and Sheila’s process of rebuilding after the fire, or to make a donation to help them out, please visit their GoFundMe Hero Dog Saves Portmouth Family, set up by friend James Cullen.

News Articles Relating to the event include:

Foster Dog Saves Virginia Family From ‘Really Big Inferno’ Houseboat Fire (msn.com)

 'A really big inferno': Foster dog helps save family from boat fire (kcra.com)

For more information about Moose’s breed visit:

Great Pyrenees Dog Breed Information (akc.org)

Here’s where you can see Chris singing the song he wrote about Moose (featured after the credits in this episode!) https://www.facebook.com/1574507554/videos/605096911824139/

Join our community on social media! Follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! We’d love to hear what you think of the stories our guests share and see pictures of your own beasties.

Beastie Bonds theme:

King James by Ghost Beatz, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library

Additional music & sounds effects featured in this episode include:

Storm Before the Calm by LNDO, Podcastle.ai Royalty-free Library

Sound Effect from Pixabay (fire)

Sound Effect by Miku Aalto from Pixabay (dog)

Sound Effect from Pixabay (boat)

Sound Effect from Michael at Pixabay (rain)

Sounds Effect by Howard Lee at Pixabay (dogs1)

Sounds Effect by Howard Lee at Pixabay (dogs2)

Piano Music by Juan Sanchez at Pixabay

Sound Effect from Pixabay (crowd)