DogCast Radio
Home Episodes Articles Blog Breed profiles Book reviews Photos Contact

Episode 240 - Pets helping pupils and Canine Capers

240_DogCast_Radio.mp3

Released Sat August 14, 2021
Length: 1:03:16
Download MP3 (29.0MB)
(To save MP3 file, right click and select 'Save Target As')

Pets and pupils

Our pets enhance our lives in so many ways - but can they help make learning more relaxed and enjoyable? A new survey conducted by Mars Petcare of 2000 parents across the UK and US shows family pets help children better manage feelings of stress and loneliness, which have been greatly exacerbated by virtual schooling as a result of the pandemic.

83% of parents believe a pet helped their child feel less lonely, and 73% felt their pet reduced stress caused by isolation from classmates. 9 in 10 parents reveal that their pet has positively impacted their child's homeschooling experience. 80% believe that pet interaction should continue as schools return to in-person presentation.

Interestingly, our pets have benefitted from having us at home more during lockdown. If your dog - or other pet - has missed human companionship as their humans have returned to working outside the home, visit Pet Partners and investigate whether volunteering with them could improve your pet's quality of life - as well as yours, and others'.

About 70% of parents said that the presence of a pet had a number of positive factors on learning.
 - Kay O’Donnell, Vice President of the Waltham Petcare Science Institute

Canine Capers Charity Calendar

You may remember from Episode 236 the story of Charlie, who tried a dip with the ducks, only to find that swimming is harder than it looks. When Charlie got into real difficulty, he was rescued by a holidaymaker who had just arrived from Scotland.

Now Charlie's human, Jane Warner, has developed a strong friendship with Shelagh Creegan, who was one of the party who had just arrived from Scotland. If you're looking for your faith in human nature to be restored, this interview is what you need. Jane and Shelagh are prime examples of giving back to society. They're raising money for a wonderful Swansea charity, Glamorgan House by creating and selling Canine Capers Charity Calendar 2022 celebrating dogs.

Somehow, I think it was just meant to be that Charlie was in the water, and from that I was able to build a really good friendship with Shelagh, and we've now got our head together to do something for charity.
 - Jane Warner

DogCast Radio News (ish)

Just one story this time - a new study suggests that cats may regard their humans as parents to a greater extent than dogs do. Julie and Jenny discuss this research, as well as brining in lots of chat about their dogs, as well as rats, driving experience, consent and reindeer. It makes sense, honestly!

Tags:

Sharing

281 - dog AITA and am I being unreasonable

In this podcast, host Julie considers a variety of Reddit AITA questions, and Am I Being Unreasonable from Mumsnet. We have stories of a puppy biting a child at a family get together, the pet sitting friend who took the dog to doggy daycare, the rescue dog defender feeling the pressure to meet up for dog walks, the sister who caused trouble when she said her sister's baby name sounded like a dog's name, the devoted owner who ducked out of his brother's wedding to care for his injured dog, an off lead dog causing issues and two alleged service dogs joining at the children's playground. Do you agree with Julie's take on all these canine conundrums?

189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

188 - Service Dogs UK and Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

187 - Muffins Halo and Chorley Fun Dog Show

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

186 - Maxwell Muir on wolves

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.