Dognitive Therapy

Giving our dogs purpose. When Berice lost her dog she lost her whole purpose for living. Qualified Dog Behaviourist Laura Vissaritis speaks to Dr Peter Higgins, a veterinarian who works for Hope Street - an organisation that helps homeless people and their pets - about the importance of finding purpose not just for ourselves, but also for our dogs.  Hope Street: https://www.hopest.org/  Laura V’s Instagram: @lauravlovesdogs Laura V: www.laurav.com.au 

Trusting a dog with your life. Steph Agnew has a rare disease that took her sight from the age of 19. Now she must trust her dog Rocky with her life on a daily basis. Qualified Dog Behaviourist Laura Vissaritis speaks with Aaron and Justin from Guide Dogs Victoria about the process of training guide dogs and how you can build trust with your own dog at home. Guide Dogs Victoria: https://www.guidedogsvictoria.com.au/  Laura V’s Instagram: @lauravlovesdogs Laura V: www.laurav.com.au 

Cultivating loyalty between you and your dog. We hear from Roxanne who lost her arm while living on the streets and now shares the deepest loyalty with her dog Onyx. Qualified Dog Behaviourist Laura Vissaritis speaks with Corporal Mark Donaldson, VC, who tells his incredible tales of the loyalty of Devil his military dog who saved his life during the Afghanistan war. Plus practical ideas to help cultivate loyalty between you and your dog. Mark Donaldson’s Instagram: @markdonaldsonvc  Laura V’s Instagram: @lauravlovesdogs Laura V: www.laurav.com.au 

Cultivating unconditional love between us and our and dogs. When Freddy married his boyfriend he knew he also had to have the other love of his life at the wedding, his dog (and best man) Grungle. Qualified Dog Behaviourist Laura Vissaritis speaks to Deb Tranter from Oscar’s Law who explains how sometimes love shines brightest from times of darkness.  Oscar’s Law: https://www.oscarslaw.org/  Laura V’s Instagram: @lauravlovesdogs Laura V: www.laurav.com.au  Special thanks to Blue Thumb Art Gallery for letting Grungle and Freddy out to play. https://bluethumb.com.au/ 

Do we rescue dogs or do they rescue us? Qualified Dog Behaviourist Laura Vissaritis speaks with Heather Fraser, an Associate Professor at QUT, who has studied the impact that domestic violence has on animals. They discuss the selflessness of dogs, their empathic understanding of humans and women who say they wouldn’t be alive today without their dog including Laura’s own Mum who believes that her dog saved her from oesophagus cancer.  Associate Professor Heather Frasier on Twitter: @DrHeatherF  Laura V’s Instagram: @lauravlovesdogs Laura V: www.laurav.com.au 

Do we take our dogs for granted? After David suffered a brain haemorrhage, he was grateful for his dog Bridget, who helped him through it. Qualified Dog Behaviourist Laura Vissaritis speaks to Karen Rhodes, founder of the Dog’s Refuge home in Perth, who shares her stories of how dogs faced with adversity express gratitude and how they can teach us to become more grateful human beings.  Dogs’ Refuge Home: http://www.dogshome.org.au/  Laura V’s Instagram: @lauravlovesdogs Laura V: www.laurav.com.au 

The wellbeing benefits of dog ownership. Natasha lost her twin boys while pregnant with them and discovered her little dog Alfie helped to heal the wounds of grief. Qualified Dog Behaviourist Laura Vissaritis speaks with Samantha King from PAAW (Psychology & Animal Assisted Wellbeing) on the incredible therapeutic benefits that dogs have on our suffering.  PAAW: http://www.paaw.com.au/  Laura V’s Instagram: @lauravlovesdogs Laura V: www.laurav.com.au 

How to give your dog the dignity they deserve. When Emily’s dog Leroy was on his last legs, she threw a goodbye party to show just how much she respected him. Qualified Dog Behaviourist Laura Vissaritis speaks with Brad Griggs, a controversial figure amongst the dog community who has a reputation as the man to go to when you’re dealing with a difficult dog. They talk lazy trainers, the importance of patience and consistency when training your dog and the concept of punishment. Plus the perils of an off-lead dog park.  Brad Griggs: https://www.k9services.com.au/  Laura V’s Instagram: @lauravlovesdogs Laura V: www.laurav.com.au 

Does reading to your dog enhance your confidence? A little girl from the StoryDogs program reads to a basset hound called Katie and explains why dogs display such great empathy. Qualified Dog Behaviourist Laura Vissaritis speaks with Hilary Paull, a StoryDogs co-ordinator, and learns the story behind the program and how the cognitive conditioning of children can be developed through the empathetic relationship between us and our dogs.  StoryDogs: https://www.storydogs.org.au/  Laura V’s Instagram: @lauravlovesdogs Laura V: www.laurav.com.au 

How can we give back to our dogs? Will created an Instagram account to sell dog based greeting cards to support the company Streat and their therapy dog Magic. Qualified Dog Behaviourist Laura Vissaritis speaks with Kevin Newman from Animal Rescue tells us how we can all give back to our dogs when they’re in need.  Streat: https://www.streat.com.au/  Will’s Instagram: @wilfulkindness  Laura V’s Instagram: @lauravlovesdogs Laura V: www.laurav.com.au 

Does our behaviour shape our dog’s behaviour? Expert Dog Behaviourist Laura Vissaritis speaks with dog experts and dog lovers about the connection between humans and dogs and how understanding our own behaviour can help us understand theirs. With heartwarming stories and practical tips, this series will change the way you see your dog and might even change the way you see yourself.