This week, a special episode from our friends at the RISK! podcast.
A kid gets invited into the neighbor's yard, and within seconds a dog attack turns a normal evening into an emergency. Jill Karliner's story is graphic, emotional, and unforgettable as she shares what comes next: emergency surgery, a burn unit, night terrors, and the slow realization that childhood trauma can shape how someone experiences the world for decades.
Then John and Kate LaSala join the conversation to explore the bigger question Jill's story raises: how can the same species that caused the worst moment of your life also become a source of comfort, purpose, and healing? They discuss fear of dogs and exposure therapy, how repeated safe experiences can rebuild trust, and how Jill's family ultimately found healing by fostering puppies for a guide dog program, helping raise future guide dogs and service dogs for people who are blind.
Kate also shares her perspective as a dog behavior consultant and companion animal end-of-life doula, discussing what meaningful supervision really looks like in homes with dogs and children, why management alone eventually fails, why the myth that "good dogs tolerate everything" places children at unnecessary risk, and how planning ahead for a pet's final chapter can bring greater peace when the time comes.
If this episode resonates with you, share it with a fellow dog lover, subscribe, and leave a review so more listeners can discover the show. We'd also love to hear from you: what's one "two truths" moment you've experienced in your own life?
Learn more about options for help for dogs with aggression here:
AggressiveDog.com
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CANIS Conference
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