The Neuro-Inclusive Dog Pod | Series TwoHonest, compassionate conversations about dogs, people, and doing things differently, so neurodivergent dog people finally feel seen, safe, and supported!In this episode, I’m joined by Nathan Dunleavy to talk about dog walking, wellbeing, boundaries, and what it really takes to build a sustainable pet business.Dog walking is often seen as “just taking dogs out for a walk” but as this conversation shows, it is so much more than that!We talk about why dog walking and other pet-related roles can be such a good fit for neurodivergent people. The flexibility, the autonomy, and the ability to shape work around your own needs rather than forcing yourself into a rigid system that does not fit.Together, we explore:- Where to start if you are thinking about becoming a dog walker- Solo walks versus group walks and how to choose what is right for you and the dogs- Why understanding training and behaviour matters in real-world walking setups- The hidden challenges of dog walking that are rarely talked about- The unexpected joys, confidence boosts, and direction that can come from this work- We also go deeper into wellbeing in the pet care industry, including boundaries, burnout, and why caring deeply does not mean you have to overextend yourself.Nathan shares how he supports pet professionals, his thoughts on pricing and valuing your time, and how his background in business and corporate banking blends with a wellbeing-led approach.💚 Join the Community HubIf you would like a calm, supportive, neuro-inclusive space to talk about all things dog, you are very welcome inside the Neuro-Inclusive Dog Hub on Facebook.👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/neurodoghub🔗 Learn More About NathanTo learn more about Nathan, explore his work, or access his resources and freebies, you will find all the relevant links below:https://dogwalkingmentor.co.ukhttps://nathandunleavy.comFREEBIE:https://dogwalkingmentor.co.uk/pet-pro-rescue-plan/The Pet Business Wellbeing Circle:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Y5JhBLvkD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Neuro-Inclusive Dog Pod | Series TwoHonest, compassionate conversations about dogs, people, and doing things differently, especially for neurodivergent and overwhelmed handlers.

In this episode, I’m joined by Andy Gibney, author of Dog Walking for Beginners, who shares the story of becoming an unexpected dog owner after loss.

Gentle content note: this episode includes discussion of bereavement and references to domestic abuse.

After the sudden loss of his partner Kirsty, Andy found himself caring for her dog, Sabat, with no prior experience of the dog world. Through patience, humour, and learning from mistakes, Andy began to build a relationship based on understanding rather than punishment.

We talk about grief, overwhelm, positive reinforcement, and what dogs can teach us about ourselves when we slow down and learn together.

💛 Join the free communityIf you’re not already part of my free community, you’re very welcome to join us.https://www.facebook.com/groups/neurodoghub🔗 Find Andy & his book:Learn more about Andyhttp://dogwalkingforbeginners.co.uk/

Buy a copy of Dog Walking for Beginners, Click here

In this final episode of Series One, I’m joined by Debby Lucken, founder of Kids Around Dogs (KAD), an organisation dedicated to creating safe, positive, and inclusive relationships between children and dogs.

Debby shares how her personal experiences shaped the creation of KAD, why she developed a course specifically for neurodivergent children and families, and how trainers and parents can better support children in their day-to-day lives with dogs. From challenges families face, to gaps in the dog training industry, to the importance of making services more accessible even without a formal diagnosis — this episode is packed with insight, compassion, and practical takeaways.

🔑 Key Points:

- How Kids Around Dogs was founded and what inspired Debby’s work

- Why she created a specialist course for neurodivergent children

- Common challenges neurodivergent families face when living with or training dogs

- Misunderstandings that can arise when professionals overlook neurodivergence

- A closer look at the course content and who it’s designed for

- Why Debby bought in experts like child psychologists and play therapists

- What’s missing in the wider dog training world and how KAD bridges the gap

- Making services more inclusive for children even without a diagnosis

- The positive feedback from trainers and real-life stories of impact

- Advice for dog professionals who want to be more inclusive but don’t know where to start.

👉 Want to connect with like-minded people, share experiences, and access resources on neuro-inclusive dog training? Join the Neuro-Inclusive Dog Hub free Facebook group today - https://www.facebook.com/groups/neurodoghub

🔗 Learn more about Debby’s work here: www.kidsarounddogs.co.uk

Insta: www.instagram.com/kadkidsarounddogs/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/KADkidsarounddogs Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kadkidsarounddogs