Alison grew up in a big Mauritian family in Australia, always surrounded by cousins, sleepovers, warmth and laughter, with family playing a central role throughout her childhood. When she was ten, abuse by a family member changed her sense of safety and shaped her early years, bringing complexity and hardship that affected her growth and identity.

Over four years, Alison coped by shrinking herself and fawning, trying to be invisible and please others to stay safe, a survival response that shaped her behaviour into adulthood. At sixteen, Alison disclosed her abuse to two family members during an argument. Support was limited and understanding lacking, leaving her to process trauma mostly by herself.

Alison developed fierce independence, became guarded, and struggled to let people in. For years, she kept her secret, believing she could only rely on herself. In 2020, she opened up to her younger sister, seeking authenticity and healing. This led to powerful changes, strengthened relationships, and eventually sharing her story publicly.

Alison is now a survivor advocate and memoir author who works with her therapy dog Louis, offering coaching, breathwork, and hope to other trauma survivors on their healing journeys.

Alison works as the Director of Advancement and Communications at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Ontario Canada where a small but mighty team of five staff—and hundreds of volunteers—work to protect Ontario’s wildlife. With over 30 years in marketing and PR, Alison connects people to the Sanctuary’s mission through social media, newsletters, media stories, public events, and educational outreach. She’s also an Ontario Certified Teacher who loves hiking with her Golden Retrievers when she’s not busy helping keep wildlife wild.

Links

www.aspenvalley.ca

IG = aspenvalleywildlifesanctuary

FB = Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Animals & Us (Kintsugi Heroes).

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

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Theme Song: "Follow the Sun" by Xavier Rudd

Caroline Brunne grew up in a large, fun-loving, close-knit Mauritian family in Australia. At age ten, she experienced four years of abuse by a family member, learning early about trauma responses like fawning and shrinking herself to stay safe in her own home.

During her teens, Caroline struggled to cope and kept her secret for years. At 16, she disclosed the abuse to two family members amidst complex family reactions. Adulthood brought Caroline both success as a business owner and ongoing challenges from trauma. She sought healing, different types of therapy and took steps to reclaim self-care and autonomy.

Caroline bonded powerfully with Louis, a border collie who arrived just as she began publicly sharing her story and writing her memoir. Training Louis as a therapy dog, she noticed how his gentle presence helped others feel safe. Together they began offering support to survivors through breathwork sessions, workshops and animal-assisted coaching.

For over two decades, Caroline, a high-functioning trauma survivor, has supported individuals in transforming their lives through coaching, life management, and personal growth. Her work has been featured on many platforms, such as Channel 7’s Sunrise, Mamma Mia, Women’s Health, and numerous podcasts and publications. She has spoken at conferences and events across Australia, contributing to media discussions and sharing insights that empower others to embrace their healing journeys.

In 2020, she took her first steps toward unpacking and healing her lived experiences. That journey led her to a place of transformation, and in 2022, Caroline self-published her debut book, More Than One Thing Can Be True.

In her book, Caroline shares her lived experience of overcoming child sexual abuse, incest, and trauma. Her goal is to inspire individuals and communities to open conversations about these experiences, to replace shame with understanding, and to illuminate the path to healing.

In 2024, Caroline created The Survivor Coach – a space where coaching and breathwork come together to support transformation. Today, alongside Louie, she works with clients to move beyond trauma, reclaim their power, and step into lives of purpose and authenticity. Caroline strives to ignite a movement of change, one that creates a better world for survivors today and for generations to come.

Links

https://www.instagram.com/caroline_brunne

https://www.instagram.com/deepbreathswithlouie/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-brunne/

https://www.facebook.com/cgb.mgmt

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Animals & Us (Kintsugi Heroes).

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

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Michael was born blind and grew up in Chicago and California. His early years lacked access to braille, but he learned math in his head and stayed curious about science.

Michael got proper braille education in fourth grade. With his mother’s support and a new resource teacher, he caught up in school, joined the Boy Scouts, and developed skills in leadership.

Michael first learned about guide dogs as a child when he met a blind teacher’s German shepherd named Nola. This experience inspired his own journey to apply for a guide dog.

After eighth grade, Michael received his first guide dog named Squire. He learned responsibility, teamwork, and trust by caring for Squire and continued working with guide dogs throughout his life.

In 2001, Michael led an office in the World Trade Centre. On 9/11, he and his guide dog Roselle calmly evacuated many floors, relying on teamwork and focus to overcome fear.

After 9/11, Michael became a speaker and author, writing three books about his experiences. He teaches others about trust, overcoming adversity, teamwork, and learning to face fear with confidence.

Michael continues to travel, speak, and educate about blindness, inclusion, and guide dogs. He lives with his guide dog Alamo and a cat, using technology to enhance independence and share his story.

https://www.michaelhingson.com

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Animals & Us (Kintsugi Heroes).

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Follow the Sun" by Xavier Rudd