Transformation and Healing: New Paradigms for You & Your Dog with Dr Laura Donaldson and Annie Phenix

What if the future of dog care isn’t about better obedience…but about deeper safety?

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, I sit down with Dr Laura Donaldson and Annie Phenix to explore their new course, Transformation and Healing: New Paradigms for You and Your Dog - and the larger shift happening in the world of canine care.

We begin by honouring the late Sarah Fisher, whose work invited us to learn from our dogs rather than simply lead or manage them. Her legacy threads through this entire conversation.

This episode challenges the long-held paradigm of compliance in our relationships with dogs. Instead of focusing on obedience and suppression of behaviour, we explore what becomes possible when we centre:

• Deep safety
• Emotional wellbeing
• Agency
• Resilience
• Trust
• Social support

We discuss what it means to become trauma-informed in our approach, and why that shift is transformative, not additive.

We explore:

✨ Why compliance has shaped traditional dog training - and why it’s time to question it✨ Dogs as somatic beings (and how we’ve forgotten that we are too)✨ The intelligence and wisdom of all life forms - and dismantling the “humans at the top” worldview✨ Getting curious about behaviour instead of correcting it✨ The links between pain, nutrition, and behaviour✨ The power of a collaborative care team (vet, behaviour professional, nutrition consultant)✨ Becoming your dog’s advocate - and how that often becomes the path to advocating for yourself

We also speak to something many of us feel but rarely name:

Your dog may be your greatest teacher.Your “difficult” dog may be your healer in disguise.

At the heart of this conversation is love - the kind that truly witnesses. The kind that listens. The kind that believes healing is possible.

Because we can heal from trauma.And so can our dogs.

And how embodied, courageous kindness is what moves us forward.

If you’ve ever felt there must be another way to be with your dog, then this episode is for you.

Join Dr Laura’s and Annie’s course, Transformation & Healing: New Paradigms for Our Lives With Dogs, here:

⁠https://laura-s-school-1f3f.thinkific.com/courses/transformationhealing?fbclid=IwY2xjawQAV3lleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJqQzdOVUcyOXdIeVdqeDlqc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHg6HnXe2NeStkigpItMingJ2som3QK1q4b0pJ6ON7I0dCHT2xJ_SBOkZojfb_aem_x3TJVAo1bWFCVqDgbLRE4Q⁠

Join Annie’s free group The Canine Trauma Clinic here:

⁠https://community.caninetraumaclinic.com/invitation?code=G6686B⁠

Connect with me!

Website: ⁠https://mysticdogmama.com⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com⁠/mysticdogmama

Come join my free Facebook group, First Light. It’s my sanctuary where soulful dog mamas like you find clarity, confidence, and connection ⁠https://facebook.com/groups/fetchfirstlight⁠

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.