The Animal Rescue Podcast: what you always wanted to know but didn’t know who to ask

This week I talk with Aaron "AC" Christensen, founder of Animal Advocacy Network, to discuss his remarkable journey in animal disaster relief spanning two decades. From his beginnings during Hurricane Katrina to rescuing over 500 animals during the 2025 LA fires, AC shares powerful stories from the front lines of disaster response, including his pivotal role in passing California's AB478 legislation that grants certified volunteers access to disaster zones for animal rescue. He also recounts a dramatic river rescue that took an unexpected turn. Finally, we also announce an exciting new collaboration between AC and The Animal Rescue Podcast called "West Coast Wednesdays" – a podcast series dedicated to California's animal rescue community featuring experts and celebrities working to save animals in crisis. To learn more about AC's work you can find him on Instagram @animaladvocacynet or @thatvegasguy and online at ⁠www.animaladvocacynetwork.org⁠.
Sponsor:
LIX - check out ⁠www.lixpetwellness.com⁠ to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order!
 
Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at ⁠www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I am thrilled to talk with Richie Marino, a balanced dog trainer from New Jersey whose personal journey from emergency services to dog training is as compelling as his training philosophy. After battling alcoholism and PTSD, Richie credits his rescue German Shepherd Greta with saving his life, which inspired him to dedicate his career to helping dogs stay in their homes through clear, kind communication and balanced training methods. In this episode, Richie breaks down what it really means to be a leader for your dog, why we need to stop talking so much and start understanding canine body language, and how to cut through social media's unrealistic portrayals of "perfect" dogs. Whether you're struggling with your own dog or looking for a trainer, Richie shares invaluable insights on building structure, setting boundaries, and honoring dogs for who they truly are—not as humans or objects, but as dogs. Bonus, my husband, Dan, joins in on the fun to get some of his own questions answered! To learn more about Richie and his work you can find him on social media @gretatrainsdogs and online at www.gretasdogtraining.com.
Sponsor:
LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order!
 
Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Anna Nichols from Down and Dirty Dogs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of shelter dogs through positive reinforcement training. Anna shares her inspiring journey from volunteering at the Humane Society of Tennessee Valley to becoming an Animal Behavior Specialist, and introduces us to Down and Dirty Dogs—a team of five passionate women working to improve adoptability and prevent returns by providing crucial training and post-adoption support. You'll hear about the power of mental stimulation, the importance of understanding breed genetics, and a touching story about Burgundy, a dog whose case reinforced Anna's commitment to this vital work. Join us as we explore how even minimal training intervention can make a life-changing difference for shelter dogs and their future families. To learn more about Down and Dirty Dogs you can find them online at www.downanddirtydogs.com or on social media @downanddirtydogs. You can also reach Anna @thelazydogtrainer with any questions!

Sponsor:
LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order!
 
Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Heather Ripley, founder of Orange Orchard PR, who discusses how animal welfare organizations can effectively use public relations to advance their missions. After becoming vegan in 2017 and realizing there was more she could do to support animals, Heather launched Orange Orchard as a specialized division of Ripley PR focused on helping animal rescues, sanctuaries, and conservation projects tell their stories through strategic media outreach, social media, and fundraising campaigns. She emphasizes the importance of building local media relationships, balancing messaging to avoid overwhelming audiences with negativity, and treating nonprofits like businesses with clear goals—ultimately helping organizations amplify their impact while maintaining authentic connections with their communities. To learn more about the work Heather and her team are doing you can find them at www.orangeorchardpr.com or on social media @orangeorchardpr.
 
Heather Ripley is the founder and CEO of Ripley PR, an elite global public relations agency, and its affiliate agencies, Orange Orchard, an award-winning public relations agency specializing in animal advocacy and the promotion of animal-friendly brands, and Adventure PR, a new division created to elevate adventure travel, RV manufacturers, camping and outdoor companies.
At Orange Orchard, Heather leads a passionate team that helps purpose-driven brands elevate their message and inspire action. Drawing on more than two decades of PR experience, she has positioned the agency as a trusted partner for organizations involved in animal advocacy and welfare and for companies who work in the pet care industry. Her work centers on thoughtful communication, authentic brand alignment and purpose-driven growth.
In 2013, Heather started Ripley PR and has built it into one of the most respected agencies in the skilled trades, franchising and B2B technology sectors in just 12 short years. After five years of success at Ripley PR, she was inspired by her commitment to animal welfare to launch Orange Orchard in 2018.
For its work with organizations like The Orangutan Project, Orange Orchard won the gold award for Best Public Service Campaign in the 2025 Merit Awards.
As the visionary behind both agencies, Heather has been honored as a 2024 PRNews Top Women in Business Entrepreneur and as one of ACHR News’ Top Women in HVAC. She is also the author of NEXT LEVEL NOW: PR Secrets to Drive Explosive Growth for Your Home Service Business, a highly regarded guide for entrepreneurs seeking to amplify their growth through public relations.
Heather’s leadership across all three agencies reflects her belief that PR can be both a catalyst for business growth and a force for good by helping innovative and compassionate companies make a measurable impact on the world.

Sponsor:
LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order!
 
Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

This week I talk with Katya Lidsky, author of "Be Your Dog's Best Friend" and self-described "recovering dog trainer." Katya challenges traditional obedience-focused training methods, advocating instead for genuine bonding and relationship-building with our dogs. Drawing from her experience volunteering at South LA Animal Shelter, she shares how being present and trusting our instincts creates deeper connections with our pets. Discover how the human-dog bond is mutually transformative and why focusing on awareness rather than control leads to better outcomes for both you and your dog. To learn more about the work Katya is doing you can find her on social media @katyalidsky and find her book "Be Your Dog's Best Friend" wherever books are sold, but hopefully you go to your local indie bookstore!

Sponsor:
LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order!
 
Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site