Why every dog deserves to be loved with Lya Battle • Animals & Us E19
Lya Battle Bonilla is the Founder of Territorio de Zaguates, a sanctuary in Costa Rica with over 15 years of experience. More than 1,800 rescued dogs now live in freedom, safety, and love. What started as a small rescue effort from her own home slowly grew into a lifelong mission, to give every dog, no […]
Resilience, courage, and caring for others with Andrew Mac Donald • Animals & Us E03
Andrew grew up in Sydney with a rare bone disorder (XLH), underwent painful surgeries, and experienced contrasting childhoods with his healthy twin brother. Despite physical challenges, Andrew pursued music and sound engineering, then became a Bunnings manager, utilising his organisational and managerial skills. At 24, Andrew confronted robbers at Bunnings, displaying bravery but subsequently faced […]
A voice for the whales with Nan Hauser • Animals and Us E24
Nan Hauser grew up in Pennsylvania and Bermuda, surrounded by animals and inspired by her nature-loving grandmother. With a background in nursing and midwifery, Nan applies science and compassion from human healthcare to whale research, combining accurate methodology, emergency care, and a passion for helping both people and animals. A whale researcher in the Cook […]
Working with horses to turn adversity into purpose with Sue Spence • Animals and Us E08
Sue grew up in New Zealand loving horses, always asking for a white pony and feeling happiest when spending time riding and caring for her first ponies and her horse, Lady. As a child with autism and ADHD, Sue felt awkward around humans but found peace and confidence with horses, using time in nature to […]
Vets Beyond Borders: global care for animals with Dr Ian Douglas • Animals & Us E18
In this episode of Animals and Us, we meet Dr Ian Douglas, a pioneering veterinarian whose career spans five decades, continents, and countless animal lives improved through his dedication to welfare and education. From his beginnings in Scotland to his long-standing leadership with Vets Beyond Borders, Ian’s work has shaped international animal health programs across […]
Dealing with loss and finding purpose with Kobe Steele • Animals & Us E02
Kobe Steele has always been an animal person in Australia, having lived with dogs and cats her whole life, treating them as beloved family members. After a successful career in media as a TV and radio host and before finding her calling in conservation, Kobe brought her communication skills to important environmental causes. After the […]
From outback freedom to animal minds with Shane Gehlert • Animals and Us E23
Shane Gehlert grew up in Adelaide with lots of freedom. He explored sheep stations, rode motorbikes, camped, and developed a lifelong love of animals while enjoying the Australian outback and wildlife. Living on a property with alpacas, goats, and chickens, Shane’s bond grew deeper after caring for a baby goat called Rosie. This experience sparked […]
Healing relationships between humans and dingos with Dr Julie Funnell • Animals and Us E07
Julie grew up in the bushland of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, where her love for animals began with a rescued kitten at age two and a childhood spent exploring nature. That early connection with the environment led her to study Environmental Biology and complete a PhD on bird migration. After working for […]
From Fear to Trust: How a Terrified Mule Learned to Be Held 🐴 #shorts
A terrified mule. Patience, trust, and time. The quiet transformation that happens when fear turns into safety. 🐴 From our Animals and Us series with host Natalie Stockdale, exploring the human-animal bond and the deep work of earning an animal’s trust. 🌐 kintsugiheroes.com.au 💼 linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes 📸 instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes Kintsugi Heroes is an Australian not-for-profit (DGR endorsed) […]
Protecting the wild and self-healing with Alison Papas • Animals & Us E17
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 […]