67. Service Dogs, Disability Advocacy & Adopt-a-Cat Month

In this powerful and heartwarming episode of the Pets Add Life Podcast, hosts Kristen Levine and Chris Bonifati celebrate the start of Pet Anxiety Awareness Month and Adopt-a-Cat Month with two inspiring stories. First, Jamie Simpson, founder of New Life Working Dogs and Embrace Everyday, shares her journey living with epilepsy and training her own life-saving service dog, Echo. Then, Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, joins the show to discuss the No-Kill 2025 movement, how to get involved in your community, and the latest collaboration with DOGTV’s The Adoption Show.

Special Guests:

• Jamie Simpson, Founder of New Life Working Dogs & Embrace Everyday

• Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society

Pet Product Recommendations:

• Frisco Scratching Ball & Triangle Post (via Chewy): https://www.chewy.com/frisco-scratching-ball-triangle-post/dp/9000003321

• Doggy Hush Noise-Canceling Dog Earmuffs: https://www.doggyhush.com

Q&A Topics:

• “Is it safe for my indoor cat to explore the backyard?” (Submitted by Emily from Portland, OR)

• “My dog gets anxious from construction next door. What can I do to help?” (Submitted by Michael from Long Island, NY)

Related Links:

• Embrace Everyday: https://embraceeveryday.com

• Embracing Echo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embracing.echo

• Best Friends Animal Society: https://bestfriends.org

• Best Friends Lifesaving Dashboard: https://bestfriends.org/no-kill-2025/animal-shelter-statistics

• DOGTV’s The Adoption Show (Unleashed Channel): https://www.dogtv.com/unleashed

• Pet Anxiety Awareness Month: https://www.petliving.com/anxiety

• Pet Anxiety Special Episode of The Experts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DOGTV

Social Channels:

• Follow Jamie Simpson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embracing.echo

• Follow Best Friends on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestfriendsanimalsociety

• Follow Pets Add Life on Instagram: https://instagram.com/petsaddlife

• Facebook: https://facebook.com/PetsAddLife

• YouTube: https://youtube.com/petsaddlife

• TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@petsaddlife

• X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/petsaddlife

Subscribe & Listen:
New episodes every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Submit Your Questions to the Podcast:
https://petsaddlife.org/podcast

Presented by:
American Pet Products Association (APPA) & DOGTV