Most of us have probably wondered what it would be like if our dog was a person. Now, a new novel by writer A.J. Symon explores that very idea. Written to honor the unconditional love and joy his golden retriever brought to his life, A.J.’s inspiration came from a game of fetch where he thought, “If that dog were human, he’d be an amazing running back”. That spark became Golden Boy, a funny and heartfelt novel about a teenage girl who turns her family’s beloved golden retriever into a real boy. Naturally, he joins the football team, where his loyalty, heart, and golden retriever instincts teach everyone that life is about more than wins and losses.

For show notes and more (including our new merch!), please go to Your Family Dog.

The topic of "special needs" is one that's come up plenty of times before on Your Family Dog. Whether it's the kid, the dog, or both who function a little differently, navigating and supporting those needs can be draining and time-consuming for families, who often need all the help they can get to make everything work. But what happens when trying to find and coordinate all that help becomes its own seemingly-impossible task?

Enter Lisa Richer. Lisa is the Executive Board Chair for By With & For Autistic Adults, Advisory Chair for The Mandala School, and on the Parents Alliance for Inclusion board. As the mom of two neurodiverse sons, she truly understands the emotional and practical struggles families go through. Her proprietary Clarity Confidence Courage Journey Map is designed to strip away unhelpful pressures and help parents build more resilient, inclusive homes. Lisa also holds an Advanced Advocate Certificate from the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. and wrote "Confident You: The Raw Conversations." Lisa has worked for over twenty years helping parents, educators, and professionals navigate their own high-stakes journeys and find clarity amidst the chaos. Join us for a conversation about the joys and challenges of navigating a "neurosparkly" family, dogs and all.

For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

Many of us know firsthand the difference assistance dogs can make in people's lives. However, these furry assistants don't come cheap, and many people who might otherwise benefit from their presence find themselves struggling or unable to afford one. Donny Wilson, our guest today, is out to change that as best he can. Donny is the founder of Pawtism, an organization that provides financial aid to families seeking an autism assistance dog. Join us today to hear the story behind Pawtism, and for a peek behind the scenes at life with an assistance pup.

Donny Wilson is the Co-founder and Chair of Pawtism, an organization whose mission is to provide financial support to those planning to add an autism assistance dog to their family while also raising awareness of the immense potential these animals have to change lives.

For show notes and more (including our new merch!), please go to Your Family Dog.