The Top Dog Podcast

Chris Roy
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Pets & Animals
  • Updated weekly

We interview the leaders in animal welfare to understand their journey to being the top dog and their vision for how their organization will save more animals lives in the community

  1. Top Dog Podcast with Caryn Fugatt | Leading with Empathy in Animal Welfare

    3 days ago

    Top Dog Podcast with Caryn Fugatt | Leading with Empathy in Animal Welfare

    What does it take to go from volunteer dog walker to leading an entire humane society? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Caryn Fugatt, Executive Director of Pope Memorial Humane Society – Cocheco Valley. After starting as a volunteer dog walker, Caryn worked her way through nearly every role in the organization before becoming Executive Director, giving her a unique perspective on leadership, shelter operations, and community impact. In this conversation, we discuss: • Growing from volunteer to executive leadership • Why animal welfare is really about helping people and pets • Preserving the human-animal bond • Building a healthy shelter culture and team • Leading through compassion fatigue and difficult days • Creating judgment-free support for pet owners Caryn shares how empathy, collaboration, and community partnerships help create better outcomes for both animals and the people who love them. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

    22 min
  2. Top Dog Podcast with Danielle Hanosh | Why the Future of Animal Welfare Starts with Education

    5 days ago

    Top Dog Podcast with Danielle Hanosh | Why the Future of Animal Welfare Starts with Education

    What if the most powerful way to help animals isn't rescue — it's education? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Danielle Hanosh, Co-Founder and Executive Director of LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet). A former middle school teacher and founder of Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary, Danielle is helping sanctuaries across North America inspire the next generation of compassionate leaders through hands-on education. In this conversation, we discuss: • Why education is critical to the future of animal welfare • How LEAP partners with sanctuaries to develop young leaders • Teaching ethics, advocacy, and environmental responsibility • The connection between compassion and leadership • Preparing students for careers in animal welfare and veterinary medicine • The emotional realities of sanctuary work Danielle shares how meaningful experiences with animals can shape empathy, responsibility, and action—and why investing in young people may be the most effective way to create lasting change for animals and our planet. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

    28 min
  3. Top Dog Podcast with Dara Worthington | Building a Lifesaving Culture That Lasts 50 Years

    2 Jul

    Top Dog Podcast with Dara Worthington | Building a Lifesaving Culture That Lasts 50 Years

    What does it take to transform a small animal shelter into a community lifesaving organization? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Dara Worthington, CEO of Friends of Strays Animal Shelter in St. Petersburg, Florida. Under Dara's leadership, the organization has grown from approximately 500 adoptions per year to more than 2,000 annually while expanding services, facilities, and community impact. In this conversation, we discuss: • Growing a nonprofit animal shelter through visionary leadership • Creating innovative shelter spaces for cats and dogs • Supporting pet retention through community programs • Building strong teams and positive workplace culture • Why mentorship matters in animal welfare leadership • Planning for the future while staying mission-focused Dara shares lessons from nearly a decade of leadership, the importance of finding the right people, and her vision for creating a lasting legacy that will continue serving animals and families for generations to come. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

    25 min
  4. Top Dog Podcast with Nicole Navarro | How One Rescue Fox Sparked a Movement

    30 Jun

    Top Dog Podcast with Nicole Navarro | How One Rescue Fox Sparked a Movement

    What happens when a passion for animals evolves into a mission that changes lives? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Navarro, Founder and Executive Director of Pawsitive Beginnings, a Florida-based sanctuary providing lifelong homes for foxes rescued from the fur trade and exotic pet trade. What began as a desire to save a single fox has grown into a unique organization helping both animals and people heal. In this conversation, we discuss: • The realities of the fur trade and exotic pet ownership • Building a fox sanctuary from the ground up • Rescuing animals deemed "unusable" by the fur industry • How foxes became part of trauma recovery programs • Creating safe spaces for healing and personal growth • Finding purpose through service and compassion Nicole shares how the stories of rescued foxes are now helping women in recovery and vulnerable youth discover resilience, boundaries, and hope. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

    23 min
  5. Top Dog Podcast with Kerri Burns | Why Animal Welfare Leaders Must Stop Working Alone

    25 Jun

    Top Dog Podcast with Kerri Burns | Why Animal Welfare Leaders Must Stop Working Alone

    What happens when a police officer, disaster responder, and animal welfare executive all become the same person? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Kerri Burns, CEO of Santa Barbara Humane. With nearly three decades in animal welfare, Kerri shares how experiences in law enforcement, disaster response, shelter leadership, and community service shaped her philosophy of compassionate leadership. In this conversation, we discuss: • Lessons learned from disaster response and emergency animal rescue • Why collaboration matters more than competition • Building a culture of trust and mentorship • Supporting staff in high-stress environments • The importance of listening as a leader • Creating community-centered animal welfare programs Kerri also shares why she believes animal welfare organizations can achieve far more when they set aside ego, work together, and focus on the shared mission of helping animals and people. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

    25 min
  6. Top Dog Podcast with Alexis Fine | Why Strong Teams Create Stronger Shelters

    23 Jun

    Top Dog Podcast with Alexis Fine | Why Strong Teams Create Stronger Shelters

    Saving animals starts with supporting the people who care for them. In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Alexis Fine, Operations Manager at Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter in Texas. With more than 20 years in animal welfare and 15 years at the same organization, Alexis shares how investing in staff culture, leadership development, and community engagement creates better outcomes for both animals and people. In this conversation, we discuss: • Building a healthy shelter culture • Preventing burnout and compassion fatigue • Developing future leaders in animal welfare • Community engagement during times of crisis • Managing large-scale shelter operations • Why caring for staff improves animal outcomes Alexis also shares lessons from working nearly every position in a shelter and explains why leadership is ultimately about supporting people so they can do their best work for animals. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

    26 min
  7. Top Dog Podcast with Kate Hurley | The Shelter Medicine Pioneer Changing Animal Welfare

    18 Jun

    Top Dog Podcast with Kate Hurley | The Shelter Medicine Pioneer Changing Animal Welfare

    What happens when veterinary medicine finally shines a light on animal shelters? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Kate Hurley, Founding Director of the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program and one of the pioneers who helped create the field of shelter medicine. Starting her career as an animal control officer, Dr. Hurley witnessed firsthand the challenges shelters faced without proper veterinary guidance, disease prevention, or operational support. Determined to change that, she became the first person in the world to complete a shelter medicine residency — helping launch an entirely new field focused on improving outcomes for shelter animals. In this conversation, we discuss: • The origins of shelter medicine • Reducing disease and euthanasia in shelters • Capacity for care and shelter operations • Using data and AI to improve animal outcomes • Community cat programs and lifesaving innovation • Supporting shelter staff and sustainable systems Dr. Hurley also shares how small operational changes, better science, and stronger systems can dramatically improve lifesaving efforts across animal shelters nationwide. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

    28 min
  8. Top Dog Podcast with Zach Skow | Prison Dogs, Recovery, and Second Chances

    16 Jun

    Top Dog Podcast with Zach Skow | Prison Dogs, Recovery, and Second Chances

    What happens when the unconditional love of dogs becomes the reason to keep living? In this powerful episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Zach Skow, founder of Marley’s Mutts, to talk about recovery, redemption, and the life-changing impact of the human-animal bond. After being given just 90 days to live due to end-stage liver failure, Zach found hope through his dogs — a turning point that ultimately led him to create Marley’s Mutts and groundbreaking prison rehabilitation programs that have transformed thousands of lives. In this conversation, we discuss: • Zach’s journey through addiction and recovery • How dogs became the foundation for healing • The creation of Marley’s Mutts • Prison dog programs and rehabilitation • Why empathy and service change lives • The power of the human-animal bond Zach also shares how prison dog training programs help both incarcerated individuals and rescue dogs find second chances — proving that recovery and redemption are possible for everyone. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

    33 min
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We interview the leaders in animal welfare to understand their journey to being the top dog and their vision for how their organization will save more animals lives in the community

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