Unleashed - The Service Dog Gals

Megan and Bridget
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health

What happens when the systems meant to support you fall short? This podcast shares real conversations about disability, trauma, and the journey to getting a service dog. They highlight the barriers, the breakthroughs, and the voices that deserve to be heard.

Episodes

  1. Jun 26

    Meet Meg: The Experiences Behind the Perspective

    This episode offers listeners a chance to get to know the person behind the microphone, and to better understand the perspective Meg brings to conversations about dogs, people, welfare, and the systems surrounding them. Through an open and personal conversation, Meg shares more about the experiences that shaped her, her journey into the dog world, and the values that continue to guide her work. They explore the connections between personal experience, professional practice, advocacy, and the complicated relationships humans build with dogs. Follow Megan on Instagram: FacilityDogNetwork  Connect with Megan: thefacilitydognetwork@gmail.com Follow us on instagram for additional facts and support.  @theservicedoggals

    17 min
  2. Who gets to decide what a real service dog is?

    Jun 16

    Who gets to decide what a real service dog is?

    Everyone seems to have an opinion, but the truth is, there's a lot of confusion, misinformation, and strong emotions surrounding working dogs. In this episode, we're unpacking the all of this, clarifying the labels, and exploring what actually separates service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals. You might be surprised by what you think you know. Follow us on instagram for additional facts and support.  @theservicedoggals

    28 min
  3. Special Episode - Meet Bridget!

    May 26 ·  Bonus

    Special Episode - Meet Bridget!

    Get to know one of the Gals behind the Podcast! Meet Bridget and better understand where she came from and how it shaped her into the Service dog gal she is now.  Connect with Bridget: nicho11q@uwindsor.ca  Follow Bridget on Social Media: @TheAnimalSociologist Follow us on instagram for additional facts and support.  @theservicedoggals

    24 min
  4. Courtroom and Facility Dogs Behind the Scenes

    May 5

    Courtroom and Facility Dogs Behind the Scenes

    Courtroom facility dogs are specially trained working dogs that provide quiet emotional support to individuals involved in legal proceedings. Often handled by a professional such as a victim advocate, these dogs help reduce stress and anxiety for vulnerable witnesses while they give testimony or participate in interviews.  Their calm presence can make it easier for people to communicate clearly and feel safe in what can otherwise be an intimidating environment, without interfering with the legal process.  Follow us on instagram for additional facts and support.  @theservicedoggals

    35 min
  5. What Service Dogs Actually Do for Trauma

    Apr 14

    What Service Dogs Actually Do for Trauma

    In this episode, we explore what service dogs actually do for trauma. And what they don’t.  We unpack the difference between task-trained psychiatric service dogs and emotional support, look at how dogs may help with grounding, regulation, safety, and day-to-day functioning, and talk honestly about the limits of this work.  We also discuss the realities of public access, including the attention and questions that can come with bringing a dog into public, and why animal welfare has to remain part of the conversation.  Rather than treating service dogs as a cure-all, this episode offers a more grounded look at how they can become one meaningful part of trauma support, recovery, and daily life. Follow us on instagram for additional facts and support.  @theservicedoggals

    38 min
  6. PTSD is Not One Story

    Apr 7

    PTSD is Not One Story

    PTSD isn't one story-and it's time we start acting like it. In this episode of Unleashed: The Service Dog Gals, Megan and Bridget unpack the dominant narrative around PTSD, who gets seen and supported, and who is still being left out-especially survivors of violence From funding gaps to service dog access, this is an honest, unsanitized conversation about trauma, systems and the real cost of being overlooked Content note: This episode includes discussions of trauma, violence, and PTSD. Listener discretion advised. _____________________________________________________________________________ IMMEDIATE CRISIS SUPPORT (24/7) 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline Call or text 988 Available 24/7, bilingual support Kids Help Phone (Youth) Call 1-800-668-6868 Text CONNECT to 686868 Online Lifeline yourlifecounts.org Use this website to find a crisis line near you. Information is specific to country and province/state. Mental Health Line www.mentalhealthline.org/?n=8772825422 1-(888) 703-4554 Free 24/7 Mental Health Line The National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org  1-(800) 799-7233 The hotline staff offer safety planning and crisis help. They can connect you to shelters and services in your area. Canadian Mental Health Association Mental health services for people 16 years and up https://cmha.ca/find-your-cmha Use this website to find a location near you. Ending Violence https://endingviolencecanada.org/getting-help/ Use this website to find help near you.  Information is specific to province Hope for Wellness Helpline The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or use the website to connect with a counsellor on-line Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French. On request, phone counselling is also available in: • Cree • Ojibway • Inuktitut https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ MENTAL HEALTH & PTSD SUPPORTS Anxiety Canada Tools, education, and apps like MindShift CBT and My Anxiety Plan (MAP) ConnexOntario Call 1-866-531-2600 Visit: connexontario.ca Free, confidential help finding mental health & trauma services in Ontario TRAUMA & VIOLENCE SUPPORT Assaulted Women’s Helpline Call 1-866-863-0511 TTY: 1-866-863-7868 24/7 confidential support If your internet use may be monitored, consider calling from a safe device. Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline Call 1-833-900-1010 24/7 confidential support Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime Call 1-877-232-2610 Support for victims and families GENERAL SUPPORT 211 Canada Dial 2-1-1 24/7 help connecting to community and social services For more resources click here  Music Credit Ben sound Lunar Years Angels by my side  Follow us on instagram for additional facts and support.  @theservicedoggals

    31 min

  7. Apr 3

    The Service Dog Gals - Trailer

    Come and be part of the conversation.  Music Credit  Ben Sound  Angels by my Side Lunar Years Follow us on instagram for additional facts and support.  @theservicedoggals

    1 min

  8. Mar 30

    Why this Podcast Exists

    Something brought them together, it wasn’t by accident. Two paths shaped by trauma work, crisis response, and a deep understanding of what people carry behind closed doors or direction on the front lines… crossing in a way that felt almost inevitable.  But this isn’t just about how they met. It’s about what they’ve seen. What’s missing. These long conversations they were having needed to be more than just that,  and why they can’t ignore it anymore. If you’ve ever wondered who falls through the cracks, and what it takes to change that.... this is where it starts. Music Credit  Ben Sound  Angels by my Side Lunar Years Follow us on instagram for additional facts and support.  @theservicedoggals

    8 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

What happens when the systems meant to support you fall short? This podcast shares real conversations about disability, trauma, and the journey to getting a service dog. They highlight the barriers, the breakthroughs, and the voices that deserve to be heard.

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