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The Pawsitive Post in Conversation by Companion Animal PsychologyAuthor: Zazie Todd PhD and Kristi Benson CTC
The show about how to have a better relationship with your dog or cat. Get tips on dog training, dog behaviour, cat behaviour and training, learn about the science on dogs and cats, and find out which books we're reading (animal-related and more generally). Kind, humane, reward-based training methods only. Hosted by Zazie Todd PhD and Kristi Benson CTC of Companion Animal Psychology blog. Made in Canada. Language: en-ca Genres: Arts, Books, Kids & Family, Pets & Animals Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Why we should love the beasties with Dr. Jo Wimpenny
Episode 57
Tuesday, 28 April, 2026
Leave us a voicemail!Zazie and Kristi chat with Dr. Jo Wimpenny, author of Beauty of the Beasts, to learn more about wasps, mosquitoes, vultures, sharks, and other unloved animals.We talk about:-why Jo wanted to write about the beastieshow everything is connectedthe value of wasps and mosquitoes to the ecosystemhow sharks are not necessarily out to get people (even if sometimes they are)whether some animals are over-ratedwhich animal Jo most loved writing aboutand finally Jo told us which book she's been reading.Beauty of the Beasts: Rethinking Nature's Least Loved Animals is available wherever books are sold.The book Jo recommended to us is The Animals in That Country by Laura Jean McKay.Previous episodes with Jo:The Holiday Special 2025 (Ep48)Animal minds and our favourite fables (Ep15)Also mentioned: Kristi's blog post on making a living in the world.Jo Wimpenny is a zoologist and writer, with a research background in animal behaviour and the history of science. She studied Zoology at the University of Bristol, and went on to research problem-solving in crows for her DPhil at Oxford University. She’s the author of Aesop’s Animals, which we’ve talked about with her before, and her new book which is just out now is Beauty of the Beasts: Rethinking Nature’s Least Loved Animals.Jo's website: https://jowimpenny.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jowimpenny/Support the showAbout the co-hosts:Kristi Benson is an honours graduate of, and now on staff with, the prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers and has her PCBC-A from the Pet Professional Accreditation Board. She lives in beautiful northern British Columbia, where she helps dog guardians through online classes. She is also a northern anthropologist.Kristi Benson's website Facebook Zazie Todd, PhD, is the award-winning author of Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog, Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. She is the creator of the popular blog, Companion Animal Psychology, and has a column at Psychology Today. She lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, a dog and a cat. Instagram BlueSky












