In this episode of The Animal That Changed You, we are joined by Sam Woyak, caregiver extraordinaire at Best Friend’s Animal Society's sanctuary! With the wealth of knowledge Sam has gained, day in and day out, through taking care of rescue and shelter dogs, she shares her experiences of working in the animal welfare field. And she's unafraid to talk about her very first job in the industry, the one before Best Friends, the one that broke her.

It's a pleasure to hear Sam's personal stories about her time with dogs, from the light and funny to her relationship with a dog rescued from a fighting ring. Though at times things take on a more serious tone, like when Jenny and Sam discuss the intricacies and complexities of “no kill” ideals, listening to Sam just feels good, like hanging out with an old friend you're glad to be around.

Finally, Katya, Jenny and Sam discuss the importance of paying attention to how dogs communicate, assessing and understanding their reactions, and always giving them agency. They conclude that at the end of the day, every living being has the right to defend themself in the ways they know how. This is a (vegan) meaty episode that connects like-minded animal lovers with each other, while making space for those are just warming up to their own passion for animal welfare. And if you happen to have a soft spot in your heart for dogs, this conversation is for you.

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