Unpacking Canine Trauma with Dr. Laura Donaldson
In this enlightening episode, I sit down with Dr. Laura Donaldson to delve into the crucial topic of becoming trauma-informed when it comes to our dogs.
Dr. Donaldson shares her extensive knowledge on what trauma is, how it manifests in dogs, and the often-overlooked microtraumas that can significantly impact their well-being.
We discuss the parallels between human and canine trauma responses and the fundamental importance of ensuring safety and trust for traumatised dogs.
Dr. Donaldson offers practical advice on recognising signs of trauma, the importance of respecting a dog’s need for agency, and ways to create a healing environment. Lastly, she highlights some valuable resources, including her Thinkific webinar, ‘Why Becoming Trauma Informed Will Change Everything You Do With Dogs,’ for those interested in a deeper dive into the subject.
00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Dr. Laura Donaldson
01:08 Dr. Laura’s Background and Life in Upstate New York
03:37 Understanding Trauma in Dogs
05:48 Recognizing and Addressing Trauma Responses
09:35 Microtrauma and Its Impact on Dogs
17:08 Building Trust and Safety for Traumatized Dogs
21:10 Practical Steps for Trauma-Informed Dog Care
39:00 Resources and Further Learning
42:00 Conclusion and Farewell
Find out more and connect with Dr. Donaldson:
Website: https://fourpawsfourdirections.com
Bio: Dr. Laura Donaldson, PhD, CDBC, KPA CTP, CCUI is a Professor Emeritus from Cornell University located in Ithaca, New York, northeastern United States. She is an award-winning writer on dog behavior who has worked as a canine behavior specialist for 20+ years. Laura is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), a Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP) and a Certified Trauma Professional.
She created the popular program called Slow Thinking is Lifesaving for Dogs®. Laura currently resides in upstate New York with her husband, two dogs, three cats, and an African Gray Parrot named Obi. When she isn’t speaking, teaching or writing, you will find Laura partnering with her working Border Collies to tend her flock of Navajo Churro sheep.
Your FREE gift: Free Webinar on GROUNDING: dogs healing from trauma. To register, click on this link: https://laura-s-school-1f3f.thinkific.com/courses/grounding-dogs-healing-from-trauma
Social media links:https://www.facebook.com/ledonaldson
Additional resources:
Dr. Laura Donaldson’s almost-free webinar:
Why Becoming Trauma Informed Will Change Everything You Do With Dogs
https://laura-s-school-1f3f.thinkific.com/courses/why-becoming-trauma-informed-will-change-everything-you-do-with-dogs
The series of articles on canine trauma for Happy, Healthy Dog mentioned during the episode
Hidden in Plain Sight: Is Your Dog Experiencing Microtrauma?
https://happyhealthydog.org/drlauranov
Traumatized Dogs Need Empathy, Not Toxic Labels
https://happyhealthydog.org/drlauraddec
Why Becoming Trauma Informed Should Be Your 2025 New Year’s Resolution
https://happyhealthydog.org/drlaurajan
The Neurobiology of Trauma: Why It Is Important & What You Need to Know
https://happyhealthydog.org/drlaurafeb
And as always, all about Soul Touched by Dogs at https://soultouchedbydogs.com
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