We are so excited to share this episode for more than one reason! The first being that our guest is Grisha Stewart, who so kindly agreed to share her time and knowledge with us on a topic Jade is only becoming more passionate about. The other is a chance to share an upcoming webinar covering all sorts of topics about finding, adopting, and training a new dog in a neurodivergent-centric way!

We invited Grisha Stewart to discuss emotional regulation instead of something more dog-centric or BAT related because Grisha's academy has been the first source of information where learning about the nervous system and emotional regulation didn't put me (Jade) off immediately. The concepts and practices introduced have created a profound shift in my wellbeing and by extension, my dog's wellbeing, and my relationships with other people. Of course, I had lots of questions and want to make these concepts more accessible for more neurodivergent people, so I hope you find many valuable points to take away while listening.

Back to the upcoming webinar - visit the link below to learn more and sign up!
The webinar is created and hosted by neurodivergent individuals and for neurodivergent owners (or professionals who want to learn more about working with ND owners).
https://www.autismactually.com.au/event-details/so-youre-neurodivergent-and-you-want-a-dog?fbclid=IwAR2oR2r6htaxLOvEwxSWmY0DRaHq7sPhA7PWnWyeW5jrYM73zoTz3BFcQEk
We'll be covering things like breed traits that disproportionately affect ND owners, specific equipment for making training sessions more sensory friendly, and sensory considerations to take into account when considering what breed to get!

About Grisha Stewart

Grisha Stewart is an author, international speaker, dog trainer, and online dog school facilitator based in Oregon, USA, who specializes in dog reactivity and canine empowerment.  “Ahimsa” is a Buddhist doctrine of nonviolence to all living things, which reflects Grisha’s focus on force-free methods to promote the well-being of dogs and their humans. Her seminal book, “Behavior Adjustment Training: BAT for Aggression, Reactivity, and Fear in Dogs,” was published by Dogwise in late 2011. Grisha’s popular second book, “The Official Ahimsa Dog Training Manual: A Practical, Force-Free Guide to Problem Solving & Manners,” was published in 2012 and updated in 2014. Her third book, BAT 2.0 was released in early 2016 and is available to order on her site.

Resources

school.grishastewart.com

Learn more about becoming a diamond member and subscribing to the academy (Jade considers this her personal favorite and most comprehensive + cost effective option for continued education)
https://school.grishastewart.com/bundles/diamond

Learn more about how to apply for a 6 month scholarship to the academy to study or earn your CBATI certification
Need based for individuals: https://grishastewart.com/diamondscholarship
free courses for shelters and rescues: https://school.grishastewart.com/bundles/rescue

Specific courses at the academy
How to Human:  https://school.grishastewart.com/courses/human?omnisearch__query=how+to+human
(message Jade for discount code)

Mentioned resources:
A little bit of lucid dreaming: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Bit-Lucid-Dreaming-Introduction/dp/1454942843/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2R5QK49V1XXAR&keywords=a+little+bit+of+lucid+dreaming&qid=1699832072&sprefix=a+little+bit+of+luc%2Caps%2C1468&sr=8-1
Marble spinner: https://store.grishastewart.com/collections/joy/products/ripple
Atlas of the Heart: https://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Heart-Meaningful-Connection-Experience/dp/0399592555

Have you wanted to hear more about our guests' personal experiences with and thoughts on being neurodivergent as a kid, throughout their career development, and in their business now? Miranda is the perfect guest for you (we know, we know, the episode got a bit long but it's well worth the listen)! We hope this is a relatable episode for other neurodivergent guardians and trainers, and an educational one for neurotypical listeners here to learn. We covered Miranda's experience with being undiagnosed neurodivergent as a kid, how this led to her career with animals, her experience with being houseless, and her current venture, the Buddy Project - a detailed journal of demonstrating and explaining the rehabilitation of a horse with aggressive behavior using force free training. 

Miranda Hebert (Certified Professional Animal Trainer - Knowledge Assessed) is a Neurodivergent freelance animal training & behavior technician, educator, consultant, and coach, based out of Greater Montreal, QC, Canada. She applies a holistic approach to welfare and training, nurturing confident, independent, ‘thinking animals,’ who when given an abundance of options still choose to work cooperatively in partnership with their handler(s). These results are evident in her work.

Miranda never wants to see a world where humans and animals can't coexist to the mutual benefit and support of each other's wellness, and has found her greatest strengths rooted in her experience teaching and learning from animals.

Miranda website: https://www.mhebertanimaltraining.com/
The Buddy Project facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebuddyprojecthorsetraining
mentioned Ted Talk Invisible Diversity: A Story of Undiagnosed Autism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF2dhWWUyQ4&ab_channel=TEDxTalks

content warning: explicit language

Our guest today is Max Siefert, fellow ND horse and dog trainer to teach us (and you), more about horse training, his transition through training methods over time, his experience with being ND, and even a little bit about emotional regulation for humans. The added complexity of learning to emotionally regulate while also learning to train or change methods is seldom mentioned, so we're excited to share this conversation with you and hope you find it relatable!

Max Seifert is a CPTD-KA and CGC evaluator based in Frederick, MD. He owns Rosie’s Tail Training, and specializes in reactivity and aggression cases. Using his lived experiences with neurodivergency and trauma, his education, and his hands-on experience, he creates training plans that put emotional regulation and unmet needs at the forefront.

 Rosiestailtraining.com