In this episode of The Yappy Hour, host Nathan Dunleavy chats with Dr. Sophie Bell from Animal Love Pet First Aid about essential pet first aid skills, reducing vet visit stress, and how accessible pet education can empower dog guardians and professionals alike.

Welcome to the Yappy Hour, powered

by Yappily, the podcast for dog

2

lovers who want to deepen their

understanding of their pets and

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provide the best care possible.

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I'm your host, Nathan Dunleavy,

and in today's episode, I'm

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joined by the amazing Dr.

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Sophie Bell, a vet and the founder of

Animal Love Pet First Aid, Sophie is

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on a mission to empower pet parents

and professionals with the skills

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they need to handle emergencies and

care for their animals confidently.

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We also talk about the importance

of early desensitization to the vet.

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environment which is a game

changer for your dog's well being.

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Whether you're a new dog parent or

a seasoned pro, you'll come away

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with valuable tips and insights

that you can use right away.

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So let's dive in.

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Grab a cup of tea, settle in.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Hello, and welcome back to The

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Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily.

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I'm your host, Nathan Dunlevy, and

I'm so excited to bring you our

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next episode, even more excited that

we've got our ver our very first

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vet joining us as our guest today.

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So.

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Sophie Bell from Animal Love

Pet First Aid is our guest.

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And as I say, she's our first vet.

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So I'm so excited to have a chat

with her and bring you lots of

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expertise and useful information.

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So without further ado Sophie.

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Welcome to the Yappy Hour.

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It's such a pleasure

to have you here today.

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How are you doing?

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Sophie: I'm really well, Nathan.

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Thank you for having me on.

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It's lovely to be here.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Brilliant.

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Great to have you with us.

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So just for our listeners or those

that may not know you yet, can you

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just share a little bit about your

journey as a vet and how you came

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to start Animal Love Pet First Aid?

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Sophie: Sure.

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Yeah, I can.

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So I had a really funny

journey into all of it.

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I started off as a musician in life.

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Would you believe it?

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So

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: okay.

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Sophie: didn't do the whole go to school,

go to college, go, go to university.

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I had a very, very diverse lifestyle.

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And then when I finally grew up, the

first day growing up, I went, Sophie, you

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really need to actually get an actual job.

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But being a musician was a job and it

really is, but I needed to get a more.

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I had a stable career, and I knew from

the age of six that I wanted to be a

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vet, and I was in the right space, I

did, but I was never, you know what it's

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like, kids get told at school, you're

not good enough, you can't, you're not

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clever enough and then when I finished

school, I kind of had those doubts and

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thought, yeah, I'm not in the mood for it.

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So, yeah.

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Studying further.

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And my parents were really great.

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They were like, if you want

to pursue me music career, go.

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So I left home and disappeared off to

London, had a music career for well,

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about five years and then went back.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

right, okay.

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Sophie: So, so that's

kind of how it started.

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So I didn't go for the normal, you know,

one type of education after another.

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That's why I always say to people,

you know, it's never too late.

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You know, I, when I was at vet

school, I had people in their

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mid fifties learning to be vets.

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Absolutely.

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Yeah.

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So it's never too late.

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So I think that's an important

point for anyone thinking, Oh, I'd

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love to go and pursue something

that I always wanted to do.

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So I went and did that.

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And then it was a very random

conversation one day where I was in

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my garden of the house I'm in now.

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And my mum said to me, so if you work

so hard and I did, I thought 40, 40

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night shifts in a row was normal.

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You know, that was a real,

yeah, I know it's gross, right?

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But I thought that was normal.

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And she said to me, you know, you're a

real workaholic and you're away a lot.

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I was away a lot.

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And she said, can't you do something

else with animals where you can

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still work as a vet, but less

hours and do something from home?

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So I qualified to become a dog groomer.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh

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Sophie: And

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: okay.

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Sophie: I know my life is so random and

then, and it was, it was a fantastic

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career path for me because I had that

mixture of still being with the animals,

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but I could do some of it from home.

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Don't get me wrong.

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Being a dog groomer is just

as challenging as being a vet.

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They're all are all these pet

professionals that you have a, you

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know, a tough time, you know, at times.

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And when I was on my dog grooming

training, the lady that I learned

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with said to me you're a vet.

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Could you maybe teach us a

bit more about first aid?

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Because.

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There's, you know, the

curriculum was quite basic and

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she said, I want to learn more.

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I want our students to learn more.

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And then I thought, there's something in

this, you know, there's, you're right.

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There's a lot that people could learn.

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There's a lot that people could do

to help their pets and ultimately

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that's what I do as a vet.

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So why not pass knowledge across?

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

absolutely.

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Sophie: started teaching and I remember

my first, my first gig, so to speak,

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I think it was three people in a

dingy little room in Southampton.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, it's where I'm from!

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Sophie: How is it?

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Yeah, cause I used to work as a

vet there, but yeah, it's great.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

where I am now in Southampton!

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What are the chances?

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Yes!

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Sophie: Yes.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

hometown!

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Sophie: Well, so it was easy for me

because I, I worked in Southampton anyway,

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and then I had a friend sort of say,

do you want to use this little room?

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And I was like, yeah, okay.

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Gathered about three or

four people together.

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Probably didn't do anything half

as near as what I teach now, but

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they seemed really enthusiastic.

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And a few of them said, Oh, you know,

I'd love it if, you know, I can come

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back in three years time and redo it.

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By the time they came back in

three years time, you know, it

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wasn't a three hour course anymore.

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It was a seven hour day.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh, wow.

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Sophie: and so.

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I've just gone from there.

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I've added additional courses

about additional topics

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes,

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Sophie: like I'm the middle man.

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Yeah,

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: okay,

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Sophie: I'm the middle man,

you know, so that's right.

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So you've got the, the CPD that's

aimed at vets and, you know, the

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sort of veterinary professionals,

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: the

high end stuff like really intense?

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Sophie: the really intense stuff.

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And then I like to be in the middle

where I'm bringing that information

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to pet professionals and pet owners

in a way they can understand.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yes.

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Sophie: So that's my thing.

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It is.

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And I think a lot of them say, what we

need is it explained in a way that we

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understand and also practical, you know,

what's the useful stuff we can take.

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So that's where it all developed.

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And that's been about what, over

10 years, I'd say I've probably

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh wow,

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Sophie: So it's been, I know, and I still

play music and I still work as a vet.

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All of it going on.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: so

you're doing, yeah, you're doing sort

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of everything because, well, they're,

they're clearly all your passions.

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Your face lights up when

you're talking about it.

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So, you've been on a journey.

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I love, I love a bit of a story and

an interesting background like that.

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and yeah, I live in Southampton.

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Born and bred in Southampton.

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So that was that was a nice little

sort of, segue into there that

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you started off there as well.

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And yeah.

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So you're still doing

some vet stuff, like in

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Sophie: Yeah, yeah, I am.

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I'm not quite doing 40 nights in

a row anymore because obviously I

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realised that I was really full.

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And I always say, oh, I work part time

as a vet, but you know, most weeks

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I probably do 30 hours in clinic.

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But to me, I was thinking,

that's part time.

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Because.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

still full on.

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Sophie: It is full on.

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But I love it.

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And I think what's happened now, because

I'm not doing silly things like 80

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hours or 90 hours purely in vet work,

the passion is really high for me.

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So when I work with clients, they get

110 percent of me because, you know,

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Mmm.

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Sophie: time off where I'm teaching and

then the time back where I'm actually

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putting my skills to use in, and I

don't get that burnout feeling, which

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I think I would have got to by now.

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So.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: have.

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Yeah, it's

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Sophie: so.

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I see colleagues that are, you know,

burnt out and I don't blame them is it?

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There's a lot in the vet.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

fatigue, I'd imagine as well, which

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a lot of pet professionals will.

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Vets definitely probably suffer

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Sophie: Yeah.

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And

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: know,

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Sophie: that's just something, it is.

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And it's something I never

wanted to see in myself.

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So the balance I have now means

that I never feel that way.

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You know, always very

compassionate every time I work.

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Cause I think our pets,

you know, they need us.

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And so what they need is a vet.

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tell them funny stories, kiss them, cuddle

them, because I have a really soppy hair.

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But I need to do that, because for me,

I think, I want you to think that I'm

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here to be really caring, even though

I'm stabbing a needle in you right now.

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I want you to think I'm

doing it out of kindness.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: So

I mean, where are you in practice?

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Is it like a first opinion vets?

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Is that, where's that to?

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Sophie: Yeah, so I do a mixture of

days and I do a mixture of nights.

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So I do dates locally and then I

do nights right over in Berkshire.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Okay.

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Sophie: and I keep that mix going because

at night I see mainly the big emergencies

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and during the day, more of the routine.

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So it keeps that nice balance of Yeah,

yeah, you've got to keep your skills up,

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you know, and it's something I trained

hard for, and it's something that I love.

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And so I think I couldn't just commit

to one area and say, right, all I'm

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going to do is keep teaching everywhere.

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You know, I think it's

nice to have the mix.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

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And do you then like, I've got to

ask you what your, what your musical

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side is, because I've got visions

of you either singing a song or

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playing an instrument to the pet.

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Sophie: Oh gosh, I'm

always, oh, I'm singing.

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I always sing.

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It's quite funny actually.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

It's great for the soul.

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Oh.

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Sophie: is.

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So I used to gig a lot.

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I mean, I don't so much now

since having my children.

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I might just pick up the guitar

at home and do a few bits.

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My, my dream was to be

an actual rock star.

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You know, I wanted to smash a guitar

up on stage, but the reality is I

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sing more like a country singer.

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So, which was always

my annoyance as a kid.

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I'd be like, no, I don't want this.

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You don't want to be up

there, like going for it.

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And they'd be like, no, no, really,

you know, you're kind of more like.

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Dolly Parton kind of

genre and I'm like, oh,

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

your case.

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You're working nine to

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Sophie: No

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

or something.

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Oh, brilliant.

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Oh, I love that.

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Thank you.

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Thank you, Sophie, for telling us a

little bit about about your journey.

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I love where there's a

great story behind it.

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So just moving on to our next question.

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Why do you think it's so important for

pet parents, not just professionals to

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learn about first aid for their animals?

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Sophie: You know, it's funny because

when you go on a course I always ask

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at the beginning who's here as a pet

owner Obviously most of them are pet

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owners and pet professionals, but who's

here purely as a pet owner And I would

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say probably it's always 20 or less

that are there as pet owners When you

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ask people about it or people say well

you teach first aid They're like but

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that's what the vet's there for And I

always say to them Yeah, but the vet's

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not going to be next to your side if

okay, something extreme like CPR is very

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unusual for people to have to do that.

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So that's probably a poor example.

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There's something like picking

up the lip of your dog and

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checking the color of their gums,

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

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Sophie: knowing what that.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

refill test.

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Sophie: yeah, that as well.

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And knowing that simple, how

to do that basic clinical exam.

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It doesn't have to be, you

know, and what it means.

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And there isn't, you know, often

owners only present the dog or cat

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or whatever pet it is to the vet

when it looks really ill and they

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don't pick up the subtle signs.

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And sometimes I think, Oh my gosh,

if only you'd come four weeks ago,

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this would be a different story.

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You know, or three hours ago or whatever.

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And so, you know, it's what I always

say that that cliche, but knowledge is

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power and, and it's protective, isn't it?

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Because people don't, when I'm there

saying to them, do you know your

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dog's got a massive internal bleed?

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And it doesn't need to be due to trauma

and they cannot take that information in

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because it's horrendous news and we're

fighting for a life or we're putting a

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pet to sleep and they can't take that in.

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And something that I teach on the courses.

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You'll pick stuff like that up by three

simple ways of looking at your dog.

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You'll be like, this is really serious.

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That's what I think people need that

to understand what they're dealing

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with rather than, okay, the dog's

got, you know, a bit of a bleed

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on its leg and most people have

the common sense to stem a bleed.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.

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Sophie: deeper than that.

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People don't know that, you know, a

certain type of stretch might mean

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actually that dog's in pain or this

style of breathing is not right, you

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know, and just make them appreciate

what is wrong and picking it up.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes,

well, we do it for ourselves as humans,

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like, you know, most humans are first

aid trained and you, you live with your

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partner, your husband, your wife, and

you know, you, you know, some basics,

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but you know, why not do, why not

transfer that to your animals, your

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pets and learn, you know, about animal

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Sophie: Yeah, I think that's it, isn't it?

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And I like to incorporate in my

first aid course is just lots of

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health tips as well and discuss them.

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hot topics like neutering and

vaccinations and should I, shouldn't

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I, what's the, you know, and all those.

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And I will, I'll go in head first

and think, I know that some of these

300

are really controversial topics.

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Let's talk about it.

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What, what's your, you know, and

so I like to do that 'cause it's

303

important that people know the

latest information that's going on.

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You know, I like to arm people

with good information so they

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can make informed decisions.

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Because, you know, the pet is,

they're, they're, they're the

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voice, aren't they of the pet.

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And so they've got to

know all of these things.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, that's brilliant.

310

Thank you.

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We're going to move on to our next

section is around the importance of pet

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first aid for owners and professionals.

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So we touched on it obviously a bit there

in the previous question, but just to sort

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of delve into that a little bit more now.

315

Sophie, what are some of the most

common pet emergencies you've,

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you've encountered as a vet?

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And how can first aid training help

owners respond better in those situations?

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Sophie: So it's funny,

things change over time.

319

Take me back, oh, 10 years ago and I

would have said that if I was working

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night, I would see a lot of bloat cases.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.

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Sophie: see any now.

323

The last one I saw was about

six and a half years ago.

324

So I know, I don't ask why and I'm

glad about that and touching wood

325

right here and there as I'm saying it.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Don't.

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Sophie: work a couple of nights soon and

like, don't, don't jinx yourself, Sophie.

328

And I would say probably, definitely

the internal bleed, like I said.

329

So usually that's due to a mass on the

spleen and it's a very silent growth.

330

And I, you know, last night shift

I worked, I saw two in one night.

331

So that puts that into perspective

as to how common that is.

332

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.

333

Sophie: I guess other kind of

emergencies but much easier for owners

334

to appreciate are things like we

see a lot of vomiting and diarrhea,

335

but bloody, horrible sort of bloody,

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

337

Sophie: which is horrid as well.

338

I see a fair amount of heart disease

where, you know, the dog's actually

339

gone into heart failure as well, and

an owner hasn't really appreciated

340

that the breathing is really wrong and

I've actually mistaken it and thought

341

that the dog has had, has kennel cough.

342

So I see that a fair amount.

343

Yeah.

344

And then I guess then it's just

your usual kind of, you know, wounds

345

and cuts and things like that.

346

A lot of diseases though, that I see, as

I said before, I always think, Oh my gosh,

347

I wish that you'd recognize something.

348

was off.

349

And as I say in every first day course,

and I've already said it on here, the one

350

thing you do with your dog is lift the lip

and appreciate the color of their gums.

351

Those gums will tell you so much.

352

And you know, you'll know if it's

something horrible, autoimmune, the dog

353

will be starting to look pale before

you notice symptoms of them being ill.

354

So you're likely to have them

treated two to three weeks before you

355

actually, they find them collapsed.

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

357

Sophie: just little things and it

doesn't take a long time to know.

358

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: so

with that test, it's, isn't it like

359

you press on it and then it has to

fill back up with blood or go back pink

360

Sophie: Yeah, so

361

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Mmm.

362

Sophie: that's right.

363

So you'll think so there's two

things really the gum color.

364

So just the general color

is really, really important.

365

It should be salmon pink and

the gum should feel slippery

366

and wet when you touch them.

367

The capillary refill time, like

you say, you push hard on the

368

gum and within two seconds.

369

back.

370

I know, I know.

371

Don't I know.

372

I keep holding.

373

I'm trying to keep my hand down by

my side so I don't push my own gums.

374

I do it when I'm teaching as well.

375

I'm like, you do.

376

And I'm thinking, I don't know if

everyone wants to see my, my mouth.

377

But

378

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I

used to tell people that when I did

379

puppy classes though, part of like

grooming your puppy and obviously things

380

to check over like ticks and lumps

and bumps, I used to demonstrate the

381

Sophie: yeah,

382

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

root ball test.

383

Sophie: do it.

384

And actually one thing you were saying

about four, you know, when you're

385

saying about common emergencies, it's

not an emergency, but a common thing

386

that I see a lot of now that's so

underappreciated is dogs with dementia

387

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh,

388

Sophie: Big time.

389

And people just think it's part of

getting old, but there's lots we can do.

390

Or they think that perhaps they're in

pain because it can look very similar.

391

It gets often left for a long time

before someone will come to the vet.

392

And I think it's because the fear

of that there isn't anything that

393

can be done to help and they're

going to have to put them to sleep.

394

You tell them there are things, there's

a lot of things we can do, we really

395

can make them start to come back in

the room, you know, feel a bit better.

396

But by that stage, owners are often

exhausted because these dogs with dementia

397

can be up all night howling and pacing.

398

And

399

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: gosh.

400

Sophie: I know, although it's not

an emergency as such, I think it's

401

really underappreciated by owners

that, you know, it happens and there's

402

stuff we can do, but get in early.

403

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

getting early and it's all about

404

those early signs, isn't it, again?

405

Sophie: It is.

406

It really is.

407

And I think if you can pick up on it

quickly, we can start things to really

408

enhance their kind of brain activity and

help them and, you know, actually there's

409

things you can do before they even develop

dementia, even something simple like put

410

a bit of kale in their food every day.

411

You know, it's a great antioxidant

and it will help preserve.

412

So,

413

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: know.

414

Sophie: you know, get them doing

lots of sniffing games, brain

415

activities like we would as a

human, you know, anything like that.

416

And you'll preserve their

mental state anyway.

417

So there's loads of stuff you can learn.

418

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

really big on enrichment and getting

419

the dog using their nose really good

for brain and mental stimulation

420

Sophie: It's so good, isn't it?

421

And it helps with relaxation as well.

422

Like,

423

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Helps promote calmness, relaxation.

424

Yeah.

425

Brilliant.

426

Sophie: feel sleepy, even though,

you know, people always think to

427

make their dog feel tired, you've got

to go on a, you know, 20 mile walk.

428

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I know.

429

Sophie: And you don't, you know.

430

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: 20

minutes sniffing is just the same as a 60

431

minute outdoor walk in terms of brain and

432

Sophie: Yeah,

433

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

stimulation.

434

So,

435

Sophie: it is.

436

And it's important to mix the both.

437

And I think, you know, it's, it's nice

to have a dog being able to do both of

438

those things because it's important.

439

Their mental wellbeing

is incredibly important.

440

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

definitely.

441

Oh, and if that can help with,

you know, the whole dementia

442

thing as well, then yeah, why not?

443

Sophie: Trust me, Nathan, I put kale

in my food nearly every single day.

444

Like, I eat it like a mad woman.

445

Cause I'm like trying to

keep my brain cells alive.

446

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

keep it, keep it going, keep

447

it top, get yourself topped up.

448

Why do you think that pet

first aid has historically been

449

seen as a professional skill?

450

And how do we change that

mindset for pet parents?

451

I

452

Sophie: hard, isn't it?

453

I think firstly a lot of parents are not

even aware that there's such a thing.

454

You know, people ask me sometimes,

Oh, what do you do for a living?

455

And I say, I'm a vet, but I

also do, I teach and I teach.

456

Then they say, Oh, what'd you teach?

457

And I'll say, you know,

first aid pet first aid.

458

They're absolutely astounded.

459

What really?

460

So like, you know, would you

teach something like the Heimlich

461

maneuver if they were choking?

462

Yeah, I do.

463

And they can't actually

believe that it's a thing.

464

So I think firstly, it's a.

465

are not knowing.

466

They just don't know that it exists, so

they probably don't go looking for it.

467

And I think there's always that classic

of, we've got our vet to do that.

468

So why do we need to know this?

469

And it's that same age old thing.

470

You know, I've seen it, not specifically

for myself, but some colleagues who

471

also teach first aid because there's

some wonderful instructors out there.

472

And I've seen, you know, they've made a

post and somebody's written on there, you

473

know, this, this, that's my vet's job.

474

Why would I want to do this?

475

And it's a It's a weird mentality because

I just think, trust me, your vet's not

476

going to be there when your dog's choking.

477

It's not going to happen.

478

It is.

479

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: it?

480

So I think it comes back to

raising awareness and it's all

481

about owner education isn't it?

482

Sophie: And I have to say, as I've

gone along, I find I work out of many

483

different venues now and this last

12 months, as I said to you, usually

484

less than 20 percent are pet owners.

485

I've been to a few courses

where only two out of 20 people

486

are actual pet professionals.

487

So I have seen the opposite and that's,

488

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

a bit of a shift going.

489

Sophie: been more of a shift.

490

I think there's been more people

taking it than ever before.

491

In comparison, you know, there's

been that usually it's always pet

492

professionals, but now as I say, I do

some courses and I'm like, wow, the

493

show of hands is more for the pet.

494

Pet owners.

495

And that, that surprises me.

496

So that's good news.

497

And I guess all we can do is just

keep spreading the word and, you know,

498

perhaps people that are professionals

in their sort of, you know, advertising

499

their services and showing that their

pet first aid trained and they, you

500

know, share their certificates with

their, their followers and owners

501

that then that might encourage

owners to say, Oh, well, hang on.

502

What's that then?

503

I'd quite like to learn that.

504

So yeah, I think it will get better.

505

Yeah.

506

So

507

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: on

that, making, showcasing that you've done

508

it and it, you know, as a professional,

it kind of sets you apart and, you

509

know, as an owner as well, it's a

great thing to obviously know about.

510

What would be the one skill or technique

that you think every dog parent

511

should know in case of an emergency?

512

Sophie: it's hard really, because

Obviously, I was teached how to give CPR,

513

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

514

Sophie: but then I've, out of all

the people I've taught, I've probably

515

only had about three people ever that

have had to perform CPR on a dog.

516

So it's a very rare occurrence.

517

So although it's useful to learn, my

worry is, and I always say to people

518

on a course, what I want you to do is

on a rainy Sunday afternoon, I want you

519

to dig out this information that I've

given you and I want you to practice

520

it because otherwise you'll forget.

521

And you know, if you're only, you

know, you won't be able to do it

522

because none of us can remember

what someone told us two years ago.

523

to that extent.

524

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: exactly.

525

Sophie: I think helping with

choking actually, because I do see

526

a fair amount of choking cases.

527

And I think people think quick, get them

in the back of the car and get them to the

528

vets and they'll get the, the item out.

529

You haven't got time for that.

530

So I think for a real emergency, I'd

say choking was the one that they

531

really, and often if you get the item

out, you don't have to give CPR anyway.

532

So that would be the thing that I

would say would be the most useful.

533

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

534

I'd imagine just have to be careful

with, with the shark teeth and

535

going, trying to get it, fish it out.

536

Sophie: Yes.

537

Yeah.

538

Well, actually you saying that as well,

not really, but I was just thinking the

539

other thing that would be very useful

for owners is how to manage a seizure

540

because that gets managed really badly.

541

Sometimes people do things like, Oh,

I've wrapped them up and kept them warm.

542

I mean, if anything, a seizure

obviously causes the dog to overheat

543

and we need to cool them down.

544

So, and also learning more about

heat stroke because there's so much

545

misinformation and it moves on and check.

546

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

547

Sophie: It

548

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

changes a lot.

549

Sophie: does.

550

So little things like that, that

I think will be the difference

551

between life and death.

552

And actually, the more, the more I

think of it, there's loads of these

553

things that are very useful for people.

554

So it's hard to pinpoint one.

555

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: we

need a whole sort of manual or something,

556

you know, just the common things.

557

Perfect.

558

Brilliant.

559

Thank you so much for that.

560

We're going to move on

to early desensitization.

561

Now that's a big word.

562

So early desensitization to the vet.

563

environment you know, particularly

obviously when you know, the dogs are

564

young why it's important that they get

used to obviously going to the vets.

565

We don't, don't always want it

just to be that they're going

566

to the vets for something bad

567

Sophie: No.

568

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

associate with bad.

569

I used to say to my puppy clients when

I was teaching one to one in classes,

570

I'll, you know, just take them into the

vets once a week, get the receptionist,

571

give them a treat, you know, let.

572

Go in once a week, twice a

month, just build up that.

573

So they don't just associate that

they're going to go in and get

574

like with a needle or, or whatever.

575

So I was really big on sort of you

know, sort of mentioned that to

576

puppy owners, but in terms of like

the dogs that are fearful when.

577

Of, because they're visiting the

vet which can, which can make

578

routine checkups really stressful.

579

Why do you feel early desensitization

to the vet environment is important?

580

Sophie?

581

Sophie: Well, it is really

for the reasons like you said.

582

Now, the trouble is, I think sometimes in

the veterinary world, there's so many time

583

constraints and things are very rough.

584

Now, I'm quite fortunate because

in both clinics I'm in, I have the

585

option to leave something for longer,

you know, say I want a longer gap or

586

because I'm the only vet there as well.

587

I can do things like, for example, I

had a German shepherd in the other week

588

about five years old that apparently

the vet, you can't get near it because,

589

you know, they've had to kind of muzzle

it and people about four people holding

590

it and and he was in for an injection.

591

So I'm really fortunate.

592

We had the conversation of, right, let's

not do this in the consulting room.

593

Let's do it in the waiting room because we

can shut the door, no one else is due in.

594

We've got quite cosy, sort

of comfy chairs in there.

595

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

more space

596

Sophie: More space.

597

He can go off lead and explore.

598

You know, he hasn't got to

just be held in one position.

599

And I think.

600

Probably about 25 minutes of just having

a general chat with the owner, calling

601

the dog down, getting him to sit, give me

a paw or, or not, and give him a treat.

602

And he probably had about

50 treats in that time.

603

You know, that dog was amazing.

604

That muzzle didn't go on once.

605

He didn't grumble.

606

He, I like literally was did one thing

like, oh, show, give me a paw because

607

I needed to check his foot anyway.

608

He gave me that foot.

609

I was able to have a look.

610

I was able to do his listen to his heart.

611

I was able to then give him his injection

and the owners, I mean, I thought.

612

The female owner was going to cry

because she's like we have had us,

613

we've been cancelled this appointment

over and over and over because we

614

were the sort of new vet to see them.

615

They'd come over from another,

from, from the States.

616

And apparently every single visit had been

so stressful that it was just too much.

617

I didn't have all of

that information before.

618

I didn't realize, but I

could tell they were worried.

619

And I just said to them, so like

you said, each week come in.

620

Come in usually like lunchtime.

621

We'll usually have a space

between here and here.

622

I'll come out, sit with him again, do all

of this again, not give him any injection.

623

And give it time.

624

And okay, if we have to use the

muzzle, we know we've got it there.

625

And there's nothing wrong with

having to use a muzzle to protect it.

626

But what I didn't want is everyone

having to hold him really tight.

627

And, you know, it's too much.

628

And so I agree with you

that desensitization from

629

an early age is important.

630

And also being honest with

the vet about the anxiety.

631

You know, I do a lot of things where

I say, but you know what, let me come

632

out and examine him in the car park.

633

Let me come and examine

him in the boot of the car.

634

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

that, yeah.

635

Sophie: It's that environment, you

know, sometimes or just little things

636

like cutting nails, you know, dogs

that can't have their nails cut.

637

You know, I pick the dog up,

obviously if it's small enough

638

to, and I dance around with it.

639

And often if I'm dancing and

singing, I think they're all more

640

like, Who is this crazy person?

641

And I cut a nail each time as I go

along and just bob them like a baby.

642

And

643

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: great.

644

Sophie: using Lickymats, I use

loads of Lickymats, you know,

645

distraction and positivity.

646

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,

647

Sophie: I'm in clinics where

I can do that and say, I know

648

this animal is really anxious.

649

So we need to leave half

an hour, not 15 minutes.

650

We need to do everything slowly.

651

You know, do one thing, like listen to the

heart and then five minutes of playing.

652

And then one other thing, like,

you know, look at his mouth and

653

then five minutes of playing.

654

So it is, so as an owner, you

then have to take that response.

655

For those of you who say we

don't always have that time.

656

So like you say, popping in, getting

reception to give them a treat.

657

Is there a quiet time where they can

just walk into the consulting room, even

658

sit the dog down, give them a treat.

659

If the dog likes to be on the floor

to be examined, tell your vet.

660

I think most dogs like to be

on the floor to be examined.

661

So you don't need to go in

and put them on the table.

662

You know, just anything

that your dog enjoys.

663

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: good.

664

One of mine doesn't like going

off on the table and that's

665

ever since she was spayed.

666

So, you know.

667

to just, and it's the same, I

think, for the groomers as well.

668

But you go onto that table, but if

you can, if you've got a vet that

669

understands that, and you're able to

do it on the floor, then, you know,

670

it's going to cause less stress.

671

Sophie: Yeah, and I think that's

what you, I always say to Fiona,

672

what do they prefer, floor or table?

673

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

That's really nice.

674

Oh,

675

Sophie: my knees are usually

broken by the end of the day.

676

So I need one of those gardening

pads for my brother's floor.

677

Yeah,

678

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: God.

679

Oh, get you exercising for the day.

680

I think we've sort of touched on

this a little bit, but are there any

681

other practical steps that that pet

parents can take to help their dogs

682

feel more comfortable with vet visits?

683

Sophie: I think, like we've mentioned

before, with just going and, and, and

684

being in there and even little things.

685

In fact, what we didn't say is that

every time it's been going in there

686

and just going and getting a treat

coming out, but sometimes even just

687

sat, sat in the waiting room, just

sat there like down with their dog,

688

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

the world go by.

689

Sophie: watching the world go by and then

realizing, Oh no, I'm not going in today.

690

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

You said about let, when it was

691

safe to do, so letting them off

and sniff, because obviously the

692

Sophie: yeah.

693

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: help

bring their arousal down, help calm.

694

You know,

695

Sophie: Oh, it really does.

696

And it's just trying to get that.

697

And there are usually times where it is.

698

less hectic.

699

So it's about sort of saying, is there

a less busy time rather than sort of

700

six o'clock when usually, you know, five

till seven is a bit of a crazy time.

701

I usually say to owners, if

they're anxious, could you do it?

702

Like, you know, midday come in

because usually it's quieter.

703

And I think the more you go, the less.

704

stress they become.

705

But equally as well, it's like that

with most things, like, you know, I

706

notice people with muzzles, they just

go all out and put the muzzle straight

707

on the dog, you know, that takes time.

708

Using a buster collar, that takes time.

709

Anything that you can do, and anything

you can do in pre empting the problem.

710

So things like If you know that

you're going to get your dog muted

711

or they need surgery, start getting

them used to the Buster Cullen now.

712

Get it so that they have the operation.

713

And then they come out

with this great big cone.

714

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, scary big cone

715

Sophie: Exactly, exactly.

716

And I was like, just try and grip.

717

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: it?

718

It's not it's not rocket science, is

it but you wouldn't even think to do

719

Sophie: No,

720

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

until you've just said

721

Sophie: no, and you don't.

722

And it's little things like I

say to cat owners, don't keep

723

your cat basket in the garage.

724

Keep your cat basket somewhere where

the cat can walk in and out of it.

725

Otherwise, every time you go

out, they're like, oh, no vets.

726

You know, try to make it like just

a normal part of the furniture.

727

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: And

if it's there obviously like you say

728

it's desensitizing because normally

i've heard like, instances where

729

obviously it's come out and the cat's

seen it and they've disappeared and

730

then they've missed the vet appointment

731

Sophie: I get that a lot.

732

I get

733

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I used,

734

Sophie: that a lot.

735

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I used

to work in a vet's on reception so I

736

Sophie: you?

737

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah I

used to work in a vet's on reception for a

738

while and yeah you hear all those stories.

739

Sophie: Oh my gosh, you really do.

740

And cats are clever, you know.

741

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

They are so promiscuous.

742

Sophie: They are.

743

I

744

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Brilliant.

745

As a vet what changes or adjustments

do you think clinics could make to, to

746

create a more dog friendly experience?

747

Sophie: think sometimes we have to give

in with those that are really anxious.

748

And I think that we're better off

prescribing anti anxieties to be

749

used before they come to the clinic.

750

Once we've reached that point, I think

we need to give something to help

751

them feel better when they're there.

752

I think, you know, trying to maybe have

more components to the waiting rooms that

753

if you have got more anxious dogs, is

there a separate area that they can go

754

into away from some of the other dogs?

755

Usually it's all space dependent,

756

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: it

757

Sophie: and it's so hard to

have these, but you would.

758

I mean, crikey, if I ran a clinic,

it's probably what I would do.

759

I'd have a waiting room, I'd probably,

you know, go all out and have like

760

a soft play for dogs in there.

761

Oh

762

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Not just for kids, for the dogs.

763

Sophie: no, kids would be

banned from it, just the dogs.

764

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

yeah, it's, at one of the specialist

765

hospitals I've been to, you

probably know it, Anderson Moores,

766

Sophie: Yes, yeah

767

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

sort of Otterbourne way,

768

Sophie: yeah.

769

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

they have a, they have a cat area,

770

Sophie: Yes.

771

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

it's separate from the

772

dog area, and I like that

773

Sophie: Yeah.

774

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: cat can

be put on, on the, on the shelf, on the

775

Sophie: Yeah.

776

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: cat

area and it's labeled as a cat area.

777

And then I think there's covers as well.

778

They say, Oh,

779

Sophie: Yes.

780

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

to cover the cat, but I really liked

781

the idea of like, if there is space,

like, you know, there is an area for

782

dogs that are a bit more sensitive

and anxious and nervous of other dogs.

783

Sophie: Yeah.

784

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

there's an area there.

785

I know a lot of them do sort of like,

say, I'll wait in the car and then

786

we'll, and then it's like a military

operation waiting for the other dog to

787

leave and then they let their, oh they

let him in through the back door as well.

788

That's another option we used

789

Sophie: Yeah.

790

That's a good thing as well.

791

And luckily I say because where I

am, I can have it just one in one

792

out so I can kind of control that.

793

But when you're in a

busy place, you're right.

794

And it just All the dogs feed off each

other and they all start to get wound

795

up and you know, and we can't help it.

796

I mean, I've got two dog reactive dogs.

797

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Ah.

798

Sophie: I know, well,

799

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

me, I've got a few.

800

Sophie: well, mine are clearly going to be

dog reactive because it's two chihuahuas.

801

So they,

802

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, I've got three chihuahuas.

803

No, you haven't got

804

Sophie: I've got two,

805

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

got three.

806

Yeah, all mine are dog reactive.

807

Like, such a bad rep.

808

They're like, they're just

809

Sophie: Oh, but they're cute.

810

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

full of character and they're

811

Sophie: They are.

812

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Personality, or is that, I say it's

813

that Mexican in there, fiery and

814

Sophie: They are.

815

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

like spicy.

816

Oh, you've got trails as well, so

817

Sophie: Yeah, I know.

818

I love them.

819

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

the converted here.

820

Sophie: Yeah.

821

No, they're lovely.

822

And the thing is, I always say to people,

you've got to imagine that, like, it's

823

like us standing next to T Rex every time

they, you know, yeah, it's really a big

824

old world when they're licking everything.

825

I don't know about yours, but once

mine have lost the kind of, oh, the

826

dog's not going to do anything, they're

then happy to hang out with them.

827

It's just that initial, I see another dog.

828

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

thing, isn't it?

829

Sophie: Yeah, they do.

830

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

back up in.

831

Sophie: Yeah.

832

If the dog ran off to

833

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: they,

834

Sophie: play, they'd cry.

835

Mine do, you know.

836

They

837

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

say, and I, I know I shouldn't because

838

I've got Rotweiler clients, but, and

I love rots, but I often say that

839

Chihuahuas think they're the rotweiler.

840

That they're big bravado.

841

Bravado and you know,

they can take on the world

842

Sophie: get called in the

veterinary world, Chihuahuas

843

get called the land sharks.

844

Oh gosh, I have to calm down.

845

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: 'cause

I run a course on canine body language.

846

You come to the slide where.

847

Oh, it's great.

848

You, you come to the slide on aggression

and then there's a chihuahua baring its

849

teeth and they just get such bad rep.

850

Sophie: They do, and they're

actually, mine are really nice.

851

They've got young kids as well.

852

And then they're great.

853

They just snuggle up with

the kids all the time.

854

They're more like cats sort of in a way.

855

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Snuggle buddies and we've got one

856

that will go, that will push her

bum into the smallest little area

857

she can get into to snuggle in.

858

Sophie: oh no, they are, they're lovely.

859

They are.

860

They're total lapdogs.

861

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

we could go off on a like a

862

whole episode on chihuahuas,

863

Sophie: Oh, we should do one.

864

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh,

I love that you've got chihuahuas.

865

Right, let's move on to education

for pet parents and professionals.

866

Obviously, this is going to highlight

you know, your courses and the

867

value of accessible pet education.

868

Your courses.

869

Reached so many pet parents and

professionals, but what inspired

870

you to bring pet first aid and care

training into the online space?

871

Sophie: So that's quite

an easy one, actually.

872

So, I was only ever visiting classroom

based courses, which I still do

873

as well, and a lady contacted me

and said to me, Would you ever

874

consider doing anything online?

875

Because I have really bad anxiety

in group situations, and so I don't

876

want to not learn, but I find it

really difficult being within a group.

877

And literally within that space of time,

I found I was getting more and more

878

requests for all sorts of different

things, like you know, different

879

neurodiversities that were causing

people to not have that attention span

880

or not want to be in that environment.

881

And suddenly when, you're right, there's

There's a need here and obviously

882

You probably know this yourself.

883

A lot of online courses, they

get really press like they're

884

not going to be up to scratch.

885

So what I decided when I started to

create online content was, yeah, my

886

courses are not going to do that.

887

Like these are going to be very visual.

888

They're all going to be narrated.

889

You know, you're going to be

sat there watching something

890

where you're really engaged.

891

I don't, I don't want you to, I

don't want you to go away thinking.

892

Oh, it's just not good

enough for what I need.

893

You know, the idea is it's like

being in a classroom with me.

894

And so that was really important

to me because I thought, and

895

you know, just a mixture.

896

And also in this day and age now, you

know, lots of people have busy lives.

897

They don't want to necessarily give up

their Sunday to go somewhere and learn.

898

You know, they'd rather

sit down and do it.

899

Yeah, do a few evenings a week, just

pottering through it at their own pace.

900

And also, you know, I

think it is a lot to learn.

901

I say to people, you know, long, long day.

902

For me, personally, I prefer

learning online, but that's because

903

I like to re go over something.

904

You know, I feel like I, I really need

to, you know, be like, What did they say?

905

Oh, let me listen to that again.

906

Whereas, you know, she came in.

907

Oh, sorry.

908

Oh my gosh.

909

I can imagine my partner and then

I'll go, don't this is my little

910

boy shouting chicken wing through.

911

Through an Alexa.

912

I'm sorry.

913

Well, no, it's both.

914

I'm

915

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

It's brilliant.

916

I thought it was like Siri

or someone talking to you.

917

Like my watch was going off

just as we started recording.

918

Siri started bloody talking to me.

919

Sophie: just saying it's

not what I'm going to do.

920

Unplug it.

921

In case.

922

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, bless you.

923

Sophie: They're going to start.

924

There you go.

925

It's unplugged.

926

So we don't have random six year

old children shouting in the

927

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Chicken wing!

928

Sophie: a chicken wing.

929

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

I do love a chicken wing,

930

Sophie: But yeah, so that

was my ideal idea for online.

931

People can rewatch things back.

932

I can deliver things like webinars

to more people as well, because some

933

people, for instance, this year, I'm

actually going to do a little, I'm

934

going to do a classroom, two classroom

courses in Scotland, and then I'm getting

935

the ferry over to Northern Ireland,

which I've never done this before.

936

There's a bit of ask,

but I'll come and teach.

937

And that's another reason for having a lot

of this online, because, I mean, I don't,

938

Don't have people from the UK either.

939

We have, you know, quite a few

in Australia and the States.

940

So again, it means that I can do that.

941

Well, we

942

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

943

Sophie: which I'm amazed.

944

Whenever I sort of like send out a

certificate or something, I think,

945

Oh my gosh, that's going to America.

946

You know, it's, it's a, it's

a great feeling that you know,

947

that some other people, you know,

clocked onto this and found you.

948

Cause it's a, you know what it's like.

949

It's a busy market space, isn't it?

950

For online training.

951

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.

952

Yeah, definitely.

953

Oh, brilliant.

954

So, how do your courses help owners to

feel more empowered and less overwhelmed

955

when it comes to their dog's health?

956

Sophie: So I think less overwhelmed.

957

Now, my two chihuahuas had

a little spat the other day.

958

Okay.

959

They have a little silly

sort of, it's nothing.

960

Basically, Huey tried to hump

Alan and Alan didn't want it.

961

Why would you?

962

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: you

said Alan earlier and I had to, like,

963

park it, but it's such a brilliant name.

964

Sophie: I know, and Alan's the

little underdog in our family.

965

I don't know if he does

it by choice really.

966

I think he likes to be a mummy's boy.

967

But anyway, this is, there

is a story behind this.

968

So basically, they had a little spat.

969

Huey fell on his side and I think he

winded himself a little bit, but you know,

970

he's two and a half kilos, he's tiny.

971

And it all seemed very dramatic.

972

Now, the most dramatic

person in that room was me.

973

I thought Huey had done something

major to his spine, so I pick him up.

974

I tell the children to say their goodbyes

because he's going to have to come with

975

me to the clinic and he might not survive.

976

Meanwhile, my partner Adam stood

there like, maybe we should

977

just give it a bit of time.

978

So, although I love as an owner to

think you have empowerment, equally,

979

we're so emotional about our pets.

980

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: are.

981

Sophie: And I think that, you know,

it's hard to, to not overreact because,

982

you know, actually it turned out he had

to sort of winded himself 15 minutes

983

later, you know, he's back to trying

to hump Alan again, so obviously just

984

took the wind out of his sails and I

really overreacted even though I've got.

985

Lots of knowledge, almost, you know,

just couldn't think it through.

986

So I think there's always that

normal, you know, there's nothing

987

wrong as an owner is sometimes to

have that kind of instant fear.

988

But then like I did, like my

partner, Adam said to me, sit there.

989

And just think it through.

990

And literally within about 60

seconds, I was like, you're right.

991

You're right.

992

He just, just took the

wind out of his sails.

993

He's not dying.

994

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Adam was the rational one in

995

being the voice of reason.

996

Sophie: That's what's

there for my children.

997

That's it.

998

Everyone can stop crying.

999

He's going to be fine.

00:41:32,246 --> 00:41:34,606

I mean, it was so dramatic.

00:41:35,316 --> 00:41:35,586

I was like,

00:41:35,611 --> 00:41:37,791

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

it's hard, you are, they're part,

00:41:37,801 --> 00:41:39,501

they're your family, aren't you?

00:41:39,511 --> 00:41:42,731

So, you know, you're emotionally

connected and invested.

00:41:43,566 --> 00:41:47,446

You know, I've had a situation where

we had to go into the out of hours with

00:41:47,446 --> 00:41:51,276

one of ours and they were like, you

know, it's, it's, it's touch and go.

00:41:51,286 --> 00:41:52,956

And to be told that,

00:41:53,376 --> 00:41:53,636

Sophie: yeah.

00:41:53,766 --> 00:41:55,366

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

never had to go through that before

00:41:55,366 --> 00:41:59,616

yet, luckily, but to be told that

it was like a stab in the heart.

00:41:59,636 --> 00:42:00,356

Sophie: Oh, it's horrible.

00:42:00,436 --> 00:42:02,836

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

literally bawled my eyes

00:42:02,836 --> 00:42:03,689

out because they were

00:42:03,901 --> 00:42:04,241

Sophie: Yeah,

00:42:04,246 --> 00:42:06,946

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: you may

have to, you better go in and say goodbye

00:42:06,976 --> 00:42:09,196

because it, you know, it's touching going.

00:42:09,236 --> 00:42:09,946

Oh my God.

00:42:09,946 --> 00:42:12,416

Yeah.

00:42:12,631 --> 00:42:15,591

Sophie: Actually, I know, even though

I'm a vet, I took him to a specialist.

00:42:15,661 --> 00:42:19,561

He had a problem with his eye and she

said to me, I think it could be cancer.

00:42:19,561 --> 00:42:22,281

And if it is, when we take that eye

out, we're going to put, he'll have

00:42:22,281 --> 00:42:23,541

to be put to sleep on the table.

00:42:23,571 --> 00:42:24,661

And I was having to do this.

00:42:24,751 --> 00:42:28,581

So I was in that, I've been in

that position and it is awful.

00:42:29,001 --> 00:42:32,481

But I think, you know, now the way

things that are going, you were

00:42:32,481 --> 00:42:36,331

saying about online courses, we have

online, obviously vets as well as

00:42:36,721 --> 00:42:38,401

they're doing video based calls.

00:42:38,621 --> 00:42:39,421

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.

00:42:39,751 --> 00:42:42,611

Sophie: is where this kind of knowledge

that you would learn with me really

00:42:42,611 --> 00:42:45,871

comes into play because instead of

doing the classic, which is what people

00:42:45,871 --> 00:42:48,451

do, you know, my dog is a bit off.

00:42:48,631 --> 00:42:50,331

He doesn't seem to be that keen to eat.

00:42:50,591 --> 00:42:52,721

You don't get any more

information usually.

00:42:53,171 --> 00:42:55,631

Whereas if you can say the heart

rates, this, the temperatures,

00:42:55,631 --> 00:42:57,971

this, the gums that like this,

this is how he's breathing.

00:42:58,041 --> 00:43:00,761

I've known, you know, I've thought about

what's happened over the last couple of

00:43:00,801 --> 00:43:05,941

days and you know, this, we went here,

we did this, anything relevant, you

00:43:05,941 --> 00:43:07,671

start to understand what's relevant.

00:43:07,691 --> 00:43:10,981

You start to realize what is not right.

00:43:11,421 --> 00:43:12,711

And that prompts you to.

00:43:13,646 --> 00:43:15,016

Get in contact with somebody.

00:43:15,386 --> 00:43:19,686

Whereas if you almost live in that bubble

of just not having any knowledge at all,

00:43:20,386 --> 00:43:24,346

things go very missed, you know, and and

they really, you know, they become missed.

00:43:24,536 --> 00:43:29,086

And then what was the simple

fix becomes very difficult.

00:43:29,216 --> 00:43:32,746

And you have potentially a dog that's not

going to make it who may well have done.

00:43:33,556 --> 00:43:36,806

So I think that's where

I like people to have.

00:43:37,151 --> 00:43:40,671

That level of knowledge and not just

for those bits as well, but things like

00:43:40,671 --> 00:43:45,931

when I teach courses all about canine

dementia, or oral and dental health, I

00:43:45,931 --> 00:43:49,491

do a course on, you know, how can you,

you know, what are you looking for?

00:43:49,491 --> 00:43:50,451

How can you improve things?

00:43:50,451 --> 00:43:52,061

What practical things can you do?

00:43:52,111 --> 00:43:54,751

Which the vet doesn't

get a chance to tell you.

00:43:55,431 --> 00:43:58,011

So I'm just going to bring

out a course on diabetes.

00:43:58,991 --> 00:44:01,721

And there'll be massive videos like

that of like, what can you do at home?

00:44:01,981 --> 00:44:04,701

And really, it's a three hour

consult I'd have with an owner

00:44:05,571 --> 00:44:06,811

that I just don't have the time to.

00:44:07,451 --> 00:44:11,411

Teaching them how to, you know,

test the urine, how to test the

00:44:11,411 --> 00:44:14,441

blood glucose, you know, how to body

condition score to make sure they're

00:44:14,441 --> 00:44:16,831

not losing muscle mass, you know.

00:44:17,161 --> 00:44:18,881

Why should you give the

insulin at this time?

00:44:18,881 --> 00:44:19,921

What symptoms are you looking for?

00:44:19,921 --> 00:44:22,141

What do you do if the the

blood sugars go too low?

00:44:22,681 --> 00:44:26,061

All the things that we cannot do

in a consult and I feel awful just

00:44:26,061 --> 00:44:29,291

handing out a bottle of insulin

and not much other information.

00:44:29,291 --> 00:44:30,021

So that's kind of

00:44:30,736 --> 00:44:31,276

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:44:32,601 --> 00:44:34,151

Sophie: the main, the main focus.

00:44:34,706 --> 00:44:35,496

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

definitely.

00:44:35,546 --> 00:44:38,026

And you were saying obviously

the, the use of online vets is,

00:44:38,096 --> 00:44:42,196

is quite useful, quite helpful to

bridge that gap as well, I suppose.

00:44:43,031 --> 00:44:47,391

Sophie: It is, and as I say, but what

they want is the more information,

00:44:47,451 --> 00:44:50,461

you know, it's it's hard for someone

to say on the phone or, you know,

00:44:51,611 --> 00:44:53,471

just a couple of very vague symptoms.

00:44:53,751 --> 00:44:56,871

You know, when people say my dog

hasn't eaten for two days, do you

00:44:56,871 --> 00:44:58,481

think they'll be okay till the morning?

00:44:59,141 --> 00:45:00,161

I have no idea.

00:45:00,161 --> 00:45:01,151

That tells me nothing.

00:45:01,161 --> 00:45:02,381

You know, I don't know.

00:45:02,511 --> 00:45:07,421

Whereas if it was a case of there's

this, there's this, you can make a more

00:45:07,421 --> 00:45:10,641

informed decision and say, actually,

yeah, that sounds like it could be this.

00:45:10,641 --> 00:45:13,991

It probably can actually wait till

the morning or that's very serious.

00:45:13,991 --> 00:45:15,571

We better see, better see you.

00:45:16,116 --> 00:45:16,386

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:45:16,386 --> 00:45:16,806

Get better.

00:45:16,836 --> 00:45:17,416

Get you in.

00:45:17,801 --> 00:45:18,291

Sophie: Yeah

00:45:18,396 --> 00:45:20,866

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

you have a favorite success story

00:45:20,996 --> 00:45:24,996

from someone who's taken your course

and applied what they've learned?

00:45:24,996 --> 00:45:29,766

I bet there's all sorts of stories you've

heard over the years and, and stuff.

00:45:30,231 --> 00:45:33,511

Sophie: so many, so many, but the

most, I thought you were going

00:45:33,511 --> 00:45:34,941

to say my favorite success story.

00:45:34,941 --> 00:45:35,541

I'll tell you mine.

00:45:35,551 --> 00:45:39,241

My favorite success story was a dog and

it's Willy stuck out for about an hour.

00:45:39,501 --> 00:45:41,111

He comes down to out of hours.

00:45:41,361 --> 00:45:43,761

I walk into the consulting

room, he takes one look at me

00:45:43,761 --> 00:45:45,111

and it shoots back in again.

00:45:47,071 --> 00:45:48,651

That's my favourite

success story as a vet.

00:45:49,681 --> 00:45:54,231

He saw my test and he went, but

I didn't know how to take that.

00:45:54,431 --> 00:45:56,071

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

to send it back on its way.

00:45:56,911 --> 00:45:59,571

Sophie: I was like, Oh, that's

quite insulting, isn't it?

00:45:59,601 --> 00:46:03,061

But then obviously the owner was very

pleased because it was fixed at no cost.

00:46:04,431 --> 00:46:05,531

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh God.

00:46:06,131 --> 00:46:08,841

Sophie: But success stories

with first aid was a lovely one

00:46:08,841 --> 00:46:09,851

actually, not very long ago.

00:46:10,071 --> 00:46:13,711

And I know well, she actually,

She runs a businesses like

00:46:13,891 --> 00:46:14,771

an animal business as well.

00:46:15,041 --> 00:46:16,281

So she'd come on a course to me.

00:46:16,301 --> 00:46:20,431

I remember it so specifically because

the course was the 23rd of October and

00:46:20,431 --> 00:46:22,151

she learned all the bits and pieces.

00:46:22,151 --> 00:46:26,501

And then on the 1st of November,

I have a message from her.

00:46:26,541 --> 00:46:29,281

And she said, I was out trick or

treating with my children last night.

00:46:29,621 --> 00:46:31,441

I also thought this would have

been quite funny to have it.

00:46:31,671 --> 00:46:34,301

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: already,

I don't know why, because I just want

00:46:36,451 --> 00:46:38,221

Sophie: This is quite

funny, but I'm too serious.

00:46:38,221 --> 00:46:39,271

But the dog survives.

00:46:39,271 --> 00:46:40,861

So she's out, she's trickle treating.

00:46:40,861 --> 00:46:42,451

She gets to an owner's house.

00:46:42,456 --> 00:46:45,511

The dog and the dog, the

woman speaking to her kids.

00:46:45,511 --> 00:46:46,921

You know, do you want

some sweets or whatever?

00:46:47,401 --> 00:46:49,921

And this lady spots the

dog really struggling.

00:46:49,921 --> 00:46:50,131

Okay?

00:46:50,131 --> 00:46:52,081

And she's like, oh my

gosh, that dog's choking.

00:46:52,081 --> 00:46:53,971

She pushes the woman out of the way.

00:46:53,971 --> 00:46:54,841

Who owns the house?

00:46:54,871 --> 00:46:56,881

I mean, the woman must have

been thinking, what is going on?

00:46:57,391 --> 00:46:59,131

She literally goes over to the dog.

00:46:59,131 --> 00:47:00,361

She performs a knit maneuver.

00:47:00,791 --> 00:47:01,641

nothing happens.

00:47:01,921 --> 00:47:05,101

She gets a dog on its back and does

something called external evacuation

00:47:05,101 --> 00:47:07,871

technique, which I treat, which is

teach, which is basically like a

00:47:08,131 --> 00:47:11,981

Heimlich maneuver on the neck and

out pops a knot from a rawhide.

00:47:12,581 --> 00:47:14,546

Dog is saved.

00:47:14,546 --> 00:47:17,361

And the woman's obviously

what they went to the vet.

00:47:17,361 --> 00:47:22,951

She went because the owner by this point

is like emotional because she didn't know

00:47:23,101 --> 00:47:25,111

and felt bad because she didn't realize.

00:47:26,186 --> 00:47:29,806

and equally obviously extremely grateful

that that particular situation happened

00:47:29,806 --> 00:47:33,896

and probably also have fear of why is this

lady pushing herself into my home because

00:47:33,896 --> 00:47:37,686

she didn't know her dog was struggling

she must be ready to call the police and

00:47:37,736 --> 00:47:40,946

and they've become really good friends

now these two women which is really great

00:47:40,956 --> 00:47:43,381

as well and dog was Absolutely fine.

00:47:43,381 --> 00:47:44,141

Went to the vets.

00:47:44,461 --> 00:47:47,401

They gave a little bit of pain relief

because they thought probably you know,

00:47:47,401 --> 00:47:51,716

caused a bit of yeah, like scratching

and things to the dog when that happened.

00:47:52,186 --> 00:47:54,166

And he's doing absolutely fine.

00:47:54,186 --> 00:47:57,516

And all rawhide has been chucked

in the bin, which is also a

00:47:57,516 --> 00:47:59,336

successful part of the story.

00:47:59,456 --> 00:48:00,196

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

where it should be.

00:48:00,246 --> 00:48:01,066

That's where it belongs.

00:48:01,066 --> 00:48:04,411

Yeah, yeah.

00:48:04,721 --> 00:48:07,301

Sophie: lots of lovely, lots of

lovely things and lovely things

00:48:07,311 --> 00:48:08,581

that aren't even emergencies.

00:48:08,621 --> 00:48:11,241

Just people recognizing stuff.

00:48:11,281 --> 00:48:15,421

Like I do a lot of stuff about neutering

and if you get it wrong, if a bitch

00:48:15,431 --> 00:48:18,931

is having a phantom pregnancy and you

spay at the wrong time, she remains in

00:48:18,931 --> 00:48:20,031

that state for the rest of her life.

00:48:20,661 --> 00:48:22,931

And that can cause behavioural

issues going forward and owners

00:48:23,211 --> 00:48:25,871

coming and learning with me and

then going, I think that's my dog.

00:48:26,411 --> 00:48:27,771

And that being treated with hormones.

00:48:28,281 --> 00:48:29,701

and the dog being like a different dog.

00:48:29,761 --> 00:48:31,611

Little things like that,

a big success story.

00:48:31,661 --> 00:48:36,291

Things that I go, wow, I'm so pleased that

you picked that up and that your dog now

00:48:36,291 --> 00:48:38,401

doesn't have to have a life of anxiety.

00:48:38,431 --> 00:48:39,371

You know, it's better.

00:48:39,911 --> 00:48:42,941

So like, yeah, loads of things,

but that, yeah, definitely.

00:48:43,026 --> 00:48:44,946

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

sticks out for sure.

00:48:45,701 --> 00:48:47,711

Sophie: Well, the Willy

story did quite literally.

00:48:47,866 --> 00:48:50,473

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, blimey.

00:48:50,473 --> 00:48:51,776

Oh

00:48:51,861 --> 00:48:53,271

Sophie: habit of lowering the tone.

00:48:53,936 --> 00:48:55,648

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

no, I don't mind that at all.

00:48:55,648 --> 00:48:56,336

I love that.

00:48:57,186 --> 00:48:58,216

Life's too serious

00:48:58,501 --> 00:48:59,311

Sophie: It really is.

00:48:59,336 --> 00:49:00,906

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

have a bit of a laugh.

00:49:00,946 --> 00:49:04,906

Right, we're just going to be moving

on to our final section the sort of

00:49:04,916 --> 00:49:09,606

last five or seven minutes or so before

we bring this episode to a close.

00:49:10,356 --> 00:49:11,316

Your courses are great.

00:49:11,316 --> 00:49:12,926

Now, Paris and I haven't done one yet.

00:49:13,091 --> 00:49:14,321

but I do want to do one.

00:49:14,321 --> 00:49:18,331

I think I, I think I get a cheeky

discount as part of my Yappily

00:49:18,581 --> 00:49:21,571

membership because you've got a

collaboration with Yappily now.

00:49:21,841 --> 00:49:22,171

Sophie: I do.

00:49:22,881 --> 00:49:25,771

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah,

so I've not yet done one of your courses,

00:49:25,881 --> 00:49:26,971

Sophie: Well, I want to do yours.

00:49:27,671 --> 00:49:29,211

So maybe we can do a switch.

00:49:29,481 --> 00:49:30,501

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

okay, yeah, all right.

00:49:30,711 --> 00:49:32,201

Sophie: I'd like to learn more about Kano.

00:49:32,231 --> 00:49:32,961

I love learning.

00:49:33,091 --> 00:49:37,011

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: think,

I think every pet professional you know,

00:49:37,181 --> 00:49:41,586

vet, vet nurse, pet owner, pet guardian,

00:49:42,091 --> 00:49:42,461

Sophie: Yeah.

00:49:43,166 --> 00:49:44,236

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Anyone that works with dogs

00:49:44,236 --> 00:49:47,886

needs to learn a bit more about

understanding canine body language.

00:49:47,941 --> 00:49:49,061

Sophie: 100%.

00:49:49,211 --> 00:49:50,601

Yeah, I totally agree.

00:49:50,611 --> 00:49:52,831

Because that also helps by

understanding body language.

00:49:52,841 --> 00:49:54,481

Yeah, you understand pain as well.

00:49:54,501 --> 00:49:55,991

It really helps you to

00:49:56,196 --> 00:49:56,766

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,

00:49:56,981 --> 00:49:57,421

Sophie: totally agree.

00:49:57,501 --> 00:49:58,843

So I'm going to be doing your horse.

00:49:58,843 --> 00:49:59,880

That's for sure.

00:49:59,880 --> 00:50:01,955

I'm going to be doing it.

00:50:01,955 --> 00:50:02,301

Amazing.

00:50:02,526 --> 00:50:04,176

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,

but as I've not had the pleasure of, I