In this real-time update episode, Stacie shares what’s been happening behind the scenes at The Human–Canine Alliance—from exciting app demo progress to a key fundraising milestone and global momentum in how loneliness and mental health are being addressed.

At the heart of this update is a powerful new lens: reciprocity. Inspired by Dr. Robert Zarr’s work on social prescriptions, we explore how wellness isn’t just about treatment—it’s about connection, shared purpose, and evidence-based, community-rooted care.

Plus, hear how Manulife, one of Canada’s largest health insurers, has become the first in the world to support a national nature prescription program, validating the global shift toward non-clinical interventions for mental health.

If you’ve been following TH-CA’s journey—or are just tuning in—this episode will bring you closer to the movement and the momentum behind it.

🌐 Subscribe to The Alliance Insider: JOIN OUR PACK!

🌐 Learn more & get involved: America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs

What if your doctor could prescribe you a walk in the woods? 🌲

In this episode of The Human-Canine Alliance Podcast, host Stacie King sits down with Dr. Robert Zarr — physician, researcher, certified forest therapy guide, and founder of Park Rx America — to explore the groundbreaking movement of social prescribing and the science behind nature as medicine.

Discover how a simple “park prescription” can improve mental health, reduce chronic disease, and reconnect entire communities to the healing power of nature. Dr. Zarr shares how these prescriptions are co-created between doctor and patient, how technology supports ongoing engagement, and why equity and access are critical to making wellness inclusive for all.

Together, Stacie and Dr. Zarr also explore the natural synergy between human-canine relationships and nature-based wellness — from walking your dog as a therapeutic act to redefining our connection with the “more-than-human world.”

Ready to experience the healing power of nature for yourself? 🌿
Visit ParkRxAmerica.org and write your own prescription for wellness today.

Send us a text

America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs

Support the show

🌐 Subscribe to The Alliance Insider: JOIN OUR PACK!

🌐 Learn more & get involved: America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs

This week, Stacie shares big news: thanks to early supporters, The Human-Canine Alliance has secured enough funding to create the first demo of our AI-powered matchmaking app.

The app’s mission? To connect people with compatible rescue dogs, trained for their specific needs — a proven, drug-free path to mental health and rescue.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How our first week of fundraising sparked interest from community leaders and mental health innovators
• Why creating a demo is a critical step toward trust, design, and prototyping
• The stages of app development — from blueprint to beta testing
• How you can support this movement: subscribing, donating, sharing, or becoming a campaign reward partner

We’re not just building an app — we’re building a future where rescue dogs are prescribed, not euthanized.

Send us a text

America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs

Support the show

🌐 Subscribe to The Alliance Insider: JOIN OUR PACK!

🌐 Learn more & get involved: America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs

In this episode of the Human-Canine Alliance (TH-CA) podcast, host Stacie announces the launch of TH-CA's fundraising campaign. The campaign aims to raise $75,000 to develop an AI-powered app that matches people suffering from mental health issues with trained dogs.

Stacie explains how the app will provide an evidence-based solution to mental health conditions, reducing dependency on prescription medications. She emphasizes the impact dogs can have on improving emotional and physical well-being and calls for support and donations to make the vision a reality.

Tune in to learn more about the campaign, the benefits of integrating dogs into mental health treatment, and how you can contribute to this transformative initiative.

Help Fund TH-CA: America's Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs

Send us a text

Support the show

🌐 Subscribe to The Alliance Insider: JOIN OUR PACK!

🌐 Learn more & get involved: America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs

After a summer sabbatical (and another cross-country road trip 🐾), I’m back behind the mic and ready to share some hard truths, hopeful progress, and behind-the-scenes updates from The Human-Canine Alliance.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why stepping away doesn’t mean giving up—and why consistency looks different for every entrepreneur and advocate.
• The three major solutions the World Economic Forum identified for tackling the global mental health crisis—and how looming cuts will impact our daily lives here in the U.S.
• The latest peek behind the curtain of building The Human-Canine Alliance as a one-woman startup, with lessons from 15 episodes, 8 months of entrepreneurship, and organic growth in 16 countries.
• The incredible organizations fueling our mission—from Social Prescribing USA to Sengo, IFundWomen, and Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready platform.

If you care about mental health, community, and the life-changing impact of dogs, this podcast is for you. We’re building a movement at the intersection of human wellbeing and canine companionship—and every episode is an invitation to learn, join, and grow with us.

👉 Don’t just stop here—go back and check out [Episode 14] for the full breakdown of mental health system risks, or our conversation with world-renowned dog trainer Barb De Groodt in [Episode 12]. And stay tuned for my upcoming interview with Dr. Robert Zarr of Parks Rx America this fall.

The Human-Canine Alliance isn’t just a podcast. It’s a community, a mission, and a call to action. Let’s build it together.

Resources referenced:

Mental Health Spending (Global) – Think Global Health (thinkglobalhealth.org); McKinsey (mckinsey.com)

HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Projections to 2030 – hrsa.gov

Social Prescribing USA – socialprescribingusa.com

Faces of Entrepreneurship: Ila Corcoran, Sengo – bysengo.com

IFundWomen platform overview – ifundwomen.com

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready details – digitalready.verizonwireless.com

Global Mental Health Workforce – lyrahealth.com

Send us a text

America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs

Support the show

🌐 Subscribe to The Alliance Insider: JOIN OUR PACK!

🌐 Learn more & get involved: America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs

Discover how the latest healthcare bill could transform Mental Health in America.

In this episode of The Human-Canine Alliance Podcast, Stacie breaks down what the “Big, Beautiful Bill” means for mental health solutions, why Social Prescriptions are gaining traction, and how you can take control of your own wellbeing.

We cover the real impact of Medicaid cuts, the rise of alternative therapies, and practical steps for navigating a changing healthcare landscape. Whether you’re concerned about access to care, the power of pharmaceutical companies, or new ways to support your mental health, this episode is packed with insights and actionable advice.

Tune in to learn how you can be part of the movement to change the supply—and the future—of mental healthcare in America. Watch with captions on YouTube!

Sources Referenced:

One Big Beautiful Bill (Tax & Spending Legislation)

• Axios overview of the bill
• Vox analysis on Medicaid implications
• National Council statement on Senate passage

CDC: Provisional Suicide Deaths in the United States, 2022

• CDC media release detailing 2022 suicide data

Time: U.S. Suicide Rates Reached an All-Time High in 2022

• Time’s article covering the 2022 suicide record

UCLA Health: Surgeon General on Loneliness as a Public Health Crisis

• Column by the U.S. Surgeon General highlighting loneliness and mental health

AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)

• AFSP official website – details on their mission and advocacy

WHO: Global Suicide Facts (Suicide Worldwide Estimates 2021)

• WHO fact sheet on suicide statistics and global burden

Send us a text

Support the show

🌐 Subscribe to The Alliance Insider: JOIN OUR PACK!

🌐 Learn more & get involved: America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs

In this special announcements episode, Stacie shares exciting news about the release of the video version of her interview with global dog behavior expert Barb De Groodt—now available on YouTube!

Plus, get a sneak peek at what’s coming next for The Human-Canine Alliance, including an upcoming interview with Dr. Robert Zarr, a physician and public health leader pioneering nature-based mental health solutions.

Tune in for community updates, listener stats, and a look ahead at the conversations shaping the future of canine-assisted well-being.

Send us a text

Support the show

🌐 Subscribe to The Alliance Insider: JOIN OUR PACK!

🌐 Learn more & get involved: America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs

In this episode of The Human-Canine Alliance podcast, host Stacie interviews Barb De Groodt, owner of From the Heart Dog Training, discussing her extensive experience and unique approach to dog training. The conversation covers Barb's background, her training methodologies, and the importance of respecting the dog's personality and needs. They explore the differences between emotional support dogs, therapy dogs, and service dogs, and discuss the potential role of AI in matching dogs with humans to enhance their lifestyles. Barb shares personal anecdotes and emphasizes the value of patience and intention in effective dog training.

About Barb:
Barb De Groodt has spent over 60 years working with animals around the globe—from training German shorthaired pointers in her father’s kennel at age 8 to mentoring modern trainers across India, Spain, Thailand, and beyond. A founding member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Hall of Fame inductee with the International Association of Canine Professionals, and former Trainer of the Year at Westminster, Barb continues to educate, present, and innovate within the field. Her deep respect for animals and commitment to individualized training make her a true pioneer in the evolution of the human-canine bond.

Send us a text

America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs

Support the show

🌐 Subscribe to The Alliance Insider: JOIN OUR PACK!

🌐 Learn more & get involved: America’s Untapped Solution for Mental Health: Rescue Dogs