Chelsey Bosak Episode Just Released!

The Empathetic Trainer

Welcome to "The Empathetic Trainer," the podcast that explores the power of empathetic animal training.

Animals just want to be heard. This is an emerging trend among trainers, veterinarians, pet professionals and animal lovers just like yourself. Join us as we learn the challenges our guests faced, as they grew their understanding and connection with the animals in their lives.

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March 7, 2025

Hello Spring Cat with Tulips

So glad spring is on the way!
March 2, 2025

Jessica Gonzales - Every Horse and Every Person Deserves a Second Chance S3 E25

In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer podcast, host Barbara O’Brien chats with Jessica Gonzalez, a dedicated horse rescuer and author of Equine Empowerment . They discuss how horses help people heal, the power of positive...
March 1, 2025

Elizabeth Gonzales - Second Chances are Available and There is a Place in the World for You S3 E25

In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer podcast, host Barbara O’Brien chats with Jessica Gonzalez, a dedicated horse rescuer and author of Equine Empowerment. They discuss how horses help people heal, the power of positive reinforcement training, and the deep bond between horses and young people.…
Nov. 16, 2024

Dr. Shelly Appleton - My Horse's Problem was Actually Me - S2 E23

Barbara O’Brien talks with horse trainer, coach and author Shelley Appleton about building trust and confidence between riders and their horses. Shelley shares how things like fear, aging, and hormones can affect riding, espe...
Nov. 16, 2024

Dr. Shelley Appleton - My Horse's Problem Was Actually Me - S2 E23

Barbara O’Brien talks with horse trainer, coach and author Shelley Appleton about building trust and confidence between riders and their horses. Shelley shares how things like fear, aging, and hormones can affect riding, especially for women. They talk about the importance of patience, understandin…
Sept. 21, 2024

Chelsey Bosak - All Of Our Dogs End Up Where They Are Meant to Be

Have you ever wondered what it takes to train a service dog that can transform someone's life? In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with Chelsey Bosak from Helping Paws Minnesota, an organization that specializes in trai...
Sept. 21, 2024

Chelsey Bosak - All of our dogs end up where they were meant to be

Have you ever wondered what it takes to train a service dog that can transform someone's life? In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with Chelsea Bosak from Helping Paws Minnesota, an organization that specializes in training service dogs for individuals with physical disabilities, veterans, an…
July 22, 2024

Chris Lombard - The Power of Patience and Presence in Horse Training - S2 E21

Have you ever felt a profound connection to something that completely shifted your life's direction? In this episode of the Empathetic Trainer Podcast, we chat with Chris Lombard, a horse trainer and author who found his call...
July 22, 2024

Chris Lombard - The Power of Patience and Presence in Horse Training - S2 E21

Have you ever felt a profound connection to something that completely shifted your life's direction? In this episode of the Empathetic Trainer Podcast, we chat with Chris Lombard, a horse trainer and author who found his calling in the equine world at the age of 26. Chris shares his transformativ…

Recent Blog Posts

Aug. 14, 2023

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

We are excited to share that we are adding a new feature to our podcast called ANIMAL CONNECTIONS! This is where we invite, you the listener, to share your story of a unique experience with your pet or other animal where you felt you made a connect…

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About the Host

Barbara O'Brien Profile Photo

Barbara O'Brien

Barbara O'Brien has loved animals as long as she can remember. She eloped at 19 so she could have a horse, and started an animal actors agency at 22. After many years of working animals in front of the camera, she moved behind it and became a professional photographer for clients like Purina, Cargill, Novartis, Wahl and 3M. This led to her first book, DOGFACE, which was published by Random House Penguin in 2014. She also leads workshops helping people improve their connection with the animals in their lives.

She has four sons and lives on a farm in rural Wisconsin and is happy to report, she is still married to the same man, and still has horses.