Who's a good human?

At 14, Corin Linch decided horses would be his life, and he’s never looked back.From remote Kimberley stock camps to rodeo arenas, Corin has shod horses, driven stock, taken some hard falls, and trained countless horses using a gentle, patient approach. He tells Sian why horses are such forgiving animals, how you can earn a horse’s trust in 15 to 20 minutes, and why good preparation makes tricky jobs like float training so much easier. Corin opens up about the special horse that changed him, how horses helped him heal, and why he’s spent time teaching the next generation of young riders.“Horses are healers. They heal you when you’re bad.”Watch the full episode on YouTube: Who’s a Good Human? podcast.Title track:Spring in My Step by Silent Partner on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siCmqvfw_1g

How a lifelong love of horses shaped Karen’s whole lifeSian talks with Karen about a lifelong, hands-on connection with animals that started when she was three and has carried through horses, dogs, cats, and rescue work. The conversation centers on how animals became family, teachers, and emotional support through moves, motherhood, disability, and retirement.Key topicsKaren’s first memory of loving horses: feeding a white horse lettuce in Katherine in the Northern Territory when she was threeHow that early moment shaped a lifelong habit of talking to, watching, and learning from horsesHer teenage years as a stable hand, where she learned horse body language, stable care, and the basics of horsemanshipRiding trotters, including what a trotter is and why she was drawn to riding them despite being told she was “mad”Her move into more formal riding and dressage in Sydney, including learning from mentor Tom Roberts and his calm, behavioral approach to trainingHow horses crossed into her work through disability support, taking children from a respite house to the stables so they could experience horsesHer broader love of animals, including rescued cats, dogs, and her ongoing commitment to animal careThe story of Butters, her rescue dog, and how he became a deeply bonded companion and “flop on top of dog”How living with multiple sclerosis changed her riding, mobility, and confidence, while animals still helped her keep goingWhy she sees animals as family, emotional barometers, and a responsibility rather than a hobbyMusic : Spring in my step by Silent PlayerTimestamps00:00 - The childhood moment that sparked Karen’s love of horses 01:45 - Why a three-year-old bond with a horse stayed so vivid 02:52 - Talking to every horse and the first real horse friendships 04:46 - Getting a job as a stable hand at 13 05:23 - Learning horse body language and stable work 06:51 - What a trotter is and why she rode them 07:27 - Saving up to keep her first horse 08:14 - Riding through Adelaide and taking her horse to a friend’s garden 09:31 - Moving to Sydney and learning finesse, dressage, and kind training 11:01 - Tom Roberts and the power of patient, behavior-based retraining 12:35 - Bringing children with disabilities to the stables 13:57 - Loving all animals, not just horses 14:43 - Owning 10 horses over her life 16:29 - Riding less often now and adjusting to MS 17:27 - How animals helped her push through hard days 19:00 - Butters the rescue dog joins the family 20:20 - A day in the life with Butters 24:06 - Why Butters is a “flop on top of dog” 25:13 - Karen’s history of rescuing cats 28:37 - Losing her older horse at 31 29:58 - What animals mean to her: family and unconditional love 30:26 - The biggest lesson animals taught her: be yourself 31:04 - Horses as emotional barometers 32:25 - The hard lesson she learned about entering a stable with the wrong energy 34:21 - Why horses and dogs are non-negotiable in her future 35:26 - Why she rescues animals now that she has more time in retirement 36:12 - “You’ll never have any money” and why that does not matter 38:04 - Meeting her current horse Callie and the instant connection 40:09 - Final reflections on animals, care, and companionship

Karl introduces us to Beanie, his five-year-old shootle (shih tzu x miniature poodle), and the story of how one small, growly, chicken-chew-obsessed dog reshaped his entire household. From World Cup couch cuddles to café visits where Beanie plays social "fluffy buffer" for total strangers, this episode is a warm, funny look at the quiet ways dogs rewire our daily lives — plus a peek into Beanie's surprisingly stacked wardrobe (two sweaters, two costumes he despises, and an imported jacket) and Karl's dreams of taking him travelling to Berlin or Melbourne.A Who's a Good Human episode about hypoallergenic dogs, small-dog big personalities, and the everyday bond between people and their pets.Featuring: Karl & Beanie the ShootleTopics: dog adoption stories, hypoallergenic dogs, human-animal bond, pet ownership, small dog breeds#WhosAGoodHuman #PetPodcast #DogStories #Shootle #HumanAnimalBondkey topicsThe emotional bond between Carl and BeanieHow Beanie communicates without wordsThe influence of Beanie on Carl’s patience and loveAdventures and social interactions with BeanieThe process of adopting Beanie and his breed backgroundThe future travel plans with Beanie and pet-friendly destinationsSound Bites"I communicate with Beanie more than I talk to some people.""Without Beanie, my house feels empty.""Beanie has brought so much joy and love into my life."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Carl and Beanie02:02 Beanie’s favorite morning routine03:05 Communicating with Beanie without words04:10 Deciding to bring Beanie into Carl’s life05:04 Household dynamics and Beanie’s role06:51 The impact of Beanie on Carl’s life08:59 How Beanie helps Carl start each day with love10:05 Adoption story and breed background11:54 Beanie’s personality and quirks12:59 Becoming more patient through pet training15:02 Adventures and social interactions with Beanie17:03 Future travel dreams with Beanie18:57 Beanie’s wardrobe and fashion sense19:56 The profound influence of Beanie on Carl’s happiness

Ali has spent 20 years as a Western Australian ranger — starting in the city, working the outback in Karratha, and now covering the South West — and in that time she's seen nearly everything: sheep bolting down freeways, a dog rescued from under a car with a horrific eye injury, a mob of cows that wandered into town under a full moon while their owners holidayed in Canada, and thousands of scared, surrendered, and misunderstood animals passing through pound doors.In this conversation, Ali talks candidly about what the job actually involves — the parts people never see, from the compassion of reuniting lost pets with grieving owners to the heartbreak of euthanising animals hit by trains. She shares what 20 years of reading dog and cat body language has taught her about how badly we misunderstand our pets, why "ring the ranger, not the vet" could save more lives, and why sterilising cats and dogs matters more than most owners realise.Ali also opens up about the job's intensity and using alcohol to self-medicate, and how she's since found sobriety — channeling what she's learned into her own podcasts about ditching the booze and living fully. It's a conversation about animals, yes, but also about resilience, compassion under pressure, and what three decades on the front line of animal welfare can teach us about being better humans.Guest :AliPodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/laughs-without-lager/id1813514971keywordsranger, animal rescue, wildlife, legislation, animal behavior, community education, pet ownership, animal welfare, rescue stories, Western Australiakey topicsAnimal rescue stories including Rosie the dog and stray cattlePathways to becoming a ranger and legislation involvedLearning animal body language and behaviorDealing with stock animals and wildlife emergenciesThe importance of education and sterilization in animal welfareChallenges and rewards of working in rural and urban areasSound Bites"You go to TAFE to become a ranger, it’s about legislation.""Every day is different, that’s what I love about it.""Working with animals is the reason I do this job."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Allie's career as a ranger02:01 Memorable rescue stories: Rosie the dog and stray cattle04:12 Pathways to becoming a ranger and legislative training05:52 Learning animal body language and behavior08:12 Dealing with stock animals and wildlife emergencies10:53 What keeps Allie passionate about her work13:01 The role of education and sterilization in animal welfare15:55 Understanding animal behavior and socialization19:05 The emotional aspects of working with animals22:01 Community engagement and education efforts24:51 The importance of compassion and understanding in animal rescue28:04 Challenges faced by rangers and the importance of awareness30:12 Personal reflections and the rewarding nature of the job33:02 Closing thoughts and future aspirations

In this episode, Jen, a dog trainer and owner of Your Best Mate Canine Trainer in Perth, Western Australia, shares her journey from health professional to dog trainer, emphasizing the importance of understanding animal behavior, meeting dogs' needs, and effective communication between humans and their pets.keywordsdog training, animal behavior, pet care, human-animal relationship, training tipskey topicsJen's career transition from health to dog trainingThe importance of ethics and evidence-based trainingHow learning theory applies across speciesMeeting dogs' physical, social, and mental needsThe role of communication and reading dog body languageTraining strategies for urban dogs and breed-specific needsThe impact of environment and distractions on trainingThe misconception that you can't teach an old dog new tricksSound Bites"Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer""Learning theory applies to most species""Dogs learn 24/7, not just during training"Contact Jen:Email: yourbestmatewa@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourbestmatecaninetrainer/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourbestmatewaMusic by: Silent PartnerSong: Spring in My Step. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siCmqvfw_1gHost and producer: Sian GardContact: hello@whosagoodhuman.com.auWatch episodes : https://www.youtube.com/@Whosagoodhuman-podcastChapters00:00 Introduction to Jen's Career Transition00:25 Why Jen Chose Dog Training01:02 Training and Education Pathways03:52 Surprising Lessons from the Course06:48 Learning Theory Across Species08:10 Meeting Dogs' Core Needs12:33 Common Pet Behavior Challenges14:08 Insights on Human-Animal Relationships16:37 Training in Distractions18:02 Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks19:10 Personal Reflection and Fulfillment

Meet Eamon — Eamon and his partner Mel are lifelong Border Collie devotees whose family has been shaped by four generations of the breed, from childhood dog Cassie to current pack members Billy and Sunny. In this episode of Who's a Good Human, Eamon shares how his late Border Collie Fudge was discovered at a café and cast in the short film Inheritance, alongside Travis Jeffery, Matt Nable and director Myles Pollard (McLeod's Daughters) — plus how Billy landed a leading role in a WA road safety TV commercial.We dig into what makes Border Collies so intensely intelligent and communicative (Fudge taught herself hand signals as a puppy), their surprising second career as therapy dogs supporting a school psychologist and palliative care patients at Hollywood Private Hospital, and the chaos of raising a new puppy — including one very expensive diamond earring incident.A story about grief, loyalty, movie-star dogs, and why once you've had a Border Collie, you never really go back.🐾 Follow Who's a Good Human for more stories of the people and animals who shape each other's lives.Music: Spring in my Step, by Silent Partner. Timestamps00:00 - Introducing Eamon and his Border Collie obsession 00:39 - Fudge’s “hands up” trick and uncanny communication 02:32 - Early memories of Cassie and the start of a lifelong breed love 03:16 - Daily life with Border Collies and why they need mental stimulation 05:09 - Billy and Sunny become instant best friends 06:21 - Billy’s long history as the bottom dog in the pack 08:15 - Mel’s Border Collie journey, agility work, and therapy dog training 09:43 - What makes a good therapy dog and why intuition matters 11:27 - How Border Collies respond to grief and household changes 12:59 - Fudge’s discovery and the making of the short film Inheritance 13:53 - Billy’s role in the road safety commercial 15:12 - What it was like being approached for film work 16:20 - The experience of bringing dogs onto a film set 17:30 - Community support and catering on the Dunsborough shoot 18:26 - What Inheritance is about and where it has screened 19:40 - Fudge’s memorial moment in the finished film 20:55 - How Billy ended up with future casting opportunities 21:59 - Mel’s advanced training background and agility titles 23:10 - Agility as fun first, competition second 24:10 - Why Border Collies bring Eamon and Mel so much joy 25:43 - Why they’ll likely always own Border Collies 26:46 - Sunny’s expensive puppy chaos and repeated vet visits

Lee had always wanted a dog, and when she met Ollie, she believed she had found her 'dogmate' (soulmate of dogs). Ollie loved food, Lee loved food. Ollie was adventurous, so was Lee. It was a match made in heaven!Then COVID happened and Lee was locked down in Melbourne. Her life changed when a family member needed care and she was faced with a hard choice.keywordsdog stories, pet-human bond, Ollie the dog, emotional stories, pet loss, lockdown pets, dog training, animal companionship, heartfelt stories, pet memorieskey topicsThe story of how Lee rescued Ollie from a rescue centerOllie's unique personality and traitsThe emotional support Ollie provided during COVID lockdownThe bond and trust developed between Lee and OllieThe impact of Ollie's passing and the grief processThe significance of pets in emotional well-beingguest nameLeekey frameworksPet-Human Bond TheoryGrief and Healing ProcesstitlesOllie: The Dog Who Changed My LifeThe Paw Prints of Love: Ollie's StorySound Bites"I think Ollie might have been a bit stoned.""You're so loved, Ollie. I wish we had more time.""Every time I hear that song, I think of Ollie."Music: Spring in my step by Silent Partner Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ollie: A Special Bond03:03 The Adoption Story: Finding Ollie06:08 Ollie's Unique Personality and Food Adventures08:36 Building Trust: Ollie's Journey with Lee11:14 The Protective Nature of Ollie14:10 Ollie's Impact: Love and Companionship16:00 Moments of Connection: Recognizing the Bond19:26 Ollie's Support During Tough Times21:30 The Difficult Goodbye: Ollie's New Home27:09 Reflections on Ollie's Life and Legacy27:16 Remembering Ollie: A Heartfelt Tribute30:15 The Joy of Companionship: Lessons from Our Pets33:07 The Emotional Connection: Music and Memories36:01 The Healing Power of Pets: Sharing Love and Loss36:20 NEWCHAPTERGuest linksTwitterLinkedIn

SummaryIn this heartfelt interview, Rob shares the touching stories of his dogs Astro and Bonnie, exploring themes of love, loss, intuition, and the deep bond between humans and animals. Discover how pets can sense emotions, provide comfort, and leave lasting legacies in our lives.keywordsdogs, pet loss, intuition, love, companionship, grief, rescue dogs, animal stories, emotional connection, pet carekey topicsDogs' intuitive abilities to sense human emotionsThe deep bond and mutual love between humans and dogsStories of rescue and the significance of pet lossThe unique personalities and quirks of Astro and BonnieThe emotional journey of grief and healing through petstakeawaysDogs can sense when someone needs comfort and often seek to provide it.The bond with a pet can be a source of healing after loss.Rescue dogs often have special traits and stories that enrich our lives.Recognizing and honoring the memories of pets is a vital part of healing.The unconditional love of animals offers profound emotional benefits.titlesThe Unbreakable Bond: Stories of Astro and BonnieHow Dogs Sense Emotions and Offer ComfortSound Bites"Bonnie just knows who needs comfort""People go to the beach to sit alone and gaze out to sea""Sometimes the life force is just too great"Chapters00:00 Introduction to Rob and his dogs, Astro and Bonnie00:39 Bonnie's intuitive behavior on the beach02:11 Rob shares stories of Bonnie comforting people04:24 Astro's personality and remarkable resilience06:16 The story of Astro's near-death experience07:42 Bonnie's connection to Astro and their shared space10:14 The mutual love and bond between Rob and his dogs13:38 Astro's tricks and personality quirks16:52 Astro's passing and the grief process22:21 Bonnie as a lively and adventurous pup25:29 The importance of dogs in Rob's family life29:58 Rob's outlook on future dogs and ongoing adventures31:30 Humorous stories of Astro and Bonnie’s antics33:08 Closing thoughts and gratitude for the dogs' impact