Soul Touched by Dogs

Welcome to the Soul Touched by Dogs
Podcast, the show for dog lovers who

see dogs not as toys or tools, but
wise souls worth our respect and care.

I'm an Herrmann, and I'm your host.

I talk to poor some humans, people who
do great work for dogs and their people.

So come and join us for
today's conversation.

Anke: Hello and welcome, Andy.

Oh, super Excited to have you here today.

Andy: Thank you so much for having me.

I'm excited to be here.

Anke: Awesome.

So now I always start with the same
question I always ask people, where

in this lovely world are you based
and what's your business with dogs?

Andy: Yeah.

So I live on the Upper
West Side in New York City.

My business with dogs, um, really
began with my Rhodesian Ridge back Koa.

He's a therapy dog who
brings comfort and joy.

Everywhere he goes.

And he's the inspiration and
heart between, um, behind KO's

Rough Life, which is a business
and a children's book series.

Everything about our brand
grew from our bond and the joy

he brings in everyday life.

Anke: So, oh, that's so cute.

Like, I've seen a picture so adorable.

I just love, you know, goof.

Andy: Lovable little.

I wanna call him little 'cause
he's my little, um, little blush.

Anke: I know what you mean.

Like I've got like a 120 pound baby
and I call her little, like, you know,

she's always gonna be my little baby,
even though she's like more like a bear.

Right.

Doesn't matter.

So, so.

Did you get him as a, as a,
as a therapy dog to start with

or how did that come about?

Andy: Yeah, so I actually got cowa
because, um, I'm a long distance

runner, so I wanted a running partner.

Um, and so they, Rhodesian
Ridgebacks are our top five

long distance running runners.

And so that's the original
reason why I got 'em.

So I wanted him as a pet and
we're gonna do marathons together.

Um, they, um.

They, they have these, um,
events where dogs can enter as,

um, for, for, for marathons.

And so that's why I actually got him.

Um, and then it was approximately two
years into when I, um, into our, our

lives together when I was really looking
for a different way to make a difference.

Um, I've been volunteering ever
since I was about nine years o old.

Volunteering and service has
always been a big part of who I am.

And so, um, I was talking with a friend
and she had mentioned that COA had the

perfect temperament to be a therapy dog.

And I, I was like, Hmm,
that's a great idea.

And that idea just stuck with me.

So about five years ago, um, we went
through the training, he got certified

and officially became a therapy dog.

And we've been volunteering
together ever since.

Anke: Wow.

So what does a therapy dog need to know?

Like, what is, what is
asked of a therapy dog?

Andy: Yeah, so, um, initially
you go through, um, more of a,

like a, an evaluation to see if
your dog can be a therapy dogs.

Um, they, they have a, a
certain type of temperament.

They have to be more calm.

They kind of have to not
react, um, and, and be.

Be able to take on commands?

Well, um, especially in hospitals
when there might be a specimen on the

ground and you wanna say, leave it, and
then they have to actually leave it.

Um, you know, um, and so, um, so
they, at first you do that and then

you go through, uh, two months.

Mine was a two month training.

Um, but before that.

As soon as I got coa, I've
actually trained him immediately.

So we went through, um, family manners.

We kind of, sort of did
that, that original training,

just the original command.

Just because I live in New York City,
I needed a someone who can always,

you know, just stay by my side.

And because he's good, I knew he was
gonna be large and I'm, I'm a tiny girl.

Um, I'm five feet.

Three fourths of an inch.

Um, and I, I weigh
approximately what weighs.

And so I knew at some point, um,
he was, he, he could, he could.

Overpower me if he wanted to and he saw
something he wanted, I would go with him.

Um, and so I thought training would be a
great idea, especially in the city when

there wasn't that, that room for him.

I don't have a big lawn
to, for him to play.

Um, central Park is our.

Playground in the mornings, um,
which is off leash, but you need

the commands for him to come back.

So we had that training.

So he was pretty well trained before
we did the, um, the therapy training.

So after about two months of training
where, you know, you, they, they test

about, they like, they kind of like
make noises and kind of just like

poke around and make sure that your
dog doesn't react to any of those.

Um, you immediately fail if
your dog jumps on someone.

Um, and.

With co if he jumped on someone,
he could take people out.

So, but he's not a jumper like that.

The only one he gives hugs to is me.

So thank goodness.

Um, yeah.

And so after that, you go through
your certification, which is just

to make sure that you know, you,
you're able to be on your own.

Um, and one, it's, one of them
is, uh, an onsite where they watch

you perform, um, the, the service.

Um, and then you get.

Certifi re-certified
every year after that.

Anke: So that, that's fascinating.

You know, just imagining you with a big
dog, it's like, mine is, mine is massive,

but I'm big too, so, so she like, she
doesn't look up, but I also was very

conscious of that when she was little.

Like, I need to make sure
she's not a pull on a walk.

Right.

And she can't get excited
about any cat because Yeah.

She's like 60 kilos.

Like, you know, that's a lot of dog.

Right.

And so I totally, totally get it.

So what does volunteering now look like?

You mentioned sort of hospitals,
so where do you go with him?

Andy: So co-op loves kids, so we
volunteer at the children's hospital

and a school for kids with special
needs, um, in addition to a few,

um, wellness, um, visits, but mostly
at the children's hospital and at

school for kids with special needs.

Anke: So how does that,
what does that look like?

So you walk in there and then walk.

Andy: Yeah, so, so both of
are a little bit different.

So at this school, um, so
I volunteer on Fridays.

It just, um, works best
in my schedule, um, and.

For the school, what happens is that
we go through classroom, through

classroom and we just say hello.

Um, and on on Fridays for some reason, the
kids always have a little bit more energy.

I think they know it's
the end of the week.

Um, and one of the teachers
once said that, um.

They, they were worried that they
weren't gonna get through through the

day, but once CO came in, he brought
a calming to, to all the students and

they were able to finish that day.

And it was just, it was just
really nice to hear that story.

So we just go from classroom to classroom
and everyone just comes and pets him.

And of course, here he comes.

I dunno if you're gonna
be able to see him.

Good.

Um, and then, um, and then for, for
the children's hospital, um, because.

It's a little bit different.

So what happens is we get a list of about
approximately 10 patients or children

and, um, who want to have, um, a dog
visit because not everyone loves dogs.

And so we try to make sure that we
only see the patients that want him.

And so we have a list that we have, and
then we go from room to room to room.

Um, and then we just spend a, a few
minutes with them just for them to say hi.

Some of them stay in their, um, their
beds and to just pet him on the psych.

Luckily, he's big, he can
just reach over and pet him.

And then, um, some, some come
and actually say hi to him

if they're able to be mobile.

Anke: So do you find that they also,
you know, have you ever had kids where

they're kind of scared initially and
then like, what's the, what's the impact?

Like, apart from like, I probably
wouldn't wanna let him go if I

was, you know, but, but you know,
like what's the, what's the impact?

Andy: Yeah.

How many kids?

So, um, so some kids want, like, most kids
who put their name on that list say yes.

Um, some kids at the, the school had
that hesitation and ask, and because

we go there every week, um, they,
they start to get to know him and

they're like, oh, he's not so bad.

And because of his size, I think what
the other thing is his size, right?

He's like, oh.

Oh my goodness.

He's bigger than me because, um, the
school is, the school is from kindergarten

to all the way to, um, 12th grade.

So it, it's one of those, um, schools
that have all, all the grades.

And so the, the little ones
sometimes have no fear.

Um, so they come and play with him.

Um, and then some of the older ones, um.

Like, ugh.

And then after a while they, they
start and they pet him, and you can

just see them just relax a little.

They, they're, there's
something about coa.

He has this calming presence.

He, and like his, he has his soulful eyes
that makes him a natural therapy dog.

He has this like uncanny.

Ability to sense emotion, and he
really offers that comfort, um, to

kids when they, they need it the most.

Anke: Yeah.

So do you also visit like adults
or do you say, well, okay, I

I really specialize on kids.

Andy: Yeah.

So, um.

For coa, we do when it is, um,
specifically for wellness visits.

So some, um, through our organiz
organization, they do have the

ability to go to businesses
and do a day of just wellness.

Um, and so we do do those.

Periodically, um, throughout the
year, they're more of a one-off.

Um, Kaba also likes to go to
this school for, um, kids, um,

who, who are musically talented.

And he, I think he loves them the most and
I don't know why, but he just loves them.

And so when they do have, um, exams or,
you know, they, they are just a little

bit more stressed about something.

They do ask or request that therapy
dogs go, and we usually try to always

go to that one because Koa loves them.

Um, he has a connection with them somehow.

Um, and so we do love that one.

But Koa himself is more
drawn towards kids.

So I specifically choose
to do things with kids.

Anke: Mm.

Yeah, that makes sense.

So, so what's, I mean, from, from
what you can tell, since I can't ask

him directly, you know, like what's,
what's his, I mean, do you find,

does he get sort of drained by this?

Like, do you think like, okay, I can
do an hour and then he's got enough?

Or do you feel like, 'cause
I'm, I'm thinking like, walking

somewhere and everybody pets me.

I don't think I, I've
like that for very long.

Exactly.

How do, how do you, you know,
feel, what's the impact on him?

Andy: Yeah.

So, um, through our organization,
um, therapy dogs are only

supposed to work 45 minutes.

I can tell that after about 30 to 45
minutes, COA does get tired as well.

I mean, he's just pouring all
his emotions out there and he's

like, whew, that was a long day.

Um, Nicole is also double certified
as a, um, crisis response therapy dog.

Um, and so when there are those bigger
moments, um, we do volunteer longer

and I just monitor, um, if he does
need a break, I will ask for it.

We'll take a 10, 15 minute break,
let him rest and then come back.

Anke: Hmm.

Oh, that makes sense.

I love that.

I love that.

I mean, I've seen sort of, you know, like
videos and things of therapists mm-hmm.

Like these dogs when they're
like at this kind of accident

or when there's like, yeah.

Big things going on and they really,
they really do help for sure.

So how, what, you know, how did the
book and all of that come about?

So you obviously have something
really strong going on there, right?

So there's a lot of impact already.

So now you've got a shop and
you've got like an how idea.

Yeah.

Andy: So, um.

I'm gonna start where,
where CO's rough life began.

Um, when I first started looking
for, um, bow ties for co 'cause I

really wanted coat to wear, bow ties.

Um, I wanted something to
capture his personality.

Um.

Koa is Hawaiian for Warrior.

I'm from Hawaii, so I wanted him to
have like this Hawaiian look to himself.

Um, but I also needed it to be durable
'cause he, he had playtime with his, his

friends and you know how Rich Baxton romp.

So, um, I was trying to find
that duality and I couldn't

find what I was looking for.

Um, so I just took to my
machine, my sewing machine,

and created my own, um, that,

Anke: oh, I didn't realize you made those.

Andy: Oh yeah.

So I make them and then, um, and
so, and it's, it's, it's, it's.

Designs that really speak to what I love.

Um, so I got, so I got to make my
Hawaiian, my Hawaiian print and bow ties.

Um, and so almost every year I would try
to go back to Hawaii and grab more fabrics

just so I could have different looks.

Um, but then I, I ended up doing
more for, you know, all the holidays.

You know, all, any, any kind of event I
wanted, I made sure I had had something

and I'd always wanna do matching things.

Um, and I thought these were
great ideas and, um, I thought

other people might want it.

So that's kind of, sort
of how that happened.

Um, and then that same
desire led me to the kitchen.

Um, dog food and treats
are poorly regulated.

They have this long list of unrecognizable
ingredients, the constant recalls.

Um, I wanted to have coa to have
treats that were healthier and that

were something I would eat, you know?

So, um, I wanted to make things
that were human grade with limited

ingredients, no preservatives.

Something you and I would
eat on a, on, on a normal.

So that's kind of, sort of how that
barky and fashion boutique, um.

Started kind of inspired by koa.

I wanted to promote a healthy, active.

Life all while doing it in style.

Anke: Mm-hmm.

I love that.

I love that I, I've obviously
looked at this side like, oh, you

know, I wish you should to Spain.

You know, like, those whiskey are so cute.

Right.

You know, and it comes with the teddy
bear and it's just like super adorable.

Andy: Yeah.

Anke: Um, I didn't realize
that the fabrics actually

came from Hawaii directly.

Like that is very,

Andy: some some did.

So like the Hawaiian print ones did.

Um, and those I curated
just by going to Hawaii.

Um, others, um, like I do for Halloweens.

Um, you know, so Halloween ones
are, are, are more from up here.

Um, and I just have the every day for
summer, you know, just casual, just

a little dapper as you're walking
down the street in, in New York City.

Anke: She never reminds me.

And like my mom, she gave me like a,
she sent me like a link years ago.

'cause my first business
was a sewing business.

I made like flamenco
dance costumes, right?

So I had, my dogs were
wearing polka dot and ruffles.

Like, you know, my, my, my, my dogs
were boys, so they didn't wear ruffles,

but I did, you know, get hired to make.

You know, and my mom actually sent
me this link, and there was somebody

in Germany who had a boutique and
specialized, specialized into, you

know, outfits, like matching outfits.

Like you could get your evening
dress and then your dog would go

matching, like she was killing it.

I'm like, whoa, there's an idea.

Oh,

Andy: I love that.

Um, you're gonna have to
send me that link later

Anke: if I can find it.

I dunno, this has been like, many,
many years ago, but, uh, yeah, that

was, that was the concept and I'm
like, oh, I could totally see that fly.

You know?

Yeah.

Because, yeah,

Andy: so that's, that's kind of
sort of how I got into the, the,

the barky and, uh, fashion boutique.

And then I expanded
into, um, Trojan books.

Um, my passion really is to educate with.

Fun everyday adventures.

Um, I want to spark curiosity,
so I want to create stories.

That make learning fun for kids.

Um, and I sat down one day
and I just started writing.

Um, and what ended up coming
out were these stories that

were inspired by our real life
experiences exploring New York City.

Hmm.

Um.

Our morning runs through Central
Park, um, where we would pass

by the sea lions and stop to see
what they're doing that morning.

Um, picnicking at Bryant
Park, people watching there.

Um, you know, all those small moments
during our daily lives that I.

Sometimes we, we don't take that
moment to stop and really enjoy.

And so I really want to capture
that and put it into our stories.

Um, these are, I mean, this, this
series is really a love letter to

New York City, a city that's filled
with energy that has this history.

You know, it has this heart that I really
wanted to capture and really share,

um, with kids and families everywhere.

Anke: I love that, so, so
that's a whole series then.

So

Andy: it's one book,

Anke: right?

Andy: Yeah.

So I have three currently right now.

Anke: Mm-hmm.

And what's in the pipeline.

And so you have like the way you
look at, I'm like, oh, I'm pretty

sure she's kind of fighting on.

Oh

Andy: yes.

So, um, yeah, so Book one is about,
um, about the, um, central Park Zoo.

So you follow COA on his venture to
Central Park Zoo and he starts on

the Upper West Side where we live.

And he gets breakfast, he walks
through the park and he finally

ends up at Central Park Zoo.

He learns about the animals
that live there, um, from the

sea lions to the grizzly bears.

Um, penguins and I, I added fun facts.

So one of my favorite fun facts
in this book is because we see

the sea lions every morning.

The sea lions are just
very social animals.

Um, they, they sleep on these
rocks, um, and they can hold,

they can be underwater for.

Over 20 minutes and I'm just
like, just watching them play.

Like that's one of my, that's
also one of my favorite factions

'cause I love the Sea Lion so much.

And then, you know, it's, it's kind of
sort of this idea of turning CO's day in

the city into a fun day of discovering.

Anke: That's a whole
adventure then because mm-hmm.

I mean, you know, if, if New York City
is any, is anything, but it's not boring.

Exactly.

Andy: Exactly.

So I mean, it's kind of, sort
of that everyday kind of feel

and like yeah, there's just,
there's that magic everywhere.

Um, book two is about, um,
Bryant Park scavenger hunt.

So you've, you journey to He
journeys through Bri to Bryant Park.

Joins in this scavenger hunt where you
try to find foun, the fountain, the

carousel, um, the lions that sit in
front of the New York Public Library.

Um, my favorite fact about this one,
and it's kind of geeky, so bear with me.

Um, Bryant Park has this 120,000
square foot library underneath.

Um, it hosts.

4 million books.

I mean, it, it's a hidden foot of stories
under our feet and it's just like,

like you wouldn't even know that if
you're just walking around Bryant Park.

And so I put that fun fact in there.

It's one of my favorite fun facts.

Um, and then this one also has at, in the
back for, um, and interactive scavenger

hunt that the kids can tear out and then
just take and actually find those items.

Um, that's so cool.

Yeah.

And it has a dog friendly, um, recipe
for waffles that he enjoys in the story.

So this one has just a little bit more.

Um, and then book three, which
is my favorite, if I could have a

favorite you laptop Favorite, um,
is Christmas time in New York City.

So he takes children and on the
holiday adventure through New York

City, he visit, he, um, experiences
the season's most beloved.

Traditions like the Macy Day Parade,
uh, Rockefeller Center Christmas

Tree, the Lincoln Center's Nutcracker.

Um, and it, it's, it's
blending that fun facts.

It's Bri with a heart heartwarming story
about that magic of that season and

spending it with family and friends.

Um, yeah, so I, that's my favorite one.

And oh, it's, it's, it's
because it, it's based on.

The, uh, morning tradition
that we do on Christmas day.

Um, every Christmas morning
we walk down fifth Avenue.

We see the window displays.

We stop off at the
Rockefeller Christmas tree.

We then.

Um, continue on to Bryant
Park Winter Village.

Um, we drove the rows of the holiday
shops grabbing a hot chocolate for

me and on more milk for Koa, watching
the skaters ice, um, ice skate.

And then we just end up at Macy's Harald
Square for more wind window displays.

Um, and so that's kind of, sort of
how this, this story came to be.

Um, it's, it's just, I love.

The Rockefeller Christmas tree, no
matter how many times I've seen it,

it always brings this warmth in my
heart and like why I really love

the holidays in the, in the city.

Anke: Oh, I love that.

That's, and it's perfectly
timed as well, right?

You know, we're literally little
sliding into that, into that season,

so that's absolutely perfect.

Yeah.

So now with all of this, I have to
ask, do you still have time to run?

Yes.

Andy: So I run in the morning.

Um, and so I'm an early bird.

I wake up at four in the morning.

Um, so the only thing
that stops me is, um.

When the sun rises.

So, um, during the summer, sunrises
around five, I'm out at five.

We get about five to seven
miles in the morning.

Um, but during October it's like seven 30.

When it gets, it gets a little bit bright.

So we start a little later,
we get a little less miles,

but we still get out there.

Anke: Because I'm thinking like this.

I, I, the thing is like, that's,
none of that's your day job, right?

No.

No.

Because you do have a
day job as well, right?

I do.

Andy: These are all my
passions that I've kind of.

Put together and, and, and
made something with it.

Anke: I love it.

And, and so do you wanna just mention what
the day job is, you know, because it's

not like your, your sort of part-time,
five minute on the site, you know?

Yeah.

So, I dunno, how, how do your days at
more, more hours than everybody else is?

Andy: Well, I, I start, I just
started a little earlier than one.

Um, yeah.

So I'm actually a doctor,
um, and I work in.

The pharmaceutical, um,
industry, um, in medical

communications and medical affairs.

Anke: So it's like, it's quite sort
of, I mean, it's not opposite, but

it's just like, you know, don't wait.

Is there a connection for you?

Andy: Yeah, so for me there is, so,
um, in my professional career, I've

always, um, thought about being a
doctor as educating and helping others.

When I moved, made that move to the
pharmaceutical side, um, it gave me that.

A way of combining
knowledge and storytelling.

Um, we have to tell, um, these,
these stories to patients and

physicians about a cer a certain
drug and how it actually worked.

Um, so my storytelling approach
transformed complex scientific concepts

and clear engaging narratives that.

Sparked understanding.

Um, and it's kind of, sort of
what I do with, um, CO's rough

life, the Trojan's book series
where I apply that same method.

I take fun facts and culture in
this sense, and I weave it into

a playful adventure that can make
learning fun and approachable for

younger adults or younger kids.

Anke: I love that.

I love that.

'cause I'm always interested, you know,
when there seems to be something, like

two things that seem to be opposite,
I was like, I wonder what that looks

like for you because connection, right?

And it's actually a really, really,
once you say it, it's like Yeah.

Kind of.

That's obvious.

Andy: Not that, um, yeah.

Anke: But it, well it may not be
obvious for the outsider, but it

does make sense once you explain it.

Mm-hmm.

And there is, there is
that connection like the.

Like the, the driving motivation
underneath is, is literally the same.

Mm-hmm.

You know, so I love that.

I love that.

So what's, what's, what's on the horizon?

Like, what's the next thing?

Well that's brewing in your mind.

Andy: Yeah, no.

So I wanna continue CO's story.

Um, I can, you know.

I, I think New York City
has endless stories to tell.

Um, and I think he's just getting started.

I think we can also take this
on the road if we wanted to.

Um, I just can't wait to share where
his paws are gonna take us next.

I just haven't decided where yet.

Anke: Well, well, when you
do decide, I will hope.

To see you back here to
tell us all about it.

Definitely.

So let people know in the meantime where
they can connect with you, where they

can find out more, where they can get
some, some, you know, some cute, cute,

um, bandanas and, and bow ties and
biscuits and, and all these lovely things.

Andy: Yeah.

So our website is CO's rough life.com,

um, for something extra
special signed copies of.

His books can, um, be purchased
exclusively through our website.

Um, you can follow our adventures
on Instagram at CO's rough life.

Anke: Awesome.

Well, thank you so much.

Obviously, you know, the link's gonna
be in the show notes and below this

video, so wherever you're watching
it, uh, it's not gonna be hard to

find and I just love the name too.

Thank you.

So thank you so much, and I love the
enthusiasm, I love the mission behind it.

And I, and really, really enjoyed
and like, you know, feel inspired

to plan another visit to New York.

Andy: Oh, yes, please do.

Come, there's, there's
so many things to see.

May, maybe that will be the next book,
more of a touristy one where you see all,

all the, you know, like the Statue of
Liberty, you know, um, uh, stock exchange.

Maybe that's our next one.

Times Square,

Anke: you know, this is how
ideas come up, come about.

Right, exactly.

So thank you so much.

It's an absolute delight and
I can't wait to have you back.

Andy: Thank you.

It's been a pleasure.

Bye bye.

Thanks so much for listening.

If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget
to subscribe, and leave a review so

other dog lovers can find the show.

If you haven't already, head
over to soul touched by dogs.

com and sign up for weekly doggy cuteness
tips, recommendations, and personal

stories to warm your dog loving heart.

And if you know a pawsome human
you think I should interview,

I'd love an introduction.

Email me at Anke.

That's A N k E at Soul
touched by dogs.com.