Breathe & Touch a Tree: Tapping Into the Wisdom of the Body (Yours & Your Dog's)
This Week's Pawsome Human: Meghan Butt - Nervous System Wisdom: The Healing Power of Attuned Touch for You and Your Dog
I was standing in the kitchen, mindlessly scrolling through Facebook reels, when I found out Chooch had died.
Chooch.
A goofy, gentle, expressive dog I’d never met.
Just followed online. Just smiled at every time he popped into my feed.
Loving how his human, Eddie, was crushing stereotypes with every video oozing out love for chunky bully Chooch.
And there I was. Crying.
Why do dogs move us like that? Even when they’re not ours? (I do hope it’s not just me 😛)
Maybe it’s because they let us feel .. without filters, without words, without expectations.
Which is exactly what today’s podcast guest, Meghan Butt, understands on a deep, visceral level.
She thought she was just “walking dogs for a bit.” But what unfolded was a life devoted to healing - first her own, then her clients’, both two- and four-legged.
In this episode, Meghan shares how the nervous system, not obedience drills, holds the key to connection and calm.
This Week's Pawsome Human: Meghan Butt - Nervous System Wisdom: The Healing Power of Attuned Touch for You and Your Dog
What happens when your “I’ll just walk dogs for a while” job turns into a life’s calling? That’s exactly what happened to East London-based Behaviour Coach Meghan Butt, and in this episode, we explore how her deep commitment to healing - both her own and her canine clients’ led her to a trauma-informed, body-based approach to working with reactive dogs.
We talk about the powerful connection between posture and emotion (for dogs and humans alike), and why helping your dog feel safe and balanced starts with understanding the nervous system, not obedience drills. Meghan also introduces us to Tellington Touch, a beautiful combination of bodywork, groundwork, and observation that shifts both behaviour and relationship.
Whether you live with a reactive dog or just want to build a more attuned, trust-filled bond, this conversation is full of aha moments you won’t want to miss.
Key Takeaways:
Why reactivity is often rooted in nervous system dysregulation, not disobedience or defiance.
How “attunement” forms the bridge between your state and your dog’s.
What Tellington Touch is, and how tiny shifts in posture can create big emotional changes.
How Meghan’s concept of “constructive cuddles” can help reframe how we touch, hold, and support our dogs.
Why the way you show up (tense, calm, rushed, grounded) matters more than you think.
A favourite quote:
"The nervous system doesn’t need a lot to experience a shift - just a moment of awareness, a touch, an exhale. Dogs feel it all.” – Meghan Butt
Grab a cuppa and enjoy!
To find out more and connect with Meghan:
Meghan Butt is a Behaviour Coach based in East London. With over 7 years of experience helping clients build collaborative, trusting relationships with their dogs, she brings a rich blend of lived experience as a dog walker, a trauma-informed lens, and deep knowledge of somatics, polyvagal theory, and relationship-based approaches. In 2023 she began her practitioner journey in Tellington Touch, adding body-based tools to her already powerful framework. Her work is guided by values of attunement, curiosity, autonomy, and joy.
Connect with Meghan:
Website: https://walktoheal.co.uk
Substack (free + paid options): https://walktoheal.substack.com
Instagram: @walkto_heal
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Coming up ..
Soul Touched by Dogs LIVE Masterclass
"Help for reactive, anxious and sensitive dogs (even if positive training hasn't worked)" with Jo Burton
Sometimes I catch myself looking at my dogs and thinking,
“If only you could talk…”
But the truth is, they are.
Dogs communicate constantly.
We just don’t always know how to listen.
Or how to make sense of what they're saying .. after all, "dog" isn't a language taught at school 😛
That’s why I’m so excited to invite you to this month's free masterclass with the brilliant Jo Burton, dog behaviour expert and ACE Certified Trainer.
🎓 Help for reactive, anxious and sensitive dogs (even if positive training hasn't worked)
🗓️ Wednesday, June 25th at 5pm Brisbane time, 9am Europe, 8am UK (I know the time sucks for anyone in the US or Canada .. I'm sorry but Jo is in Australia, and there is no time that's reasonable across all time zones. Please register anyway to get the recording.)
🐾 Save your free seat here » https://soultouchedbydogs.webinarninja.com/live-webinars/10692204/register
If your dog…
barks at other dogs or people
seems anxious, reactive or easily spooked
struggles with vet visits, car rides, or anything “new”
…this session is for you.
Jo has a gentle but powerful way of helping you understand what’s really going on beneath the behaviour.
This isn’t about obedience or “fixing” your dog.
It’s about recognising how they’re already trying to connect with you, and what changes when you start responding to the whispers, before they have to shout.
As always, it’s free, live, fun .. and you’ll walk away seeing your dog with fresh eyes.
Traveling with your dog?
If you (have plans to) travel with your dog or cat and dread all the paperwork required .. you'll love a new platform created by Marisa Hoskins.
She talks about it on the podcast here:
The good news is that Spain and Portugal are now on the list of countries supported.
PLUS: An exclusive treat for Soul Touched by Dogs listeners! Get $5 off any Paws Abroad travel planner tier at https://pawsabroad.co/launch with the code BYDOGS.
Found at https://www.facebook.com/dogsdisclosed
For cute T-Shirts, Hoodies and more …
FREE worldwide shipping for ALL products.
15% off your first order (enter coupon code STBD15 during checkout) as an exclusive thank you for being a Soul Touched by Dogs subscriber.
And yes, 25% of the profits will be donated to a Pawsome human or non-profit (details to be announced).
Are you a canine professional?
A trainer, coach, behaviorist, nutritionist, holistic vet, or other canine expert with a holistic, kindness-first approach?
Would you like to be a guest on the podcast? Do you know someone you think would make a great guest?
Are you looking for ways to get your work in front of more people online?
Go (or send them) to https://soultouchedbydogs.com/pros
And as always ..
If you know another Soul Touched by Dogs, please send them to
🙏🙏🐾🐾
Until next week,
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