Ep. 6: How Stress Affects Dogs and Humans - What It Does to the Body—And What You Can Do About It
In this deeply personal and educational episode, I share how stress shaped my own health journey with chronic illness and how it shows up in the dogs I work with—sometimes with heartbreaking consequences. From the story of a shelter dog who died from chronic stress to what I’ve seen in clients and my own body, we dig into the difference between acute and chronic stress, what it does to the body (in both species), and how our well-meaning choices can sometimes unintentionally do more harm than good. We explore the physiological impacts of stress, how it touches every system in the body, and why supporting your dog’s nervous system starts with understanding your own. If you’ve ever wondered whether stress could be affecting your health—or your dog’s—this episode is a must-listen.
In this episode, you'll hear:
The real difference between acute vs. chronic stress
How stress affects your nervous system, immune function, digestion, and more
Signs your dog may be struggling with chronic stress
A powerful story about a shelter dog and the cost of unrelieved stress
How some “healthy” routines can actually be stressors in disguise
Small, actionable ways to lower stress—for both ends of the leash
Resources & References:
📖 Book Recommendation: Heal Endo by Katie Edmonds
A compassionate and evidence-based look at how chronic stress, inflammation, and nervous system dysregulation play a role in chronic illness. A must-read for anyone managing a long-term health condition. 👉 https://www.healendo.com
🧠 Research on Stress Effects in Humans: American Psychological Association. Stress effects on the body. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body
Connect with Me
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. You can tag me on Instagram @co_regulatedk9s or share the episode with a friend who might need to hear it. If you’re ready to reduce stress for both you and your dog, check out my coaching programs at www.coregulatedk9s.com
