Episode 138: Kindness Is Being Like Josh—How fostering one dog with special needs turned into an entire foundation helping dogs with disabilities.

Published on October 15, 2025October 16, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Kimberly Elliott, the founder of the Be Like Josh Foundation, joins Anitha to talk about how falling in love with Josh, a 10-month-old Golden Doodle with a brainstem disorder, inspired her to create a foundation that now helps so many dogs with disabilities live their best lives.

The Be Like Josh Foundation is a non-profit organization, dedicated to the care and advocacy of dogs with neurological disabilities. Josh, who is now nine-years old, has a brainstem disorder which Kimberly describes as a ‘disconnect between the way his brain talks to his body.’ She says his movements are similar to a person with Cerebral Palsy.

In addition to talking about how Josh came into her life and transformed it for the better, Kimberly also talks about the misconception folks have about dogs with disabilities. She says dogs with disabilities aren’t sad. If the dog looks happy, they are happy. Disabled bodies can experience joy.

For this reason, it’s really important to Kimberly that potential adopters of a special needs dog see themselves as a “Service Human” to that dog, similar to a Service Dog who helps a human with a disability. Kimberly wants these dogs to live with people who will of course, love them but also enhance their lives.

An episode full of all the feels and one that is sure to make you want to hug a dog.

To learn more about the Be Like Josh Foundation and the incredible work they do, check out the following links:

Be Like Josh- Website

Be Like Josh -Instagram

Josh The Doodle – Instagram

As a thank you to Kimberly and Josh for sharing their story, Anitha donated to the Be Like Josh Foundation.

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 137:Kindness Is Coffees For Gaza—How donating the cost of a coffee can make a positive impact.

Published on October 8, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Dr. Inda Ahmad Zahri is a surgeon, a story creator, and one of the founders of Coffees For Gaza, a grassroots initiative to help families in Gaza.

Since Anitha is a children’s author, the two begin the conversation talking about books and how Dr. Zahri combines what seems like polar opposites—the science of medicine and the art of writing.

The conversation then moves to Palestine and how the genocide spurred the creation of Coffees For Gaza. Dr. Zahri shares the reason for the name and the initiative itself. Dr. Zahri also shares stories of some of the 25 families who have been helped with the funds raised through Coffees for Gaza.

The situation in Palestine is horrific but Dr. Zahri believes there is still hope that together we can and will demand for this genocide to end.

To learn more about Dr. Zahri and Coffees For Gaza, check out these links:

Inda Binda on Instagram

Inda’s Website

Coffees For Gaza on Instagram #peacetober2025 coming up!

Donate to Coffees For Gaza here

Links to other things Dr. Zahri mentioned:

Story Sunbirds Summit

The Tide Pool

Preorder Tabkha

As a thank you to Dr. Zahri fro sharing her story, Anitha donated to The Ghassan Abu Sittah Children’s Fund. This fund is dedicated to providing medical attention to the children of Gaza. To learn more about this fund, click here:

Children’s Fund

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 136:Kindness Is Helping Primates Together—How a group of sanctuaries work together to help primates.

Published on October 1, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Amanda (Andy) Gray joins Anitha to talk about NAPSA (North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance) an incredible organization dedicated to uniting the primate sanctuary community.

Of course, Andy and Anitha talk about the wonderful work NAPSA sanctuaries are doing to provide enrichment and professional lifetime care to primates. But they also talk about the reasons primates, who are not native to North America, end up in sanctuaries in this part of the world. From bio-medical research to entertainment to the exotic pet trade, all of these industries use and cause primates immense harm and suffering.

Fortunately, sanctuaries such as those who are part of NAPSA work tirelessly to end the exploitation of primates.

A compelling conversation about caring for our closest relatives and how we can all advocate on their behalf.

To learn more about NAPSA, their member sanctuaries and how you can support their work, check out the following links:

NAPSA’s website

NAPSA on Facebook

NAPSA on Instagram

As a thank you to Andy for sharing her story, Anitha donated to GIVING DAY FOR APES. In its 12th year, Giving Day for Apes is a worldwide event bringing together thousands of donors to rescue and protect apes across Africa, Asia, and North America. The live event takes place on Tuesday, October 7th, but you don’t have to wait – Early Giving is open now!

To learn more about GIVING DAY FOR APES, click here:

Giving Day For Apes

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 135: Kindness Is Ethical Wildlife Tourism—How to enjoy your trip while respecting wildlife

Published on September 29, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Travelling to faraway places can create lovely memories but does it come at the expense of wildlife?

Connie Needham joins Anitha to talk about ways to enjoy your holiday without causing harm to animals.

The two chat about experiences such as elephant rides and photo-ops with wildlife and the harm these activities inflict on the animal and most likely their family and habitat.

Connie shares things we can all do to have fun on our holiday while increasing the likelihood that our actions don’t cause harm to another being.

A great episode for those who love to travel and love animals.

To learn more about ethical wildlife tourism you can follow Connie here:

As a thank you to Connie for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary, a registered charity founded in 1964. This charity is committed to protecting primates and habitats all over the world. To learn more about the work they do, check out their website:

Wild Futures

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 134: Kindness Is Zoocheck— Advocating to end the abuse, neglect & exploitation of wild animals.

Published on September 17, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Rob Laidlaw, the founder of Zoocheck joins Anitha to talk about his journey into animal activism. For over 40 years, Rob has been speaking up for wildlife. From his initial efforts to close down horrific roadside zoos to helping three elephants, who spent their lives in captivity, find a sanctuary, there is no limit to the kind and compassionate actions Rob has taken for the benefit of wildlife.

Despite witnessing the many atrocities animals are subjected to at the hands of humans, Rob shares why he is still optimistic for the future of wildlife.

An episode full of hope and kindness, and one you don’t want to miss.

To learn more about the amazing work Zoocheck is doing, check out the following links:

Zoocheck – website

Zoocheck on Facebook

Zoocheck on Bluesky

Zoocheck on Twitter/X

As a thank you to Rob for sharing his story, Anitha donated to the New Cat City Rescue & Sanctuary. This small animal rescue located in Toronto, Ontario is a permanent home for animals with special needs and requirements. To learn more about their work, check out their website:

New Cat City Website

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 133: Kindness Is Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary—A place where primates heal & recover from trauma.

Published on September 10, 2025September 10, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Rachelle Hansen joins Anitha to talk about Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, located in Ontario, Canada. Rachelle shares stories of the residents who currently live and have lived at the sanctuary. She talks about the friendships they have made, things they enjoy doing and how the folks at the sanctuary do their best to make the lives of the residents as happy and comfortable as possible, given they can never be returned to their natural homes in the wild.

Of course, Rachelle talks about Pockets Warhol, the famous white-capped capuchin monkey who loves to paint. His art work is highly sought after.

Rachelle also talks about the residents’ lives before coming to the sanctuary—many were victims of the pet trade, bio-medical experiments and zoos.

During their conversation, Rachelle shares the horrific plight of more than 6,000 endangered Cambodian macaques arriving in Canada for the past 19 months to be used in laboratory testing. These wild-caught primates, typically between one and two years of age, are illegally trafficked from Cambodia to Montreal, Canada in tiny crates, often without food or water. If they survive the trip, they then endure immense pain, suffering and terror as they are subjected to experiments, even though it is well documented that these drug experiments consistently fail to improve human health. This is such a tragedy, BUT there is something everyone can do to help. Rachelle, shared the following link, where folks can sign a petition and email the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Julie Dabrusin to urge her to stop the importation of long-tailed macaques into Canada.

Horrible things are happening in the world, but here is one instance where you can help. Please click on the link and sign the petition.

Help Cambodian Macaques

To learn more about Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary and to book a visit, check out their website and Instagram account.

Story Book Farm Website

Story Book Farm Instagram

As a thank you to Rachelle for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Located in Sierra Leone, Tacugama is dedicated to enforcing wildlife laws, and rescuing and rehabilitating critically endangered orphaned Western chimpanzees. To learn more about Tacugama, check out their website. You can also listen to episode 55 of the Kindness Is Everything podcast, where Dr. Izzy Hirji, a veterinarian, talks about volunteering with both Tacugama and Story Book Farm.

Tacugama Website

Episode 55: Kindness Is Dr. Izzy Goes Wild

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 130: Kindness Is Fauna Foundation—Canada’s only chimpanzee sanctuary offers refuge for those who suffered from medical research.

Published on August 20, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Mary Lee Jensvold joins Anitha to talk about Fauna Foundation, a place of healing for chimpanzees used and abused in the medical research industry.

Mary Lee shares stories of the many primates rescued by Fauna Foundation. She speaks about the incredible capacity of these individuals to heal from years of painful and invasive experiments. And most remarkable of all—their willingness to forgive the very species who caused them so much harm.

Though these chimpanzees can never return to their rightful home in Africa, Mary Lee talks about the ways Fauna provides residents with as much comfort and enrichment as possible.

Mary Lee and Anitha also talk about the many cruelty-free alternatives to animal testing and hope listeners will support companies who opt for these kinder alternatives.

To learn more about Fauna Foundation and fall in love with the chimpanzees, check out their website and YouTube channel.

Fauna Foundation Website

Fauna Foundation YouTube Channel

As a thank you to Mary Lee for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Fauna Foundation.

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 128: Kindness Is Otis The Handsome Hound—How an Animal Testing Survivor Is Living His Best Life & Raising Awareness

Published on August 6, 2025August 6, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Otis, a coonhound, was born into the cruel world of animal testing and subjected to many invasive and painful procedures. But Otis is one of the lucky ones, he was rescued by Robert Sturman who joins Anitha to talk about Otis’ life—then and now.

Robert talks about the harsh world of animal testing that subjects millions of animals to painful procedures despite their being cruelty free alternatives.

But the majority of the conversation focuses on Otis, from his favourite things to do (car rides, running on the beach, and joining Robert on the yoga mat) to his immense capacity for forgiveness. Despite being harmed by humans, Otis loves people.

An incredible episode showcasing the healing power of love.

To learn more about Otis and follow him as he celebrates life while also raising awareness about the animal testing industry, check out his Instagram account:

Otis The Handsome Hound

As a thank you to Robert for sharing Otis’ story, Anitha donated to Gentle Jake’s Coonhound Rescue. This Ontario based not-for-profit is dedicated to the memory of the founder’s beloved Coonhound, Jake. This rescue is dedicated to helping homeless and abandoned Coonhounds find their loving and forever homes.

To learn more about this rescue, check out their website: Gentle Jake’s Coonhound Rescue

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 127: Kindness Is Wild By Nurture—One woman’s dedication to opossums, porcupines, foxes and many animals often neglected when it comes to rescue.

Published on July 30, 2025 by anitharobinson3 Comments

Claire Peters-Lunny, the founder of Wild By Nurture, joins Anitha to share stories about her Wildlife Rehab & Sanctuary.

Claire’s love for animals began at a very early age so it makes sense that she now spends her days and often nights, caring for orphaned and injured opossums, porcupines, groundhogs and many others.

The majority of animals come to her after being injured or orphaned from human activity, such as being hit by a car.

Claire shares heartwarming stories of some of the individuals whose injuries were too severe to be released back in the wild and who now call her home, their home. Animals like Hazel the groundhog and Bramble the porcupine. Claire also talks about how affectionate opossums are and how they are incredible mothers.

Did you know that baby opossums can survive in their mother’s pouch even after she has been struck and killed by a car? Many of the orphaned opossums who come to Wild By Nurture, were found by folks who were kind enough to stop and check on animals struck by a car, as some may still be alive or may have babies who are alive.

To learn more about Wild By Nurture, the many animals they care for, and what you can do if you come across an injured animal, check out the following links:

Facebook: Wild By Nurture

Instagram: Wild By Nurture

Website: Wild By Nurture

As a thank you to Claire for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Wild By Nurture.

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 126:Kindness Is Moonman Photography—How photos have the power to connect us with the wonders of wildlife.

Published on July 23, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Kyle Moon joins Anitha to talk about his journey to becoming a wildlife photographer and guide at Yellowstone National Park. Kyle shares stories of photographing wild animals from birds to wolves to bison, including an incident when he accidentally found himself far too close to a grizzly mom and her cubs.

Having had the privilege of spending time with many animals in their natural habitat, Kyle talks about the ethics of trophy hunting.

Kyle also shares his interest in collaborating with others on environmental projects. To learn more about Kyle and browse through his gorgeous photos, check out the following links:

Website: Moonman Photography

Instagram: Moonman on IG

YouTube: Moonman on YouTube

As a thank you to Kyle for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Yellowstone Forever, the official non-profit partner of Yellowstone National Park. This non-profit protects and preserves Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy. To learn more about them, check out their website:

Yellowstone Forever

To hear the full episode, click here: