Grisha Stewart Academy and Empowered Animals, LLC

03/24/2025

“Follow your nose!” - Joey, probably 🐶

Here’s a short clip from our March Vlog, where we get a peek at Joey enjoying some fun, enriching scent game.

Our dogs’ noses are incredible, and scent work isn’t just a game - it’s a natural need. Dogs experience the world primarily through their noses, and providing opportunities like this helps them:

✔️Build confidence
✔️ Stay mentally stimulated
✔️ Feel safe and fulfilled

The full vlog is now available to Diamond members at the Grisha Stewart Academy. If you’re not a member yet but are interested to learn more, pls visit school.grishastewart.com for more info.

Let’s keep helping dogs be dogs - with joy, respect, and lots of sniffing!

03/12/2025

Have you ever wondered how essential oils (EOs) can impact your dog’s well-being? Joey Iversen, CBATI-KSA, an internationally recognized expert, is here to guide us through the fascinating world of essential oils for dogs in an exclusive live webinar at Grisha Stewart Academy.

In this 2-hour interactive session, Joey will explore:
🐾 The origins of essential oils and their traditional uses
🐾 How dogs experience the world through scent
🐾 The benefits (and potential risks) of using EOs with dogs
🐾 Common EO myths & misconceptions in mainstream media
🐾 Her top “go-to” essential oils for canine wellness

This webinar is more than just a lesson—it’s a chance to better understand how scent can enrich our dog’s life and support their overall health.

📅 Live on March 21 at 10 AM PST
🎤 Hosted by Tom Candy
🎥 Can’t make it live? A recording will be available for members.

💎 This is a members-only event. If you’re not a Diamond Member yet, now is the perfect time to join and gain access to exclusive learning opportunities like this.

📌 Learn more about the membership here: school.grishastewart.com/pages/memberships

03/08/2025

“This is a safe venue. All well-behaved humans are welcome here.” This is a sign I saw at a food cart village last night and it seemed like a good fit for the GSA too. ❤️

PS well behaved just means not damaging the furniture, the floors, or each other. Not leaving a mess for others, etc. take that metaphor to the most generous and helpful place you can.

03/03/2025

March at Grisha Stewart Academy is smelling like a breath of fresh air! This month, we’re diving deep into the incredible world of Essential Oils and Scent—and who better to guide us than our dogs, the true masters of smell? A dog’s nose isn’t just for sniffing out treats; it’s their way of understanding the world, navigating emotions, and even influencing their own wellbeing.

We’re thrilled to have Joey Iversen join us for a live webinar on the Introduction to Essential Oils and a live case study discussion with Tom Candy and Claire Goyer.

March is a Members-Only Month! If you’re not a Diamonds Member yet, now is the perfect time to join and gain access to exclusive events like this one (and so much more!). 🌟

Join us, learn something new, and let’s explore the power of scent together. More info can be found on school.grishastewart.com! 


02/21/2025

City life is full of triggers—loud noises, crowded sidewalks, fast-moving bikes. But did you know you can teach your dog the opposite of a trigger? That’s where glimmers come in.

A glimmer is a signal of safety, something that tells the brain, we’re okay here. The term was coined by licensed clinical social worker Deb Dana, who specializes in treating complex trauma through the lens of Polyvagal Theory. Just as triggers can put us into fight-or-flight mode, glimmers can activate our parasympathetic nervous system, helping us (and our dogs) shift into a state of calm.

In urban environments, where surprises are everywhere, a trained glimmer cue can be a powerful tool. It helps your dog feel secure in stressful situations—whether it’s a honking car, a barking dog, or a sudden rush of people. And here’s the key: before we teach it to our dogs, we need to teach it to ourselves.

Next time you’re out on a walk, take a deep breath and invite your dog into that sense of safety. Because in a world full of triggers, glimmers are a gift we can give them.

(p.s. This month our theme at the school is urban dog life, hence the mention of all the city environments. But Glimmers come in handy everywhere!)

02/05/2025

The recording of Melissa McCue-McGrath’s amazing webinar Rex in the City is now available to stream!

Free to watch for Members of the Academy and for folks who have already purchased the event.

Did you miss the event? You can still purchase the recording. Purchase details on the course page or sign up as a Diamond Member or as a Library Pass Holder to get this and whole lot more!

Hosted by Tom Candy. 🙂

Join us in this live online seminar for professional dog trainers. Will also be recorded.

02/03/2025

Sassafras Patterdale is here to tell you why you NEED to watch this webinar!

As a dog trainer, Sassafras knows firsthand how tough city life can be for dogs—constant noise, tight spaces, and distractions everywhere! That’s why Sassafras is super excited about the upcoming Rex in the City webinar with Urban Dog Specialist Melissa McCue-McGrath and wants YOU to join in!

Urban Dog Month is unique to Grisha Stewart Academy - you won’t find this theme anywhere else! All month long, we’re diving deep into the unique struggles (and solutions!) for city-dwelling pups.

If you live or work with dogs in busy environments, this webinar will help you rethink training and set realistic expectations for city pups.

📅 Live Webinar + Q&A
📍 Feb 4, 2025 | 10 AM PT
🎤 Hosted by Tom Candy, CBATI-KA

Big thanks to Sassafras for spreading enthusiasm about the webinar!

Grab your spot at Grisha Stewart Academy: school.grishastewart.com/courses/urbandog

Also, watch out for Sassafras’ own webinar later this year!

02/02/2025

City life is fast-paced, noisy, and full of surprises—not just for us, but for our dogs too. From crowded sidewalks to blaring horns, unexpected encounters, and limited green spaces, urban environments can be overwhelming. But with understanding and the right strategies, we can help our dogs feel more secure and confident amidst the hustle and bustle.

This February at Grisha Stewart Academy, we’re diving into the unique challenges of Urban Life with some incredible events:

🐾 Feb 4: Rex in the City – A live webinar and Q&A with Melissa McCue-McGrath (MMM), where we’ll explore how to help our dogs thrive in urban settings.

🧘‍♂️ Feb 7: Staying Calm in a Frantic Environment – A video blog by Grisha Stewart on keeping both you and your dog grounded in the chaos.

📺Feb 20: Throwback Thursday Live Replay - Watch out for Diamond members’ top choice for this month’s throwback Thursday.

🏙️ Feb 27: Live Case Study: Urban Challenges – Join MMM, Tom Candy, and Yvette Potter as they tackle real-life urban behavior struggles.

Living in the city doesn’t have to be stressful—for you or your dog. Join us as we explore practical, science-based approaches to making urban life more manageable and fulfilling.

Check out all the upcoming events at school.grishastewart.com! We can’t wait to see you there.

01/30/2025

Secure attachment is the key to resilience.

When dogs feel safe, connected, and supported, they can handle stress better, recover from challenges, and navigate the world with confidence. Resilience isn’t just about “being brave”—it’s built through trust, consistency, and a secure bond with their humans.

The “5 Pillars” phrasing is from the OnlyYouForever podcast, and it perfectly describes the foundation of a strong, trusting relationship between dogs and their humans. In her webinar “Resilient, Responsive Social Skills: Intro to BAT 3.0 for Dog Reactivity,” Grisha Stewart explores the 5 pillars of secure attachment—felt safety, attunement, comfort, delight, and support—and how they help reactive dogs build resilience through trust and choice.

This webinar was the top choice among Diamonds members for this month’s TBT Live Playback, aligning perfectly with our theme of resilience. If you want to learn how to support your dog in a way that fosters confidence and emotional security, this is a must-watch!

🎥 Watch the webinar here: https://school.grishastewart.com/courses/introbat3

01/30/2025

Exciting news!

We’re thrilled to support Andrew Hale (Dog Centred Care) and the amazing team at in the upcoming Emotional Wellbeing in Animals Conference, happening March 15 & 16—completely online! 🌐

This incredible event features 13 world-class speakers exploring the vital topic of well-being for companion animals. 🐾💖

🎟️ Learn more and grab your tickets here: https://petremedy.co.uk/emotional-wellbeing-conference/

💥 Special Bonus: Use the code in the poster to get £50 off your ticket price! Huge thanks to Andy for this generous offer.

Let’s come together to support animal well-being and learn from some of the best minds in the field. Don’t miss it!

01/21/2025

Join Urban Dog Specialist Melissa McCue-McGrath for a live webinar on February 4, 2025, at 10am Pacific Time, as we explore the unique challenges of training dogs in bustling city environments. From the overwhelming noise to restrictive spaces, urban life can make behavior training feel like an uphill battle. In this session, Melissa will guide you through the complexities of urban dog behavior, providing new perspectives and practical strategies to help dogs thrive where conventional methods may fall short. Whether you’re a trainer, behavior consultant, or veterinary professional, you’ll leave with tools to navigate these environments and work more effectively with clients in city settings.

This webinar is part of our February Urban Dog series. It’s FREE for Diamond members and only $29 for non-members.Don’t miss out on this opportunity to rethink how we train in the city. Register now at https://school.grishastewart.com/courses/urbandog

01/19/2025

Between the noise, bright lights, and constant activity, it’s no wonder urban environments pose unique challenges for our canine companions. But what if we could shift the narrative and turn these challenges into opportunities?

Join Urban Dog Specialist Melissa McCue-McGrath in this insightful webinar as she explores how to navigate the complexities of urban living through a dog-centric lens. You’ll learn:

💎 How to adjust training approaches for city dogs when distance, duration, and distraction control aren’t options.
💎 Why traditional methods may need tweaking in loud, busy environments.
💎 Practical strategies to help dogs (and their humans) thrive in restrictive spaces.

📅 When: February 4, 2025
🕙 Time: 10am Pacific Time
🎙 Hosted by: Tom Candy, CBATI-KA

This session is more than a learning opportunity; it’s a chance to rethink how we view urban dog training and care. Let’s make city life a little easier—for everyone.

This webinar is FREE for Diamond Members and only $29 for non-members.

Get more info here: https://school.grishastewart.com/courses/urbandog

01/16/2025

Helping our dogs feel safe during new experiences is one of the best gifts we can give them. Resilience—the ability to recover from stress and navigate life’s challenges—isn’t just something they’re born with; it’s something we can nurture together.

When we show them calm, reassuring body language, praise their bravery, and give them the space to process, we’re telling them: “You’re safe. I’ve got your back.” This creates a foundation of trust and helps their nervous system stay balanced, making it easier for them to face new situations without fear.

Grisha Stewart shares heartfelt, practical tips in her January Vlog on building resilience in dogs. She talks about how we can truly support our pups in ways that matter. The vlog is now available to stream for Diamond Members at www.school.grishastewart.com.

If you’re not a Diamond Member yet but want access to exclusive perks and courses, you can learn more on the website.

Our dogs depend on us to be their safe place. Let’s show them they can always count on us. ❤️

01/08/2025

January at Grisha Stewart Academy is all about Resilience!

We’ve got an incredible lineup of events to kick off the year, and trust us, you don’t want to miss out—especially if you’re a Diamond member! 💎

One highlight? Bobbie Bhambree will dive into the Resilience Framework, an inspiring session designed to help us strengthen our skills and understanding. It’s going to be AWESOME.

Check out the events and join us at www.school.grishastewart.com!

Not a Diamond member yet? Now’s the perfect time to sign up for exclusive perks, deeper insights, and so much more. Let’s grow and thrive together this January!

01/06/2025

Welcome to 2025! As we step into a new year, let’s begin with resilience—a quality that carried us through the ups and downs of 2024. Just like us, our dogs face challenges that test their adaptability and courage.

Resilience is born when we create space for our dogs to feel safe, understood, and empowered. By giving them the ability to make choices and influence their world, we’re not just reducing their stress—we’re helping them build the confidence to face life’s challenges with felt safety and adaptability.

Every time we allow a dog to say "no," approach at their own pace, or find their way to calmness, we’re nurturing their resilience. It’s not about control; it’s about partnership, trust, and supporting them as they grow stronger with each experience.

How do you see resilience in your dog? Is it in the way they overcome fears, adapt to new situations, or bounce back from setbacks? We’d love to hear your stories. Share a photo of your dogs with their stories below in the comments!

12/05/2024

Congratulations Taylor! 🥰

Join us in congratulating Taylor on becoming a Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor - Knowledge Assessed through Grisha Stewart Academy and Empowered Animals, LLC!

To become a CBATI-KA, a trainer must:
- Complete over 100 hours of coursework
- Pass a multiple-choice exam
- Complete an essay demonstrating knowledge of BAT skills

12/04/2024

Notice: The Academy is currently changing email providers so there may be a delay in our response time.

We hope to be fully migrated over the next few days.
Thank you for understanding!