Some podcast conversations stay with you.
My conversation with Jo Sellers from Pippin Pets Dog Training is definitely one of them.
Jo joined me on The Pet Business Wellbeing Podcast to talk about her book, One Paw at a Time and the incredibly personal story behind it.
This episode is about Jo’s dog, Reba.
It is about a freak accident.
A serious spinal injury.
Emergency veterinary care.
Rehabilitation.
Trauma.
Hope.
And the reality of caring deeply when everything changes in an instant.
Who Is Jo Sellers?
Jo runs Pippin Pets Dog Training and is based in Surrey.
Like many of us in the pet industry, Jo’s career evolved over time.
She started with dog walking, moved into training, worked with adolescent dogs, offered classes and one-to-ones and now focuses on separation anxiety support.
This is also how Jo and I first met, through Julie Naismith’s SA Pro programme.
Separation anxiety became a huge part of Jo’s work because of Reba herself.
Reba struggled with an extreme fear of being left alone, which led Jo into the world of separation anxiety training.
As so often happens in this industry, the dogs we live with shape the work we go on to do.
The Accident That Changed Everything
In October 2024, Jo let Reba out into the garden for a wee.
It was dark, rainy and quiet.
Then Jo heard a small squeal.
At first, she thought Reba may have spotted something in the garden, but very quickly something felt wrong.
When Jo found her, Reba was lying motionless at the base of a tree.
She was struggling to breathe.
Her face had changed colour.
She was completely still.
Jo initially thought Reba might be choking, but then realised there could be a serious spinal or neck injury.
What followed was every dog guardian’s nightmare.
A frantic call to the emergency vet.
A rushed drive in the car.
X-rays.
Referral.
Surgery.
And then waiting.
The kind of waiting where every phone call makes your stomach drop.
Emergency Surgery and Paralysis
Reba had suffered serious damage around her cervical spine.
The referral team needed to act carefully because even moving or sedating her carried risk.
Eventually, surgery was performed to stabilise the injury.
The operation itself was successful, but Reba was left paralysed.
For Jo, this was not the end of the journey.
It was the beginning of another one.
The rehabilitation.
The Reality of Rehabilitation
One of the most important parts of this episode was Jo’s honesty about what rehabilitation really involved.
Because from the outside, people can sometimes imagine recovery as a neat, hopeful, fairly straightforward process.
But the reality can be very different.
Jo described caring for Reba when she could not move, could not reposition herself and was doubly incontinent.
There were pee pads everywhere.
Sleepless nights.
Toileting support in the garden.
Physio exercises.
Emotional exhaustion.
Financial pressure.
Constant worry.
And still, Jo kept going.
One paw at a time.
The Impact on the Human Behind the Business
This podcast is not just about pet businesses.
It is about the person behind the business.
And Jo’s experience shows exactly why that matters.
While Reba was recovering, Jo’s business had to change.
In-person work stopped.
Separation anxiety work reduced.
Marketing slowed.
Income dropped.
Vet bills continued.
Rehabilitation costs continued.
Jo was not just supporting her dog.
She was also trying to keep herself, her business and her life together in the background.
This is the part people often do not see.
Pet professionals are often brilliant at caring for others.
But sometimes life throws something at us that demands everything we have.
Why Jo Wrote One Paw at a Time
Jo began writing during Reba’s recovery as a way to process what was happening.
What started as a raw diary became her book, One Paw at a Time.
It is not a polished, rose-tinted version of rehabilitation.
It is honest.
It includes the fear, the exhaustion, the practical realities, the difficult decisions and the moments of hope.
Jo wanted people to understand what recovery can really involve, especially if their dog ever faces paralysis, spinal injury or a long rehabilitation journey.
Not to scare people.
But to help them feel less alone.
“You’re Not Alone”
When I asked Jo what message she hoped people would take from her story, her answer was simple and emotional:
You’re not alone.
That really stayed with me.
Because whether you are navigating separation anxiety, a serious injury, a business wobble, burnout, grief, or a deeply difficult chapter with your dog, feeling alone can make everything heavier.
Support matters.
Honesty matters.
And sometimes hearing someone else’s story gives you the strength to take the next small step.
Reba Today
Reba is doing well.
Her world looks different now.
Her walks are shorter.
She has ongoing therapy.
She has some remaining challenges with movement.
She wears a little boot to protect one paw.
But she is here.
She is loved.
And she is still very much Reba.
A little sassy.
A little determined.
And taking life one paw at a time.
Separation Anxiety Awareness
Jo also spoke about Separation Anxiety Awareness Day, which takes place on 30th September each year.
Separation anxiety can be hidden because many guardians do not know what their dogs are doing when they are left alone.
Not all dogs bark.
Some suffer silently.
Jo’s message is simple: check your dog.
Use a camera.
Use Zoom.
Observe their body language.
Do not assume silence means they are coping.
And if your dog is struggling, support is available.
Final Thoughts
This episode is emotional, but it is also deeply important.
It is about love.
It is about trauma.
It is about the reality of caring for a dog through a life-changing event.
And it is about the wellbeing of the person doing the caring.
Because pet professionals are human too.
We carry things.
We feel deeply.
We keep showing up.
But we also need support.
Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is admit that something is hard and keep taking it one paw at a time.
Listen to the Full Episode
You can listen to The Pet Business Wellbeing Podcast with Nathan Dunleavy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you usually listen to podcasts.
The video version of guest expert episodes is also available on YouTube.
Find Jo Sellers
Find Nathan
Email: hello@nathandunleavy.com
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