Xenia Jones - Rescue, Resilience, and Behaviour Change Across the World [Episode 68]

In this inspiring episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Xenia Jones — Behavior Therapist at the Animal Behavior Wellness Center in Northern Virginia — for a rich conversation about rescue, resilience, and the power of science-based, compassionate behavior support.

With a lifelong background rescuing dogs and cats across five countries — from her native Costa Rica, to South Florida, Spain, Taiwan, and China — Xenia shares the extraordinary experiences that shaped her trauma-informed, choice-based approach to helping both dogs and cats. She reflects on the unique challenges she witnessed in different regions, the importance of teaming up with local communities, and why understanding human culture is essential if we want to truly support animals.

Xenia also opens up about her deep connection to separation anxiety, including her own childhood experience and a pivotal case in Spain that left a lasting mark. From there, she takes us through her journey into formal education and certification — including mentorship through Julie Naismith's separation anxiety program and becoming a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor under Leslie McDevitt.

Together, Shelly and Xenia explore:
✅ How rescue work across cultures shaped Xenia's behavior philosophy
✅ What it was like rescuing hundreds of dogs during the COVID crisis in Wuhan
✅ Why resilience can look different depending on environment and history
✅ The reality of preparing rescue dogs for overseas adoption — medically and behaviorally
✅ What a Behavior Therapist does in a veterinary behavior clinic setting
✅ A powerful case study combining CAT (Constructional Aggression Treatment) and Control Unleashed "Super Bowls" to help a dog with severe visitor-directed reactivity
✅ Supporting not just the animal — but the family's emotional bandwidth too
✅ A training win inspired by the ATA community: teaching a dog to take medication on cue

This episode is a celebration of global compassion, learning, and the quiet, steady work of helping animals feel safe again. Xenia's story is a powerful reminder that when we center choice, dignity, and science — we don't just change behavior. We change lives.

Links

​​YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@unleashingpawsabilities

Substack

https://substack.com/@unleashingpawsabilities

Animal Behavior Wellness Center

https://www.abwellnesscenter.com