Moderator and author Jochen Bendel has also been working as a dog trainer since 2018. In the interview he talks about his current passion project.
Jochen Bendel (56) is not only successful as a presenter, author and voice actor, he has also been a trained dog trainer since 2018. Bendel’s love of dogs has been with him since childhood. “For me, dogs are indispensable and simply part of it.” The 56-year-old has been committed to animal protection for many years. As a Purina brand ambassador, he currently supports the non-profit organization “Animals Build Bridges eV”.
He explains exactly what lies behind it during his visit to a retirement home near Paderborn. He also talks about his own dogs. In December, his beloved pug Gizmo, who had accompanied him on many TV shows, died. “When his heart stopped beating, I heard mine break,” he remembers the sad day in an interview.
Together with Purina, you are currently supporting the “Animals Build Bridges eV” association – a real project close to your heart?
Jochen Bendel: Yes, absolutely. Today I was able to accompany the non-profit organization’s work in a retirement home near Paderborn, which the pet food manufacturer supports as part of its social commitment. Specially trained human-dog teams visited the residents there. It was really touching to see how the older people were taken out of their usual everyday lives and experienced intimate moments with the dogs. I wish I had encounters like this more often. Unfortunately, older people are often forgotten on the fringes of our society. That’s why I find it admirable to give such new impulses and give seniors back some of the joy of life.
What benefits does dog companionship provide for seniors in terms of emotional well-being, health and social interactions?
Bendel: We have known for years what a huge influence animals can have on our well-being. A Purina survey last year showed that pets have a positive impact on our mental and physical health. Especially in the retirement home, I experienced how the visiting dogs brought joy and comfort to the residents. It is inspiring to see how the dogs build a connection with the elderly, create memories and take them out of their routine and loneliness for a short time. Dogs can improve the quality of life, especially for people with dementia, which is often accompanied by depression and anxiety.
The bond between humans and animals is not only good for older people; visiting dogs also help people in difficult life situations in other social institutions. You have dealt with the topic of attachment in your books. What can it do?
Bendel: In my books and my daily work, I deal intensively with the topic of bonds, be it between people or between people and dogs. In animal-assisted therapy, pets are used to provide access to often withdrawn people in difficult life situations – for example in daycare centers, hospices or retirement homes. Petting and interacting with dogs releases bonding hormones that trigger feelings of happiness. Visits by human-dog teams to such facilities bring joy and happiness to the everyday lives of people of all ages and give hope. The unconditional love of dogs touches hearts and creates special moments. It’s amazing to see how people get excited and build trust when they interact with a dog. Such experiences can really make a difference.
Could you even imagine your life without a dog?
Bendel: Absolutely not! I basically can’t imagine life without a dog. For me, dogs are indispensable and simply part of it. But a dog also means responsibility. Since I’ve had dogs for a long time, I know what that means. I would therefore also like to point out that, in addition to being enriching, sharing life with a pet is also work.
In December, your beloved pug Gizmo passed away. How do you feel when you think back to him?
Bendel: I still find it very difficult to talk about it. Gizmo was my soul dog. He was like a child and the star of my books and many TV shows. He accompanied me through good and not so good times and moved with us from Munich to the North Sea. He loved the sea and even when he could no longer walk, we took him to the beach every day in a small handcart. Then he sat there and watched the waves and ships. When his heart stopped beating, I heard mine shatter. We created a special place in our garden to commemorate him – he always lay there in the sun.
How did your other two dogs help you cope with the loss?
Bendel: Our other two dogs played a crucial role in my coping with grief. Her daily needs such as training, walks, and playtime required my attention and helped me distract myself and find comfort. It’s hard to imagine how I would have coped with the loss alone, without the presence of the other dogs. Her encouragement and her presence were a ray of hope during this difficult time. It was also noticeable how our dog Khaleesi mourned the loss of Gizmo, they spent many years together. We adopted Snoopy from the animal shelter shortly before we lost Gizmo and are overjoyed that we were able to give him a loving new home.
You share your love of dogs with your husband and even run a dog podcast together. You are both trained dog trainers, do you always agree on dog training?
Bendel: We agree on many things, but of course there are also areas where we have different views. Similar to parents when raising children, we have our individual ideas. For example, the topic of consequences. Dogs sense whether we mean something seriously and that’s why we should try to be authentic. A clear ‘no’ means ‘no’, ‘get off the couch’ means ‘get off the couch’, and ‘sitz’ means ‘sit’. Honestly, I find it difficult to be consistent sometimes. My husband finds it easier. We are both dog trainers and each has our area of expertise. We enjoy work, but it can also be frustrating when we bring it into our private lives. That’s why we made an agreement: During the walk with the dogs, we’re not trainers and we don’t correct each other, for example. We are completely in the here and now and simply enjoy the time. In our podcast ‘Holy Dog’ we share our experiences and stories.
Could you imagine hosting an animal show with your husband?
Bendel: Two years ago we hosted the show “Last Chance for Four Paws” together, in which we visited people who wanted to give their dogs or cats to the animal shelter because they could no longer get along with them. We developed a training concept on site and brought in trained trainers to accompany the owners for six months and show them realistic changes. Our goal was to document that nonviolent training based on positive reinforcement is actually effective. We can imagine further joint moderation at any time – perhaps even as part of our new Academy project.
What other plans do you have for this year?
Bendel: We have exciting plans! We are currently transforming an old garden center near the North Sea into a unique retreat for people and dogs. This oasis will house an academy offering classes and workshops to strengthen the bond between humans and dogs while they spend time together in nature. Our goal is for this place to be like an active vacation for people and dogs, full of adventures together. We look forward to people vacationing there with their dogs and sharing unforgettable experiences. The official opening is planned for next year, but we are already sharing the first impressions with our followers this year.