Show notes
In this special episode, we sit down with Stefani Cohen, a clinical social worker and author of Overcoming Your Child’s Fear of Dogs. Together, we explore the often-overlooked anxiety surrounding dog phobias, especially in children, and how these fears can shape emotional development and resilience.
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Quote of the Episode
"You can't always control fear, but you can control how you respond to it — and that's where real growth happens."
– Inspired by Stefani Cohen’s journey
What This Episode Is Really About:
Fear, Healing, and the Power of Understanding
In this heartfelt conversation, Stefani Cohen, LCSW, shares her insights on how childhood fears—especially the fear of dogs—can deeply impact mental health. Drawing from her extensive work as a clinical social worker and her personal experience as a parent, Stefani discusses how these fears often stem from a sense of lost control and how exposure therapy can help children rebuild confidence.
Listeners will discover how fear develops, the role parents play in shaping emotional responses, and how learning about animal behavior can promote emotional intelligence and resilience. This episode blends humor, expert advice, and vulnerability to open up meaningful dialogue about mental health and fear.
Meet Our Guest: Stefani Cohen, LCSW
Clinical Social Worker | Author | Educator
B.A. in Sociology, William Smith College
Master of Social Work, New York University
Over 30 years helping parents and children manage anxiety, fear, and emotional regulation
Specializes in exposure therapy for children afraid of dogs through her unique OFOD protocol
Book: Overcoming Your Child’s Fear of Dogs
Website: https://overcomefearofdogs.com/
Instagram: @overcomefearofdogs
Facebook: OvercomeDogFear
LinkedIn: Stefani Cohen, LCSW
Key Takeaways
Phobias Are Real Mental Health Issues: Dog phobias in children are valid and often misunderstood.
Parental Influence Matters: Children can absorb anxiety from their environment, especially from their parents.
Understanding Can Replace Fear: Teaching kids to understand dog behavior can build emotional confidence.
Actionable Tips
Model Calm Behavior: Your reactions around dogs influence how your child feels.
Use Gradual Exposure: Help children slowly become comfortable with dogs in safe settings.
Respect Emotional Signals: Encourage awareness of body language in both people and animals.
Chapters & Time Stamps
[00:01:12] – How Stefani’s daughter’s fear inspired her mission
[00:02:41] – Four primary ways phobias develop in children
[00:08:22] – Why boys ages 5–9 are statistically more prone to dog bites
[00:13:19] – The role of control in childhood fear
[00:24:18] – Understanding dog consent and the "three-second petting rule"
[00:28:18] – Rapid-fire: resilience, favorite words, and self-care
[00:33:31] – Where to find Stefani’s work and connect
References & Mentions
Overcoming Your Child’s Fear of Dogs by Stefani Cohen – overcomefearofdogs.com
DSM-5 classification of specific phobias
Child bite prevention research and statistics
School-based humane education programs and therapy dog visits led by Stefani
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