We recently connected with Kimberly Howatt and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, thanks for joining us today. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business

Where to begin? My entire journey as a business owner has been crazy, starting from the moment I left my career, in a moment that many have made sure I know was “insane.” I experienced a career I thought would bring me to a happy retirement, until my soul’s calling drove me straight into a new life. The change happened in an instant as I was on the 5-minute drive from the gym back to the office after a lunchtime workout..I walked into the boss’ office, and changed my life in one moment.

A few years prior to leaving my job, we rescued a puppy. Jango was just past two when he had a terrible reaction to medication, and our life with him changed forever. My goal was to learn whatever I could to give him the best life possible. The studies began as a necessity, turned into a hobby, and eventually an incredible heart-opening passion. Jango supported and guided me through this change, and I listened to his guidance. As it turned out, he rescued me.

Raidho Canine was born and began as a dog training service. I was a certified partnership coach, a methodology concentrating on deeper relationships between dogs and their people. This version didn’t last long. The soul voice called me again. The spiritual and intuitive side asked me to dive in deeper as I saw the need to support people alongside their dogs. I pursued more certifications.

A year later, we adopted 8 week old Zorii Bliss from a local rescue. When we brought her home, Jango wanted no part of her. His behavior was so intense we kept them separated for the first 6 months after she arrived. Two weeks after we brought her home, I was sitting outside questioning my new career and deciding if we should return Zorii to the rescue.

Then it happened. My first conscious animal communication, I had a vision and heard the words from beautiful Zorii Bliss in my mind as clear as day and the words: “Don’t worry about me, I am here to help him.”. I burst into tears, I had heard of animal communication before, but never experienced it. Without one shred of doubt, this communication meant everything. Animal communication was my calling.

I have embraced this beautiful connection to animals and created a program dedicated to serving both people and their dogs alongside creative writing. I have a manuscript written and in revision, nearly ready for editing. I have also written 8 short stories in a series I call Champions of Challenge and one custom story for a client who asked for a creation to honor the memory of a dog in spirit.

Since I made the crazy decision oto leave my softwre career, I get to be an author, animal communicator, Reiki Master, Zoopharmacognosy practitioner, Archetypal Consultant, and partnership coach. I am grateful for this wild ride, and I cannot wait to be surprised tomorrow.

I am blessed. Thank you Jim, Zam, Jango, and Zorii Bliss!

Kimberly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Kim, the owner of Raidho Canine, and I am an Animal Wisdom Alchemist. I help desperate but determined pet parents access their animals’ ancient wisdom through intuitive communication and storytelling, so they can confidently create a thriving lifestyle of deep connection and playful adventures.

As an author and storyteller, myth-buster and candid communicator, I create unique containers for transformation through small group work. This intimate setting brings together different perspectives and energies, fostering deep bonds between like-minded people while building strong foundations for change. It’s real-time connection where no two experiences are the same.

My passion lies in writing fictional stories channeled through animal communication, transforming tough challenges into superpowers and unveiling unforeseen realizations. I finished a story-telling series called Champions of Challenge and also wrote my first custom story for a client who wanted a story with her dog in spirit as the star. What a blast!

My first fantasy/adventure novel is coming soon.

This path wasn’t planned. It wasn’t even a distant longing. I didn’t grow up talking to animals or dream of becoming a healer. I arrived here through the mess of real life experience. My dogs cracked me wide open, bringing me to my knees with misbehavior and health crises. They arrived to save me, helping me remember who I am at the deepest soul-level.

They didn’t need to be fixed. They needed to be heard. And so did I.

My proudest achievement? The courage to leave my life as a Software executive behind to fully embrace this calling. My work evolves daily, guided by the wisdom of the animals, the transformations of my clients, and the calling of my soul.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn everything I knew about measuring my worth through external validation.

From childhood athletics through college softball and into my corporate career, my life was built around structure and oversight – parents, teachers, coaches, and bosses always defining success through their lens of expectation.

My entire identity was wrapped up in paychecks, raises, and bonuses. The moment I chose to leave that behind was the moment I decided to determine my own worth, and I was bad at it. I was my toughest critic. The corporate world had simply been reflecting back what I already believed about myself, and it wasn’t pretty. Every time life threw a curveball, I’d shut down. Despite experiencing success with Raidho Canine, I wasn’t reaching the level I desired.

While I’m still a work in progress, I’ve unlearned the need for external approval. Now I wake up grateful for the privilege of choice – I get to write novels, run a business, and work with amazing clients and their beautiful animals. I don’t have to do anything; I’m blessed with the opportunity to do everything.

This journey taught me that true worth isn’t found in performance reviews or promotions – it’s in the courage to define success on your own terms. Abundance comes in the experience. It’s not tied to the outcome.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Life since leaving my corporate job has been a whirlwind of evolution, sparked by an unexpected guide, Lyme Disease. This diagnosis put me to my knees, and it was our dog Jango, who helped me find the answers because he was also sick with a reaction to the rabies shot. I went to a clinic focused on energy healing through frequency assessment. What began as a search for physical healing transformed into a spiritual awakening at lightning speed. I left my software career months later.

I thought I was choosing a simpler life as a dog trainer. But my beautiful dogs had bigger plans for me. Each step of my journey revealed new layers, pushing me deeper into my purpose, even when I wanted to quit because the changes were painful.

The evolution has been constant. I have not wanted to make the changes as rapidly as they have come, but it is a deep calling and denying the change is painful, as I found out the hard way. Dog training evolved into Zoopharmacognosy and Archetypal Consulting. Then came Animal Communication and Reiki Master, which remain core tools in my practice today. But something was still missing.

I discovered that traditional one-hour animal communication sessions felt too shallow for someone who craves deep conversation and meaningful relationships. I imagined the transformations possible over 6, 8, or 12 sessions together. We are all stronger in community.

Now, I’m creating something that’s never existed before – a community where humans and animals live together in profound connection. What started as a dream is finally becoming reality. Every fall, every pivot, every moment of doubt led me here. Toss in some creative writing, and yeah, life has toughened me up!

Sometimes the longest way around is the shortest way home.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://raidhocanine.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raidhocanine/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.howatt
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidhocanine2023
• Other: https://kimberlyhowatt.substack.com/

Image Credits

The first Personal Photo with Jango, The white dog, Zam, in my lap outside and the one with the black tri , Zorii Bliss, over my shoulder are credit to Superdog Photos.