Pam O’Hara; Breaking Barriers

In this episode of Off Leash, we sit down with Pam O’hara, a disabled service dog handler, advocate, and dog sport enthusiast who is redefining what accessibility looks like in the canine world. Recorded live at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, this heartfelt and inspiring conversation dives into Pam’s journey navigating colon cancer, epilepsy, vision loss, and life alongside her incredible Belgian Malinois service dog, Mazikeen.

 

Pam shares how her rescue dog—once slated for euthanasia—became her teammate, confidence builder, and partner in advocacy. Together, they’ve entered the world of protection sports, service dog work, and public education while pushing for greater inclusivity in dog sports for disabled handlers.

 

From bite work and dock diving to the realities of traveling with a service dog, this episode explores the barriers disabled handlers face and Pam’s ambitious vision for creating adaptive, Paralympic-style dog sport events that welcome everyone.

 

It’s a powerful conversation about resilience, teamwork, accessibility, and the extraordinary bond between humans and dogs. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!