Meghan Butt - Nervous System Wisdom: The Healing Power of Attuned Touch for You and Your Dog

Soul Touched by Dogs

What happens when your “I’ll just walk dogs for a while” job turns into a life’s calling? That’s exactly what happened to East London-based Behaviour Coach Meghan Butt, and in this episode, we explore how her deep commitment to healing - both her own and her canine clients’ led her to a trauma-informed, body-based approach to working with reactive dogs.

We talk about the powerful connection between posture and emotion (for dogs and humans alike), and why helping your dog feel safe and balanced starts with understanding the nervous system, not obedience drills. Meghan also introduces us to Tellington Touch, a beautiful combination of bodywork, groundwork, and observation that shifts both behaviour and relationship.

Whether you live with a reactive dog or just want to build a more attuned, trust-filled bond, this conversation is full of aha moments you won’t want to miss.

Key Takeaways:

Why reactivity is often rooted in nervous system dysregulation, not disobedience or defiance.

How “attunement” forms the bridge between your state and your dog’s.

What Tellington Touch is, and how tiny shifts in posture can create big emotional changes.

How Meghan’s concept of “constructive cuddles” can help reframe how we touch, hold, and support our dogs.

Why the way you show up (tense, calm, rushed, grounded) matters more than you think.

A favourite quote:
"The nervous system doesn’t need a lot to experience a shift - just a moment of awareness, a touch, an exhale. Dogs feel it all.” – Meghan Butt

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:24 Guest Introduction: Megan's Journey
00:33 Starting a Dog Walking Business
03:49 Developing a Unique Dog Training Framework
06:58 Understanding Dog Behavior and Nervous System
10:03 Tellington Touch and Its Benefits
14:54 Practical Applications and Client Stories
25:14 Conclusion and How to Connect

About Meghan:

Meghan Butt is a Behaviour Coach based in East London. With over 7 years of experience helping clients build collaborative, trusting relationships with their dogs, she brings a rich blend of lived experience as a dog walker, a trauma-informed lens, and deep knowledge of somatics, polyvagal theory, and relationship-based approaches. In 2023 she began her practitioner journey in Tellington Touch, adding body-based tools to her already powerful framework. Her work is guided by values of attunement, curiosity, autonomy, and joy.

Connect with Meghan:

Website: https://walktoheal.co.uk

Substack (free + paid options): https://walktoheal.substack.com

Instagram: @walkto_heal

As always, to find out all about Soul Touched by Dogs, go to https://soultouchedbydogs.com