Therapy dogs in Louisville hospitals, schools, prisons, and even the airport? On this episode of The Lou Review, sit down with Linda Laun, co-founder of Wags Pet Therapy of Kentucky, and Brian Fulkerson, past president, join host Rosa Hart to talk about how a handful of dog lovers built one of Louisville's most beloved volunteer organizations.

Linda takes us back to 1994, when it all started with four people, four dogs, and four locations (and one memorable hospital visit where security showed her the door). Brian shares how a neighbor's suggestion turned his retirement into a calling, and how he built an endowment to keep Wags going for years to come.

We talk about what really makes a good therapy dog (hint: it's temperament, not breed), the stories that will stay with you, and how you can get involved, with or without a dog of your own.

In this episode:

0:00 Welcome, meet Linda Lawn and Brian Fulkerson

1:17 How Wags started in 1994 with four dogs and four locations

2:38 How Brian got involved after retirement

3:31 What makes a good therapy dog (3 lbs to 180 lbs!)

5:15 Every dog has its own personality and favorite setting

6:01 Do dogs actually like hugs?

7:26 Getting kicked out of the first hospital visit

8:17 Helping a child overcome a fear of dogs, step by step

9:43 Leading a volunteer nonprofit

10:15 Building an endowment for long-term impact

12:51 How to become a Wags volunteer

13:44 No dog? You can still volunteer as a trained aide

14:34 Mentorship and support for new members

15:29 A moment with Nala at Brown Cancer Center

17:55 Airport visits for anxious and grieving travelers

20:14 The Halloween costume parade at the airport

21:30 Bringing therapy dogs into prisons

22:45 The reading program in 36 JCPS schools

23:23 115 dog teams and still a waiting list

23:56 How to get involved with Wags

26:04 Upcoming seminar on November 7

26:57 Thank you and closing

Connect with Wags Pet Therapy of Kentucky:

Website: kywags.org

Facebook and Instagram: @KYWAGS

The Lou Review spotlights the people, businesses, and nonprofits that make Louisville special. If this episode made you smile, follow the show, leave a rating, and share it with a fellow dog lover.

Hosted by Rosa Hart | The Lou Review Foundation

What does it take to build two beloved Louisville food spots and keep them thriving for decades? Kit Garrett, founder of Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe and Red Hog Butcher Shop, shares the story behind both, and why closing two days a week was one of her smartest decisions.

In this episode:
• How a blue heeler named Blue inspired the bakery’s name
• How a trip to Spain and a love of Iberico ham led to Red Hog
• Why giving staff real rest builds a stronger business
• How the Crescent Hill community kept Red Hog alive through COVID
• Red Hog’s 10 years supporting Louisville Public Media, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, and Feed Louisville

Plus: the cauliflower appetizer that changed Rosa’s mind about cauliflower, at a butcher shop!

🐖 Visit Red Hog: Tuesday – Saturday, Frankfort Ave | redhogartisanmeat.com | @RedHogButcher
🎙 Follow Rosa: @RosaRaves

The Lou Review podcast is made possible by the Lou Review Foundation.

Rob Bourdon went from pro hockey to owning Copper & Kings, the brandy distillery in Louisville's Butchertown neighborhood. Here's why he bet on brandy in the heart of bourbon country.

Rob grew up in Montreal with hockey skates on by age two. After a short run in the East Coast Hockey League, he wrote a business plan as a favor to his father-in-law, and that favor turned into a decade in the spirits business. Then he heard Copper & Kings was for sale, and he couldn't sleep that night.

Rosa Hart talks with Rob about brandy vs. bourbon, the surprising history of brandy in America (the original mint julep wasn't made with bourbon), who's really behind the drop in alcohol sales, and what it's like to buy a distillery during an industry downturn.

Connect with Rob on LinkedIN

TIMESTAMPS

(0:00) Introduction

Rosa welcomes Rob Bourdon, owner of Copper & Kings Distillery.

(0:53) Hockey Roots in Montreal

One of five kids, first skates at age two, then prep school, college hockey, and the East Coast Hockey League.

(2:00) Joining Tennessee Distilling Group

While waiting on his visa, Rob wrote the business plan for Tennessee's first contract manufacturing distillery. The favor became a decade-long career.

(4:20) Learning the Business from the Ground Up

Bottling, international private label, and sales, plus hard lessons about balancing quality and speed.

(6:48) Falling in Love with Copper & Kings

Rob pursued the deal through Constellation Brands, closing in August after 10 months of negotiations.

(8:20) Brandy vs. Bourbon

Whiskey is distilled beer (made from grain). Brandy is distilled wine (made from fruit).

(9:50) The Hidden History of Brandy in America

Brandy was the first spirit distilled on American soil in the 1600s, George Washington was a major peach brandy distiller, and the original mint julep was a brandy cocktail.

(12:10) Brandy as a Cocktail Spirit

Rob calls brandy a "chameleon" that works in old fashioneds, Negronis, espresso martinis, Manhattans, and even margaritas.

(15:20) Four Floors and a Rooftop Bar

From the aging cellar up to a rooftop lounge with charcuterie, cocktails, and sunset views.

(17:05) Thunder Over Louisville from the Rooftop

A covered patio with heaters, a view of the bridge, and no downtown traffic to worry about.

(19:10) Buying During a Spirits Industry Downturn

How drinking habits shift by generation, from bourbon to vodka and back to bourbon.

(20:20) 90 Years of Spirits Consumption History

Bourbon peaked around 36 million cases in 1970, dropped to 12.8 million by 2000, then climbed back to 32 million by 2024.

(24:30) Who's Really Driving the Decline in Drinking?

Rob says it isn't Gen Z. The biggest drop comes from Baby Boomers on GLP-1 medications and people switching to THC products for sleep.

(27:00) Moving to Louisville and the Business Community

Louisville's charm, its untapped potential, and the business community that welcomed him right away.

(30:00) Five-Year Vision for Copper & Kings

Growing from 5 states back to 30 to 40, entering the UK and Australia, and no longer being "Louisville's best kept secret."

(31:30) Three Distillery Tours

"Brandy in Bourbon Country," "Bottle Your Own," and the "Distiller Select Tour" with unique barrel finishes.

(34:00) Where to Find Copper & Kings

Rob invites you to come by and promises you'll "leave pretty happy."

LINKS

Copper & Kings: https://copperandkings.com

Follow Rosa Hart: @RosaRaves

The Lou Review highlights the business owners and nonprofit leaders building up Louisville and the surrounding area. Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and leave a rating if you enjoyed this one.