Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachovia-

Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Dr. Mary Gardner about all things senior cats!

There is nothing better to Dr. Gardner than a dog with a grey muzzle or a skinny old cat! Her professional goal is to increase awareness and medical care for the geriatric veterinary patient and to help make the final life stage as peaceful as possible, surrounded with dignity and support for all involved. A University of Florida graduate, Dr. Gardner discovered her niche in end-of-life care and is a founder of Lap of Love, which has over 350 veterinarians around the country who are dedicated to veterinary hospice and euthanasia in the home. Dr. Gardner published two books on caring for geriatric pets: It's Never Long Enough (dogs) and Nine Lives Are Not Enough (cats). She is co-author of the textbook, The Treatment and Care of the Veterinary Patient, and co-author of a children’s activity book focused on saying goodbye to a dog called “Forever Friend.” Dr. Gardner also won the VMX Small Animal Speaker of the Year award in 2020!

Listen as the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses the people skills animal trainers and behavior consultants need to teach, counsel, and advocate.

Your moderator is Don Hanson, chair of PPG's Advocacy Task Force.

The panelists are Kristi Benson, Dayle Pierce, Debbie Sheridan, and Sam Wike.

Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the discussion!

Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle about performing cats and how to get them ready to do their thing!

Melissa Millett is the founder and head trainer of In Dogs We Trust and The Ultimutts, and Ultimutt Animal Actors. She has trained thousands of family pets and is recognized globally as an animal expert. Melissa has been featured on major Canadian TV networks, including Breakfast Television (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary), CP24, Global News, CTV (Toronto, Vancouver), Animal Planet, The Pet Network, and more. She is the host of the popular television shows Doggy House Calls and the spin-off series Doggy Diaries across Canada.

Internationally acclaimed as an advanced trick trainer and performer with Ultimutts, Melissa's dogs have appeared on Good Morning America, The Rick Mercer Report, The Family Channel, and Canada's Got Talent. Bella the Boston terrier has traveled across the country with Ripley’s Believe it or Not! to promote her feature in the 2016 publication. Jellybean, the deaf Australian cattle dog, made it to the semifinals of the Facebook Watch show World's Most Amazing Dog, garnering 36 million views and narrowly missing the $100,000 USD prize!

Melissa offers an elite service for animals in film and TV, with credits including Pet Sematary, Priscilla, Titans, a 2019 U.S. Super Bowl commercial, as well as commercials for Duracell, Yoplait, and Gund. Past clients have included Paramount, Netflix, Warner Brothers, and others.

In this episode, the PPG Advocacy Panel discusses pet obesity.

Your host is PPG Advocacy Task Force Chair Don Hanson, and the panelists are Beth Adelman, Daniel Antolec, Judy Luther, Debbie Sheridan, and Kim Silver.

Grab a healthy snack and enjoy the discussion!

Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachovia-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Dr. Sarah Brown about her book, The Hidden Language of Cats—How They Have Us at Meow!

Sarah Brown gained her PhD on the social behavior of neutered domestic cats while working at the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. She has since worked as an independent cat behavior counselor and a consultant for the cat-toy industry, and has conducted research for and worked with several UK animal charities. She has authored and co-authored a number of cat books, including her recent popular science book, The Hidden Language of Cats—How They Have Us at Meow.

Join Niki Tudge as she chats and chuckles with Veronica Boutelle of dogbiz about the five steps to a thriving R+ training business!

Join Joanna Wachowiak-Finalison and Krista Schulte as they chat and chuckle with Alice Chau-Ginguene about comparing attitudes of cat ownership in Ireland and the U.S.

Alice Chau-Ginguene is a clinical animal behaviorist with 15 years of experience specializing in cat behavior. Passionate about making animal science accessible and engaging, she is dedicated to enhancing the enjoyment between cats and humans, and improving feline mental health. Through her private practice Alice supports cat lovers worldwide. Her expertise and insights have made her a regular feature in media across Ireland, the U.S., and beyond, where she continues to advocate for better understanding and care of our feline companions.

Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Dr. Zazie Todd, author of Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy, about the five pillars of feline welfare.

Zazie Todd PhD is an animal behaviour expert and award-winning author. She got the world talking about happiness for pets with her first two books Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. Her third book, Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog, will be published in October 2024. Todd is the creator of Companion Animal Psychology blog and has a column at Psychology Today. She has a PhD in psychology, is an honours graduate of the prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers, and has an Advanced Certificate of Feline Behaviour (with Distinction) from International Cat Care. Originally from the UK, she lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, a dog and a cat.

Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Sassafras Patterdale (Lowrey) about tricks, games, and enrichment for cats!

Sassafras Patterdale (Lowrey) CPDT-KA is an award-winning author whose books have been honored by organizations ranging from the American Library Association to the Dog Writers Association of America. Sassafras’ books include Tricks In The City, Healing/Heeling, and Chew This Journal: An Activity Book For You And Your Dog. Sassafras is also the author of the Cat Writers Association Finalist book, Claw This Journal: An Activity Book for Cat Lovers. Sassafras is a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) and Certified Fear Free Professional who writes regularly about cat enrichment for magazines and publications across the country. Sassafras lives, writes and trains in Portland, Oregon. Learn more at www.SassafrasPatterdale.com. 

Don't miss this special episode from PPG's Advocacy Task Force in its series, Conversations About Compassionate Care and Connection! These special Advocacy Panels feature a special guest and two co-hosts. 

The special guest for this Advocacy Panel is Dr. Karolina Westlund!

Your Co-hosts: Judy Luther and Debbie Sheridan

Your Moderator: ⁠PPG Advocacy Task Force⁠ Chair Don Hanson

Enjoy listening to the Advocacy Panel’s informal, free-flowing discussion!