Speaking of Pets

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This episode of Speaking of Pets is dedicated to Rustin and James' beloved schnauzer Teddy Luther who suddenly passed on November 5, 2026. May he rest in peace.

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Dr. Rustin Moore joins the show to discuss his third book Restoring the Bond: Resilience Through Human-Animal Interactions and the stories behind his work. He shares examples of animal rescue and recovery, including a neglected dog adopted by the judge who heard its case. The conversation explores how human-animal bonds can bring comfort and resilience, while also touching on hoarding, animal abuse, and the emotional strain faced by people caring for animals in crisis. Moore reflects on the complexity behind these situations and the importance of understanding both animals’ needs and the people involved.

Rustin M. Moore, DVM, PhD and Diplomate ACVS assumed the role of dean of Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. He has led the college through two five-year terms marked by a series of notable accomplishments, which led the Board of Trustees to extend his term through 2027.

Prior to becoming dean, he served in various leadership roles at the college between 2006-2015, including chair of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Associate Dean for Clinical Programs, Executive Director of the Veterinary Medical Center, and Associate Executive Dean.

A distinguished veterinarian, author, and lifelong advocate for the transformative power of the human–animal bond. Growing up on a small farm in the Appalachian hills of West Virginia, he learned early how animals shape lives—a passion that has guided his nearly four-decade career.

Key Topics:

-The emotional and psychological benefits of the human-animal bond

-Pet rescue stories from around the world, including Splash the search and rescue otter

-Innovative programs supporting pets in times of human crisis, including hospital and domestic violence scenarios

-The science behind pets detecting stress and illness in humans

-The importance of supporting pets in shelters and during emergencies

-The role of veterinary medicine in animal rescue and recovery

-The impact of pet ownership on mental health and community well-being

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As a veterinarian and accomplished musher, Dr. Tim Hunt understood his dogs’ need for a food that promoted stamina, endurance and performance through proper digestion; a food that just made them feel good. Dr. Tim’s focus has since expanded from his original backyard setup to bring an honest, nutritionally sound food – sourced only from the highest quality ingredients – to every dog. Visit https://drtims.com/ to order today!

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Speaking of Pets is owned by SLA Video Productions. Do not reproduce without written consent.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

SOP episode 138 featuring Dr. Karen Kline!

In this episode, Dr. Alice Jeromin and guest Dr. Karen Klein share fascinating stories from their veterinary careers, discuss common and rare pet health issues, and explore advances in veterinary diagnostics and treatments. Perfect for pet owners and veterinary enthusiasts alike. In this episode, veterinary expert Karen Kline shares groundbreaking insights into veterinary medicine, including recent advances in feline infectious peritonitis treatment, the impact of infectious diseases like Bartonella and Lyme, and the evolution of neurology diagnostics. Discover how innovations are transforming pet health and what pet owners can do to support their animals' well-being.

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As a veterinarian and accomplished musher, Dr. Tim Hunt understood his dogs’ need for a food that promoted stamina, endurance and performance through proper digestion; a food that just made them feel good. Dr. Tim’s focus has since expanded from his original backyard setup to bring an honest, nutritionally sound food – sourced only from the highest quality ingredients – to every dog. Visit https://drtims.com/ to order today!

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Speaking of Pets is owned by SLA Video Productions. Do not reproduce without written consent.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Speaking of Pets episode 137 featuring guest Dr. Iveta Becvarova!

Dr. Iveta Becvarova DVM MS DACVIM (nutrition) is the former Senior Director of Global Academic and Professional Affairs at Hill's Pet Nutrition with 20 years of experience in pet nutrition. Adjunct professor at Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine. Formerly professor at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. DVM from University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Brno, Czech Republic. Past president of ACVN-American College of Veterinary Nutrition.

In this episode, Dr. Becvarova discusses with the girls her research on nutritional needs of cats with cancer, the development of a specialized diet, and practical tips for pet owners managing feline cancer. Learn how tailored nutrition can support quality of life and treatment outcomes.

Key Topics:

Nutritional needs of cats with cancer

Development of a specialized feline diet for oncology patients

Challenges in feeding cats with illness

Study design and parameters for nutritional research

Palatability and acceptance of therapeutic diets

Monitoring nutritional status in cats

Role of inflammation and cytokines in cancer cachexia

Importance of gradual diet transition in cats

Owner perceptions and experiences with therapeutic diets

Future directions in veterinary nutrition research

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As a veterinarian and accomplished musher, Dr. Tim Hunt understood his dogs’ need for a food that promoted stamina, endurance and performance through proper digestion; a food that just made them feel good. Dr. Tim’s focus has since expanded from his original backyard setup to bring an honest, nutritionally sound food – sourced only from the highest quality ingredients – to every dog. Visit https://drtims.com/ to order today!

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Speaking of Pets is owned by SLA Video Productions. Do not reproduce without written consent.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Speaking of Pets episode 136 featuring Dr. Natasha Olby!

In this episode, Dr. Natasha Olby shares insights into veterinary geriatric medicine, cognitive aging in dogs, and emerging research on aging processes. Discover how veterinary students are being prepared to better care for aging pets and the latest tools for assessing cognitive decline.

Natasha Olby gained her veterinary degree from Cambridge University in the UK in 1991, and after a brief period spent in mixed general practice, returned to Cambridge to complete a PhD in spinal cord injury and a surgical training.

Following completion of her PhD and a post doctoral position, also focused on spinal cord injury, she moved to North Carolina State University to do a neurology/neurosurgery residency and she has stayed at NCSU as a faculty member since then.

Dr. Olby is the 2014 recipient of the Faculty Achievement Award from the American Association of Veterinary

Clinicians. The award is presented to an AAVC member who has achieved national recognition in academic or institutional practice, teaching, research, or in another endeavor that advances veterinary medicine.

In 2017, Dr. Olby was awarded the Dr. Kady M. Gjessing and Rahna M. Davidson Distinguished Chair in Gerontology. Read more here.

She is the author or co-author of more than 100 scientific publications, is the co-editor of both the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) Manual of Canine and Feline Neurology, and Advances in Veterinary Neurology, 2014. Vet Clinics of North America. Additionally, Dr. Olby authors book chapters in a variety of veterinary textbooks and manuals.

Natasha Olby is a professor of veterinary neurology and neurosurgery. She is board certified in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Neurology Specialty and is a past president of the organization (2008-2011).

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As a veterinarian and accomplished musher, Dr. Tim Hunt understood his dogs’ need for a food that promoted stamina, endurance and performance through proper digestion; a food that just made them feel good. Dr. Tim’s focus has since expanded from his original backyard setup to bring an honest, nutritionally sound food – sourced only from the highest quality ingredients – to every dog. Visit https://drtims.com/ to order today!

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Speaking of Pets is owned by SLA Video Productions. Do not reproduce without written consent.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Speaking of Pets episode 135 featuring Dr. Craig Clifford!

In this episode, Dr. Craig Clifford discusses the latest advancements in veterinary cancer diagnostics, including blood tests for early detection, and explores environmental factors influencing pet cancer risk. A must-listen for pet owners and vets alike.

Dr. Craig Clifford has been a medical oncologist since 2003 and currently runs all oncology-based clinical trials at BluePearl Malvern. He is active in clinical research and serves as an advisory board member with industry and non-profit foundations. He has authored/co-authored over 70 papers and book chapters and frequently lectures at major veterinary meetings in the USA and abroad. Dr. Clifford is a member of the Mars Veterinary Oncology Advisory Board and the Oncology Pathology Working Group, has served on many VCS and American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) committees and was an Examiner for the Australian Scientist’s Oncology Specialty Exam.

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As a veterinarian and accomplished musher, Dr. Tim Hunt understood his dogs’ need for a food that promoted stamina, endurance and performance through proper digestion; a food that just made them feel good. Dr. Tim’s focus has since expanded from his original backyard setup to bring an honest, nutritionally sound food – sourced only from the highest quality ingredients – to every dog. Visit https://drtims.com/ to order today!

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Speaking of Pets is owned by SLA Video Productions. Do not reproduce without written consent.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Speaking of Pets episode 134 featuring Dr. Brian Peters!

In this episode, veterinarian Dr. Brian Peters shares insights on pet health, physical exams, and how owners can better observe and communicate with their vets. Discover practical tips for pet wellness and the importance of proactive veterinary care. In this episode, Dr. Brian Peters shares insights from his extensive experience caring for pets and humans, highlighting the lessons animals teach us about life, loyalty, and empathy. Discover fascinating breed-specific health issues and hear stories that showcase the deep bond between pets and their owners.

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As a veterinarian and accomplished musher, Dr. Tim Hunt understood his dogs’ need for a food that promoted stamina, endurance and performance through proper digestion; a food that just made them feel good. Dr. Tim’s focus has since expanded from his original backyard setup to bring an honest, nutritionally sound food – sourced only from the highest quality ingredients – to every dog. Visit https://drtims.com/ to order today!

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Your Northeast Ohio animal newspaper connection is the Country Critter Journal. With distribution in Geauga, Lake, and Ashtabula counties you'll have to pick one up wherever you find magazines. Can't stop in to pick up your copy? No worries! View the publication online at https://neoccj.com

Speaking of Pets is owned by SLA Video Productions. Do not reproduce without written consent.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Speaking of Pets with guest Dr. Lindsay Starkey!

Dr. Starkey earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Arkansas and her DVM and PhD degrees at Oklahoma State University, where her graduate research focused on vector-borne infections. She completed her residency training through the National Center for Veterinary Parasitology at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Starkey recently rejoined Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine as an associate professor after several years at Auburn University. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiology with a subspecialty in parasitology. She is involved in various research projects involving vectors, vector-borne pathogens, and diagnostic parasitology. She also teaches parasitology to veterinary students and has received 2 teaching awards, most recently the Zoetis Distinguished Teacher Award. She currently serves as a board member for the National Center for Veterinary Parasitology and the American Heartworm Society.

Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention isn’t just for summer. In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Starkey, veterinarian Dr. Alice Jeromin, and Janet Novotny King discuss why pets can still be exposed to parasites throughout the year—and what owners can do to help protect them.

They challenge common assumptions, including that the first frost gets rid of fleas and that removing a tick is all you need to do. The conversation explores how heartworms, fleas, and ticks survive changing temperatures, why flea infestations can persist in the home, and how different preventives offer different kinds of protection.

You’ll also hear what to consider when choosing a preventive, why a missed dose may matter, and what to do if you find a tick on your pet—including why saving it may be useful. The guests discuss counterfeit products, heartworm testing for rescue dogs, and how a pet’s lifestyle and local parasite risks can affect prevention choices.

Whether you live with a dog, cat, or both, this episode offers practical information to help you have a more informed conversation with your veterinarian about year-round parasite protection.

Key topics:

• Year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
• Common misconceptions about parasite control in winter
• Tick behavior and how they find hosts
• The importance of testing ticks for diseases
• Choosing the right parasite prevention products
• The impact of climate and seasons on parasite activity
• The process of tick testing and what it reveals
• Risks of counterfeit pet medications

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As a veterinarian and accomplished musher, Dr. Tim Hunt understood his dogs’ need for a food that promoted stamina, endurance and performance through proper digestion; a food that just made them feel good. Dr. Tim’s focus has since expanded from his original backyard setup to bring an honest, nutritionally sound food – sourced only from the highest quality ingredients – to every dog. Visit https://drtims.com/ to order today!

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Your Northeast Ohio animal newspaper connection is the Country Critter Journal. With distribution in Geauga, Lake, and Ashtabula counties you'll have to pick one up wherever you find magazines. Can't stop in to pick up your copy? No worries! View the publication online at https://neoccj.com

Speaking of Pets is owned by SLA Video Productions. Do not reproduce without written consent.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Speaking of Pets episode 132 featuring Dr. Richard Ford!

This episode breaks down rabies from the ground up with Dr. Richard Ford, a boarded internal medicine specialist with deep experience in both veterinary medicine and public health. Janet Novotny King and Dr. Alice Jeromin guide the conversation through what rabies is, how it spreads, why bats are such a concern, and why vaccination is the critical line of defense. We discuss the real-world risks for pets and people, what happens after a suspected exposure, and why rabies is still a major global killer even though it is relatively controlled in the United States.

Key Topics:

• History of rabies dating back to Aristotle
• Transmission of rabies through bites and scratches
• Reservoir hosts including bats, raccoons, and dogs
• Signs and symptoms of rabies in humans and animals
• Post-exposure prophylaxis and vaccination protocols
• Legal requirements for rabies vaccination in the US
• Risks of importing pets from high-risk countries
• The significance of timely rabies vaccination
• The impact of rabies on global health and mortality
• Advances in rabies vaccine safety and efficacy

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As a veterinarian and accomplished musher, Dr. Tim Hunt understood his dogs’ need for a food that promoted stamina, endurance and performance through proper digestion; a food that just made them feel good. Dr. Tim’s focus has since expanded from his original backyard setup to bring an honest, nutritionally sound food – sourced only from the highest quality ingredients – to every dog. Visit https://drtims.com/ to order today!

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Your Northeast Ohio animal newspaper connection is the Country Critter Journal. With distribution in Geauga, Lake, and Ashtabula counties you'll have to pick one up wherever you find magazines. Can't stop in to pick up your copy? No worries! View the publication online at https://neoccj.com

Speaking of Pets is owned by SLA Video Productions. Do not reproduce without written consent.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Speaking of Pets episode 131 featuring Shawna Van Loon!

In this episode, Shawna Van Loon, a professional dog groomer, shares insights into the grooming process, common pet health issues, and tips for pet owners to keep their pets healthy and calm during grooming sessions. Discover expert advice on grooming techniques, pet behavior, and how groomers and veterinarians work together to ensure pet well-being.

Key topics

• The importance of grooming for pet health
• How groomers detect health issues
• Tips for calming pets during grooming
• Tools and techniques for effective grooming
• Breed-specific grooming needs
• Handling difficult pets safely
• The role of grooming in early health detection
• Best practices for pet owner grooming at home

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As a veterinarian and accomplished musher, Dr. Tim Hunt understood his dogs’ need for a food that promoted stamina, endurance and performance through proper digestion; a food that just made them feel good. Dr. Tim’s focus has since expanded from his original backyard setup to bring an honest, nutritionally sound food – sourced only from the highest quality ingredients – to every dog. Visit https://drtims.com/ to order today!

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Your Northeast Ohio animal newspaper connection is the Country Critter Journal. With distribution in Geauga, Lake, and Ashtabula counties you'll have to pick one up wherever you find magazines. Can't stop in to pick up your copy? No worries! View the publication online at https://neoccj.com

Speaking of Pets is owned by SLA Video Productions. Do not reproduce without written consent.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Speaking of Pets episode 130 featuring Dr. Judith Samson-French!

Dr. Judith Samson-French has sat on both sides of the hardest moments in veterinary care: as the vet in the room, and as the advocate outside it. 30+ years. 100,000+ animals. 10,000+ surgeries. Most humans are forced to make medical decisions for their dog they were never prepared for. She helps them navigate difficult veterinary decisions. Founder of HUMM Decision Consulting.

https://hummroadmap.com/the-witty-vet/subscribe

Dr. Judith Samson-French shares her insights on veterinary decision-making, the importance of accurate diagnosis, and how personalized medicine can improve pet care. She discusses the evolution of veterinary practices, cost considerations, and the value of second opinions. In this episode, Dr. Judith Samson-French shares insights on veterinary practices, pet care, and the importance of personalized medicine for animals, emphasizing the value of understanding each pet's unique needs and the evolving landscape of veterinary medicine.

Key Topics

• The importance of accurate diagnosis in veterinary medicine
• How personalized treatment plans improve pet outcomes
• The evolution of veterinary practices and technology
• Cost considerations and affordability in pet care
• The value of second opinions and record keeping
• Understanding cancer treatment options and quality of life
• The complexity of ACL surgeries and decision-making
• The role of meaningful medicine tailored to individual pets Personalized veterinary medicine and the concept of the gold standard
• The importance of recognizing individual pet needs and the final lap of senior pets
• The impact of supplements, diet, and lifestyle on pet health and longevity
• The evolving landscape of veterinary practice and pet owner empowerment
• The significance of early recognition of health issues and proactive care

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As a veterinarian and accomplished musher, Dr. Tim Hunt understood his dogs’ need for a food that promoted stamina, endurance and performance through proper digestion; a food that just made them feel good. Dr. Tim’s focus has since expanded from his original backyard setup to bring an honest, nutritionally sound food – sourced only from the highest quality ingredients – to every dog. Visit https://drtims.com/ to order today!

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Your Northeast Ohio animal newspaper connection is the Country Critter Journal. With distribution in Geauga, Lake, and Ashtabula counties you'll have to pick one up wherever you find magazines. Can't stop in to pick up your copy? No worries! View the publication online at https://neoccj.com

Speaking of Pets is owned by SLA Video Productions. Do not reproduce without written consent.