Dr. Renee Schmid, Director of Veterinary Medicine and Senior Veterinary Toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline debunks some internet myths, including that somehow Tums (the antacid) will treat dogs that have ingested grapes or raisins. She also talks about how to keep pets safe over Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Actor Joey Luthman is traveling across America on a one-wheel to raise money to support the non-profit EveryCat Health Foundation, specifically kidney disease and cancers. He wants what so many of us want, for cats to live longer. He talks about his unique journey.

Scaling increasing interest in fish and reptile pets.

David Frei – known as “Mr. Dog Show” discusses the increasingly popular National Dog Show presented by Purina, on NBC on Thanksgiving Day. 

Frei is also the author of two books about Animal Assisted Therapy and co-founder of the National Dog Show Therapy Dog Symposium, which you can attend at Rowan University or virtually. Frei and Steve (who is the keynote speaker this year) discuss animal assisted therapy and the difference the animals involved make for countless thousands around the globe. 

Are cats social or not?

It’s an exciting celebration with Dr. Patrick Flynn, president of the Human Animal Bond Association – International Human Animal Bond Day on November 8.  Dr. Flynn discusses the bond with our pets, and how it continues to intensify. And the bond isn’t relegated to pets, it’s with the natural world – and arguably today we crave it more than ever.

Dr. Flynn also discusses osteoarthritis pain in dogs and cats, and that while it’s known that cats mask any signs of pain, generally dogs do the same more than most people think.

California became the fifth state to ban declaw.

Steve spoke with Diane Keaton about adopting older dogs and her failed effort to open an animal shelter, also a sweet video of her singing to her dog. 

Vera Junge, Volunteer Coordinator of Unity Hospice and Palliative Care, explains their novel program which cares for pets of clients who happen to be in hospice called Pet Peace of Mind.  Volunteers walk dogs, feed pets, change cat litter, play with pets, change the paper for guinea pigs, whatever it takes. The organization also will drive pets to boarding, grooming or veterinary visits. And will even help to help to re-home pets if that is needed. She explains how you can volunteer or donate.

From the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention Dr. Ernie Ward comments on how pet obesity is occurring more often worldwide, and a new way to think about how to deal with this issue. And how GLP-1 receptor agonists drugs (like Ozempic) for pets are in the pipeline. And there’s a survey which Dr. Ward hopes you fill out, here. Dr. Ward explains why your voice is important.

Steve offers his personal memories of his several interviews with Dr. Jane Goodall, which you can see and hear here.

Dr. Michael Bailey, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association talks with Steve from a meeting in Brazil. Some tough topics are discussed, including affordability of veterinary care, vaccine hesitancy of pets, and the trend of virtual pet care. Also, can pets have autistic spectrum disorder?

Diane Keaton, an Oscar-winning actress whose career spanned more than five decades, has died at age 79. In 2004, Keaton, an animal lover, spoke with WGN Radio’s Steve Dale about “Home 4 the Holidays,” a campaign to adopt pets from shelters during the holiday season.

If it wasn’t for the human animal bond, why would we have pets? It’s a powerful conversation with Dr. Rustin Moore, Rita Jean Wolfe Endowed Dean of the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine about his book Unleashing the Bond: Harnessing the Power of Human-Animal Interactions.  Steve and Dr. Moore attempt to unpack the complex evolving relationships we have with our fur babies (are they even called pets anymore?)

Is feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome in cats like Alzheimer’s Disease in people?

The story of a once mysterious and until-recently fatal feline disease called feline infectious peritonitis has enough twists and tuns to be a Netflix movie. A treatment for the now-treatable disease even saved humans with COVID-19. Dr. Sam Evans, assistant professor of veterinary medicine Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Peter Cohen, founder of the non-profit Zen by Cat, explain and discuss updates on treatment and the most current turn of events.

Vaccine hesitancy is happening in pets – some of that makes no sense and is concerning for public health.

Jane Goodall, the legendary chimpanzee researcher, has died at age 91. Here are a couple of conversations between Goodall and WGN Radio’s Steve Dale:

November, 2003:

May, 2019:

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Amy Pike answers what it’s like to be dog parent with real-life issues. From day one with a puppy or an adult dog, how to best connect with your dog. What are the devices products to never use when training dogs.  Specific issues, included resource guarding, and the best way to walk dogs and why a “heel” can be “worthless.” Dr. Pike’s book is appropriately called Dog Parenting: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding, Training and Bonding with Your Best Friend.

Also, new American Animal Hospital Association guidelines which suggest no ear cropping or de-barking of dogs or declaw for cats.