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.

Jill Rappaport, formerly of the Today Show, is an avenger to senior dogs with the Grey Muzzle Organization. She talks about adopting senior dogs, and how dental health actually make them far more adoptable (not to mention healthier).

Phil Arkow, co-founder of the non-profit National Link Coalition, offers an important legislative update regarding the Link. Arkow helped to establish significant Links between animal abuse and child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse and other forms of violence. Mistreating animals is no longer seen as an isolated incident that can be ignored.

What are the so-called “Frankenstein rabbits” are all about.

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Theresa DePorter talks pheromones to fish. Dr. DePorter is responsible for one of the definitive studies on the consequences of punishment-based dog training and the use of equipment, such as shock collars. And we also talk about the language of cats. Are cats really from another planet? She has two pet owner surveys out, one on keeping fish and another on how well you may understand what your cat is trying to tell you.

The most popular pet names of 2025.

We have more senior pets in the U.S. than ever before. How do you even define senior pets? That’s where Dr. Heidi Lobprise, author Small Animal Senior Care: Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion begins. I was honored to author two chapters in this having to do with the importance of enrichment in aging pets. We also discuss preventative veterinary care, pain, the importance of proactive dental care, weight control and so much more including what all aging pets do need.

If you are allergic to cats, did you know there’s a cat food which neutralizes the protein causing those allergies.

There’s a new test to identify early kidney disease in cats.