Ask the Vet – Details, episodes & analysis

AMC's Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado, a certified cat behavior consultant, animal behavior scientist, and author of the new book Play With Your Cat: The Essential Guide to Interactive Play for a Happier, Healthier Feline.

Tune in as they discuss:

• Dr. Delgado's career path in feline behavior
• "Catios," and indoor vs. outdoor cat recommendations
• Common feline behavior issues, including litter box avoidance and inter-cat conflict
• Cats' sense of smell and its importance in their social interactions
• Cats' innate solitary nature and heightened stress response
• Litter box best practices: placement, hygiene, and choice of litter
• The importance of play in cats' wellbeing and the origins of Dr. Delgado's book
• How play mimics hunting, which is considered a "species-specific natural behavior" for cats
• Play in kittens vs. adult cats
• Guidelines for feline play: make it an interactive hunting experience
• Dr. Delgado's 5 Golden Rules of Play

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story of the month, featuring a helpless baby bird saved by a warm tortilla
• Animal news, including: a miniature poodle saved by NYPD, AMC, and the ASPCA; new research on dogs' response to human emotions; "cocaine sharks" off the coast of Florida
• Pet Health Listener Q&A

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Florence L. Dickler, Professor and Author of “For Dog’s Sake,” a heartfelt story about Clea, an adorable dog rescued from a Moroccan village. Clea was also one of Dr. Hohenhaus' oncology patients at AMC. Tune in as they discuss:

• Why Florence wrote "For Dog's Sake" from the point of view of her dog Clea
• The challenges of writing this book
• How Florence balanced information and facts with the emotional aspects of storytelling
• The people who contributed to Clea's cancer care and recovery across countries
• What readers can learn from this book
• How Florence met her new dog

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story about Archie the cat who was rescued from a ponderosa pine tree in the Grand Canyon's South Rim
• Animal news, including the new antiviral drug that treats FIP, a previously fatal disease in cats
• Pet Health Listener Q&A 

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center's Chief Veterinary Technician, Nancy Patsos. With 20+ years of experience at AMC, Nancy plays an important role in managing the Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) workforce and related patient care services. She ensures compliance with patient safety standards and fosters the professional development of LVTs. Tune in as they discuss: 

• What led to Nancy's career as a Veterinary Technician
• One of Nancy's most memorable patient cases at AMC
• Why Nancy has stayed at AMC for over two decades
• What is a Veterinary Technician?
• The ways LVTs can advance their career and how AMC is creating more career ladders for technicians
• AMC's first Vet Tech Conference

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story about a black bear who decides to hang out on a catamaran
• Animal news, including a stray dog rescued by crocodiles
• Pet Health Listener Q&A 

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with Judith Harbour, Veterinary Social Worker at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. Judith provides support and counseling to AMC staff and veterinary clients. She also facilitates AMC's Pet Loss Support Group. Listen as they discuss:

• What people commonly experience when they lose a beloved pet
• Advice for people coping with the loss of a pet
• Secondary loss and how it contributes to grief
• Why pet loss groups are helpful
• Judith's role in supporting the wellbeing of veterinary staff
• Ways people can celebrate and honor the life of their pet

Dr. Hohenhaus also interviews Sara Bader, author of The Book of Pet Love and Loss: Words of Comfort & Wisdom from Remarkable People. Tune in to hear: 

• What inspired Sara to write a book about pet loss
• How Sara found the quotes for her book
• Sara's favorite quote about pet love and loss
• What Sara learned from writing her book
• Does Sara have a new cat?

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story about what made a baby giraffe very unique
• Animal news, including how stray dog Scout escaped a shelter to become a medical care nursing home resident
• Listener Q&A 

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center's new President and CEO, Helen M. Irving, RN, MBA. Tune in as they discuss: 

• The furry members of the Irving household
• How a nurse from London, England became AMC's President and CEO
• Lessons from human healthcare that Helen is now applying to leading a veterinary hospital
• Differences between human and veterinary hospitals
• Exciting and surprising things about AMC
• How Helen describes AMC to her friends

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story about the the gathering of hundreds of Golden Retrievers in Scotland
• Animal news, including Rufus, the trained Harris hawk, who ensures the Wimbledon tennis courts are kept clear of pigeons
• Listener Q&A 

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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Dr. Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Catherine Ruggiero, a board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist, and Manager of Scientific Communications at Hills Pet Nutrition. Tune in as they discuss: 

• Why Dr. Ruggiero wanted to become a veterinarian and focus on nutrition
• Tips on what to feed your pet
• Reliable sources for pet food nutrition information
• Common problems with homemade diets for pets
• What terms like "natural" and "limited ingredients" mean on pet food labels
• Why it's good to keep the original pet food packaging you purchased
• The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and their role in the pet food industry
• Ways to help keep your dog or cat at the right weight

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animal story about how a cement barrier couldn't keep rescue dogs Brenda and Linda apart
• Animal news, including the bond between a scuba diver and a small mouth bass
• Listener Q&A 

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with her colleague, Dr. Kelly Muller, intern and future resident at AMC. Veterinary interns are fully-licensed veterinarians who have chosen to complete advanced training, often in preparation for a residency and board certification. Listen as they discuss:

• When Dr. Muller knew she wanted to become a veterinarian
• How Dr. Muller’s internship year is helping her become a specialist in neurology
• What makes an internship at AMC especially valuable
• Dr. Muller’s goals for her upcoming residency
• What Dr. Muller would like listeners to know about veterinary internships

Dr. Hohenhaus also interviews Anne and Andrew Zeneski, volunteers with Pilots N Paws, a wonderful non-profit organization dedicated to transporting rescue pets to their forever homes. Tune in to hear: 

• How Pilots N Paws helps rescue animals 
• Where dogs commonly fly to and from 
• Why student pilots make great volunteers 
• How Pilots N Paws connects with animals in need 
• Anne’s in-flight role 
• Spreading the word about Pilots N Paws 

Also on this month's show: 

• Viral trending animals, including how Oddball and his human, Swampy Marsh, helped save Little Penguins in Australia’s Middle Island
• Animal news, including the rescue animals who had their own shining moment at the Met Gala, and the birth of a pair of the world’s rarest piglets
• Listener Q&A 

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Sarah-Elizabeth Byosiere, Director of the Thinking Dog Center at Hunter College, about new research into the behavior and cognition of domestic dogs. Listen as they discuss:

• The origins of Dr. Byosiere's research interests
• The interdisciplinary and translational nature of dog cognition research
• The history of dog cognition as an academic field
• The pre-historic origins of canine domestication and breeding
• The multi-species work being done at Hunter College's Animal Behavior & Conservation Program
• Practical considerations of studying dog cognition
• Sample research projects and results
• Button mats that allow dogs to "talk"
• How dogs have been "talking" to us this whole time, but we just haven't been listening

Also on this month's show:

• Viral trending animals, including Murphy the bald eagle, his pet rock, and his foster baby eagle
• Animal news, including Cinnamon the goat & Felix the dog; Moggie's retirement village for cats; dogs' unique "nose prints"
• Listener Q&A

Email AskTheVet@amcny.org to have your pet questions answered on next month’s Ask the Vet Listener Q&A!

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Karen Shaw Becker, a veterinarian who empowers pet owners to enhance the wellbeing of their animals. Dr. Becker believes in a common sense approach to maintaining vibrant companion animals and an unconventional, integrative approach to addressing disease. Tune in as they discuss:

• How Dr. Becker got started  as a veterinarian
• The catalyst for her book, "The Forever Dog - Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer"
• How genetics and environmental factors impact canine health and longevity
• The D.O.G.S. strategy 
• Planning for dog health issues based on genetic predispositions
• Customizing your dog's exercise plan for their physical and mental needs
• The lifestyle factor that the oldest dogs in the world have in common

Also on this month's show:

• How loyal pup Ruby saved her human's life - twice!
• Animal news
• Listener Q&A

Email AskTheVet@amcny.org to have your pet questions answered on next month’s Ask the Vet Listener Q&A!

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Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Jill Rappaport, a journalist, author, producer, and passionate animal advocate especially for senior pets, pitties, and those with special needs. Tune in as they discuss:

• What we can learn from our animals
• The special story of Jack & Jill: The Miracle Dog with a Happy Tail to Tell
• The joys of giving a rescue animal a new life
• How Jill helped Christie Brinkley adopt her "fourth child"
• The impact of the pandemic on animal shelters
• How bully breeds are misunderstood
• The many ways that fostering is transformative for animals and people
• Jill's line of pet products and how they help animals

Also on this month's show:

• How a lost rescue pup used her sense of direction and technology for help
• Animal news
• Listener Q&A

Email AskTheVet@amcny.org to have your pet questions answered on next month’s Ask the Vet Listener Q&A!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!