A Walk in the Park....with Animal Friends

Trying to figure out the right weight for your pet can be a total minefield, but there’s no time like the present to learn about the correct diet and exercise routine for your beloved companion.   Should I be able to see my dog’s spine, is my cats’ low hanging belly normal, how do you get an indoor cat to lose weight through exercise, and what are the quick fixes for animal weight loss?   Well, Ta...

We often hear people referring to their dogs as their ‘best friend’, but are we giving them the correct care they need and deserve?   Canine lovers will not want to miss this episode as we find out whether it’s important to consistently groom your dog, how to correctly care for their skin, and learn about doggy dandruff!  Dr Sam Webster, Director of Clinical Operations at Joii Pet Care returns to...

Our feline friends are often described as aloof, but how can we ensure we’re communicating with them correctly and giving them the care they need?   If you’re a cat purrson, then don’t miss this quick episode as we find out whether it’s important to brush their teeth, how to ensure we’re caring for their health correctly, and if we actually need to clip their nails?   Tamika welcomes regular guest...

From one extreme to the other, the cold weather can be just as dangerous for our pets as the heat. But how cold is too cold and what are the tips to ensure they’re keeping warm but not overheating?   For this snapshot episode, Tamika welcomes regular guest Dr Sam Webster, Director of Clinical Operations at Joii Pet Care, to discuss cold weather advice for our cats and dogs. Like, how they both fin...

The heat can be a struggle for the best of us, but more specifically, it can be hard on our pets. But what can we do to help keep them cool and what signs do we need to look out for when they’re too hot?   For this episode, Tamika welcomes regular guest Dr Sam Webster, Director of Clinical Operations at Joii Pet Care, to discuss warm weather advice for our furry friends. Like, do cats and dogs sho...

Did you know you could potentially spot a turtle on our UK beaches? But that’s unfortunately not a good sign.   This episode sees us make a splash with all things sea turtle, with Wildlife Vets International (WVI). Tamika is joined in our studio by Matthew Rendle, Registered Veterinary Nurse and Olivia Walter, Executive Director at WVI. They discuss how climate change can affect the gender of baby...

Did you know that horses constantly live in the moment? In a world constantly on the move, could rescue equines be the key in helping us to heal and connect...  Join host Tamika at the Mare and Foal Sanctury in Devon, to meet some gorgeous horses and ponies and learn about the exceptional Equine Assisted Services the sanctuary provides.   For this super special episode of ‘A Walk in the Park’, Tam...

50% of the UK’s biodiversity has been lost since the 1970s, yes you read that right, FIFTY PER CENT…  So how can we all help repair the damage done? In this episode of ‘A Walk in the Park’, Tamika sits down with Phil Paulo, Head of Major Tree Planting Projects and Annie Heslop, Project Manager at The Tree Council, to talk about the importance of growing to love and care for our nation’s trees and...

If the Hedgehog is one of the UK’s most loved animals, how did they become endangered?   For this spine-tingling episode of ‘A Walk in the Park’, Tamika sits down with Hugh Warwick, spokesperson for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, to talk all things Hedgehog. They discuss how we truly need to love nature to be able to save it and just how quickly the Hedgehog population of the UK is dro...

Would you know what to do if your dog got injured or started to choke? You’re not alone... This pulse raising episode delves into the all-important subject of first aid for our canine companions as Tamika is joined by the CEO of Dog First Aid, Dani Hickman, for ‘A Walk in the Park’.  Discussing everything from cuts to CPR, Dani shares her extensive knowledge and expertise on just how vital and lif...

Are Beavers making a comeback stronger than 90s fashion? Having been extinct for around 400 years, Beavers are being reintroduced back into the UK, red teeth and all.   Join our new host, Tamika, on location with Lauren Jasper, Beaver Officer at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, to discuss why it’s cool to give a ‘dam’ about Beavers.    We’re all part of a wider ecosystem within which Beavers help play...

Santa (Skye) Paws is coming to town! It may be the most wonderful time of year for some, but amongst all the excitement, food, fun and lights there may be fiendish festive fate lurking for our fabulous fur family. Dr Sam Webster, Director of Clinical Operations at Joii Pet Care and Dr Natalie Light, Director of Behaviour at Joii Pet Care, are back on the couch for our tinsel-trimmed season finale....

We’re diving back into the ocean this week to explore the importance of whales and dolphins to our planet. Patricia and Skye have a ‘whale of a time’ with Beans, a beautiful rescue dog, and her human Ed Goodall, the head of intergovernmental engagement at Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC).    They breach many topics this week including the fantastic and vital role that whales and dolphins play...

Bee-frightened elephants, lions sending voicemails, and what it feels like to look into the eyes of a gorilla.   This roar-some episode ventures into the heart of African Wildlife Conservation as Patricia and Skye are joined by the CEO of TUSK, Sir Charles Mayhew OBE, for ‘A Walk in the Park’.  Discussing the journey of protecting Africa’s wildlife over the past 30 years, Charlie shares his extens...

Did you know, while they can’t “talk” to us, dogs are great communicators? So why is it some need the colour yellow? In this episode of ‘A Walk in the Park’ Patricia is joined by Sarah Jones, Founder of My Anxious Dog, and Natalie Light, Director of Behaviour at Joii Pet Care, to understand dog anxiety.  Patricia talks with Sarah about her dog Bella, and how yellow has given Bella a voice by makin...

Questions about our pet’s health can be a minefield – well now’s the time to get some answers! We all know that sound … we’ve just got comfortable, slowly drifting off to sleep when suddenly, our pet starts frantically scratching! But what amount of scratching is normal and when, as owners, should we be concerned? And while the odd pet sneeze can be cute, and sometimes funny, when is it time to be...

Are you ready for a change of scenery? Take a beak at this week’s episode of ‘A Walk in the Park’, direct from the Hawk Conservancy Trust, as we talk all things birds of prey with Tom Morath, Deputy Head of Living Collection & Education Co-ordinator.   Patricia is not only joined by Tom for this episode, but also gets the opportunity to meet Sundance, a beautiful Hooded Vulture who resides at...

Take a ‘meowment’ as our canines step aside for our feline friends to shine. Have you ever wanted to get the inside scoop on everything cat related?    If you’re a total cat purrson don’t miss this episode as you find out whether cats really hate water, love lead walks and learn some cool facts about how a cat's purr has medical superpowers!    Much to Skye’s disapproval, Patricia will be discussi...

Ever wondered if your pet could also suffer from the winter blues?  We humans know all too well how miserable some of those cold, wet and windy days can make us feel, but is it true that our pets can also be affected by the dark cold nights? In this episode of ‘A Walk in the Park’, Patricia and Skye are joined by Dr Sam Webster, Director of Clinical Operations at Joii Pet Care and Dr Natalie Light...

400-year-old living vertebrates, sharks the size of a bus, great whites in the UK, and teeth that can be controlled! We’re back for a second season of ‘A Walk in the Park’, kicking things off in the deep blue sea with Paul Cox, Managing Director of Shark Trust. Paul joins host Patricia, her daughter Megan and their faithful furry best friend, Skye, to talk all things shark. We’re all part of a wid...

The insider scoop episode is upon us!  What is it really like to be a vet? What’s the expert advice on all the hot topics of the moment? Plus, you’ll never believe some of the things they’ve seen...  What should you do if your pet has an ‘accident’ in the waiting room? Could you find true love whilst waiting for your appointment? Is a washing basket appropriate as a cat carrier?   From waiting roo...

The tragic aftermath of the pandemic on the many lockdown pets continues to make headlines, with no sign of the pet abandonment rate slowing down. The COVID pet purchase boom, followed by a sharp rise in the cost of living has created the “perfect storm”; a heart-breaking crisis of pet abandonment as families choose between food on the table or food for their pet. Shelters across the country are f...

During the first year of the COVID-19, households across the UK jumped at the opportunity to finally welcome a pet to their home. This resulted in 3.2 million new pet being introduced across the country and the cost of new puppies and kittens skyrocketing. While many people are still enjoying their new furry family member, the toll that this “pet boom” is now having on the veterinary and rescue se...

We’ve all seen the movies where Artificial Intelligence (AI) ends up taking over the world, destroying the human race as we know it, but it doesn’t always mean robots and black screens with green code. AI is everywhere, being used in some incredible ways, and it can actually help us provide better care for our pets. In this episode of ‘A Walk in the Park’, Patricia and Skye are joined by Dr Sam We...

Get comfy…. we’re starting 400 million years ago, in the Himalayas! But don't worry this episode won't take that long!  We're 'buzzing' to chat all things bumblebees with the phenomenal Gill Perkins, CEO of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, who is incredibly passionate about saving our bumblebees, and raising awareness of how crucial they are to our environment.   Did you know that there are 24 sp...