Critters and Cultures

This is Part 2 of our holiday special! Join Dr. Azalia Boyd, veterinarian and host of the Critters and Cultures podcast, as she heads to SuperZoo, the largest pet retail conference in the nation, to connect with amazing brands. In this episode, Dr. Boyd interviews diverse entrepreneurs who are leading the way in the pet care industry, sharing their purpose, struggles, and pain points. In this vide...

The holiday season is here, and on this episode of "Critters and Cultures," host, Dr. Azalia Boyd, a veterinarian, is at Super Zoo, the largest pet retail conference in the nation, to highlight some of the best emerging pet brands. This episode offers inspiration from diverse entrepreneurs who are leading the way in the pet care industry. Dr. Boyd interviews three different pet entrepren...

In this episode, we're in New York City's Queens neighborhood to speak with the amazing team from LIC Feral Feeders: Victoria Koulouris, Jannatul (Jan) Ahmed, and Raiana Khan. Tune in as we dive into the vital work this organization is doing with community cats in Long Island City and the challenges they face, from gentrification to addressing different cultural perspectives on animal care...

Dr. Azalia Boyd welcomes Rousseau Durocher, a Haitian-American Intake Supervisor at Broward County Animal Care, to discuss his journey and efforts in cultural repair and community outreach. Russo shares how he works to bridge the gap between animal services and the community, emphasizing respect for every customer. Season 2 is proudly sponsored by Maddies Fund! The power of community and compassio...

About Dr. Patrick Kalenzi Dr. Patrick Kenzi is a veterinarian, public speaker, and author whose life is a testament to resilience. Born in Uganda to Tutsi refugee parents who had fled the 1958 Rwandan genocide, his early life was shaped by tending cattle and dogs, experiences that formed a lifelong bond with animals. After being the first in his family to attend and graduate from university, Dr. K...

In this episode of "Critters and Cultures," the Dr. Azalia Boyd speaks with Dr. Hodges and Dr. Ferguson, the "Critter Fixers," two Black veterinarians from the South who bring with them the legacy of Tuskegee University. They discuss their experience balancing advanced medicine with providing accessible care in a rural community and the importance of visibility and cultural con...

In this episode of "Critters and Cultures," Dr. Azalia Boyd interviews Dr. Mia Cary, a consultant, speaker, and facilitator specializing in leadership, belonging, communication, and teamwork. Dr. Cary, also the CEO of Cary Consulting, discusses her work with Pride VMC, an organization dedicated to the LGBTQ+ veterinary community. She shares her personal journey, including her complicated...

Discover how cultural heritage, innovative products, and dedicated advocacy are shaping the future of pet care and animal welfare! Dr. Azalia Boyd explores the latest innovations in pet care and the rich cultural diversity within the pet industry at SuperZoo, the nation's largest pet retail conference. In this episode, Dr. Boyd interviews: Mecca (from 00:59): The Next Wave Pitch Competition wi...

In this episode of "Critters and Cultures," host Dr. Azalia Boyd speaks with Jaslyn Zarate, a first-generation Caribbean American clinical social worker. They explore the fascinating intersection of animal welfare and cultural diversity, emphasizing the healing power of the human-animal bond and trauma-informed care in veterinary medicine. Jaslyn shares her personal journey of resilience...

In this episode of the "Critters and Cultures" podcast, Dr. Azallia Boyd welcomes Dr. Wesley Chung, a shelter medicine veterinarian, to discuss accent bias and discrimination. Dr. Chung, who recently completed his residency in shelter medicine, shares his personal experiences growing up in Hong Kong and then moving to a predominantly monoracial and racist environment in Europe at age 13....

Dr. Azalia Boyd welcomes Dr. Navaratnam Partheeban, a distinguished farm animal veterinarian, global scholar, and passionate advocate for racial equity in agriculture and veterinary medicine. Dr. Partheeban shares his unique upbringing as a first-generation immigrant in the UK, with Sri Lankan and Malaysian roots, raised in Edinburgh. Dr. Partheeban reflects on his journey to merge these two world...

In this episode of "Critters and Cultures," host Dr. Azalia Boyd speaks with Sabrina Marie, an Eastern European Canadian animal welfare leader. They explore the intersection of animal welfare and cultural diversity, emphasizing cultural humility and sustainable partnerships in animal care. Sabrina shares her work with Stray Dog Support, focusing on international outreach and youth equine...

Get ready for the wildest conversations of your life! Critters and Cultures is back with Season 2, and this season, we're going even bigger. Expect live segments, fresh takes on the human-animal bond, and conversations that will make you laugh, cry, and think differently. From farm animal vets to international outreach in Egypt, social work to celebrity appearances, this season has it all. Sea...

In this episode of Critters and Cultures, host Dr. Azalia Boyd speaks with Hannah Lentz, a leader in animal welfare and the founder of Spark. They discuss the intersection of animal care and cultural diversity, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and narrative change in animal welfare. Hannah shares her journey in the field, the challenges of adoption processes, and the need for open adopti...

In this episode of Critters and Cultures, Dr. Azalia Boyd engages with Dr. Yusif Ibrahim, a wildlife veterinarian and conservation leader in Saudi Arabia. They discuss the intersection of animal welfare and cultural diversity, exploring Dr. Ibrahim's journey from childhood connections with animals to his veterinary studies and current work in wildlife rehabilitation. The conversation delves in...

In this episode of Critters and Cultures, host Dr. Azalia Boyd welcomes Natalia Hanson, a passionate advocate for animal welfare and the Executive Director of Colombianimals. They discuss Natalia's journey from Colombia to Canada, her mission to address pet overpopulation through spay and neuter services, and the importance of combining tourism with volunteerism. Natalia shares her experiences hig...

In this episode of Critters and Cultures, Dr. Azalia Boyd engages with Dr. Emma Jackson and James Rogers to explore the intersection of animal welfare and cultural diversity, particularly within Indigenous communities. They discuss the challenges faced in providing veterinary care, the importance of building trust, and the need for legislative changes to improve access to animal services. The conv...

In this episode of Critters in Cultures, host Dr. Azalia Boyd engages with Victor Manuel, founder of Tarzan Movement, to explore the intersection of animal welfare, cultural diversity, and human movement. They discuss the importance of empathy, the journey of self-discovery through movement, and the significance of play in reconnecting with our primal instincts. Victor shares his experiences growi...

What if your pet could tell you exactly what they need — would you listen In this week’s episode of Critters & Cultures, I sit down with Aleesha Agarwal Goyal, an extraordinary animal communicator from India, as she shares her journey into the world of interspecies connection. 🐾 From cultural beliefs about animals to how she helps bridge the gap between humans and their pets, this conversatio...

In this episode of Critters and Cultures, Dr. Azalia Boyd speaks with Dr. Galina Burshton, a Canadian veterinarian with a rich cultural background and a unique perspective on animal welfare. They discuss Galina's journey from Russia to Canada, her move to Costa Rica, and the cultural differences she has encountered in her veterinary practice. The conversation explores themes of hospitality, commun...

In this episode of Critters and Cultures, host Dr. Azalia Boyd engages with Cheye Groves, a young animal control officer, to explore the complexities of animal welfare and the cultural dynamics that influence it. Cheye shares her personal journey into animal control, the emotional challenges of euthanasia, and the importance of community engagement. The conversation highlights the need for transpa...

In this episode of Critters and Cultures, host Dr. Azalia Boyd engages with Daria Tavana, a standup comedian and animal welfare advocate, to explore the intersection of cultural diversity and animal care. Daria shares her unique upbringing with a Jewish mother and a Muslim Iranian father, emphasizing how food played a significant role in her cultural identity. The conversation delves into the impo...

In this episode of Critters and Cultures, Dr. Azalia Boyd engages with Altamush Saeed, a passionate advocate for animal welfare and environmental rights from Pakistan. They explore the intersection of cultural diversity and animal care, discussing Altamush's journey from youth activism to founding the Charity Doings Foundation, which focuses on interspecies justice. The conversation delves into th...

In this episode of Critters and Cultures, host Dr. Azalia Boyd speaks with veterinary student Eve Borel about her diverse cultural background and its influence on her journey in veterinary medicine. They discuss the challenges of code switching, misconceptions about Caribbean education, and the cultural significance of carnival celebrations. Eve shares her experiences navigating the veterinary fie...

In this episode of Critters and Cultures, Dr. Azalia Boyd and Dr. Cody Nielsen delve into the intricate relationship between cultural diversity, religious identity, and animal welfare. They discuss the systemic inequalities present in veterinary practices, the importance of inclusivity, and the challenges posed by white Christian supremacy. Dr. Nielsen emphasizes the need for ongoing conversations...