The Family Pet Podcast

The overwhelming majority of Family Pets in the United States are dogs and cats, but they are not the only animals that families across the country keep in their homes. Today we will hear from two veterinary professionals who have dedicated their careers to the healthcare of exotic pets. They will explain to us why it is so hard to find a veterinarian to treat pets from hamsters to hedgehogs and m...

Have you ever considered how the interconnections between people, animals, plants and their shared environment apply to you and your pet? This concept of “One Health” is an approach that recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. Issues such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety and environmental contaminatio...

As 2022 draws to a close, we take a look back at some of the top episodes of Season 1. These episodes stand out for different reasons. Maybe they were the most informative. Maybe we laughed more. Maybe the topic was a personal passion. But no matter why each episode was selected, listeners will no doubt enjoy looking back at the episodes we selected as the best of Season 1.. Here are links to epis...

Do you know the difference between service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support dogs? What do these titles mean and what are these dogs allowed to do? Chris Deefenthaler, executive director of Assistance Dogs International (ADI), joins the podcast to explain her organization’s role in training and placing assistance dogs. She also details how ADI sets standards and establishes guidelines and...

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Bringing home a new child requires significant planning and preparation. One thing pet parents must consider is how to introduce their dog to the new baby. Family Paws is an organization dedicated to helping parents create safer, lasting relationships between their dogs and their children. Stephanie Adams, LVMT, recently became licensed as a Healthy Paws Parent Educator and joins this episode to t...

If you listen to this podcast, you are already awesome. Today’s episode provides a list of things about you for which veterinary professionals are thankful. Here are links to information we talked about today: Is “Dr. Google” a good source of information with Dr. Adam Christman on The Family Pet Podcast Episode 7 Fear Free Happy Homes shares “How to Become an Exceptional Veterinary Client”  Matthe...

For many pets, a trip to the veterinarian's office is a very stressful experience. However, a fearful vet visit does not have to be the case. On today's episode, we will learn about Fear Free veterinary visits with Dr. Marty Becker - the founder of Fear Free. Dr. Becker will tell us how Fear Free works to provide veterinary care in a way that alleviates the fear, anxiety, and stress that...

For many pets, a trip to the veterinarian's office is a very stressful experience. However, a fearful vet visit does not have to be the case. On today's episode, we will learn about Fear Free veterinary visits with Dr. Marty Becker - the founder of Fear Free. Dr. Becker will tell us how Fear Free works to provide veterinary care in a way that alleviates the fear, anxiety, and stress that...

Our pets are hard-wired to hide their pain. Their evolutionary instinct is to show no weakness to potential predators. But that often makes it difficult for pet parents to determine how much a pet is hurting. Thankfully, we are joined today by Dr. Tamara Grubb, a board certified anesthesiologist and president-elect of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management to help us identify the...

When you pet gets sick, we all know that the place to take them is to your veterinarian. But what do you do if your primary vet office is closed? On today's episode, we will speak with,  Kate Parker, who manages Animal Urgent Care - a 24-hour pet emergency hospital near Denver, Colorado. Kate has multiple years of experience managing emergency veterinary hospitals, and will answer some common...

Lots of pet owners take their furry friends to the groomer. But what exactly goes on behind the scenes at the groomer’s? And how does one become a groomer? Michelle Mastrodonato, a Fear Free Certified Groomer, joins the podcast today to talk about her path to becoming a groomer. Here are links to information we talked about today: Learn more about Michelle and her business at Fluff-N-Buzz Pet Groo...

In preparation of Vet Tech Appreciation Week next week, we couldn’t think of a better tribute to all of the professionals in the veterinary industry than to replay one of our favorite episodes of the past year. In Episode 5, we laughed; we cried; we celebrated “the best good boy there ever was - Shiner - a rescued blue weimaraner” and how he inspired a national effort to recognize the work of dedi...

Understanding and budgeting for your pet’s veterinary care can be stressful. Fortunately, wellness plans make it simple to provide the care your pet needs in a manner easy on your monthly budget. You no longer have to worry about planning for large veterinary bills and can instead be as awesome as your pet thinks you are. . In today’s episode, Stephen and Michael talk about wellness plans, how the...

In Episode 27, Scott Kimberly explained how the law views pets more as property than as “persons.” Today, another lawyer joins the podcast to discuss the legal preparations necessary to assign care for a pet after an owner’s death. Tab Talbott is today’s guest and proves again that lawyers are good at this “talking” thing.  Here are links to the information we talked about today: You can find Tab...

It looks like fall temperatures have FINALLY arrived. The cooler weather means pet owners can hit the area trails with their canine companions. But proper prior planning is critical to ensuring a positive experience. Donna Chandler is a canine behavior specialist and author who has a special passion for hiking with dogs. She brings her years of experience to today’s episode to help curious pet par...

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet can be a heart wrenching experience. How does one know when it is the right time to consider euthanasia?  Rebecca Rose, a certified veterinary technician who serves as an outreach coordinator with Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, joins the podcast to share her insights surrounding this difficult decision. She explains how clients can use various quality of life asses...

In today’s bonus episode, Dr. Shirley shares some recent developments surrounding canine influenza. One recent severe outbreak in the Birmingham area led to closures of dog related services in the city and infectious disease protocols in veterinary clinics. Middle Tennessee has seen an uptick in diagnosed cases as well.  Dr. Shirley shares about the history of the dog flu, its risks to our family...

Who gets the pet if a couple breaks up? Are you entitled to “pain and suffering” if your cat dies as a result of a car accident? If your dog is attacked at the dog park, who is responsible for the veterinary bills? You may consider your rabbit as part of the family but how does the law see them?    These are complex questions with no simple answers. As neither Michael or Stephen are legal experts,...

An unfortunate myth about pet ownership is that the cats don’t require any attention from their owners and can simply be left to fend for themselves all day, every day. This episode is focused on correcting that false assumption.   Dr. Samantha Nieves joins us to talk about cat enrichment, why it is important and how listeners can create their own enrichment opportunities. She also shares with lis...

Caring for animals can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Who wouldn’t enjoy seeing lots of playful puppies and kittens, fluffy rabbits and energetic guinea pigs? Unfortunately, caring for family pets sometimes carries heavy emotional burdens. Imagine a day with three euthanasias or being unable to save a pet experiencing a medical emergency.    Not One More Vet was founded to provide mental h...

Last week, we learned all about microchips and how they are a valuable tool to help lost pets get home. This week’s episode features the story of one such pet who got separated from his owner. Thanks to his microchip, Scooter was reunited with his mom six months after going missing. Trish Olive joins the podcast to talk about her experience losing her cat Scooter in the Franklin area. Danielle Nun...

If your pet ever ran away or got lost, one key tool that could help in reuniting you with your pet would be a microchip. These tiny devices, inserted beneath the pet’s skin, store a unique number that is linked to your account. Once the chip is scanned and that number is retrieved, an animal care professional can contact you with details about your pet. Stephen and special guest host Alyssa talk w...

The phrase “My pet has worms” is a common cause of calls to the veterinary clinic. Whipworms, hookworms, roundworms or tapeworms… no matter which worm, just the idea of something living inside our pets can cause concern among pet parents. The fact that many of these parasites can be transmitted to human family members makes today’s information all the more important. Ray Kaplan, DVM, PhD, DipEVPC,...

Have you ever wondered what your cat is thinking? Do you question why they act the way they act or do the things they do? Did you know that cats often like to rub up against visitors to your home who are allergic to them and try to avoid contact because they sense them as non-threatening. (Maybe that is just cats and Stephen.) Today’s guest has the answers to those questions and more. Pam Johnson-...