How Therapy Dogs Change Lives: A Conversation with Rachel McPherson

In this episode of "Ask the Vet," Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with Rachel McPherson, Founder and President of The Good Dog Foundation, about the transformative role of therapy dogs. For more than 25 years, Rachel has been a trailblazer in the movement to bring trained therapy dogs into the lives of people experiencing illness, trauma, or hardship.Topics include:Rachel’s path from Academy Award–nominated film producer to therapy dog advocateThe story of Fidel, her first therapy dog who worked at Ground Zero after 9/11Why therapy dogs are uniquely impactful in healing and recoveryHow The Good Dog Foundation expanded from 3 dogs to more than 1,000 therapy teamsWhat makes a great therapy dog and handler teamGroundbreaking research partnerships with Yale and Mount SinaiThe Good Dog Foundation’s new initiativesAlso on this month’s show:Viral trending animal story about twin red panda cubsAnimal news, including why some dogs watch TV, the mystery of cats and concrete slabs, and bearded dragons with tiny backpacksPet health listener Q&A discussing paw licking in dogs, rare complications of rhabdomyolysis in cats, and vaccine reactions in petsDo you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email [email protected] to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X!