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

The podcast, hosted by Patricia Gardiner, Chief Marketing Officer at Animal Friends (accompanied by her faithful furry best friend, Skye, the German Shorthaired Pointer) provides a relaxed space to chat with special guests from the world of pets about the nitty gritty topics all pet owners love. Patricia invites specialists from across the UK to share the amazing work done by partners and charities and discuss current affairs in the world of conservation and animal welfare. Patricia gives her view: “We are so excited to launch ‘A Walk in the Park…with Animal Friends’ for pet owners and animal lovers to enjoy across the globe. In a world where we are all constantly on the go, being able to learn from trusted experts about the animals we’ve made part of our family and life isn’t always easy. I love talking about pets and all kinds of animals, hearing about all the weird and wonderful things they bring to people’s lives, and I want to be able to share advice and guidance with other owners out there who may not know where to start. As an organisation that is also deeply committed to giving a voice to some of our most vulnerable pets and wildlife, in the UK and around the world, I also feel it’s incredibly important to also talk about the challenges we still face today when it comes to animal welfare. In our new podcast, we don’t shy away from the tough topics. It is our hope that talking them through with some incredible people and organisations that are on the frontline, shining a light on issues like pet abandonment, declining ecosystems and the impact of the cost of living crisis on pet health, we can help make people stop and think and hopefully encourage change.”

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Episodes

Thursday Dec 07, 2023

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.   
They join Patricia and Skye for the conclusion of ‘A Walk in the Park’ to chat through top tips and things to watch out for so your Christmas can be meow-y and bright!  
 
But wait—there’s myrrh, they cover tree-mendous topics on what to do if your cat loves to climb your Christmas tree. And helpful hints for dogs that have a tendency to bin raid looking for scraps. They also help set the scene for new pet parents experiencing Christmas for the first time with their new furry bundle of joy and all the trials and tribulations that may bring into their once peaceful ‘safe space.’  
 
Your presents is requested, yule not be sorry! Get yourself a cozy blanket, some fuzzy socks and your favourite festive tipple for the Season Two finale of ‘A Walk in the Park’, as Patricia, Sam and Nat help you and your favourite family have paw-sitively the best Christmas ever! We woof you a merry Christmas.  
 
Don’t forget, if you enjoyed listening to Patricia and Skye catch up with their special guests, please follow us, and feel free to leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.   

Monday Dec 04, 2023

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 in our ecosystem and how they benefit the environment - they are as important as our bees and trees.  
Although this ‘pod’cast is just a drop in the ocean on this fascinating topic, Ed and Patricia discuss the incredible ways in which WDC is working towards saving these magnificent creatures through innovative means such as space technology (who would have thought space and whales would be used in the same sentence!), as well as how whale poo helps improve our environment! They also tackle the emotive topic of whale hunting, and how we as humans can play a crucial role in helping to end it.  
So grab yourself a cuppa and head to the place you enjoy your ‘pod’casts the most for this week’s fascinating tail of ‘A Walk in the Park’, as Patricia and Ed enlighten us on these amazing water warriors.   

Friday Nov 24, 2023

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 extensive experience and understanding of the animal-human conflict and the devastating impact it’s had on some of the world’s most iconic and vulnerable creatures.  
But all is not lost. In this fascinating and emotional episode, Patricia and Charlie talk through the importance of each and every species and the crucial role they play on our beautiful planet, and how communities and technology are coming together to help safeguard the likes of lions, elephants, pangolins, rhinos and gorillas.  
So, get yourself ready to delve into African conservation, and discover how you can help save these wonderful animals by listening to ‘A Walk in the Park’, as Patricia and Charlie share their passion for protecting all creatures, great and small, from extinction. 

Wednesday Nov 15, 2023

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 making others aware of her struggles. Sarah now dedicates her time to educating dog owners and the public about the needs of an anxious dog, and the do’s and don’ts when encountering one. 
Natalie shares her expertise on the signs of anxious behaviour, how it can develop, and how we as humans can help ease the fear felt by our beloved furry friends.  
So, don’t be nervous, make yourself a cuppa, curl up with your dog and listen to ‘A Walk in the Park’ as Patricia, Sarah and Dr Nat discuss the real impact of anxiety.  

Thursday Nov 09, 2023

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 thinking about allergies? 
For this episode, Patricia and the ever-loveable Skye are welcoming back Dr Sam Webster, Director of Clinical Operations at Joii Pet Care, to discuss the dos and don’ts of helping our beloved pets stay happy and healthy. 
Like, when should we be worried about our pets’ moulting habits, how common are allergies in pets and do we need to clip our cat’s nails? 
Grab your furry friend, open your favourite snack and press play on this episode of ‘A Walk in the Park’, as Patricia and Dr Sam give us the low down on all the essentials when it comes to keeping our pets in tip-top condition.  

Thursday Nov 02, 2023

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 this spectacular haven.   
We dive into just how vital vultures are to the eco-system, the struggles these magnificent birds face in the wild, along with all the incredible initiatives undertaken at the Trust to help prevent vulture extinction - which is sadly not that far away if we don’t all help to change this deadly path.  
In this episode, we learn more about a day in the life of the birds, vets and carers at the Hawk Conservancy Trust and how they’re making a real difference to the birds of prey both in the UK and around the world.  
Don’t just wing it, grab yourself a cuppa, get comfy, and listen to ‘A Walk in the Park’ as Patricia, Tom and Sundance give us all the latest facts, stats and interesting insights on birds of prey. 

Thursday Oct 26, 2023

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 discussing all things cats with Dr Sam Webster, Director of Clinical Operations at Joii Pet Care and Dr Natalie Light, Director of Behaviour at Joii Pet Care.   
So, if you often find yourself thinking, ‘why on earth is my cat doing that?’, now's the time to grab a cuppa, sit back, relax and listen to ‘A Walk in the Park’ as Patricia, Sam and Nat give us all the juicy feline facts.   

Friday Oct 20, 2023

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, Director of Behaviour at Joii Pet Care, to talk ‘all things pet care’ in autumn and winter. 
Want to learn more about our pets catching seasonal bugs, the dangers of Alabama Rot, if your dog should be wearing a coat, or how you can help your pets when it’s time for fireworks? 
Then head over to the place you enjoy your podcasts - the sofa, the kitchen table, or the great outdoors - and listen to ‘A Walk in the Park’ as Patricia, Sam and Natalie take on the challenges of the colder seasons! 

Thursday Oct 12, 2023

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 wider eco-system that keeps our world functioning, and sharks play a vital role. Did you know they are the second most threatened vertebrate in the world? In this episode, Paul talks passionately about the many different species of shark, what is putting them at risk of extinction and how we, as humans, can help our finned friends. So, boil the kettle, sit back, and get hooked on your first ‘Walk in the Park’ this season with these amazing apex predators.

Thursday Jun 08, 2023

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 room etiquette to questions you’re too embarrassed to ask your vet, this episode of ‘A Walk in the Park’ is all about our pet care saviors!  
Patricia and the ever-talkative Skye are joined by Dr Sam Webster, Clinical Operations at Vet-AI and Joii Pet Care, discussing all the juicy details about a day in the life of a vet.  
Now’s your chance to grab a cuppa, sit back, relax and listen to ‘A Walk in the Park’ as Patricia and Dr Sam give us ‘a vet’s perspective.’ 

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