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

What it takes to care for your pet – A vet’s perspective.

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.’ 

The state of the UK Rescue sector – With Birmingham Dogs Home.

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 filling up fast as the cost-of-living crisis drives struggling owners to give up pets, but what does this mean for charities like Birmingham Dogs Home?
In this episode of ‘A Walk in the Park’, Patricia and Skye are joined by Fi Harrison, Head of Fundraising & Communications, and her beautiful rescues, Hope and Joy to talk about the charity, how they’ve evolved over the years and the struggles they’re facing today.
In this episode we learn more about a day in the life of a Canine Carer at Birmingham Dogs Home and how they’re making a real difference to the dogs that, without them, would have nothing…
Grab a cuppa, snuggle up with your pet and listen to ‘A Walk in the Park’ as Patricia and Fi give us the latest on all things rescue and how more needs to be done to empower rescue centres to provide the best care for pets while the influx continues.

The Perfect Storm - How the cost-of-living crisis is hitting pet owners.

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 sectors cannot be underestimated. And now with the cost of living crisis following close on the tail of the pandemic… what does this mean for families struggling to make ends meet, the pets some people weren’t quite prepared for, our busy vets, and stretched rescue shelters?
In this episode of ‘A Walk in the Park’, Patricia and Skye are joined by Dr Sam Webster, Clinical Operations at Vet-AI and Joii Pet Care, to talk about how an increase in pet ownership during lockdown and the current cost-of-living crisis has sadly created the perfect storm.
Patricia and Sam also talk about the support available for you and your pet if you are struggling financially or unsure how to access the right care to keep your cat or dog happy and healthy. For more information and resources, please visit our Pet Affordability Hub | Animal Friends
 

Artificial Intelligence – What does it mean for our pets?

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 Webster, Director of Clinical Operations at Vet-AI and Joii Pet Care, and her dog Arthur to talk about how our pets can benefit from these new types of technology and how they can be designed to improve the quality of life for companion animals everywhere.
Want to learn more about AI in veterinary care, the real positives of these advancements and how they can make your life easier as a pet owner now and in the future?
Well, grab a cuppa and get comfy or head outside for a walk and listen to ‘A Walk in the Park’ as Patricia and Sam give us the latest on all things Artificial Intelligence, including identifying pain in cats, lameness in pets, if Chat GPT will ever replace vets and more!

Bee part of the change - Understanding our winged heroes!

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 species of bumblebee in the UK? That a foraging bumblebee is only ever about 40 minutes from starvation? That they can fly up to 6km a day to forage on flowers - this is the equivalent of a person walking around the globe 10 times! It's no wonder our furry friends get exhausted.
 
But the sobering fact is that without Bees our world would be in real danger. Bumblebees are in trouble; in the past century, two species have already become extinct. If all bumblebees were to disappear, it's safe to say that Earth would certainly bee a very different place...so get ready to bumble because this episode is jam packed full of bee advice, fun facts and pet-related content to help you better understand our winged heroes. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Canicross - A beginners’ journey.

Have you ever seen someone out running with their dog and wondered how on earth they make that look so easy? Not to mention all the other questions that follow, like... 
Do you need to be fit to start? Do you have to get all the gear upfront?  Can all breeds partake in running?  Is there a local club nearby?  Is it a social sport? 
In this episode of ‘A Walk in the Park’, Patricia and Skye are joined by Ginetta George and Gail Walker, Founders of DogFit International, to uncover all the mysteries behind this wonderful sport of Canicross and provide plenty of hints and tips on how to get out there and have fun, meet new people, and build a really special bond with your dog in the great outdoors. 
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.   So grab a dog lead, make a cuppa, or just relax to a ‘Walk in the Park’ as Ginetta and Gail take us on a fascinating Canicross journey that’s accessible to all. 

Myth-Busting - All Things Pet!

There are plenty of mysterious myths and misconceptions out there about our pets! 
 
Neutering, does it calm pets down? Do people assume a muzzled dog is a dangerous dog? Why do some dogs eat logs (poo)! Is it possible to actually take a cat for a walk and do cats want to be worshipped?
 
Kickstarting our first ever episode, Dr Samantha Webster, Director of Clinical Operations at Vet-AI and Joii Pet Care joins host Patricia and her faithful furry best friend, Skye, on 'A walk in the Park.....with Animal Friends',
 
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. So grab a dog lead, make a cuppa, or just relax to a ‘Walk in the Park’ as Sam sets us straight on common pet misconceptions, and shares her expert advice and guidance with others who may not know where to start.