All posts in Adoption

Rick Yocum, executive director, the Humane Society of Manatee County

Rick Yocum–executive director of the Humane Society of Manatee County (HSMC), established more than 50 years ago, and now a truly multifaceted operation—traces his career path to his current job, which he’s held for seven years. Read more…

Glen Hatchell: dog trainer, behaviorist–“Ask The Trainer” 6th Edition

As we’ve done five times prior, today’s show involved setting aside the usual “Talking Animals” format in order to present the extended feature, “Ask The Trainer,” in which listeners are invited to call or email questions about their dogs or cats, particularly involving behavioral issues or training concerns. Read more…

Emily McCormack, Animal Curator at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Emily McCormack—the Animal Curator at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR), a sanctuary in Eureka Springs, Arkansas housing 94 animals (mostly big cats, plus bears)—recalls being infatuated with tigers since childhood, telling her parents at age 10 or 12 that she intended to save them. Read more…

John Turner, President of Project PUP

John Turner—the president of Project PUP (Pets Uplifting People), which, since 1984 has offered visits by therapy dogs to nursing homes, rehab centers, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and other locales, bringing the residents comfort and joy—discusses the founding of the organization. Read more…

Samantha Wishman & Christina Thomas, co-directors of “Free Puppies!”

Christina Thomas and Samantha Wishman–co-directors of “Free Puppies!,” a documentary examining the scenario in which rescue dogs are regularly transported from the South to the North for adoption, but probes deeper into why the South is a repository for so many homeless dogs—describe their filmmaking experience prior to “Puppies!,” their feature-length debut. Read more…