June 5, 2025 • 24 mins
In this inspiring Oh Behave show episode, host Arden Moore welcomes Katy Rahe and her golden retriever River plus from Pet Partners, Erin Maennle. Katy and her lovable River were recently chosen as the 2025 Pet Partners Pet of the Year for bringing joy to people of all walks of life as a well-trained pet therapy team. Discover some unusual animal species making wonderful therapy pets, how you can get involved in this nonprofit Pet Partners organization and what qualities make a good therapy pet.
EPISODE NOTES: Spotlighting the 2025 Pet Partners Pet of the Year Team
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/oh-behave-with-arden-moore-harmony-in-the-household-with-your-pets-recommended-by-oprah--6666801/support.
EPISODE NOTES: Spotlighting the 2025 Pet Partners Pet of the Year Team
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/oh-behave-with-arden-moore-harmony-in-the-household-with-your-pets-recommended-by-oprah--6666801/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, this is Pet Life Radio. Let's talk pets.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
It's all behave with Arden More, this show that teaches
you how to have harmony in the household with your pets.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
Join Ardnas.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
She travels coast to coast to help millions better understand why.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Cats and dogs do what they do.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Get that latest scoop on famous spaces they're perfectly pampered pets.
And who's walking Goo and rent him Tinseltown. From famous
pet experts and best selling authors to television and movie stars.
You'll get the latest buzz from Wagging Tongues and Tails Garner,
great pet tips and have a dog on per Flying
fun Time. So get ready for the paws and applause
as we unleaseh your oh behave hosts America's pet edutainer
(00:45):
Arden More.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Welcome to the old Behave show on Pet Life Radio.
I'm your host, Arden More. Now raise a paw if
you agree. Dogs do a body and my a lot
of good. And on our show today we are spotlighting
one great dog and a pretty cool best person of his.
(01:10):
Together they were just crowned twenty twenty five Pet Partners
Pet of the Year. If pause and applause to Katie
Ray her Golden retriever River and from Pet Partners Aaron Manly,
welcome all, thank you, thank you. I don't know who's
(01:31):
one of the biggest grint hey pet pals. We're going
to dive into what it is to be a therapy dog,
what it is to win the big crown, and a
lot more. But we got to take this quick break,
so you know the drill, Sit, stay, We'll be right back.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Time for a pause. Four very ones, actually sit and stay,
all behave, We'll be right back.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Take a bite out of your competition. Advertise your business
with an ad in Petlife Radio podcasts and radio shows.
There is no other pet related media that is as
large and reaches more pet parents and pet lovers than
pet Life Radio, with over seven million monthly listeners. Pet
Life Radio podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms,
(02:23):
and our live radio stream goes out to over two
hundred and fifty million subscribers on iHeartRadio, Odyssey, tune In,
and other streaming apps. For more information on how you
can advertise on the number one pet podcast and radio network,
visit petlifradio dot com slash advertise today.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Let's talk pets on Petlifradio dot com. All behaviors, fack
with more tail wagging ways to achieve harmony of the
household with your pets. Now back to your fetching host,
America's pet Ed You Tainer.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Ard, Welcome back to the old Behave show on Pet
Life Radio. I'm your host, Arden Moore. I gotta tell
you I have a real soft spot in my heart
for therapy pets and I am so delighted on our
show today we have a top dog in the world
of therapy pets. Let me just back up the bus
a little bit, pull back the lesha a little bit.
(03:21):
But on our show today from Connecticut, we have Katie
Ray and her Golden Retriever River and then joining us
with her is from Pet Partners, a nonprofit group that
is amazing we're going to learn about, and that is
Aaron Manly. Sure I got all the people and pets.
(03:42):
Four and two leggers are accounted for, right, ladies and
gent Yes, So you know what I might want to do.
I want Aaron to pop in first, because people are
as curious as a cat to say, what is Pet Partners?
Is that a dance group? What's going on?
Speaker 5 (03:56):
Pet Partners is an amazing organization found it in nineteen
seventy seven, so we've been around a long time and
we bring the joy of therapy animals into hospitals, assisted
living facilities, schools, you name it. We license therapy dogs, cats, lamas, alpacas.
We have nine species and we're all about just sharing
(04:18):
the power of the human animal bond and improving human health.
So a great organization and we feel truly special to
have Katie and River on board and as our twenty
twenty five Pet of the Year.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
And just because we're going to say it more than once.
How do people find out more about Pet partners Erin.
Speaker 5 (04:36):
Absolutely so, I would start on our website pet partners
dot org. We've got so many resources there about the
organization and also how you can get involved, how you
can become a team with your pet, and just a
variety of other things. You can follow us on social
media or on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn all of those.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
That sounds good now waiting in the wings or maybe
in her k or dining room, I don't know, oh family,
okay hailing from please name the hard to pronounce city
in Connecticut, row Aiton row Ayton. We have Katie Ray
and her golden retriever River Katie. First of all, Big
(05:17):
Wolfs to you and River getting named the twenty twenty
five Pet Partners Pet of the Year. You had a
lot of competition, but it's really not competition when all
of you have that same drive, and that is to
bring joyed all kinds of people. Right.
Speaker 6 (05:31):
Absolutely, we say everybody's a winner. We just may have
raised the highest amount, but every participant is a winner
in our eyes, that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
So talk to me a little bit about this whole
event because there might be people that are like what
therapy pets and you've got lamas in this group too.
Tell us about what got you involved years ago in
wanting to volunteer to team up with a dog to
be a certified therapy team. I know you had a
(06:01):
previous dog, Indy, is that correct? That's right?
Speaker 6 (06:04):
I did my homework, girl, You did you did after
I retired? And who's counting twenty sixteen?
Speaker 1 (06:10):
What were you retired from?
Speaker 6 (06:11):
I was in learning and development at a bank.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Okay, but this is much more fun. Well, I kind
of like withdraws that I don't have to worry about. So, yes,
we had Indy, who was River's uncle. The River is
his nephew. And I did a lot of volunteering with
my church as a I would say carrying parish visitor,
and so saw a firsthand sort of the need in
(06:34):
whether it was schools or a homebound or senior living place,
other you know, therapy dogs. And River and Indy both
had sort of that demeanor of just calmness and you know,
the smiling. Especially River, he's a leaner, leans into people
that we visit. Can we get a little view of River?
So River, everybody who's tuning into our show, He's got
(06:56):
what a beautiful blue bandana on?
Speaker 6 (07:00):
That says Pet Partners and it says River.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Okay, And how old is he?
Speaker 6 (07:06):
River's about three and a half and he hails from Montana.
There is wonderful breeder Lori Camerman, and she and her
husband run a dairy farm and raise golden retrievers.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
So what is it about the breed that you dig?
Do you like to vacuum, Katie? You like to brush? Well?
Speaker 6 (07:28):
Everything says we have similar colored hair. Oh no, they
just have a wonderful smile. They love on people. He
just I'm just looking at him right now. Rivers just
use a sweetheart.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
We need more Rivers don't. We we do.
Speaker 6 (07:42):
And they're friendly, they like people, they like other dogs.
People aren't scared of Golden Retrievers.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
No, they really aren't. No, And I think that is
that's a good thing. I do want to get back
to Aaron too, because Pet Partners, as you mentioned, what
it's all about. You said, there are nine species who
won the Big Award last year that might surprise people
unless they tune in to Oh Behave on Pet Life Radio.
Speaker 5 (08:06):
Last year we had Darby, the miniature horse, win Pet
of the Year, and he and his handler Lynn are
in Hawaii, a really awesome win for the whole state. Really,
but that shows the diversity that your group has, right. Absolutely,
is there some qualities.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
We know that River's a sweetye pie, but what are
you looking for in personality traits to make a good
therapy pet not just a therapy dog. I have a
therapy cap Casey shout out and Kona shout out my
terrier mix. I've had a total of five therapy pets
in the last fifteen years. I know the magic that
(08:45):
they do. But help our people out that are maybe
thinking about getting involved with Pet Partners.
Speaker 5 (08:51):
Absolutely, so, Katie touched on so many that overall a
good temperament, animals that are calm, affectionate, friendly, of those
Golden retreat traits, you know, intelligent.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
And it sounds like you're looking for a good spouse too, man.
These are qualities you want in a good spouse.
Speaker 6 (09:07):
Absolutely, you know one of the things too, Arin. I'm
also one of the evaluators in Fearfield County and one
of the hardest parts of passing the registration is walking
your dog past another dog, and so your dog has
to They can look, but they can't cross in front
of you or behind you to get to that other dog.
(09:28):
So one of the qualities really is you two meaning
the handler and the dog or the other a cat,
really being in tune to one another. And the handler
really has to be the advocate for their animal.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Now I understand because I've taken my dogs through some
doggy obedience Kanine, good citizen, and since you are an evaluator, Katie,
it seems like that might be good things to do
before you put your application into pet Partners.
Speaker 6 (09:55):
Absolutely, a lot of people ask me, well, you know,
I'm interested, what should I do? And our local place here?
I often recommend his dog on smart but wherever people
are located, find a good place that they do first
of all your basic obedience and kind of work your
way up. The place here has a you know, a
therapy class, and look with that therapy class, and oftentimes
(10:18):
the class instructor will recommend volunteering at Pet Partners during
an evaluation. And that's how also I got involved with
Pet Partners. I had a couple of friends who were
involved with it, and so I just initially showed up
once a month and helped with the role plays. And
there you really get to see, you know, what bonding
with your.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Animal was all about or not. Yeah. Well, I think
it's funny when my therapy cat, Casey walks into a
dog training facility because I teach pet first aid and
he's on a harness or in a pet stroller and
I can say Casey up, he leaps onto the table,
I say Casey sit, He sits, and he shakes paw
with the nearest dog trainer. So I think our therapy
(11:00):
pets can be full of good surprises. Yes, right, So
what is the magic we know the sweetness of mister River.
What is something that is magical that River does when
he meets somebody.
Speaker 6 (11:14):
He leans in, leans in, he leads in. Of course,
you know, I have him on my leash, and we'll
walk up and you know, one person, two or three
may you know, come towards us. And he always finds
the person I think that really needs that love for
that moment and he leans in. And they often will
say he's leaning in. What does that mean? And I
(11:36):
typically will say, he's trusting you. And he's also leaving
a little fur on your nice black pass for you
to remember his visit.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
Hey everyone, and we are speaking with Katie Ray and
she has her dog River. They are the Pet Partner
of the Year for twenty twenty five for Pet Partners Organization.
And we're also speaking with Aaron Manly. We're going to
dive in a little bit more. We just got to
take this break. It stay. We'll be right back.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Time for a walk on the red car. But of course,
oh behave We'll be backing up last right after these
messages begging.
Speaker 7 (12:14):
To hear more of your favorite show.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Hold.
Speaker 7 (12:16):
Full episodes of on our shows are available on demand.
Go to Petlife Radio dot com to feed our entire
lineup of Possom pet podcasts. Also dig us up in iHeartRadio,
dan iTunes, Let's Talk Pats live and on demand only
from pet Life Radio, Let's Talk Past, Let's Done, pet
(12:39):
Headline Radio.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Pet Live Radio dot Com.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
Hi listen, John O'Hurley reminding you you're listening to the
Oh Behave Show with Art and more.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
On pet Life Radio.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
We're back from the lot. Just check the paper and
we had our record showing at the box, the letterbox
that is now back to Oh Behave Here.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Welcome back to the old Behave Show on pet Life Radio.
I'm your host, Arden Moore. I am speaking with Katie
Ray from Connecticut with her golden retriever River. They are
the twenty twenty five Pet Partners Pet of the Year team.
And also here with us from Pet Partners is Aaron Manly.
I want to ask you, Aaron, put this in perspective
(13:23):
because I know that this winning team raised how much money?
Speaker 5 (13:28):
Were fourteen thousand dollars?
Speaker 1 (13:30):
Wow? And there were a lot of different teams competing.
I don't like that word, but kind of vying for
the honors. Can you give us an idea of what
kind of places they've came from all.
Speaker 5 (13:41):
Over We had participants from over thirty four different states,
the whole country, so a really diverse group in terms
of location, but also.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
Species really so I think there was the thing that
draws me. There were lots of dogs, and there were
some cats, but guinea pitt a pig and I don't
know if they're competitive, but a mouse versus a domestic rat,
help me.
Speaker 5 (14:07):
It was truly wonderful to see, just because obviously Pet
of the Year the goal was to raise funds for
a therapy animal program, but I think it's also a
really nice way to let people know that Pet Partners
registers a variety of different species. It's not just dogs
and cats and the guinea pigs, the rabbits. They can
make really meaningful visits too, So it was just great
(14:27):
to see.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
I like mice and rats, I mean, and they have
to have nice temperaments. I don't know if they lean
in like River does. But can you compare a difference
between a therapy rat. What's a good place for a
rat or a mouse or a guinea pig to hang
out versus a beautiful golden retriever?
Speaker 5 (14:45):
Absolutely so. Cosmo was our rat candidate.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Oh she remembers the name caswoll.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
He and his handler Meghan. They recently were evaluated passed
with flying colors, and she likes to take Cosmo to
an assisted living facility. She blas him in a little
basket and the residents will just pet Cosmo and she
says that oftentimes he will just fall asleep, so he
does really well in quieter areas.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
I like that. And for you, Katie with River, tell
us some places that you like to go with River
to help him lean in and bring joy.
Speaker 6 (15:20):
Let's see. One of the places is the Stanford Hospital
and it's part of the Stanford Health Systems, so they're
in Stanford, Connecticut. A couple of the senior living facilities
are Waveny Life Care Network in leu Canaan and Darien
Atria and Derryenne. We also go to several of the
high schools during midterms mu Caanaan.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
When people are stressed out about final exams. You got it, Oh, Greenwich, Westport.
We also go to Sacred Heart University during exam time.
And what we discover is that it's not just the
students or just the patients or the residents, it's the
staff as well. Need to lean in, need the well.
You know, we're human by nature and we have a
(16:04):
range of emotions. And I think a great dog like
River smells our emotional state and that's why he's leaning in.
But I know he can't give him the answers to
the final exams. He's smart, but I know he can't.
But what do you think he's specifically doing for people
getting the jitters? He's loving all them, giving them a
little calmness, bringing little joy. You know, kids will come
(16:28):
up and I'll say, you know, do you have a dog?
And yes, so we engage in, you know, a little conversation.
We also go to a special needs class at one
of the schools. Oh nice, but we have some one
on one you know, we visit the nurses also, you
know in the schools.
Speaker 6 (16:44):
Yes, the staff needs help to write after help. We've
been called into some of the schools that have had
tragedies over the last couple of years. Okay, so in
that case, you know, River, myself and other PET Partner
teams will go in and visit.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Now you've got a brand new house, a world trip
around the world, and a new car. Is that what
tu one? And just tease them. I haven't about those,
but I think you know, it is an honor and
I mean what did you think when your name was announced?
Speaker 6 (17:14):
Well, I was very excited and very humbled for sure.
And I you know, I think people donate. Yes, a
lot of people know that River and I are out
there spurating the joy. But they see what River does
and whether it's just walking you know, down the street,
meeting you know, neighbors, strangers. We often go into stores
like ja mcgloughlin, which is a women's men's clothing store.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Is he a clothes hound?
Speaker 6 (17:39):
River, No, but I'm going to put a plug in
for them and for Orvis who loved dogs. Jae mcgloughlin
pairs up I think twice a month with nonprofits and
you come up with the day that you'll bring your
dog in in this case River, and between three and six,
whatever is sold, ten percent of those sales went to
(18:00):
pet partners. So just shy, I have one thousand dollars. Wow,
Pet Partners. I have to give them a plug.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
Oh they're doing something good, which makes me go to Aaron. Aaron, Oh,
what's this plug? What is that?
Speaker 6 (18:12):
During the time we were there, they had a cookie maid.
The pet partners revert, Oh my gosh, sugar cookie.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
That is adorable. So let me ask you erin, this
is a great example of a unique way to raise
money for your nonprofit. Has there been some other pretty
creative ways you want to share because people who may
want to support Pet Partners may not have a dog
or somebod they want to help. Can you share a
few examples? Yeah?
Speaker 5 (18:39):
Absolutely, Arden, or are you meaning specific to Pet of
the Year? Some things that we saw candidates do. So
we had Coda the lab who placed second with this
hand where Stacy and they did Easter pet portraits and
the photographer they worked with decided to give a percentage
of the proceeds to Pet Partners. Nice people do revenue
(19:01):
shares with restaurants host happy hours.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Oh those would be yeappy hours.
Speaker 5 (19:05):
Yes, yeah, we had lots of Canada be successful through
that too, So it was great raffles, just a variety
of different things.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
If you could have one trait that river has, what
would it be? Katie? And why please don't say leaning in?
Speaker 6 (19:20):
As I lean forward to the screen, I think his easygoing,
this his constant smile, and just the joy he brings.
I told this to Aaron earlier. I'm always looking for hearts.
People send me, text me, email me, hearts and I
think we may have talked about it with you. River
has a black mark on his tongue and everybody says
(19:40):
it looks like either an upside down heart or an
upside down teardrop. So I love to say that, you
know it's an upside down heart, and yeah, are you
going to get a tattoo like that? We'll just leave
it on his tongue, right.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
Right, right, right right, No, I love it. And you
know they're beaming, they're smiling. This is what therapy pets do.
They get us out of a hurt situation or a
strets situation. If you could come back erin as a
therapy pet, what specie would it be? And why please
don't say rat.
Speaker 5 (20:13):
I think I just have to go with dog. I
have a dog at home, and you know she brings
me so much joy, So I think I would go
with the canine.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
And why what is it about the dog? Yeah?
Speaker 5 (20:23):
I just think when you think of therapy pet, I
think a lot of folks their mind goes straight to dog.
And I think, you know, it's a lot easier maybe
to get into facilities, just because it's more well known,
and I would want to obviously visit as many places
as possible.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Oh my gosh, what is something party message Katie you
can give to people? And I know you enjoy doing this.
You're not in retirement. You refired in a good way
with your dog River. But anything you want to as
a party message you would like to share with We
have some several people tuning in, more than a dozen
(20:58):
just kidding. You're on the longest running pet podcasts on
the planet.
Speaker 6 (21:01):
Go Well. One of the things I wanted to mention
that April thirtieth is the National Animal Therapy Day, and
that really is the celebration of as Aaron mentioned, you know,
nine different therapy animals, but just raising awareness for therapy animals,
dedicating to and honoring the animals and their handlers, and
(21:22):
just again raising awareness. Many of the towns are local
Rowaitan as part of Norwalk, and officially they have agreed
to doing a proclamation that Animal Therapy Day, National Animal
Therapy Day is.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
So it's usually every April thirtieth, because yes, okay, yes,
so that's just you know, an awareness on that and
just when you see a dog, see another animal, see
a guinea pig, see the domestic rats.
Speaker 6 (21:49):
Go up to it and ask if you can pet
them and just enjoy you know, that human animal bond contact.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
I love it. Aaron Well, I don't know what you
were doing prior to being part of the Pet Partners
team brain surgeon, cosmatologist. I'm just taking stabs. What Leeward
attracted motivated you to be part of the Pet Partners team.
Speaker 5 (22:12):
Oh yeah, I was previously working especially Vincent before that
the nonprofit world, and I just found this dream job
at Pet Partners where I could mash the two together,
saw the mission and knew, you know, if I got
the opportunity to be a part of an organization like
Pet Partners, I had to jump on it. And it's
been so rewarding to work with people like Katie Arden,
to be on a pet podcast like this is I'm
(22:34):
living my dream. It's amazing.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
Would River have any final thoughts woof woof River, River
besides the treats I'm giving in Yes, River, Sure that
smile there it is? I got this smile. I got
to move over, Brad Pitt. I'm River with our woof. Hey, everybody,
please go to Pet partners dot org learn a lot
of things about the great work that teams like Katie
(22:59):
and River do. You can help in many many ways,
and it's a good thing. And make sure it does
a body and a mind good. At this time, I
also want to give a shout out to my producer,
Mark Winter. He is the executive producer of Pet Life Radio.
We are the largest longest running pet podcast on the
planet and I did not pop a pee. Please check
(23:21):
out the other shows on pet Life Radio. Join my YouTube.
Dang it, it's all good stuff. About nine hundred videos
so far and counting all things good about pets and people.
And please consider taking a pet First Aid class. I
am a master instructor. I do it with a therapy
dog Kona and a therapy cat Casey. And I want
(23:45):
to tell you we have a little fun while we're learning.
So go to pet pirst Aid for you. Until next time.
This is your flea Free host Arden Moore delivering just
two words to all you two three and four lakers
out there.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
I'll behave coast to coast and around the world.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
It's all behaved with art and more.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Find out why cats and dogs do the things they do,
and get the latest buzz from Wagging Tongues and Tails
and rin Tin Tinseltown from Famous Pet experts and best
selling authors to television and movie stars. You'll get great
tail whacking pet tips and have a fur flying fun time.
All behave with America's pet entertainer Ardmore every week on
(24:25):
demand only on petlife Radio dot com
Hey, this is Pet Life Radio. Let's talk pets.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
It's all behave with Arden More, this show that teaches
you how to have harmony in the household with your pets.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
Join Ardnas.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
She travels coast to coast to help millions better understand why.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Cats and dogs do what they do.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Get that latest scoop on famous spaces they're perfectly pampered pets.
And who's walking Goo and rent him Tinseltown. From famous
pet experts and best selling authors to television and movie stars.
You'll get the latest buzz from Wagging Tongues and Tails Garner,
great pet tips and have a dog on per Flying
fun Time. So get ready for the paws and applause
as we unleaseh your oh behave hosts America's pet edutainer
(00:45):
Arden More.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Welcome to the old Behave show on Pet Life Radio.
I'm your host, Arden More. Now raise a paw if
you agree. Dogs do a body and my a lot
of good. And on our show today we are spotlighting
one great dog and a pretty cool best person of his.
(01:10):
Together they were just crowned twenty twenty five Pet Partners
Pet of the Year. If pause and applause to Katie
Ray her Golden retriever River and from Pet Partners Aaron Manly,
welcome all, thank you, thank you. I don't know who's
(01:31):
one of the biggest grint hey pet pals. We're going
to dive into what it is to be a therapy dog,
what it is to win the big crown, and a
lot more. But we got to take this quick break,
so you know the drill, Sit, stay, We'll be right back.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Time for a pause. Four very ones, actually sit and stay,
all behave, We'll be right back.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Take a bite out of your competition. Advertise your business
with an ad in Petlife Radio podcasts and radio shows.
There is no other pet related media that is as
large and reaches more pet parents and pet lovers than
pet Life Radio, with over seven million monthly listeners. Pet
Life Radio podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms,
(02:23):
and our live radio stream goes out to over two
hundred and fifty million subscribers on iHeartRadio, Odyssey, tune In,
and other streaming apps. For more information on how you
can advertise on the number one pet podcast and radio network,
visit petlifradio dot com slash advertise today.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Let's talk pets on Petlifradio dot com. All behaviors, fack
with more tail wagging ways to achieve harmony of the
household with your pets. Now back to your fetching host,
America's pet Ed You Tainer.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Ard, Welcome back to the old Behave show on Pet
Life Radio. I'm your host, Arden Moore. I gotta tell
you I have a real soft spot in my heart
for therapy pets and I am so delighted on our
show today we have a top dog in the world
of therapy pets. Let me just back up the bus
a little bit, pull back the lesha a little bit.
(03:21):
But on our show today from Connecticut, we have Katie
Ray and her Golden Retriever River and then joining us
with her is from Pet Partners, a nonprofit group that
is amazing we're going to learn about, and that is
Aaron Manly. Sure I got all the people and pets.
(03:42):
Four and two leggers are accounted for, right, ladies and
gent Yes, So you know what I might want to do.
I want Aaron to pop in first, because people are
as curious as a cat to say, what is Pet Partners?
Is that a dance group? What's going on?
Speaker 5 (03:56):
Pet Partners is an amazing organization found it in nineteen
seventy seven, so we've been around a long time and
we bring the joy of therapy animals into hospitals, assisted
living facilities, schools, you name it. We license therapy dogs, cats, lamas, alpacas.
We have nine species and we're all about just sharing
(04:18):
the power of the human animal bond and improving human health.
So a great organization and we feel truly special to
have Katie and River on board and as our twenty
twenty five Pet of the Year.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
And just because we're going to say it more than once.
How do people find out more about Pet partners Erin.
Speaker 5 (04:36):
Absolutely so, I would start on our website pet partners
dot org. We've got so many resources there about the
organization and also how you can get involved, how you
can become a team with your pet, and just a
variety of other things. You can follow us on social
media or on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn all of those.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
That sounds good now waiting in the wings or maybe
in her k or dining room, I don't know, oh family,
okay hailing from please name the hard to pronounce city
in Connecticut, row Aiton row Ayton. We have Katie Ray
and her golden retriever River Katie. First of all, Big
(05:17):
Wolfs to you and River getting named the twenty twenty
five Pet Partners Pet of the Year. You had a
lot of competition, but it's really not competition when all
of you have that same drive, and that is to
bring joyed all kinds of people. Right.
Speaker 6 (05:31):
Absolutely, we say everybody's a winner. We just may have
raised the highest amount, but every participant is a winner
in our eyes, that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
So talk to me a little bit about this whole
event because there might be people that are like what
therapy pets and you've got lamas in this group too.
Tell us about what got you involved years ago in
wanting to volunteer to team up with a dog to
be a certified therapy team. I know you had a
(06:01):
previous dog, Indy, is that correct? That's right?
Speaker 6 (06:04):
I did my homework, girl, You did you did after
I retired? And who's counting twenty sixteen?
Speaker 1 (06:10):
What were you retired from?
Speaker 6 (06:11):
I was in learning and development at a bank.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Okay, but this is much more fun. Well, I kind
of like withdraws that I don't have to worry about. So, yes,
we had Indy, who was River's uncle. The River is
his nephew. And I did a lot of volunteering with
my church as a I would say carrying parish visitor,
and so saw a firsthand sort of the need in
(06:34):
whether it was schools or a homebound or senior living place,
other you know, therapy dogs. And River and Indy both
had sort of that demeanor of just calmness and you know,
the smiling. Especially River, he's a leaner, leans into people
that we visit. Can we get a little view of River?
So River, everybody who's tuning into our show, He's got
(06:56):
what a beautiful blue bandana on?
Speaker 6 (07:00):
That says Pet Partners and it says River.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Okay, And how old is he?
Speaker 6 (07:06):
River's about three and a half and he hails from Montana.
There is wonderful breeder Lori Camerman, and she and her
husband run a dairy farm and raise golden retrievers.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
So what is it about the breed that you dig?
Do you like to vacuum, Katie? You like to brush? Well?
Speaker 6 (07:28):
Everything says we have similar colored hair. Oh no, they
just have a wonderful smile. They love on people. He
just I'm just looking at him right now. Rivers just
use a sweetheart.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
We need more Rivers don't. We we do.
Speaker 6 (07:42):
And they're friendly, they like people, they like other dogs.
People aren't scared of Golden Retrievers.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
No, they really aren't. No, And I think that is
that's a good thing. I do want to get back
to Aaron too, because Pet Partners, as you mentioned, what
it's all about. You said, there are nine species who
won the Big Award last year that might surprise people
unless they tune in to Oh Behave on Pet Life Radio.
Speaker 5 (08:06):
Last year we had Darby, the miniature horse, win Pet
of the Year, and he and his handler Lynn are
in Hawaii, a really awesome win for the whole state. Really,
but that shows the diversity that your group has, right. Absolutely,
is there some qualities.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
We know that River's a sweetye pie, but what are
you looking for in personality traits to make a good
therapy pet not just a therapy dog. I have a
therapy cap Casey shout out and Kona shout out my
terrier mix. I've had a total of five therapy pets
in the last fifteen years. I know the magic that
(08:45):
they do. But help our people out that are maybe
thinking about getting involved with Pet Partners.
Speaker 5 (08:51):
Absolutely, so, Katie touched on so many that overall a
good temperament, animals that are calm, affectionate, friendly, of those
Golden retreat traits, you know, intelligent.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
And it sounds like you're looking for a good spouse too, man.
These are qualities you want in a good spouse.
Speaker 6 (09:07):
Absolutely, you know one of the things too, Arin. I'm
also one of the evaluators in Fearfield County and one
of the hardest parts of passing the registration is walking
your dog past another dog, and so your dog has
to They can look, but they can't cross in front
of you or behind you to get to that other dog.
(09:28):
So one of the qualities really is you two meaning
the handler and the dog or the other a cat,
really being in tune to one another. And the handler
really has to be the advocate for their animal.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Now I understand because I've taken my dogs through some
doggy obedience Kanine, good citizen, and since you are an evaluator, Katie,
it seems like that might be good things to do
before you put your application into pet Partners.
Speaker 6 (09:55):
Absolutely, a lot of people ask me, well, you know,
I'm interested, what should I do? And our local place here?
I often recommend his dog on smart but wherever people
are located, find a good place that they do first
of all your basic obedience and kind of work your
way up. The place here has a you know, a
therapy class, and look with that therapy class, and oftentimes
(10:18):
the class instructor will recommend volunteering at Pet Partners during
an evaluation. And that's how also I got involved with
Pet Partners. I had a couple of friends who were
involved with it, and so I just initially showed up
once a month and helped with the role plays. And
there you really get to see, you know, what bonding
with your.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Animal was all about or not. Yeah. Well, I think
it's funny when my therapy cat, Casey walks into a
dog training facility because I teach pet first aid and
he's on a harness or in a pet stroller and
I can say Casey up, he leaps onto the table,
I say Casey sit, He sits, and he shakes paw
with the nearest dog trainer. So I think our therapy
(11:00):
pets can be full of good surprises. Yes, right, So
what is the magic we know the sweetness of mister River.
What is something that is magical that River does when
he meets somebody.
Speaker 6 (11:14):
He leans in, leans in, he leads in. Of course,
you know, I have him on my leash, and we'll
walk up and you know, one person, two or three
may you know, come towards us. And he always finds
the person I think that really needs that love for
that moment and he leans in. And they often will
say he's leaning in. What does that mean? And I
(11:36):
typically will say, he's trusting you. And he's also leaving
a little fur on your nice black pass for you
to remember his visit.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
Hey everyone, and we are speaking with Katie Ray and
she has her dog River. They are the Pet Partner
of the Year for twenty twenty five for Pet Partners Organization.
And we're also speaking with Aaron Manly. We're going to
dive in a little bit more. We just got to
take this break. It stay. We'll be right back.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Time for a walk on the red car. But of course,
oh behave We'll be backing up last right after these
messages begging.
Speaker 7 (12:14):
To hear more of your favorite show.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Hold.
Speaker 7 (12:16):
Full episodes of on our shows are available on demand.
Go to Petlife Radio dot com to feed our entire
lineup of Possom pet podcasts. Also dig us up in iHeartRadio,
dan iTunes, Let's Talk Pats live and on demand only
from pet Life Radio, Let's Talk Past, Let's Done, pet
(12:39):
Headline Radio.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Pet Live Radio dot Com.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
Hi listen, John O'Hurley reminding you you're listening to the
Oh Behave Show with Art and more.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
On pet Life Radio.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
We're back from the lot. Just check the paper and
we had our record showing at the box, the letterbox
that is now back to Oh Behave Here.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Welcome back to the old Behave Show on pet Life Radio.
I'm your host, Arden Moore. I am speaking with Katie
Ray from Connecticut with her golden retriever River. They are
the twenty twenty five Pet Partners Pet of the Year team.
And also here with us from Pet Partners is Aaron Manly.
I want to ask you, Aaron, put this in perspective
(13:23):
because I know that this winning team raised how much money?
Speaker 5 (13:28):
Were fourteen thousand dollars?
Speaker 1 (13:30):
Wow? And there were a lot of different teams competing.
I don't like that word, but kind of vying for
the honors. Can you give us an idea of what
kind of places they've came from all.
Speaker 5 (13:41):
Over We had participants from over thirty four different states,
the whole country, so a really diverse group in terms
of location, but also.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
Species really so I think there was the thing that
draws me. There were lots of dogs, and there were
some cats, but guinea pitt a pig and I don't
know if they're competitive, but a mouse versus a domestic rat,
help me.
Speaker 5 (14:07):
It was truly wonderful to see, just because obviously Pet
of the Year the goal was to raise funds for
a therapy animal program, but I think it's also a
really nice way to let people know that Pet Partners
registers a variety of different species. It's not just dogs
and cats and the guinea pigs, the rabbits. They can
make really meaningful visits too, So it was just great
(14:27):
to see.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
I like mice and rats, I mean, and they have
to have nice temperaments. I don't know if they lean
in like River does. But can you compare a difference
between a therapy rat. What's a good place for a
rat or a mouse or a guinea pig to hang
out versus a beautiful golden retriever?
Speaker 5 (14:45):
Absolutely so. Cosmo was our rat candidate.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Oh she remembers the name caswoll.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
He and his handler Meghan. They recently were evaluated passed
with flying colors, and she likes to take Cosmo to
an assisted living facility. She blas him in a little
basket and the residents will just pet Cosmo and she
says that oftentimes he will just fall asleep, so he
does really well in quieter areas.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
I like that. And for you, Katie with River, tell
us some places that you like to go with River
to help him lean in and bring joy.
Speaker 6 (15:20):
Let's see. One of the places is the Stanford Hospital
and it's part of the Stanford Health Systems, so they're
in Stanford, Connecticut. A couple of the senior living facilities
are Waveny Life Care Network in leu Canaan and Darien
Atria and Derryenne. We also go to several of the
high schools during midterms mu Caanaan.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
When people are stressed out about final exams. You got it, Oh, Greenwich, Westport.
We also go to Sacred Heart University during exam time.
And what we discover is that it's not just the
students or just the patients or the residents, it's the
staff as well. Need to lean in, need the well.
You know, we're human by nature and we have a
(16:04):
range of emotions. And I think a great dog like
River smells our emotional state and that's why he's leaning in.
But I know he can't give him the answers to
the final exams. He's smart, but I know he can't.
But what do you think he's specifically doing for people
getting the jitters? He's loving all them, giving them a
little calmness, bringing little joy. You know, kids will come
(16:28):
up and I'll say, you know, do you have a dog?
And yes, so we engage in, you know, a little conversation.
We also go to a special needs class at one
of the schools. Oh nice, but we have some one
on one you know, we visit the nurses also, you
know in the schools.
Speaker 6 (16:44):
Yes, the staff needs help to write after help. We've
been called into some of the schools that have had
tragedies over the last couple of years. Okay, so in
that case, you know, River, myself and other PET Partner
teams will go in and visit.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Now you've got a brand new house, a world trip
around the world, and a new car. Is that what
tu one? And just tease them. I haven't about those,
but I think you know, it is an honor and
I mean what did you think when your name was announced?
Speaker 6 (17:14):
Well, I was very excited and very humbled for sure.
And I you know, I think people donate. Yes, a
lot of people know that River and I are out
there spurating the joy. But they see what River does
and whether it's just walking you know, down the street,
meeting you know, neighbors, strangers. We often go into stores
like ja mcgloughlin, which is a women's men's clothing store.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Is he a clothes hound?
Speaker 6 (17:39):
River, No, but I'm going to put a plug in
for them and for Orvis who loved dogs. Jae mcgloughlin
pairs up I think twice a month with nonprofits and
you come up with the day that you'll bring your
dog in in this case River, and between three and six,
whatever is sold, ten percent of those sales went to
(18:00):
pet partners. So just shy, I have one thousand dollars. Wow,
Pet Partners. I have to give them a plug.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
Oh they're doing something good, which makes me go to Aaron. Aaron, Oh,
what's this plug? What is that?
Speaker 6 (18:12):
During the time we were there, they had a cookie maid.
The pet partners revert, Oh my gosh, sugar cookie.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
That is adorable. So let me ask you erin, this
is a great example of a unique way to raise
money for your nonprofit. Has there been some other pretty
creative ways you want to share because people who may
want to support Pet Partners may not have a dog
or somebod they want to help. Can you share a
few examples? Yeah?
Speaker 5 (18:39):
Absolutely, Arden, or are you meaning specific to Pet of
the Year? Some things that we saw candidates do. So
we had Coda the lab who placed second with this
hand where Stacy and they did Easter pet portraits and
the photographer they worked with decided to give a percentage
of the proceeds to Pet Partners. Nice people do revenue
(19:01):
shares with restaurants host happy hours.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Oh those would be yeappy hours.
Speaker 5 (19:05):
Yes, yeah, we had lots of Canada be successful through
that too, So it was great raffles, just a variety
of different things.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
If you could have one trait that river has, what
would it be? Katie? And why please don't say leaning in?
Speaker 6 (19:20):
As I lean forward to the screen, I think his easygoing,
this his constant smile, and just the joy he brings.
I told this to Aaron earlier. I'm always looking for hearts.
People send me, text me, email me, hearts and I
think we may have talked about it with you. River
has a black mark on his tongue and everybody says
(19:40):
it looks like either an upside down heart or an
upside down teardrop. So I love to say that, you
know it's an upside down heart, and yeah, are you
going to get a tattoo like that? We'll just leave
it on his tongue, right.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
Right, right, right right, No, I love it. And you
know they're beaming, they're smiling. This is what therapy pets do.
They get us out of a hurt situation or a
strets situation. If you could come back erin as a
therapy pet, what specie would it be? And why please
don't say rat.
Speaker 5 (20:13):
I think I just have to go with dog. I
have a dog at home, and you know she brings
me so much joy, So I think I would go
with the canine.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
And why what is it about the dog? Yeah?
Speaker 5 (20:23):
I just think when you think of therapy pet, I
think a lot of folks their mind goes straight to dog.
And I think, you know, it's a lot easier maybe
to get into facilities, just because it's more well known,
and I would want to obviously visit as many places
as possible.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Oh my gosh, what is something party message Katie you
can give to people? And I know you enjoy doing this.
You're not in retirement. You refired in a good way
with your dog River. But anything you want to as
a party message you would like to share with We
have some several people tuning in, more than a dozen
(20:58):
just kidding. You're on the longest running pet podcasts on
the planet.
Speaker 6 (21:01):
Go Well. One of the things I wanted to mention
that April thirtieth is the National Animal Therapy Day, and
that really is the celebration of as Aaron mentioned, you know,
nine different therapy animals, but just raising awareness for therapy animals,
dedicating to and honoring the animals and their handlers, and
(21:22):
just again raising awareness. Many of the towns are local
Rowaitan as part of Norwalk, and officially they have agreed
to doing a proclamation that Animal Therapy Day, National Animal
Therapy Day is.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
So it's usually every April thirtieth, because yes, okay, yes,
so that's just you know, an awareness on that and
just when you see a dog, see another animal, see
a guinea pig, see the domestic rats.
Speaker 6 (21:49):
Go up to it and ask if you can pet
them and just enjoy you know, that human animal bond contact.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
I love it. Aaron Well, I don't know what you
were doing prior to being part of the Pet Partners
team brain surgeon, cosmatologist. I'm just taking stabs. What Leeward
attracted motivated you to be part of the Pet Partners team.
Speaker 5 (22:12):
Oh yeah, I was previously working especially Vincent before that
the nonprofit world, and I just found this dream job
at Pet Partners where I could mash the two together,
saw the mission and knew, you know, if I got
the opportunity to be a part of an organization like
Pet Partners, I had to jump on it. And it's
been so rewarding to work with people like Katie Arden,
to be on a pet podcast like this is I'm
(22:34):
living my dream. It's amazing.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
Would River have any final thoughts woof woof River, River
besides the treats I'm giving in Yes, River, Sure that
smile there it is? I got this smile. I got
to move over, Brad Pitt. I'm River with our woof. Hey, everybody,
please go to Pet partners dot org learn a lot
of things about the great work that teams like Katie
(22:59):
and River do. You can help in many many ways,
and it's a good thing. And make sure it does
a body and a mind good. At this time, I
also want to give a shout out to my producer,
Mark Winter. He is the executive producer of Pet Life Radio.
We are the largest longest running pet podcast on the
planet and I did not pop a pee. Please check
(23:21):
out the other shows on pet Life Radio. Join my YouTube.
Dang it, it's all good stuff. About nine hundred videos
so far and counting all things good about pets and people.
And please consider taking a pet First Aid class. I
am a master instructor. I do it with a therapy
dog Kona and a therapy cat Casey. And I want
(23:45):
to tell you we have a little fun while we're learning.
So go to pet pirst Aid for you. Until next time.
This is your flea Free host Arden Moore delivering just
two words to all you two three and four lakers
out there.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
I'll behave coast to coast and around the world.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
It's all behaved with art and more.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Find out why cats and dogs do the things they do,
and get the latest buzz from Wagging Tongues and Tails
and rin Tin Tinseltown from Famous Pet experts and best
selling authors to television and movie stars. You'll get great
tail whacking pet tips and have a fur flying fun time.
All behave with America's pet entertainer Ardmore every week on
(24:25):
demand only on petlife Radio dot com
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.