Ask the Vet

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 ...

In this episode of "Ask the Vet" Dr. Ann Hohenhaus talks with Dr. Andrea Looney, Senior Veterinarian at AMC and board-certified specialist in Anesthesia and Analgesia, about how anesthesia is safely administered to pets. They discuss why the idea of anesthesia can make pet owners feel uneasy -- especially because general anesthesia involves a loss of consciousness -- and what goes on behind the scenes to keep animals safe...

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her AMC colleague Dr. Daniel Spector for an informative conversation about minimally invasive surgery in pets. Dr. Spector has led AMC’s minimally invasive surgery program since its launch in 2024, and he brings nearly two decades of experience to the operating room. Together, they discuss:

• His perspective as a pet owner whose dog needed multiple surgeries
• The differe...

In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus is joined by her AMC colleague Dr. Renee Alsarraf for a heartfelt and informative conversation about cancer in pets. Dr. Alsarraf brings a unique perspective, not only as a board-certified veterinary oncologist, but also but also as a cancer survivor and pet parent to dogs who have faced cancer. Together, they discuss:

• The types of cancers commonly seen at AMC
• How radiation therap...

Parasites are a year-round threat to pets, and some can pose risks to human health as well. In this episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus speaks with veterinarian Dr. Craig Prior, former president of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), about what every pet owner should know. From tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms to giardia and ticks that transmit diseases like Lyme and ehrlichiosis, they cover the most common and ...

For our special 50th episode of Ask the Vet, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes Dr. Vanessa Spano—AMCs first-ever veterinary behaviorist and the only board-certified veterinary behaviorist in New York City. Dr. Spano’s expertise spans a wide range of behavioral challenges, including anxiety, aggression, trauma recovery, and compulsive disorders. Tune in as they discuss:

• The difference between veterinary behaviorists, trainers, and gener...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus welcomes zoologist and best-selling author Bill Schutt to discuss the fascinating history and function of teeth. His latest book, Bite: An Incisive History of Teeth, from Hagfish to Humans explores how teeth evolved, what they reveal about survival, and why they matter for both wild animals and our pets. Tune in as they discuss:

• How scientists identify extinct species by their fossilized teeth
• Why teeth originat...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Rachel Herman, Founder and Executive Director of PAWS NY. This organization is dedicated to supporting vulnerable New Yorkers and their pets, preserving the human-animal bond during challenging times. Tune in as they discuss:

• What is the mission of PAWS NY?
• Rachel's inspiration to establish this organization
• How PAWS NY helps New Yorkers having difficulty caring for their pets due to illness, disa...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Monica Murphy, a veterinarian and co-author of "Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals" — a fascinating book that looks at how America’s attitudes toward animals were transformed in the late 19th century. Tune in as they discuss:

• Why Dr. Murphy found this particular time period intriguing
• The effectiveness of Henry Bergh, founder of the ASPCA, in ...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Scott Weese, a leading expert in veterinary infectious diseases and creator of the must-read Worms & Germs blog. Tune in as they discuss:

• Insights into the 2023 “mystery” canine respiratory disease
• The impact of social media and lifestyle trends on the perception of pet health
• How the social network of dogs influences the spread of disease
• The tragic situations that can arise if pets don’t recei...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Kwane Stewart, a veterinarian who provides free veterinary care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness through his nonprofit, Project Street Vet. Dr. Stewart was named CNN’s 2023 Hero of the Year for his outstanding efforts. Tune in as they discuss:

• What inspired Dr. Kwane Stewart to become a veterinarian
• The origin of Project Street Vet and how the organization has evolved
• Common health p...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Jamie Cohen, LCSW, AMC's new Veterinary Social Worker. Jamie brings more than a decade of experience in supporting trauma survivors and helping individuals and families navigate grief. At AMC, Jamie leads our Pet Loss Support Program and our Caregiver Support Group, offering both practical and emotional support to pet owners facing the loss or illness of their beloved animal companions.

Tu...

AMC's Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado, a certified cat behavior consultant, animal behavior scientist, and author of the new book Play With Your Cat: The Essential Guide to Interactive Play for a Happier, Healthier Feline.

Tune in as they discuss:

• Dr. Delgado's career path in feline behavior
• "Catios," and indoor vs. outdoor cat recommendations
• Common feline behavior issues, includi...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Florence L. Dickler, Professor and Author of “For Dog’s Sake,” a heartfelt story about Clea, an adorable dog rescued from a Moroccan village. Clea was also one of Dr. Hohenhaus' oncology patients at AMC. Tune in as they discuss:

• Why Florence wrote "For Dog's Sake" from the point of view of her dog Clea
• The challenges of writing this book
• How Florence balanced information and facts w...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Lisa A. Fortier, DVM, PhD, DACVS, a distinguished clinician, researcher, educator, and equine surgeon. Dr. Fortier is currently the Editor in Chief of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) and the American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR). Tune in as they discuss:

• Why Dr. Fortier became a horse specialist
• The fake journal problem causing researchers to lose their work...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Pamela Schwartz, Department Head of Surgery at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, to discuss how the new Denise and Michael Kellen Institute for Surgical Care is transforming patient care. Tune in as they discuss:

• A "virtual tour" of the new surgical institute at AMC
• The cutting-edge technology now employed in the new operating rooms
• How the ORs can connect with people around the world
• ...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Maggie O'Haire, a noted researcher in the field of human-animal interactions. Dr. O'Haire's work is paving the way for understanding how service dogs can make a tremendous difference in the lives of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Tune in as they discuss:

• How the Organization for Human-Animal Interaction Research and Education was named
• Dr. O'Haire'...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews three distinguished experts from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dr. Sally Slavinski, Kevin Lovingood, and Caroline Bragdon to talk about the increase of the bacterial disease leptospirosis in dogs. Tune in as they discuss:

• The increase of leptospirosis cases in NYC dogs
• What causes leptospirosis and what species can contract it?
• How cases of leptospirosis are diagnosed, coun...

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews David Brathwaite, Patient Care Manager in AMC's Diagnostic Imaging Service. Tune in as they discuss:

• What is Diagnostic Imaging?
• David's 22-year career journey at AMC from Assistant to Patient Care Manager
• The role of a Veterinary Assistant
• The imaging machines that David maintains
• What percentage of AMC patients go to radiology for imaging?
• How animals are x-rayed with a "hands-free" ...