131. Separation Anxiety, Pet Enrichment & Supporting the Vets Who Care for Our Pets

In this episode of the Pets Add Life Podcast, hosts Chris Bonifati and Kristen Levine explore how changes in the family routine can affect our pets—and what we can do to make the transition easier. From helping dogs adjust when kids return to school to understanding enrichment and emotional well-being, the episode is packed with practical advice for happier pets. The hosts also take a closer look at the veterinary profession, including burnout, career flexibility, and how pet parents can better support the people who care for their animals. Story Time features: Chris shares an important warning from the Better Business Bureau about scammers targeting people searching for lost pets. He discusses ways pet parents can protect themselves, including microchipping pets, withholding identifying details that can be used to verify a legitimate finder, and never sending money without confirming that someone actually has the missing animal. Kristen shares the heartwarming story of Enzo, a 160-pound deaf and blind Mastiff who visits Carmel Elementary School in Maine as a therapy dog. Students read to Enzo during library time, creating a supportive, judgment-free environment that can help young readers feel more comfortable and confident. Special Guests: Emily Strong, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Co-Owner of Pet Harmony & Co-Author of Canine Enrichment for the Real World Dr. Ashley Hopkins, Veterinarian, Founder & CEO of Hopper Vets & Career Coach with Vet Candy Pet Product Recommendations: KONG Wobbler – https://www.kongcompany.com/wobbler/ Dog Splash Pad – https://www.petco.com Q&A Topics: My kids are heading back to school soon, and I’m worried because our dog got so used to having everyone home all summer. What can we do now to help prevent separation anxiety before the school year starts? (Submitted by Jennifer from Charlotte, NC) We recently adopted a puppy, but our resident cat isn’t exactly thrilled with the new addition. What are some of the best ways to help cats and dogs learn to live together peacefully and safely? (Submitted by David from Portland, OR) Related Links: Pet Harmony: https://petharmonytraining.com Emily Strong: https://petharmonytraining.com/emily-strong/ Canine Enrichment for the Real World: https://petharmonytraining.com/resources/pet-harmony-resources/ Hopper Vets: https://hoppervets.com Vet Candy: https://www.myvetcandy.com Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker: https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker American Pet Products Association (APPA): https://www.americanpetproducts.org DOGTV Unleashed FAST Channel: https://www.dogtv.com/unleashed Pets Add Life: https://www.petsaddlife.org Social Channels: Pet Harmony (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/petharmonytraining Pet Harmony (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/petharmonytraining Hopper Vets (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/hoppervets Vet Candy (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/myvetcandy DOGTV (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/dogtv Pets Add Life (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/petsaddlife Pets Add Life (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/PetsAddLife Pets Add Life (TikTok): https://www.tiktok.com/@petsaddlife Pets Add Life (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@petsaddlife Subscribe & Listen: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts! Submit a question to the podcast: https://www.petsaddlife.org/podcast Presented by: American Pet Products Association (APPA) & DOGTV