Animals, Nature, and You

The Power of Pet Therapy: The Human/Animal Connection

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2557474/fan_mail/new] Discover the transformative power of pet therapy as Robin Cohen from Helen Woodward Animal Center shares stories that bring joy, and foster profound human-animal connections. Whether it’s a children finding comfort in an unexpected animal encounter, or a someone reconnecting to memories of a pet skunk from the past; this episode reveals how animals not only heal but also teach us compassion, patience, and trust. Guest Robin Cohen, with over three decades of experience at Helen Woodward Animal Center, highlights the surprising science behind pet therapy’s physical and emotional benefits—from blood pressure drops to reduced aggression in at-risk youth. She shares inspiring stories of animals like a snake that helped a fearful man conquer his phobia, and a dog's loving intuition that helped comfort a man and his family. Robin explains how organizations worldwide can replicate programs like theirs through accessible training, volunteer efforts, and community education, emphasizing that every animal, regardless of species, has the potential to change lives. Animals, Nature, and You on IG [https://www.instagram.com/animalsnatureandyou] Links for Helen Woodward Animal Center... Website: AnimalCenter.org [https://animalcenter.org/] Helen Woodward Animal Cenetr Pet Encounter Therapy [https://animalcenter.org/programs-services/pet-encounter-therapy/] HWAC on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/animalcntr6461] HWAC on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hwac/] HWAC on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/helenwoodwardanimalcenter/] HWAC on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/helen-woodward-animal-center/] HWAC on Tik Tok [ https://www.tiktok.com/@hwanimalcenter] Find Rick here: ZoologyRick.com [https://www.zoologyrick.com/] Rick's social media stuff... Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zoologyrick] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RickSchwartz] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ZoologyRick] Threads [https://www.threads.com/@zoologyrick] BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/zoologyrick.bsky.social] Podcast Music: Positive Carefree Folk Pop Artist: Burgberg Used with Full Music Standard Lic.

Why Nature is Essential to Our Well-Being

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2557474/fan_mail/new] In this 10 Minute Tuesday, host Rick Schwartz shares his "Is this even real life"experiences from a recent trip to the Redwoods. And he explores the scientific benefits of nature on well-being, and emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with the natural world for our health, not just conservation. Animals, Nature, and You on IG [https://www.instagram.com/animalsnatureandyou] Links for Mentioned... Redwoods Rising on IG [https://www.instagram.com/redwoodsrising] Save the Redwoods League [https://www.savetheredwoods.org/] Sequoia Park Zoo [https://www.redwoodzoo.org/] Find Griff Griffith here [https://griffgriffith.info/] Animals, Nature, and You Episode with Griff Griffith [https://animalsnatureandyou.buzzsprout.com/2557474/episodes/18864116] Links to Studies Mentioned: Exposure and Connectedness to Nature [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494424002056] Noticing Nature: Individual and Social Benefits [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17439760.2016.1221126?scroll=top&needAccess=true] Find Rick here: ZoologyRick.com [https://www.zoologyrick.com/] Rick's social media stuff... Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zoologyrick] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RickSchwartz] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ZoologyRick] Threads [https://www.threads.com/@zoologyrick] BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/zoologyrick.bsky.social] Podcast Music: Positive Carefree Folk Pop Artist: Burgberg Used with Full Music Standard Lic.

The Human Side of Conservation with Andrew Mooney from the Dublin Zoo

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2557474/fan_mail/new] Discover how collaborative efforts make the difference in wildlife conservation. In this insightful interview, Andrew Mooney from Dublin Zoo shares the multifaceted approach to conservation, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, native species projects, and the role of zoos in global conservation efforts. Animals, Nature, and You on IG [https://www.instagram.com/animalsnatureandyou] Links mentioned in this episode: Duklin Zoo [ https://www.dublinzoo.ie/] Selamatkan Yaki [https://www.selamatkanyaki.ngo/] More about the Sulawesi crested black macaque [https://www.selamatkanyaki.ngo/yaki-info/macaca-nigra/] Find Andrew Here: Andrew Mooney on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-mooney-1ba26411a/] Dublin Zoo on Social Media: Dublin Zoo FB [https://www.facebook.com/DublinZoo/] Dublin Zoo IG [https://www.instagram.com/dublinzoo_official] Dublin Zoo TikTok [https://www.instagram.com/dublinzoo_official] Dublin Zoo YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@dublinzoo1310] Find Rick here: ZoologyRick.com [https://www.zoologyrick.com/] Rick's social media stuff... Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zoologyrick] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RickSchwartz] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ZoologyRick] Threads [https://www.threads.com/@zoologyrick] BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/zoologyrick.bsky.social] Podcast Music: Positive Carefree Folk Pop Artist: Burgberg Used with Full Music Standard Lic.

RePlay: The Real Raccoon Science Behind the Headlines

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2557474/fan_mail/new] This is a RePlay of Episode 14 from March 2026... In this episode Rick discusses the media's misguided headlines and articles about a scientific study on raccoon that looked at domestication signals. Rick offers up information from the published paper and explains what the research actually indicates about raccoon evolution and domestication. While the idea of having a raccoon as a pet might sound enticing, there are significant challenges and ethical considerations that must be addressed. Raccoons are not domesticated animals; they are wild creatures with specific needs. PLEASE adopt a dog or cat from your local shelter. You will save a life and you will be much happier with truly domesticated animal in your home. Link to published study mentioned in this episode:  "TRACKING DOMESTICATION SIGNALS ACROSS POPULATIONS OF NORTH AMERICAN RACCOONS (PROCYON LOTOR) VIA CITIZEN SCIENCE-DRIVEN IMAGE REPOSITORIES" [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12983-025-00583-1] Shout out to Big Bear Alpine Zoo (just because) Big Bear Alpine Zoo website [https://bigbearzoo.org/] Big Bear Alpine Zoo in Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bigbearalpinezoo/] Rick's website: ZoologyRick.com [https://www.zoologyrick.com/] Find Rick on social media: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zoologyrick] Threads [https://www.threads.com/@zoologyrick] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ZoologyRick] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@rickschwartz] Music: Positive Carefree Folk Pop Artist: Burgberg Used with Full Music Standard Lic.

Replay: Meet the Founder of Global Conservation Force, Mike Veale

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2557474/fan_mail/new] This is a RePlay of Episode 06 from February 2026... In this episode, Mike Veale, the founder and CEO of Global Conservation Force, discusses the organization's multifaceted approach to wildlife conservation. Global Conservation Force brings together a team of experts, volunteers, and community members to work towards saving endangered species. Mike shares the pillars of conservation work, the founding of the GCF, the importance of conservation efforts, and how individuals can contribute. Mike shares personal experiences and highlights the interconnectedness of wildlife and human communities, emphasizing the need for ongoing support and education in conservation. Rick wraps up this episode with a facts about rhinos and rhino poaching, and how you can help animals like the rhinoceroses from your own home. Connect with Global Conservation Force: GCF Website [https://globalconservationforce.org/] GCF on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/globalconservationforce] GCF on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/RhinosGCF] GCF on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxtiJtIRqCRuz8E7fx1vXcA] Rick's website: ZoologyRick.com [https://www.zoologyrick.com/] Find Rick on social media: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zoologyrick] Threads [https://www.threads.com/@zoologyrick] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ZoologyRick] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@rickschwartz] Music: Positive Carefree Folk Pop Artist: Burgberg Used with Full Music Standard Lic.