‘Arizona Horizon’ features local animals on ‘Ted’s Tails’
Sept. 22
“Arizona Horizon” host and managing editor Ted Simons features cute and creepy critters on Ted’s Tails, from kittens to greater sulphur-crested cockatoos, often joined by animal welfare groups.
Watch “Arizona Horizon” weeknights at 5 or 10 p.m. on air, or on our YouTube news channel, AZPBS Now, or catch full episodes online later or on the PBS app.
Hospice of the Valley provides pet therapy
Hospice of the Valley has a wide variety of dogs, cats, rabbits and miniature horses bringing pet therapy as part of their program “Pet Connections.” In the program, the pets visit patients in residential homes, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and the therapy teams visit with patients for one to two hours per week.
Lin Sue Flood, Hospice of the Valley Director of Community Engagement, and Ed Gesten, Pet Connections Volunteer, joined “Arizona Horizon” along with a therapy dog named Huck to share more about these pet therapy teams.
Phoenix Zoo features a diverse team of ambassador animals
The Phoenix Zoo trains ambassador animals that participate in educational shows, outreach programs and media appearances to inspire conservation. Lulu, the greater sulphur-crested cockatoo, was trained to be an ambassador animal after being given to the zoo by a retired magician.
Kim Richards, Phoenix Zoo Senior Zookeeper, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss this team of animals.
Scottsdale clinic offers orthopedic braces for dogs
Pet Ortho Braces, a specialized veterinary clinic in Scottsdale, has created orthotic braces for dogs with ligament injuries. These injuries often require expensive surgeries that can cost pet owners thousands of dollars.
Each brace is handmade by Pet Ortho Braces and assists in a dog’s mobility to recover from these ligament injuries. Allowing for weight to be placed on the injured limbs and even the ability to swim.
Dave Vowels, President of Pet Ortho Braces, alongside Barb Spruck and her dog Ziggy joined “Arizona Horizon” to share more about these braces.
Heidi’s Village expands support for rescue pets
Heidi’s Village is a community-driven hub that promotes collaboration, innovation and lifesaving support. The hub helps its partners save more lives together by uniting rescue organizations, sharing resources and inspiring new solutions to help create a brighter future for pets in need.
Lori Wahl, Development Director at Heidi’s Village, joined “Arizona Horizon” alongside kittens Maggie and Matthew to discuss the program.
New addition to K-9 Victim Support Program brings comfort to young crime victims
Maricopa County has added Coco to its K-9 Victim Support Program. Coco is trained to provide support and comfort to crime victims, primarily younger ones.
One of Coco’s most important tasks is supporting victims when they testify in court. She can help young victims prepare and get through these trials during difficult times.
Haley Knutson, a victim advocate at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and Coco, Victim Support K-9, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss more about the K-9 program.
Phoenix Zoo welcomes new African lion, Pilipili
The Phoenix Zoo has announced its newest resident, Pilipili, a three-year-old African lion. The male lion, who weighs nearly 500 pounds, was brought to the Valley from Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo. Pilipili joins female lionesses Zuri and Kamara at the Phoenix Zoo.
Joaquin Hidalgo, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at the Phoenix Zoo, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss their new addition.
MSCO MASH Unit allows inmates to help abused animals
The MSCO MASH Unit provides care, feeding, and shelter for “evidence” animals that have suffered in abuse and neglect cases. The MASH unit heals and rehabilitates neglected and abused animals, nurtures them back to health, and adopts them out to loving, forever homes.
Terrell Sheline, Unit Supervisor at the MCSO Animal Safe Haven Unit, and Lulu, a Boxer/Bull Terrier Mix from the MCSO MASH Unit, joined “Arizona Horizon” to speak more about this fur-friendly program.
Phoenix Children’s therapy dog supports patients and their families
Phoenix Children’s offers an Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) Program with a therapy dog for patients and their families for therapeutic purposes.
Scientific research has shown that a patient’s interaction with an animal can provide positive physical and emotional benefits. The volunteer therapy animal team visits patients, families, and staff at events and at the bedside, improving their mood and helping them through tough days.
Chrissy Richardson, Animal-Assisted Therapy Coordinator at Phoenix Children’s, Breanna Tabor, Child Life Specialist at Phoenix Children’s, and Sparky, a Therapy Dog at Phoenix Children’s, all joined “Arizona Horizon” to talk more about their pawsome program.
Senior dog rescue in Scottsdale helps pups find forever homes
Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary is Scottsdale’s only senior dog rescue group. Their mission is to help overlooked senior dogs in Arizona find their forever homes.
Dogs at Forever Loved who were abandoned or tossed out as strays are incredibly resilient; they simply want a place to call home and people to love.
Luisa Chocron, Executive Director and founder of Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss their mission. She was joined by Pickles, a 13-year-old senior pup who was found abandoned on the side of a highway.
Influx of kittens during warm months leads to need for better animal welfare
During warm weather months, stray cats will reproduce at higher rates, leading to increased litters of kittens and an influx entering animal shelters. It’s a challenging time for local shelters who are overrun with cats and kittens and need community support to help save their lives.
Alessandra Navidad, CEO of the Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL) joined us alongside two of the league’s kittens, Desi and Lucy.
