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BeProvided Conservation Radio


BeProvided Conservation Radio takes you from the Santa Cruz Mountains to Africa with expert interviews in wildlife biology, conservation, environmental education, nature writing, nature art/photography, eco tourism and much much more.  Learn how you can help close to home and worldwide to protect our natural world.

On episodes before 2021-

Music by http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

Introduction and Outro done by friend of the podcast, Dale Willman, award winning journalist! Thank you Dale for this wonderful contribution!

Jun 19, 2018

Healing Power: The Human-Animal Bond

This week our guest on the show, Susan Janin, is an advocate for all animals from domestic cats to snow leopards in the Himalayas. My interview with Susan, especially our conversation about Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) gave me a reason to reflect on how my own pets have helped me heal during traumatic times. My two cats, China and Kitty, got me through the sicknesses and deaths of both of my parents who suffered from cancer. My cats Amelie and Matisse got me through my sister's cancer journey and passing. To me, that unconditional love from a pet when you are down is incredibly healing. I honestly believe those troubled times would have been much more difficult without those kitties in my life.
 
Now my mother-in-law is moving into a senior living home. My first question was, "can Sunny move in with you?" Sunny is her yellow tabby who gives Judy, my mother-in-law, unconditional love. It is with great relief to know that Sunny will be her roommate because now, more than ever, she needs his companionship.
 
I am happy to hear there is an organization such as PAWS helping people stay with their beloved pets. Susan is a great advocate for all animals and it is no surprise that her cats are the cat idols and feline ambassadors three years in a row for PAWS. (I have included a couple pictures so you can see how adorable they are!) The photographs below are by Mark Rogers, an animal photographer in San Francisco who volunteers his time and photos for promotion of this cause.

 

Susan Janin with PAWS Ambassador Lilly

Susan Janin with PAWS Ambassador Sammy

If you are not aware of PAWS please visit their website to find out more about them and utilize their resources, http://www.shanti.org/pages/paws_about_us.html. I have also included a link to this video with Susan discussing and demonstrating the importance of animals in our lives. This is a professional video created for PAWS 30th-anniversary showcasing cat idols, Lilly and Sammy. https://youtu.be/Y_G_OIFNe0o

 

 

*Introduction and closing by Dale Wilman and music provided by www.bensound.com