Have you ever wondered how dogs think about the world? Listen in as Laurie Santos, Ph. D. discusses her studies and findings about dogs at The Canine Cognition Center at Yale University. She is the director of the research facility located in the Psychology Department at Yale University. Santos and her team of Yale scientists study how dogs think about the world. She talks about how the center is devoted to learning more about canine psychology—how dogs perceive their environment, solve problems, and make decisions. Their findings teach us how the dog mind works, which can help us to better develop programs to improve how we train and work with our canine friends.

Pet Partners is a non-profit organization that brings individuals together who share a common passion - a love of animals and people. Listen in as Mary Margaret Callahan, Sr. National Director, Program Development and Laure MacConnell, licensed instructor and evaluator from Pet Partners tell us about the great work the organization is doing improving lives by training and certifying therapy animals.

Have you ever wanted to know if there were connections between human and animal health? Be sure to listen to today’s show as co-authors Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, M.D. and Kathryn Bowers discuss their findings on the astonishing connections we share with animals. Inspired by an eye-opening consultation at the Los Angeles Zoo, which revealed that a monkey experienced the same symptoms of heart failure as her human patients, cardiologist Natterson-Horowitz embarked upon a project that would reshape how she practiced medicine. She began informally researching every affliction that she encountered in humans to learn whether it happened with animals, too. Natterson-Horowitz and science writer Kathryn Bowers have dubbed this pan-species approach to medicine zoobiquity. Join us as they present a revelatory understanding of what animals can teach us about the human body and mind, exploring how animal and human commonality can be used to diagnose, treat, and heal patients of all species.

Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Join us as Angie Schacht-Escudero, NW Region Development Associate and Instructor talks about the great work this organization is doing in helping those in need.

Have you ever wanted to put yourself in the mind of your four-legged best friend? Well one of our guests today, W. Bruce Cameron, has very successfully done that in his wonderful books A Dog’s Purpose and A Dog’s Journey, both spending multiple weeks on the NY Times best seller list. Behind the scenes, Bruce is a tireless advocate for animals. And that love of animal’s runs in the family to his daughter Georgia, who co-founded the Life is Better Rescue in Denver, Co. Join us as we get a firsthand take on a dog’s purpose from the man who literally wrote the book on the topic. We’ll also talk with Georgia about the great work her unique and inspired animal rescue organization is doing.

In 2004, The National Police Dog Foundation began to support Police K-9 units throughout the United States by providing quality police dogs and training, as well as assistance with K-9 emergency care and costly medical bills through a network of veterinarians. Further, they provide continued care for the Police service dog after it retires. Listen in as they talk about the great work they are doing providing assistance to Police K-9 units throughout the country, and as Senior Deputy Danni Delpt of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, talks about the day her K-9 saved her life in the line of duty.

Have you ever wondered how a human’s behavior affects the dogs living in their homes as part of the family? Listen in as Dr. Nicolas Dodman, world renown Veteriarian, Chief Scientific Officer and Animal Behavior Expert at the Center for Canine Behavior Studies discusses the role we play in our dog’s behavior. He will explain the innovative and fascinating new study he and his colleages are undertaking to explain our unique bond with our furry best friends.

No doubt, most kids are naturals at training dogs. Dog training is a great way to get your child and dog engaged, and more importantly, it gets the whole family working together. Join us as Kyra Sundance, Stunt Dog Show performer, and author of “101 Dog Tricks, Kids Edition: Fun and Easy Activities, Games and Crafts” walks us through everything we need to know to get our two legged kids actively engaged training our four legged kids!

For the kickoff of the new show Dogs Rock! Radio, we are heading to Ojai, CA to talk with the Foundation’s Executive Director, Debra Tosch. We will get an update on the beautiful new National Training Center, talk about all the well-earned accolades this great organization is getting, catch up on some 2013 and 2014 deployments, and talk about what comes next for the Search Dog Foundation. And of course, get the latest and greatest on our Sponsor Dog, Little Jaxson!