In this special Back to School episode of the Pets Add Life Podcast, hosts Chris Bonifati and Kristen Levine explore how animals can enrich education, why grooming is an important part of a dog’s overall health, and how pets fit into the changing routines that come with a new school year. From classroom pets and service dogs to at-home grooming and canine agility, this episode is full of practical advice and inspiring stories about the many ways animals add to our lives.
Story Time features:
Chris shares the heartwarming story of Savannah and her beloved rooster, Frog, who would walk her to the school bus each morning and return to the end of the driveway to greet her when she came home—a reminder that powerful human-animal bonds extend far beyond dogs and cats.
Kristen recognizes National Service Dog Month and the extraordinary role trained service dogs play in supporting people with disabilities. She also offers an important back-to-school reminder for children: when you encounter a working service dog at school, don’t pet, call to, or distract the dog while it’s doing its job.
Special Guests:
Jess Rona, Celebrity Dog Groomer, Author, Educator & Founder of Jess Rona Grooming
Melinda Thomas, Executive Director, Pet Care Trust & Pets in the Classroom
Pet Product Recommendations:
FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool – https://www.furminator.com/products/deshed/dog.aspx
Kurgo Dog Backpacks – https://www.kurgo.com/dog-backpacks
Q&A Topics:
My Goldendoodle’s coat seems to get matted almost overnight, especially behind her ears and under her legs. I brush her regularly but still end up having to shave her down every few months. What am I doing wrong, and how can I keep her coat healthy between grooming appointments? (Submitted by Sarah from Charlotte, NC)
I have a two-year-old Border Collie with endless energy who loves learning new tricks. We’re both complete beginners, but I’m thinking about trying agility. Is agility something any dog can enjoy, and what’s the best way to get started without overwhelming them? (Submitted by Ben from Portland, OR)
Related Links:
Jess Rona: https://www.jessrona.com
Jess Rona Grooming: https://www.jessronagrooming.com
Pets in the Classroom: https://petsintheclassroom.org
Pet Care Trust: https://petcaretrust.org
Pets in the Classroom Grant Program: https://petsintheclassroom.org/grant-app/
Canine Companions: https://canine.org
The Pet Innovation Lab: https://www.dogtv.com
FitPAWS: https://fitpawsusa.com
American Pet Products Association (APPA): https://www.americanpetproducts.org
DOGTV: https://www.dogtv.com
Pets Add Life: https://www.petsaddlife.org
Social Channels:
Jess Rona Grooming (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/jessronagrooming
Jess Rona Grooming (TikTok): https://www.tiktok.com/@jessronagrooming
Pets in the Classroom (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/petsintheclassroom
Pets in the Classroom (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/PetsintheClassroom
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