The Animal House | WAMU 88.5

Sam Litzinger speaks with retired naval officer Karen Jeffries about her nonprofit organization Veterans Moving Forward, which trains service dogs for use by injured military personnel.

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society calls on peafowl expert Murna McFarlen to help a woman decide if her adopted peacock should have a companion. Weitzman also attempts to solve the mystery behind a Lab-Basset Hound’s aggressive behavior toward prospective playmates. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

Jackson Galaxy, also known as the "Cat Daddy," is a sought-after guru and world famous TV host. And he owes it all to his love and keen understanding of cats. Sam Litzinger joins the celebrated animal behaviorist to discuss Jackson’s new book, "Cat Daddy."

Sam Litzinger speaks with award-winning filmmaker Steven Latham, who poured his longtime passion for orphaned dogs into the making of the PBS documentary, Shelter Me.

Dr. Gary Weitzman encounters a woman who found a baby bird that had apparently fallen out of its nest. Another woman wants to know the likelihood of finding a parrot that has been lost in her neighborhood. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; “Overture: The Nutcracker Suite” by Peter Tchaikovsky/The Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society speaks to a woman who wants to aid a colony of feral cats. Exotic reptile expert Dr. Scott Stahl helps Weitzman counsel a man seeking the best approach to feed his blue-tongued skink. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

It is the world’s largest single structure built by living organisms, but the Great Barrier Reef has lost half its size since 1985. This dismal assessment is part of a new study of the GBR that Washington Post environmental reporter Juliet Eilperin shares with Sam Litzinger. New York Times science reporter Benedict Carey has information about new research in which primate intelligence was enhanced via the use of a special brain implant. The procedure is being considered for application in human patients suffering from brain ailments. Also featured: BirdNote, our weekly exploration of living things with wings. Music: “Animal Dreams” by Bob James

A listener in California asks Dr. Gary Weitzman about the use of anesthesia when cleaning her cat’s teeth. A dog in Washington, D.C., has an aversion to dry food. And a rescue canine, also in the District of Columbia, has anxiety problems. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; "The Chicken" by Brian Bromberg

Like the character her father portrays in his Dirty Harry films, animal advocate Alison Eastwood is on a mission to serve and protect society from those who would harm others. But in this case, keepers of wild animals are in the crosshairs. Eastwood is the co-host of the new NatGeo Wild television program Animal Intervention, in which she and animal welfare expert Donald Schultz aid and confront people who house monkeys, bears and big cats in residential neighborhoods and potentially hazardous environments. Eastwood visited The Animal House to preview the program and to discuss why animal advocacy is so important to her. The Loh Down on Science with Sandra Loh features details of new technology that allows sheep to send text messages.

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society helps a Florida man curb his canine’s taste for automobile parts. A woman in Washington, D.C., seeks an about-face for her cat’s propensity for “head butting” at bed time. A Maryland woman is concerned about her cat’s lack of affinity for the litter box. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

The recent boom in chicken farming in urban areas like Washington, D.C., has resulted in unexpected and unwanted consequences. Washington Post reporter Annys Shin recently wrote a story about the predicament, and she shares her findings with Sam Litzinger. Exotic pet expert and Pet Health Network.com contributor Dr. Laurie Hess has advice for those who want to give a pet as holiday gift. BirdNote, the weekly review of avian species features a story about a nationwide Christmas Bird Count for kids.

A Boston Terrier collapses after a tick bite and Dr. Gary Weitzman’s investigation leads toward the possibility of tick paralysis. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; “The Dolphin” by John McLaughlin

The National Geographic and Wildlife Conservation Society recently collaborated on an expedition to locate and track a snow leopard in the mountains of Afghanistan by using GPS technology to follow the movements of the elusive feline. The team of experts assembled for this difficult mission included the legendary third-generation big cat tracker Boone Smith. Sam Litzinger spoke with Boone about his experience, which was filmed as part of an upcoming documentary for Nat Geo Wild. The Loh Down on Science with Sandra Loh features details of a new study that suggests viewing photos of cats can help your productivity at work. Music: “Walk on the Wild Side” by Jimmy Smith

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society speaks to a man whose father has dementia, which causes him to forget to walk the family dog. As a result they are considering putting in a doggie door, but the possibility of unwanted animal guests poses a problem for that plan of action. The human companion of a 5-year-old Chihuahua is concerned about over-grooming and asks Dr. Weitzman for an assessment. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

Over the past several months a series of violent and fatal attacks on dolphins in the Gulf Coast waters have state and federal officials on high alert. Dr. Erin Fougeres of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is involved in the investigation of these criminal acts, and she gives Sam Litzinger the latest details. Dr. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and journalist Kathryn Bowers have written a book about the extraordinary opportunities that exist in cross-discipline collaboration in the medical profession and they spoke to Sam Litzinger about the possibilities. BirdNote follows with a story about an avian species that is in the midst of its annual migration from the grasslands of Montana to winter homes in California, Texas and Mexico. Music: “Animal Dreams” by Bob James;