Summary: Part A:Being at loose ends with an empty nest and travelling husband, and sensing an excess of empathy and genius in her dog, Pransky, Sue Halpern decides to get certified as a therapy dog team. As it turns out, Pransky is not only a prolific therapist but a faithful, loving and snack loving friend. As she begins visiting the local nursing home every Tuesday with her new partner, they meet a wide range of friendly, and rather unfriendly, resident characters. In this Prime Time Radio interview, Halpern tells the story of how they plunged into a series of encounters with that revealed depths of warmth, humor, and insight Halpern hadn’t expected in people or animals. She also discusses how the experince taught her the true nature and value of the good life in her book, "A Dog Walks into a Nursing Home."Part B:For centuries, people have tinkered with the genetic make-up of our animal companions. We have bred dogs that herd and hunt, housecats with tiger stripes or are hairless, and countless exotic teacup species that fit snugly in our laps. However, modern technology introduces vast new options for toying with life. In this Prime Time Radio interview, journalist Emily Anthes discusses what could happen when the limits of animal alteration are stretched, whether it’s engineering a cat that glows green, cloning the beloved family Fido, or curing disease. In her new book, "Frankenstein’s Cat," she also explores how we are using this new biotechnology to shape the future of humans and animals.
