TALKIN PETS RADIO with host JON PATCH

MEET THE TALKIN PETS CREW

Host Jon Patch

Over fifteen years ago, I was given an opportunity to host "Talkin' Pets." I promised myself it would become the best pet show in the country. We had only a handful of affiliates at the time, but we're now close to 150 stations.

At the start, I decided that "Talkin' Pets" would be a show far different in its appeal—a program that would be both entertaining and educational, exciting and accented with celebrity voices from throughout the animal kingdom, in addition to many other guest experts.

This is a show for almost everyone. It's nice to know that we're able to assist millions of people with suggestions about their pets, both in the medical field and behavioral world. It gives me great satisfaction when I can offer support to a listener, then weeks later learn that, "My pet is doing well thanks to your help." It brings a smile to my face to know I played a part in saving an animal's life and diminished an owner's anxiety.

We've traveled across the country to learn more about endangered species and why they are so valuable to nature's cycle. We've brought the latest technologies in science and behavior training to the show, which have proved to help so many animal lovers in need. I believe the show is the best choice for sponsors and listeners alike.

Since approximately seventy percent of the population owns a pet — creating a multi-billion dollar industry — it's no wonder "Talkin' Pets" as blossomed.

VETS AND EXPERTS:

Linda Register, DVM

Linda attended St. Petersburg Junior College Veterinary Technician Program and graduated in 1987, with an A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology. Dr. Register worked as a Certified Veterinary Technician at Ellenton Animal Hospital until 1990 when she continued her Undergraduate studies at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida where she received her B.S. degree in Zoology in 1992. Dr. Register then attended the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall of 1992. During the course of her studies Dr. Register worked as a C.V.T. in the Large Animal Clinic. She also participated in animal related groups including P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support), I.M.P.A.C.T. (Inmates Providing Animal Care and Training). She also Chaired the Pet Loss Support Hotline (now Pet Grief Hotline) and the Animal Welfare Committee. She graduated in June of 1996 specializing in companion animals.

Dr. Register worked in a small animal practice from 1996 to 1998. She is currently a Relief Veterinarian working in the greater Tampa Bay Area. She has continued her involvement in pet groups; currently she is a board member on the Florida Animal Health Foundation and the Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation. She has also been in several newspaper articles and a TV news series on animal behavior.

Dr. Register is married to Dennis J. Costantino, Jr. and currently has 6 pets including 4 cats (Bukansa, Diablo, Bobbie and Tangelo), an Ibizian Hound (Asherah) and a Guinea Pig (Tesla).

Dr. Michelle Ferrara
Dr. Ferrara received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University in 1993. She has worked both as a small animal veterinarian and as an animal shelter veterinarian, and is currently working at Livingston Animal and Avian Hospital.

Dr. Ferrara says she enjoys taking care of all creatures great and small - she owns a dog, four cats, a Timneh Grey parrot, a leopard gecko, a bearded dragon, a White's tree frog, two African aquatic dwarf frogs, and a half dozen fish. Her husband Frank thinks that's enough for now :)

Jay Stutz
Jay Stutz, host of Animal Planet's Good Dog U., is a nationally acclaimed animal trainer and one of America's newest "animal" personalities.

In addition to hosting Good Dog U., Jay appears on television, stage, and radio providing people with a fresh perspective on how to exist happily with all animals; especially the ones in our homes.

A familiar face on Animal Planet (Good Dog U., Petsburgh U.S.A., Eukanuba National Dog Championships, and Animal Planet's Dog Olympics), Jay has also appeared on The Discovery Channel, Home Matters, TNN's Prime Time Country, Saturday Night Live, and The Rosie O'Donnell Show.

On stage, Jay has performed for audiences in Orlando, Hollywood, and Japan, alongside animal stars like "Benji", "Lassie", "Beethoven", "Babe", "Mr. Ed", and "Curious George". On the other side of the camera, Jay has trained and interacted with animal stars from movies like Ace Ventura Pet Detective, Dr. Doolittle, George of the Jungle, Homeward Bound, and 101 Dalmatians and television shows like Frazier.

Jay also appears at pet related events for organizations like Paws for Applause, Canine Companions for Independence, the American Humane Society, and the ASPCA. He shares his home with two dogs and two cats. They are all adopted and they are all wonderful pets.

Leigh Toborowsky
Rainforest Pets, Tampa, FL

Leigh is a native New Jerseyian who moved to Tampa in 1984. After graduating from the University of South Florida she managed various pet shops and was a sales rep for the largest pet supplier in the country handling twenty-two thousand (22,000) products for over one hundred (100) stores.

With a passion for animals since childhood, Leigh established and operated Rainforest Pets, Inc. in Tampa, from 1995 to 2003 which became an integral part of the community with programs and consultation for schools, clubs and organization, and for the inner-city education system. Leigh has been featured on many local TV stations including CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, HTV22, and on nationally televised Animal Planet. In 1997, Rainforest Pets was highlighted in Southern Living Magazine as a. "Must see." Most recently, Leigh has been seen on the HSN repping out an awesome new dog product called, The RetractAround.

With an emphasis on pet rescue and adoption, and never sold dogs or cats, Rainforest Pets became a satellite for the Humane Society of Tampa. The shop was host to GREAT, Greyhound Rescue and Adoption of Tampa which finds homes for retired Greyhounds. Rainforest Pets also hosted The Big Cat Rescue, a sanctuary for abused and neglected large cats such as Tigers, Cheetahs, etc. Icarus Small Animal World, which breeds endangered Tamarins and marmosets for conservation, was featured regularly in the shop for public awareness.

Practicing animal husbandry, health and nutrition on a daily basis, Leigh counsels others on the importance of early and on-going education to understand domestic, exotic and wild animals, and to be aware of their habitats and environments to support the animal's needs.

Leigh co-habitats with her dog, JoJo; her Three cats, Timmy, Callie,and Jack;A Prairie Dog, Linus; her Cockatoo named Darla; and central to the family is the 37 gallon fish tank. On May 19th 2007, Leigh lost her beloved dog, Julia, to Cushings disease.

Leigh's Myspace Page

RADIO CREW:

Sir Bob Page
Executive Technical Director / Producer / Goofball
Radio guy who is a sucker for pets... Currently has Albert a beagle basset mutt that was born blind and a few beers short of a six pack...ALBERT:

Amanda Page Reporter / Producer / Saint (for putting up with Bobby)
Talk about being married to the mob... Somehow I fell in love and married the worlds greatest talk show producer on the worlds greatest show; Talkin Pets. I was then forced to become a reporter for the show (not a gun point or anything, but maybe a slight twist of the arm), and the rest is history... I also produce the show from time to time. All kidding aside, I love the show and have a very kind heart towards furry things. We have one crazy dog; Albert. Albert was saved from a local shelter he was the runt and born blind, but he needed a good home. I urge you to get your next pet from a shelter… they make wonderful pets!! Outside of Talkin Pets I work for a coastal engineering firm in Tampa during the week.

Dennis Costa Producer / Goofball Part 2 / Married to Linda