Photo credit: National Geographic Channels/Stewart Volland
Get ready to know your pet. If you’re like 62% of American families, your household includes a pet. And on Feb. 19, Nat Geo WILD is premiering television’s first talk show devoted to pets and pet parents. Pet Talk is a weekly series hosted by veterinarians Tina Olivieri and Courtney Campbell, wildlife expert David Mizejewski, and field reporter Andre Millan, who will share breaking pet news, advice and amazing animal stories. In addition to the series hosts, Pet Talk will welcome animal behaviorists, biologists, grooming specialists, pet food chefs, authors animal celebrities and other recurring experts from around the world.
Photo credit: National Geographic Channels/Justin Ogden
Pet Talk covers topics ranging from health and nutrition to behavior and grooming to the latest pet trends and amazing heartfelt animal stories. The series’ hosts also bring their decades of experience to the toughest cases that walk, swim or slither across the studio floor. And Pet Talk was bred to be interactive! Each episode is taped in front of a live studio audience who will ask the hosts their own pet questions, and viewers can Skype, tweet (@natgeowild or use hashtag #pettalk), text and e-mail to chime in with comments, questions and stories.
I posed a few getting-to-know-you questions to each host, and Tina, Courtney, David and Andre were thrilled to answer. In the coming weeks, I’ll share more about these paw-some pet-experts, but this week I asked what viewers can expect from Pet Talk and what each host is most excited to share with the show’s audience.
What can viewers expect when they tune in to Pet Talk?
- Andre Millan- “Viewers can expect fun, expert advice, new trends, and different activities that are out there in the world for everyone to try and enjoy!”
- David Mizejewski– “Viewers can expect to get expert advice on caring for their pets and understanding their behavior, solutions to common problems, products demos, DIY projects and to meet some awesome animals right in studio. Dr. Tina and Dr. Courtney bring their veterinary expertise and I add a bigger context by connecting pets to their wild cousins. Our field correspondent Andre Millan delivers informative reports from outside the studio. It’s equal parts fun and entertaining and informative and enlightening.”
- Dr. Courtney Campbell– “This is unlike any other medical show that has ever existed because it’s relaxed, comfortable, and tackles a range of issues. From poignant stories about people whose lives have been saved by animals, to critical information that could save your pet’s life, this show is must see TV for anyone who knows someone with a pet.”
- Dr. Tina Olivieri– “I think viewers will learn valuable information about many different kinds of animals, feel comfortable enough to ask us ANY questions, laugh A LOT, and connect with other pet parents whose stories will truly touch your heart.”
What are you most excited to share with viewers of Pet Talk?
- Dr. Courtney Campbell– “I’m most excited to share my passion for pets and the strength of the human-animal bond! Animals affect our lives in so many ways. That human-animal bond can be influenced by culture, your personality, the pet’s personality, the circumstances surrounding the pet entering your home and so much more. Of course, I’m excited to answer medical questions because that’s what I do all day, but I’m more excited to show the world how incredible and deeply connected animals are to our lives.”
- Dr. Tina Olivieri– “I’m excited to share pet information in an informal, family-like setting. I want our viewers to feel comfortable, confident, and informed after watching Pet Talk. I also want them to feel like they’re part of our Pet Talk family, because they are!!”
- Andre Millan– “What I’m most excited for the viewers to learn from the show is how many different animal-related things are happening out there in the world … I’m also excited that viewers will get to learn about and have fun with different species by understanding their background stories. Being introduced to something new is always thrilling, especially if you make it fun and inviting to everyone!”
- David Mizejewski– “I’m most excited about helping viewers understand their pets by revealing their connections to their wild ancestors. For example, all dogs are descended from wolves and they share many common needs and behaviors. Understanding exotic pets’ habitat and diet in the wild can help viewers better care for them in captivity. At the same time, I’m excited to inspire people to protect wildlife with the National Wildlife Federation by helping them better relate to wild animals through their pets.”
It’s clear that each of Pet Talk’s hosts has a fin-credible connection to animals and can’t wait to share their enthusiasm with other pet lovers.
Pet Talk > Nat Geo WILD > Fridays at 10pm ET/PM beginning Feb. 19