90. Veterans, Service Dogs & Pets That Heal

In this powerful Veterans Day edition of the Pets Add Life Podcast, host Chris Bonifati is joined by guest co-host Tori Mistick for an inspiring conversation on service, healing, and the human-animal bond. Together they explore how pets bring comfort to veterans, how community programs keep pets in loving homes, and how new tools are saving lives.

Story Time features: Tori shares a moving story about her Labrador, Lucy, volunteering at the Southwestern Veterans Center in Pittsburgh and discovering that simple acts of presence can be the purest form of service.

Chris highlights Love Lost, an AI-driven app created by Petco Love to reunite lost pets with their owners through image matching and community alerts.

Special Guests: Becca Britton, Founder & Executive Director, Neighborhood Pets Outreach and Resource Center

Wyatt Haines, Chief Canine & Business Officer, K9s for Warriors

Pet Product Recommendations: Oxbow Apple Twig Tree (for rabbits, guinea pigs & chinchillas) – https://oxbowanimalhealth.com/product/enriched-life-apple-twig-tree/

Pup O’Clock Family Subscription Box (for kids & dogs) – https://pupoclock.com

Q&A Topics: My senior dog was recently diagnosed with cancer – how can I extend his life and keep his quality of life high? (Submitted by Elena from San Diego, CA)

I just adopted a rabbit – what are the basics for housing, diet, and social interaction? (Submitted by Megan from Portland, OR)

Special Offer: DOGTV is offering 2 hours of free calming content for dogs this holiday season — no sign-up required. Visit https://watch.dogtv.com and search for “Paws & Relax.”

Related Links: Neighborhood Pets: https://www.neighborhoodpetscle.org

K9s for Warriors: https://www.k9sforwarriors.org

Petco Love Lost App: https://lost.petcolove.org

American Pet Products Association (APPA): https://www.americanpetproducts.org

DOGTV Unleashed FAST Channel: https://www.dogtv.com/unleashed

Pets Add Life: https://www.petsaddlife.org

Social Channels: 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