97. New Year Reflections, Animal Intelligence & The Healing Power of Dogs

In this New Year’s Eve edition of the Pets Add Life Podcast, hosts Chris Bonifati and Kristen Levine reflect on the year ahead with thought-provoking stories, inspiring guests, and meaningful conversations about the human-animal bond. From surprising animal intelligence to life-changing relationships between pets and people, this episode sets the tone for a compassionate and hopeful new year.

Story Time features: Kristen shares a roundup of pet industry stock trends and investment insights, highlighting how rising veterinary care costs and pet insurance adoption are shaping the future of the pet economy heading into 2026.

Chris breaks down a fascinating news story from British Columbia where a wild wolf was captured on video using a floating object to retrieve food from a trap — a possible first documented case of tool use by a wild wolf, offering new insight into animal intelligence and problem-solving.

Special Guests: Aimee Gilbreath, President, PetSmart Charities®

Julie Barton, Author of Dog Medicine: How My Dog Saved Me from Myself

Pet Product Recommendations: Oxbow Critical Care Carnivore (for sick or recovering cats and carnivorous pets) – https://www.chewy.com/oxbow-critical-care-carnivore-small/dp/704838

MicroDog “Clarity” Cognitive Support Supplement for Senior Dogs – https://mycodog.com/products/mycodog-clarity?variant=40604507832383

Q&A Topics: How can I create a safe, enriching home environment for a pet rabbit, and what are the most common mistakes new rabbit owners make? (Submitted by Daniel from Columbus, OH)

My cat scratches all the furniture and my spouse is at their breaking point — how can we redirect this behavior without stressing our cat? (Submitted by Michael from Atlanta, GA)

Related Links: PetSmart Charities: https://www.petsmartcharities.org

Julie Barton – Dog Medicine: https://juliebarton.com/dog-medicine

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