ANIMAL RADIO AIR-TALENT
Hal Abrams & Judy Francis - Animal Radio Hosts
Hal Abrams is a major-market radio veteran turned Operations Manager of Animal Radio Network and co-host of Animal Radio. He's been a long-time animal advocate, spending weeks inside doghouses (literally) to raise money for SPCA's throughout the U.S. In 1999, Hal left a 17 year morning-radio routine to create the largest and 'most listened to' animal radio programming. Hal lives with his wife, cats, dog and two fish in Central California.
You've heard Hal on Power 106 Los Angeles with Jay Thomas and have seen him on the TV Sitcom "Head of the Class"
Salt Lake Tribune (PDF)
Charlottesville (PDF)
Southern Utah News (PDF)
Judy Francis had a love for animals before she ever became involved with radio. Her interest led her to the world of animal care as a veterinary technician where she found herself intrigued by simple surgeries like spaying and neutering. Since the world of vet medicine wasn't lucrative, she found herself doing whatever necessary to pay the bills, including delivering phone books and waiting tables. In 1999 she joined Animal Radio Network™ as a secretary. Through hard work and determination she was able to learn the ins and outs of producing a radio show. Now she is the Executive Producer (some say the master-mind behind ARN) for Animal Radio® as well as the co-host, along with Hal Abrams, of the number one animal show in America, Animal Radio®.
Dr. Debbie White - Animal Radio Veterinarian
Dr. Debbie White has been in veterinary practice in Las Vegas, NV for over 20 years as a small animal and exotic animal veterinarian. Her patients range from the furry, feathered, and scaled and include dogs, cats, ferrets, reptiles, birds, rodents and pot belly pigs. Dr. Debbie is originally from Hammond, Indiana and graduated from Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine. As the Animal Radio "call-in veterinarian" Dr. Debbie enjoys fielding questions from listeners and helping them manage their pet's health. She discusses veterinary topics ranging from serious health matters to bizarre and wacky pet antics.
In addition to Animal Radio, Dr. Debbie is also a regular veterinary contributor on local news programs in Las Vegas, and is endorsed by the American Society of Veterinary Journalists (ASVJ) as a Certified Veterinary Reporter. She is involved in disaster planning for pets and is a volunteer with the Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps. Her other professional associations include the Veterinary News Network, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, and the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians.
"Outside of the office, Dr. Debbie is entertained by Boss, a Yorkie-poodle-shih tzu mix, Labrador, Magnum and Nikki a Bouvier. Her four-legged children have taught her to slow down, enjoy the moment, and "remember to wag your tail each day".
Lone Mountain Animal Hospital in Las Vegas
Email Dr. Debbie
Joey Villani - Animal Radio Groomer
Joey Villani’s life in pet care and grooming began when he was only nine years old, during a visit to the Super Dog Salon in New Jersey. Invited to lend a hand by salon owner and family friend, John Nash, Joey brushed a sheepdog named Cecilia and so began an unbelievable career.
After 18 years as an instructor for Nash’s renowned grooming schools, Joey began to open his own salons. In 1998, he purchased the Nash Academy in New Jersey, which he owned and operated for ten years.
Now a well-known pet industry speaker and judge, Joey has been nominated four times for the Cardinal Crystal Award for his outstanding achievements, and three times for Grooming Contest Judge of the Year. He has been enthusiastically involved with Intergroom International for 26 years, and has been instrumental in expanding the organization’s reach into Belgium, Italy, and France. He is one of the original members of the International Judges Association and serves as Ring Master and Core Judge.
His outgoing nature and unforgettable charisma have made Joey a natural television personality, with appearances on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Good Day NY, Mike and Juliet, and Animal Planet’s Dogs 101 and Groomer Has it.
Joey’s lengthy friendship and professional affiliation with the Nash family continues to this day. Joey has contributed to the development of the Nash Canine Reference and the Groomers Reference, the first online, all-breed, encyclopedic resource created specifically for pet care professionals. In his continuing efforts to provide excellent grooming and pet care training, Joey is working with the Nash Team to create an International Educational Consortium of Pet Grooming & Styling Schools. The Consortium aims to standardize education and terminology for all students aspiring to become bathers, groomers and stylists, to increase professionalism in the pet care industry, and to provide a uniform curriculum utilizing the Nash systems and methodology.
Today, Joey continues to innovate and explore new dimensions in the pet care and grooming industry. In early 2009, he launched Dogs in Style by Joey Villani Pet Products, a high-end line of home grooming products. And not surprisingly, Joey says this is just the beginning…
Britt Savage - Animal Minute
Songwriter/musician Britt Savage brings us the lighter side of the animal world. Her weekly updates of the strange and peculiar in the animal world sheds new light on the unusual connection we have with our pets. Britt is also an accomplished singer with a fantastic new CD.
Check out Britt's website at http://BrittSavage.com.
Rae Ann Kumelos, Ph.D.
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Rae Ann holds a Ph.D. and Masters’ in Myth and Literature and is a college professor in her home state of California. Her specialty is animals in myth, literature, pop culture and life, and she has lectured and written for a variety of events and publications. Her Voice of the Animal radio shows were first broadcast on the Animal Radio Network in 2005, and she is delighted to be back with Hal and Judy on behalf of the animals! Her award-winning book Wild Wisdom: Animal Stories of the Southwest is available at her website www.voiceoftheanimal.com and on Amazon. Rae Ann’s shows are recorded through the Bakersfield College Commercial Music Program, and her theme music was composed by Dr. Josh Ottum.
Email Rae Ann
Robert Semrow - Animal Radio's Pet World Insider
Robert Semrow has been deeply involved in the pet world for more than a decade. He was lovingly pulled in to the pet world by his two best four legged rescue friends, Sugar (a dog with a titanium leg) and Zoey. Robert gained notoriety as The Pawtographer. He quickly found himself getting deeper in to the Pet World and working with many of the industry’s top experts. Determined to become a leading source of quality pet world information, Robert set out to be The Pet World Insider we know today. Working with pet experts, while spending time with pet parents around the country has given Robert an unique perspective that he is only too happy to share with Animal Radio Audience. More than 9 Million viewers have watched Robert’s video work. Robert’s pet world adventures can be found at www.petworldinsider.com and www.thepawtographer.com
Lori Brooks - Animal Radio News
Lori Brooks has been on the radio and an animal lover for most of her life so combining the her two loves at Animal Radio just makes sense! Lori's radio career started in Southern California in the early 80's and since then she's worked at radio stations from Los Angeles to Washington, DC. You may remember her as Monica Brooks on Power 106 in Los Angeles when she worked with Jay Thomas - does anyone in radio use their real name? Never back then, but some do now.
Lori's love of animals began when she ran away from home as a seven year old when he father said she couldn't keep a puppy someone had given her. Lori didn't have to go very far before her family brought her home (from just up the street) and allowed her to keep the dog in exchange for her taking full responsibility for feeding and cleaning up after the puppy. Lori also grew up with cats, cows, chickens, ducks, rabbits and horses.
These days Lori works as a nurse and the founder of the group Artisans and Crafters Supporting Animals in Need (on Facebook) and spends most of her free time making collars for shelter animals to have their pictures taken in so they attract more attention when their photos are posted online to find them a forever home.
At the moment Lori is a parent to three bulldogs and two cats.
Dr. Marty Becker - Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent
Dr. Marty Becker, “America’s Veterinarian,” has spent his life working toward better health for pets and the people who love them.
For close to 20 years, Dr. Becker has been the popular veterinary contributor on ABC's Good Morning America. He is a founding member of The Dr. Oz Show’s Core Team Oz and a member of the Dr. Oz Medical Advisory Panel. In April 2012, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association named him the recipient of their annual WSAVA Hill’s Excellence in Veterinary Healthcare Award (also known as the Global Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year). He is the Chief Veterinary Correspondent for the American Humane Association, and a member of the AHA Board of Directors. His special fondness for older pets has led him to a spot on the Board of Directors of The Grey Muzzle Organization, which is dedicated to helping homeless senior dogs.
He has written 22 books that have sold more than 7 million copies, including three New York Times best-sellers. He has been a contributor to Parade magazine, Reader’s Digest and AARP.com.
Animal Radio hosts him monthly as their Chief Veterinary Correspondent.
Dr. Becker is an adjunct professor at his alma mater, the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University and the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine. He has lectured at every veterinary school in the United States, and has been named Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year by the Delta Society (now Pet Partners) and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Becker also serves as an honorary board member of Pet Partners and the Humane Society of New York.
He practices, when his schedule allows, at two veterinary hospitals in north Idaho because he loves veterinary medicine, pets and the people who care for them. He is also an active supporter of four animal shelters in north Idaho.
Email Dr. Becker