In this episode of the Pets Add Life Podcast, hosts Chris Bonifati and Kristen Levine dig into separation anxiety in dogs, how to spot holiday stress in pets, and the practice of animal communication. With November marking Senior Pet Health Month and Senior Pet Adoption Month, and the holiday travel season ahead, it’s a timely listen for any pet parent whose routine is about to get busy.
Kristen kicks off story time with a new Rover survey of 1,000 U.S. pet parents on travel. Among the findings: 71% put their pet’s needs ahead of their own vacation, 39% have canceled an expensive trip last minute because of their pet, 32% are taking fewer trips or none at all, and 47% would consider skipping a major event like a wedding if their pet wasn’t invited.
Chris shares news that has dog lovers and cookie fans excited. Girl Scouts is launching Patch Pals, its first-ever dog biscuit, developed with BARK. The soft-baked, blueberry muffin-flavored treats come in four shapes inspired by Girl Scout patches and will be available for online ordering beginning January 12, 2027.
Veterinarian Dr. Tracy Dice of Zoetis joins the show to explain why separation anxiety is a medical condition, not bad behavior or a training failure. She shares the early signs of holiday-related fear, anxiety, and stress in dogs, explains her “surround sound” approach to treatment, and previews a new fast-acting medication for noise aversion in dogs expected in the U.S. in 2027.
Animal communicator and author Joan Ranquet, founder of Communication with All Life University, shares her approach to intuitive communication with animals. She offers tips for sending clearer messages to your pet, explains how to tell your own feelings apart from your animal’s, and introduces her newest book, Animal Chakra Healing.
The episode wraps up with two listener questions: how emotionally tuned in parrots are to their people, and how a new horse owner can build trust with a horse that walks away.
Special Guests:
Dr. Tracy Dice, Veterinarian & Medical Lead for Behavior Solutions, Zoetis
Dr. Tracy Dice explains that as many as half of dogs have more than one anxiety condition, from generalized anxiety and noise aversion to separation anxiety and travel anxiety. Her rule of thumb: to know what’s abnormal, you have to know your dog’s normal. She describes separation anxiety as a true panic response tied to brain chemistry and walks through her “surround sound” approach, which combines veterinary assessment, medication when appropriate, and behavior and lifestyle changes. She also previews Tessie (tasipimidine oral solution), a fast-acting option for noise aversion in dogs expected in the U.S. around mid-2027.
Joan Ranquet, Animal Communicator, Author & Founder of Communication with All Life University
Joan Ranquet has worked with animals and their people for more than 30 years and believes anyone can develop the ability to communicate with animals. She explains why receiving messages is harder than sending them, recommends practicing with a “neutral” animal to build what she calls the telepathic muscle, and shares one of her most memorable sessions involving a missing horse. She also introduces her newest book, Animal Chakra Healing, and how she connects confidence and digestion in anxious animals.
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