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44. The Magic of Broadway Pets and Dancing Dogs for the Holidays

Episode Details

In this festive and heartwarming Christmas edition of the Pets Add Life Podcast, hosts Kristen Levine and Chris Bonifati deliver a double dose of joy, magic, and inspiration perfect for the season of giving.

Our first guest is Bill Berloni, the legendary animal trainer and Tony Award honoree. Bill has revolutionized animal training in theater, television, and film, famously introducing rescued pets as Broadway stars. He shares incredible stories, including:

- How a shelter dog became the original Sandy in Annie and ran over 2,000 performances.
- The challenges of balancing creative demands with ensuring the well-being of performing animals.
- Advice for adopting pets during the holidays, emphasizing preparation and choosing the right animal for your family.

Bill’s passion for humane training and animal advocacy shines through as he reflects on a career that has changed the way we see pets in entertainment.

Next, we spotlight the artistry of Roni Sagi, the international dog-dancing sensation and America’s Got Talent 2024 runner-up, alongside her extraordinary Border Collie, Rhythm. Roni takes us inside the magical world of canine freestyle, sharing:

- How she discovered the joy of dog dancing and transformed it into a celebrated career.
- Her approach to choreographing breathtaking duets that showcase dogs as equal performers.
- The bond she shares with Rhythm, including stories about his playful off-stage personality and his rising stardom.

Roni’s work demonstrates the deep emotional connection between humans and their pets while bringing smiles to audiences worldwide.

Special Guests:

- Bill Berloni, Animal Trainer & Tony Award nominee 
  • - Roni Sagi, International Dog-Dancing Sensation & America's Got Talent 2024 runner-up 

Pet Product Recommendations:

Q&A Topics:

- “How do I know which dog training method is right for my dog?” (Emma from Chicago, IL)
- “Why has my cat, Luna, stopped eating as much as usual?” (Tyler from Portland, OR)

Related Links:

Social Channels:

Episode Transcript

Disclaimer: Our podcast is produced as an audio resource. Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and human editing and may contain errors. Before republishing quotes, we ask that you reference the audio.

00:00:05:07 - 00:00:23:22MusicA jin- jingle bells, jingle Bells hails a large and bright Kristen and Chris bring joy to life. Cats in stockings, dogs and sleighs, pets add life for the holidays. From meows to woofs00:00:23:24 - 00:00:24:27MusicAnd little squeaks.00:00:24:27.

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