Episode 113: Kindness Is Speaking Out For Our Honor

Dr. Crystal Heath, a veterinarian and animal rights activist returns to the podcast to talk about the link between animal agriculture and viruses such as H5N1 and COVID.

Dr. Heath was raising alarms about the spread of H5N1 from chickens to cows to other wildlife and to humans, long before it caught the attention of mainstream media. She and Anitha talk about the shocking reason for this time lag.

Dr. Heath also talks about the devastating conditions animals, who are part of the agricultural industry, are forced to endure—such as living in cramped filthy spaces. These inhumane conditions are not only awful for the animals, but they allow for the rampant spread of viruses which we’ve seen, eventually affects humans.

An important conversation about the undeniable link between the way we treat other species and our own well-being.

A must listen for anyone concerned about animal welfare and also anyone concerned about the growing number of viruses that are spreading from the non-human population to the human population.

To learn more about this incredibly relevant issue, check out the following links:

Our Honor Website

Our Honor Instagram                         Dr. Heath Instagram

Our Honor FaceBook                          Dr. Heath Facebook

Our Honor LinkedIn                            Dr. Heath LinkedIn

Our Honor BlueSky                             Dr. Heath BlueSky

Our Honor YouTube                            Dr. Heath YouTube

As a thank you to Dr. Heath for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Our Honor.

To hear the full episode click here:

Episode 82: Kindness Is Our Honor

Dr. Crystal Heath, a veterinarian and animal rights activist joins Anitha to talk about the surprising dichotomy that exists holding both of these spaces.  

Like a lot of listeners, Anitha assumed that folks who go into veterinary medicine are also strong advocates for animal rights, but that may not always be the case.

Dr. Heath shares her experience of what it was like speaking out for animals during veterinary school and why this inspired her to create Our Honor, a non-profit that supports veterinary students, veterinarians, and other animal professionals in speaking their conscience to create more ethical systems that consider the best interests of all species.

She was named one of Vox’s 2023 Future Perfect 50, which honors the scientists, thinkers, scholars, writers, and activists working on solutions to today’s (and tomorrow’s) biggest problems.

She is also on the board of LEAP – Leaders for Ethics Animals and the Planet, known as the humane alternative to 4-H and FFA, which aims to transform today’s youth into the humane leaders of tomorrow who advocate for and work towards an equitable future for all living beings and the planet.

Well respected in her field, Dr. Crystal Heath is quoted and featured in numerous articles about animals including:

To learn more about Dr. Heath and Our Honor, click on the following links:

Website: http://ourhonor.org

Twitter @drcrystalheath @OurHonorVets

Instagram @dr.crystalheath @OurHonorVets 

Facebook Crystal Heath  Our Honor

As a thank you to Dr. Heath for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Our Honor.

To hear the full episode, click on this link:

Episode 55: Kindness Is Dr. Izzy Goes Wild

Izzy Hirji wears many hats—wildlife vet, world traveller, photographer, conservationist, vegan, and television celebrity! He joins Anitha to share his incredible adventures as he follows his hero, Dr. Jane Goodall, in making the world a better place for all beings.

Izzy begins the episode by talking about his childhood fear of dogs and how he not only overcame that fear, but now travels the world, treating all kinds of wild animals.

A fabulous episode for kids and adults, alike—packed full of beautiful, touching and often funny stories about the life of a wildlife vet.

To learn more about Izzy, you can follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dr.izzygoeswild/

To check out the TV series—Jungle Animal Rescue, that Dr. Izzy mentioned, here’s the link. https://www.disneyplus.com/series/jungle-animal-rescue/62AjlzYo2ddR

Here are some links for the book by Dr. Jane Goodall that changed Izzy’s life:

https://shop.janegoodall.org/product/Harvest-For-Hope/JGI104

https://www.audible.ca/pd/Harvest-for-Hope-Audiobook/B071468C5X

As a thank you to Izzy for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary. This sanctuary provides healing and recovery for primates who have been rescued from laboratories, roadside zoos and other terrible circumstances. In addition to all the amazing and kind things Dr. Izzy is involved with, he also makes time to donate his veterinary skills to treat and care for these residents.

To learn more about Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, please check out: https://www.storybookmonkeys.org/

Episode 47: Kindness Is Healing Animals Big & Small

Dr. Vivek Basu fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian— and what an incredible veterinarian he has become. Vivek donates a lot of his time and skills to help animals of all sizes, near and far.

In addition to talking about what it’s like to treat many different animals—dogs, cats, racehorses, rescued primates and wildlife, we also explore difficult subjects like trophy hunting and the difference between zoos and sanctuaries.

As a thank you for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, one of the sanctuaries where Vivek donates his veterinary skills. This sanctuary provides healing and recovery from trauma for primates who have been rescued from laboratories, roadside zoos and other terrible circumstances.

To learn more about Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, please check out: https://www.storybookmonkeys.org/