New OSU radio series to focus on animal health

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences and the Kirkpatrick Foundation are partnering to produce a weekly public radio series on keeping family pets safe and healthy.

The short series called Vet Med Moment will air on Wednesday afternoons and Sunday mornings on KOSU.

The launch of the program comes as pet ownership in the U.S. continues to climb. The American Pet Products Association estimates that the population of pets includes 95 million cats and 83 million dogs in homes nationwide. According to its 2013-14 annual survey, 68 percent of American households own a pet, up from 56 percent in 1988, the year of its first survey.

Dr. Lisa Staubus, the program’s host, says the goal is to engage listeners around the powerful bond between animals and humans.