Dr. Pia Salk is a psychologist, animal welfare advocate, and expert on the human-animal bond. Pia frequently highlights the important role that animals play in our lives and how our societal treatment of animals conveys important messages to our youth. In her own work, Pia often credits the animals as being "the real therapists."
Pia is also a writer and the spokesperson for Adopt-A-Pet.com, North America's largest non-profit pet adoption website. She is a professor in the area of diversity and family systems and a frequent guest on national radio programs, speaking on such topics as companion animals being important members of the family. Her extensive involvement in animal rescue efforts and her expertise on animal welfare have been featured on many national shows including The Martha Stewart Show.
Pia is the niece of polio vaccine developer Jonas Salk and daughter of bestselling author and psychologist Lee Salk. She resides in Los Angeles, California, with her multiple adopted animals.
As you can imagine, I get many emails each day requesting help for animals in need. And it’s not just dogs and cats who need help. Rabbits, birds, goats, chickens and, in the case I’m sharing today, a 400-pound pig named Elf, are looking for permanent homes as well.
Meet Alexa. Having raised Elf from a …
I recently reported on West Hollywood’s passage of a landmark ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats other than those from shelters. Texas-based Chardonnay and Sir Lancelot, now part of a loving home, are just two examples of dogs who have endured the cruelty this ordinance seeks to bring to an end.
Chardonnay and Sir …
While I always love to hear about an animal being adopted from the shelter, the stories of special needs animals being given a second chance especially warm my heart! Meet Darla….
“Special needs” actually covers a broad spectrum of conditions and abilities. Some special needs animals require continued care such as assistance with walking …
This past week the City of West Hollywood took a landmark stand for shelter animals like these cuties!
In a compassionate and historic move led by council member Jeffrey Prang, this progressive city council voted to give shelter animals a fighting chance. The recently passed ordinance prohibits pet stores from selling cats and dogs other than …
Growing up, I always loved St. Valentine’s Day. While many criticize it for being an over-commercialized holiday, somehow the idealistic part of me has always been able to remain aware that at its core it is a holiday that celebrates love — and how could I criticize that? Add to that the fact that it …
Last week the nation watched on pins and needles as a stranded dog was saved from drowning in the overflowing Los Angles River. Nature doesn’t discriminate among those she affects, and thankfully, neither did the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The dog rescued in that brave effort has become known in the many follow-up stories in the …
As we gear up for the Purina ONE Tour for Heroes in February, I wanted to tell you about a great way to let people know about adoptable animals that also helps feed homeless pets. Just visit MarthaStewart.com/pet-adoption between January 15 and March 31, 2010, find an adoptable pet using the search tool, and …
As a little girl growing up in New York City I did not have much interaction with horses. I recall seeing the carriage horses waiting for tourists outside of Central Park and felt a sadness as I knew if they had a choice they’d likely choose to be running in pastures with their kin.
Through my …
Exiting the Brooklyn Bridge with pooch in tow and no time to get to your local dog park before that meeting in Chelsea? Never fear — HeyWalkies.com dog-park locator is here!
At the risk of making Francesca and Sharkey jealous, I want to introduce you to Nancye (pronounced like Nancy), who is the Frenchie face on …
Our furry friends may be just what the doctor ordered!
It is certainly not news that as one year closes, many humans designate resolutions to improve their lives in the year ahead. Makes me wonder if our companion animals do the same thing. What might they resolve to do? Nap more? Fetch sticks with greater accuracy? …
