NAME: Jon Patch
TITLE: Host – Talkin’ Pets
STATION: Business TalkRadio, i.e. America Network, Sirius Communications
MARKET: 110 stations + Internet and digital satellite
COMPANY: Business TalkRadio
BORN: March 17, 1962
RAISED: Northeast Pennsylvania
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Graduated from Penn State University in 1983 and landed my
first broadcasting job at the flagship station to SUN Radio Network in St.
Petersburg, FL as a producer of talk radio. In 3 months advanced to a network
producer, then on air as a national eventually local weather reporter for the
Tampa Bay area. Held a position in management as a trainer to new hosts and
producers and later Affiliate Relations Manager, eventually in 1990 started
hosting, Talkin’ Pets. Left SUN radio several years later and worked with USA
Radio Networks for 1 year. Have now been working with Business TalkRadio for
the past 8 years under the title of VP Affiliate Relations & Programming and am
still hosting the largest carried pet show in the country, Talkin’ Pets. Have
hosted this program for the past 13 years…
1. How did you get into radio- what got you doing a
show?
After trying to get into television in NYC and not having too much luck I
eventually moved to Florida and applied at several companies. SUN Radio Network
was the company that gave me my first break locally then nationally. As for the
show, I was the producer of the pet show that was failing and before they
decided to cancel it asked to be given a shot at it. I first studied veterinary
science in college and love animals so thought I could make a difference. I did
and 13 years later still going strong. It’s funny how I started college to
become a veterinarian and ended up graduating in broadcasting with the outcome
of a national talk show host on pets, wildlife and the environment… all 3 a huge
passion of mine.
2. What are you passionate about?
I’d have to say I am extremely passionate about our furry friends. We don’t
take them serious enough in our daily lives and they bring us so much joy. We
can really learn a lot from them on what it means to be loyal, honest and
unconditional. I try my best to make a mark in this world and by doing this
program I am. I want people to enjoy what’s in front of them and understand
what the true values in life are – family – of which our pets are a major member
of. Through my program, Talkin’ Pets we make our listeners laugh and learn and
yes sometimes cry. We cover all aspects of the animal world and even the
environments they live in. I want everyone to learn the true meaning of life
and unconditional love and this can be done by living with the beautiful
creatures on this planet – our animal friends.
3. What do you think about the idea of people
having "exotic" or dangerous pets? What fad pets are the worst (or best) for
domestic purposes?
Easy answer – I don’t believe in having exotic pets at all – if we are
talking about large exotics like tigers, lions, monkeys – I’d say your crazy …
They belong in the wild – for what wild there is left… A dear friend of mine –
Tippi Hedren – runs a preserve called Shambala and if you visit my web site
you’ll see her link and several pictures of the cats on her preserve –
www.talkinpets.com. But,
what you don’t see is the hard work she puts in everyday and the volunteers in
takes to run the preserve – not to mention the money – the thousands of dollars
each year to feed these animals and care for their health and well being… They
cannot be released back into the wild – they don’t know what it is… Many of them
have been abused, declawed, defanged, and they don’t know what freedom is. Many
have ended up at Tippi’s because irresponsible people decided to adopt, buy,
steal these cute little cubs that grow up to bite, kill or destroy based on
their instincts… So no I would never suggest an exotic as a pet… the closest I
would go is a snake, iguana, or bird… and although I have several parrots I
rescued or adopted my views on bird ownership has changed as well. Pet
guardians need to do their homework before bringing home any kind of pet but I
hope they think twice about any large or dangerous exotics in their living room
or around their children… There are so many dogs and cats that need good homes
– go to your local shelter and adopt one and leave the wild to the wild. Humans
are always trying to out do their neighbors… go buy a new car. and show that
off.
4. Besides the typical "my pet does this- what do
I do?" kind of topics you address on the show, what issues do you talk about
that don't get attention in the rest of the media- what are the critical issues
in dealing with animals today? What newsworthy stories about animals aren't
being given enough attention?
Any article or story on animals needs more attention.
They are dwindling from our sight! Yes we do cover the typical medical and
behavior questions – all extremely important to the animal and human worlds but
we also cover the stories you don’t normally hear about from the weird and
strange to the mundane and tearful… We don’t let a paw go unturned … It is our
job on this show to educate and that is what we do through our stories and
communications with my producers/reporters Bob Page and Amanda Vitols Page and
all the hard working veterinarians and trainers that spend their time on this
program… These people dedicate their time to educating our listeners on the
proper edicate of pet life. You can read all about them on my web site in the
crew/co host section,
www.talkinpets.com. I
can tell you through the efforts of everyone on this program we cover every
story and every aspect about animals in today’s society. Along with our
Moooovie Review, Pets and the City segment, Environmental Ed updates and our Pet
Travel Minute we cover it all. Authors, Celebrities, animal organizations
across the world and product knowledge and contests are all part of this weekly
program. As our motto goes – Listen, Laugh and Learn on Talkin’ Pets. Who said
knowledge and education have to be boring? Definitely not us! With a
population of approximately 68% of people living with pets don’t you think we
should be focusing even more on the animal world… Another dear friend of mine
Gretchen Wyler works hard on putting animal issues in the face of the media and
I applaud her and the awards she presents each year to major media that work
hard to acknowledge the animal issues out there in the world. The awards are
known as “The Genesis Awards” and you can see many past pictures of this show on
my web site as well –
www.talkinpets.com.
Education is the key and as long as I am able we will continue to entertain and
inform the world of life with our animal friends on my show. People need to
understand that animal abuse is all around us and the media needs to learn that
it is imperative that we focus our attention on these and many other animal
welfare acts … If we as media don’t show the world what is going on then there
will never be change and a better life for all our animal friends… A perfect
example – in Korea it may be their customs of beating dogs to death with sticks
and boiling cats alive for medicinal purposes but to us this is appalling… and
believe it or not to many Koreans it is also… Slaughterhouses – there are more
humane ways to slaughter an animal for human consumption… I welcome the average
meat eating person to visit their local slaughterhouse; their opinions on this
factory killing will change! Not to mention the overpopulation of animals –
spend one day at your local shelter and watch as hundreds to thousands of these
beautiful creatures are put to sleep each year because they cannot find a home
for them… You would think twice about the way you treat an animal or consume a
meal if you really took the time to understand the problems in the animal
world. Each week Talkin’ Pets covers these issues. This past week we just had
Captain Scott Shields on the air with us … He was the first person with his dog
Bear to enter into the world trade center disaster… This man and his dog
discovered many victims to this horrific act and he shared his moments during
this time as well as what it was like to lose his best friend to cancer last
year. He now lives and trains a new best friend, Theodore, another golden
retriever. I can go on forever but this article is suppose to be brief… But I
must say that we are also a little on the crazy side – yes we have very funny
and unbelievable news stories that will make you laugh to tears… we cover it all
on Talkin’ Pets. Tune in Saturdays 5-8 pm EST and Sunday’s 6-8 am EST to find
out!
5. You get a lot of celebrities on the show, and
a lot of celebrities are vocal in their love and support of animals- who are
your favorite celebrity guests and why?
Another easy answer…
Betty White for her love and support for our animal friends and her years of words of advice to me … She has helped raise tons of money for the Morris Animal Foundation as well as many animal organizations across the country. She is truly a genuine and real person… The best of the best and yes I do love her!
Tippi Hedren – A dear friend and animal supporter – she works harder than any woman I know to defend our wild animals and the right they have to stay wild and NOT end up in someone’s living room. I admire her and applaud her everyday efforts to protect our animal friends. Her preserve – Shambala – is a haven to the over 60 exotics that were once someone’s pet.
Bob Barker – For over 25 years I have admired his work and his efforts to educate people about the overpopulation of our pet world.
Linda Blair – my LB – she is tireless in working to make a difference and support so many animal causes like the Ark Trust now run in LA by the Humane Society of the US and presenters of the Genesis Awards.
Gretchen Wyler for her support of the show each year for the Genesis Awards and helping me to educate my audience about the issues she works on each year in trying to get more animal issues in the face of the media…
If you visit the photo album on my site you’ll see the many celebrities I have worked with, and the hard work they do everyday to make a difference in the animal world – www.talkinpets.com
6. Of what are you most proud?
My family, and the fact of being true to myself and
honest in everything I do. And of course my program , Talkin' Pets.
I helped a woman from suicide once and also spent the last moments with a man
who had nothing but our companionship on the air. He passed away in the
hospital listening to my program and his family called me on the air to thank us
for being there for him…
The media can make a difference and we do every week… This proves it and so do
the number of callers and letters we get every week. I am so proud of everyone
that puts his or her time and efforts into this show. We all affect people in
so many ways – in the right ways…and I could not do it without them all,
including all the radio stations that air us each week. This shows that the
program works for them and that the audience is listening and enjoys it. Each
week through this program we are making a difference – we make people laugh, and
learn.
7. Are there really differences between "cat
people" and "dog people"? How can you tell what kind of pet would be ideal for
any particular individual?
Well cats are very territorial and passive for the most
part and dogs are a little more demanding of attention and always looking for
something to get into – many times trouble… So you figure it out!
Actually cats tend to be less maintenance and are very fit for the person on the go… Whereas with dogs they tend to demand a bit more work… walks, exercise… but for the most part each animal truly has its own personality and so does the potential guardian. I find I have a great time with my cats and they wrestle with me and follow me around just like any of my past dogs did… Whether cat or dog – pet guardians are the best people because they live their lives and share their homes with these beautiful and deserving creatures.
8. What do you do for fun?
I host Talkin’ Pets! I write, and am currently working
on a book. I love movies and spending time at dinner with friends… But mainly
working on my house, working out in the gym, fishing when possible and playing
with my pets of course… Sound body sound mind… I enjoy going to the beach and
more so traveling when possible and exploring the true beauty of this planet
through hikes, boating and horseback riding. Finding our unclaimed environment
and the animals that share it is always a treasure…
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without
_playing with my cats_.
They help take away the stress of daily life and work.
10. What's the best advice you ever got? The
worst?
Best: Be Honest, truthful and caring…
Worst: Lie.
Actually to be true to your heart and your heart will be true to you.
Jon Patch