he science of relationships is a topic that has fascinated me for a very long time. Most people don’t have a game plan that they consciously apply to enhance the quality of their relationships, thus often being left with subpar connections.

Emotional responsiveness is the most important thing that has emerged from the research over the last 30-plus years, according to Sue Johnson, Clinical psychologist and author. That means, when there is a cue delivered, the other person responds.

t’s not every veterinarian who shares a photo posing with a mouth-wide-open alligator. But, the critically acclaimed lecturer, author, triple-board certified and multi-award-winning veterinarian of over four decades, Dr. Doug Mader, says matter-of-factly, “That’s Casper, the alligator. I’ve been taking care of him for over 25 years.”

Casper spends his days swimming in the pond at a rehabilitation center in Homestead, Florida. Dr. Mader says, “That animal knows me. He can hear me call his name and swims across the pond to say ‘hi.’ I visit him every time I’m there.”

Like most veterinarians, Dr. Mader was an animal-loving child. However, unlike many veterinarians, he started his animal career as a blacksmith.

ith the number of assistance dogs increasing every year, veterinarians are more likely to be consulted either by assistance dog users or the organization which trained them—and that means understanding the particular challenges faced by both dogs and their users.

Globally, there are more than 28,000 dogs officially certified by Assistance Dogs International (ADI), including guide dogs, hearing dogs and service dogs. For both veterinarians and assistance dog users, these highly valuable animals (each one costing up to $50,000 to train) come with a special responsibility and may present with specific needs.