Robin's Nest from American Humane

In this special Robin’s Nest episode, we bring together all four past Kiessling Prize winners, Kathleen Dudzinski, Arnaud Desbiez, Theo Pagel, and Jon Paul Rodríguez, to share their unique journeys and the impact the award had on their work. From breakthrough research to bold conservation projects, hear firsthand how the Kiessling Prize helped them take their ideas further, overcome challenges and create lasting change. Whether you...

In this episode of Robin’s Nest, we welcome American Humane Hero Dog finalist K9 Ultra and her handler, Alaina Whitaker.

A four-year-old German Shepherd/Dutch Shepherd mix serving as a Coast Guard Military Working Dog, K9 Ultra is a highly trained detection specialist who can switch instantly from playful companion to mission-ready protector at the command “seek.” Together, K9 Ultra and Alaina share how military working dogs safegua...

On this episode of Robin’s Nest, Robin sits down with Danté Fenolio, Ph.D., world-renowned conservationist and Vice President of the Center for Conservation & Research at San Antonio Zoo. With over 30 years protecting some of the planet’s rarest and “creepy crawly” species, Danté shares his journey from breeding amphibians as a child to pioneering first-ever captive breeding programs for species like the Crater Lake Newt and Do...

In this heartfelt episode of Robin’s Nest, we welcome Sgt. Bo, the 2025 American Humane Hero Dog Award winner, and his handler, Faye Okert. Once a stray in Nashville, Sgt. Bo’s life was transformed through rescue into one of extraordinary service as a therapy dog with the Metro Nashville Police Department.

Known for his calm presence and gentle spirit, Sgt. Bo supported children and adults during moments of crisis, helped de-escalat...

On this episode of Robin’s Nest, we sit down with Dr. Temple Grandin, world-renowned animal behaviorist, autism advocate, and Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Temple explains how thinking in pictures allowed her to revolutionize livestock handling systems, designing environments that reduce stress and improve animal welfare worldwide. From the invention of her “hug machine” to curved chute systems now used ...

In this inspiring episode of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert sits down with one of the world’s most influential wildlife scientists: Dr. Yadvendradev Jhala. For more than 30 years, Dr. Jhala has been at the forefront of India’s most significant conservation achievements, from leading the country’s historic tiger recovery to reintroducing cheetahs after 70 years of extinction. He shares the science, strategy and passion behind prote...

In this special episode of Robin’s Nest, we’re joined by Dr. George Church, a world-renowned geneticist and one of the leading minds behind the Human Genome Project, for a conversation about the amazing ways science is helping us understand, protect and even restore life on Earth.

Dr. Church takes us inside the frontier of synthetic biology, from the origins of CRISPR and gene editing to the bold promise of de-extinction, conservati...

In this inspiring episode of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert sits down with Hilde Vanleeuwe, Ph.D., a fearless conservation biologist whose 30-year career has been devoted to protecting Africa’s iconic wildlife, particularly elephants. From rescuing birds in her childhood home in Belgium to leading groundbreaking conservation programs across Africa, Hilde shares her journey of perseverance, passion, and purpose.

Listeners will hear ...

In this episode of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert sits down with Peter Chadwick, CEO of the Conservation Landscape Institute, to discuss the launch of the Brad and Alice Andrews Preserve and the expansion of South Africa’s Bushman’s River Biodiversity Corridor, a milestone for the Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa. 

With nearly 40 years of experience across 25 African countries, Peter shares how modern conservation is drive...

In this inspiring episode of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert sits down with Prof. Jonah Henri Ratsimbazafy, a world-renowned primatologist, conservation leader and lifelong champion for Madagascar’s extraordinary wildlife.

As President of the Madagascar Primate Research Group (GERP) and the first African President of the International Primatological Society, Prof. Ratsimbazafy has spent more than 30 years leading groundbreaking effo...

This week, we welcome Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski, the 2025 recipient of the Wolfgang Kiessling International Prize for Species Conservation.

With over 30 years of research on dolphin communication and social behavior — and valuable work with killer whales — Dr. Dudzinski has pioneered methods that deepen our understanding of marine mammals in both wild and managed care. As Founder of the Dolphin Communication Project and Managing Editor...

Dr. Robin Ganzert opens Season 3 of Robin's Nest with Dr. Andrew Muir, one of South Africa’s leading conservationists and CEO of Wilderness Foundation Africa. Together, they explore bold efforts to restore ecosystems and protect keystone species in the Eastern Cape—from the new Brad and Alice Andrews Preserve for elephants and rhinos to the Albany Biodiversity Corridor connecting vital habitats.

This inspiring convers...

In the season finale of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert sits down with Alejandro Grajal, a global conservation leader and Kiessling Prize finalist with over 35 years of experience. Alejandro shares his journey in biodiversity conservation, from creating millions of hectares of protected land to transforming zoos and aquariums into modern conservation powerhouses. This inspiring conversation highlights his proudest achievements, the...

In this inspiring episode, Georgia Boyer welcomes Lindsey Peetz, a passionate animal advocate and high school teacher, and her remarkable rescue dog Penny. Once a shelter pup with an uncertain future, Penny is now a national hero — honored at the Hero Dog Awards® and celebrated for her incredible transformation.

Lindsey and Penny’s story is one of resilience, love, and second chances. Together, they’re raising awareness about adopti...

In this episode of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert sits down with conservation pioneer Dr. Dante Fenolio, whose innovative work is saving some of the world’s most endangered—and overlooked—species. From breeding rare amphibians in the lab to launching Project Selva in the Amazon, Dr. Fenolio combines science, sustainability, and community partnership to protect biodiversity.
 
A finalist for the prestigious Kiessling Prize,...

In this inspiring episode, we welcome neuroscientist and inclusion advocate Joey Ramp-Adams, whose life was forever changed after a traumatic accident in 2006. Her devoted Golden Retriever, Sampson, became more than a service dog—he became a lifeline, learning over 245 commands to assist with the effects of Joey’s brain injury and mobility challenges.

Together, Joey and Sampson broke barriers in the scientific community, advocating ...

What does it take to raise ducks the right way? On this episode of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert sits down with Heidi Parnin and Drew Frey of Culver Duck Farms—two passionate leaders shaping the future of humane poultry practices.

From species-specific care to earning American Humane Certification, Heidi and Drew share how Culver is setting the gold standard for duck welfare. If you’ve ever wondered what responsible farming really...

In this episode of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert speaks with Mel Coleman Jr., Vice President of Retail at Coleman All Natural Meats and a pioneer of humane animal farming practices. Coleman All Natural Meats is a family company that has been Certified™ for several years and has been dedicated to high standards of animal welfare for generations. In this episode, Mel discusses how animal welfare is a priority for consumers when sel...

In this heartwarming episode of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert welcomes Liz Stewart and her extraordinary therapy dog, Dayo. Dayo, whose name means “Joy Arrives,” has truly lived up to his name—bringing comfort, hope, and healing to children and families in need.

From visiting pediatric palliative care patients at George Mark Children’s House to helping children process grief at Camp Erin, Dayo’s presence brings a sense of peace an...