About
The Animal House is a weekly discussion that explores the latest in animal science, pet behavior, and wildlife conservation. We hope to deepen human understanding of animals and explain the powerful bonds that link us to the animal world. Our goal is to be fun, substantive, and appealing to a broad audience -- both those with pets and those without them.
The Animal House will go from the bat caves of northern Virginia to the big game reserves of Botswana as we discuss the latest in animal-related news. And each week, you can count on expert advice about all your pet-related questions from Dr. Gary Weitzman, veterinarian and C.E.O of the Washington Animal Rescue League.
Staff
Sam Litzinger, Host
When he's not in The Animal House, Sam -- a broadcaster for 35 years and counting -- is an anchor and reporter at CBS News. He also hosts and produces the radio series Sound Sessions from Smithsonian Folkways, and he's currently working on a series of radio shows on the history of journalism for the George Washington University's Global Media Institute and the Newseum. Sam sometimes fills in for Charles Osgood on The Osgood File on the CBS Radio Network, and he's also an occasional guest host on WAMU 88.5's The Kojo Nnamdi Show. Sam hosted and produced "From the Nation's Capital," a radio show featuring some of the fascinating places and people in Washington, D.C., on Sirius-XM. Both his wife and his dog, Ella the beagle, are smarter and more interesting than he is.
Gary Weitzman, DVM, MPH, CAWA, Weekly Contributor
Dr. Gary Weitzman has more than 20 years experience in veterinary medicine, and currently chairs the DC Board of Veterinary Medicine. He became the chief executive officer of the Washington Animal Rescue League in May 2010, after serving as executive director since 2008 and as its medical director for four years previous to his directorship. During "Dr. Gary's" tenure at the League, it has become a national resource for disaster and puppy mill rescues and a recognized leader in animal physical and behavioral rehabilitation. Dr. Gary, a veterinarian with extensive training in international public health, has worked in the non-profit sector for years in both human and animal public health. Aside from his duties as executive director, he remains a practicing clinician at the League, where he sees patients, including the pets of low-income clients, a cornerstone of the shelter's mission. He lives on Capitol Hill with his two, sometimes well-behaved dogs, Jake and Betty.
Mark McDonald, Executive Producer
Mark McDonald is WAMU 88.5's Program Director and a golden retriever fanatic. Originally from Liverpool, UK, Mark got his start on the local radio station there before moving into BBC Television in London, where he produced stories for the main evening news. He moved to New York in 1995, where he was BBC's news producer, and became managing editor for news at New York public radio station WNYC in 1999. When Mark and his wife, Melinda, moved to Washington D.C., they brought their golden retriever, Pundit, with them. He loved frolicking around the monuments of Capitol Hill and was a familiar figure among the Senators and Supreme Court judges. Pundit died in April 2009, after a six-month struggle with cancer. Mark is delighted to be heading-up the only public radio program in America devoted to animals.
Steve Williams, producer
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Steve is a veteran radio producer, scriptwriter and voice artist; his resume includes production work at WCBS - New York, KGO - San Francisco, WDET - Detroit, Sirius Satellite Radio and United Nations Radio. He joined WAMU 88.5 as a Special Projects producer in 2009; he's been working with The Animal House since March of 2011. Over the years, Steve has been the proud owner of a wide variety of pets, among them several dogs and cats, freshwater and salt water tropical fish, a turtle and an iguana. Steve welcomes listener suggestions and story ideas – please email him at stevenw@wamu.org.
Karen Munson, Producer
Karen Munson produces segments for The Animal House and is the anchor of Animal House News. She has worked at WAMU 88.5 since 2001, during which time, she served as traffic manager in the programming department and producer of American Forum, a collaboration with American University's School of Communication. Currently, Karen is Manager of WAMU 88.5 Content Operations, overseeing the scheduling of all underwriting and promotional products for WAMU 88.5, WAMU's Bluegrass Country, and Intersection 88.5 HD3. She also serves as the daytime host for Intersection 88.5 HD3.
Kara Nichols, Producer
Kara Nichols has been a Traffic Manager in the programming department of WAMU 88.5 since 2007; she has been a member of The Animal House production team since 2009. Kara studied print journalism and political science at the University of Southern California. She has a six year old rescue cat named Pepper, who loves to eat and stalk insects.
Nancy Robertson, Producer
Nancy Robertson has worked with The Animal House since it's inception; she is also a senior producer forThe Diane Rehm Show. Nancy is the proud owner of a golden retriever.