|
Print Credits
|
My Pet World, Tribune Media Services
|
|
April 1995 to present: |
Steve’s twice-weekly newspaper column consists of a feature
story and also a Q & A, published in more than100 papers, reaching an estimated
16 million readers.
Steve’s award winning features have earned him national
recognition, and positioning on news pages.
Within 48-hours after 9/11, he was interviewing search and rescue
dog handlers at Ground Zero and from the lawn of the Pentagon via
cell phone, beating all other reporters. The impact of these
emotional and graphic stories played a role in capturing America’s
attention. Like so many of Steve’s articles, these traveled
across the wire service, and were soon picked up by TV outlets. As a
result of his 9/11 coverage, Steve was asked to honor search and
rescue dogs at the Tufts Animal Expo in 2001.
His 9/11 reporting figured significantly in Steve being named
Special Features Columnist of the Year by Editor & Publisher, 2001.
“It’s his reporting that sets him apart from most other animal
writers. This was especially apparent after Sept. 11, when the
Tribune Media Service (TMS) columnist did several powerful
pieces about search and rescue dogs at the World Trade Center.”
Dave Astor, Editor & Publisher, November 26, 2001.
Steve’s piece on how
search and rescue dogs were getting depressed when they didn’t
find living survivors after the 1995 bombing of the Murrah
Federal Building in Oklahoma City made the network morning
programs. That same year, Steve spoke via the Internet with a
woman in Yugoslavia as bombs fell outside her home.
“A
dog looks to the sky and begins to circle, still looking up. In
Phoenix, AZ or Boston, MA, you’d think nothing of this. But not
in Belgrade (Serbia, Yugoslavia). This is the signal for
Marijana Mihailovic to gather her two children, and huddle
nervously in a corner. Marijana listens from an open window. As
if on the cue of an invisible conductor in the sky, the birds
stop singing. Moments later, the air raid sirens blare.”
Pet dumps in
Tennessee were a local story in 2003, until Steve created a
national fervor to close what amounted to trash bins for pets.
And he succeeded.
Steve isn’t afraid to express his views with stories
admonishing de-clawing cats, and offering alternatives to
breed-specific legislation. Steve’s 2003 op-ed piece countering
a a Consumer Reports story on veterinary medicine was photo
copied and handed out at countless veterinary clinics around
America.
Steve’s also interviewed celebrities about their
pets, including LeAnn Rimes, Diane Keaton, Doris Roberts, Audrey
Meadows, Lucille Ball and others.
Steve handles his Q & A column as a reporter, and
interviews the top names in veterinary medicine. Steve goes to
the source – often the researchers or veterinary specialists who
discover new treatments. Steve has been known to publish
findings in his columns before they are published in scientific
journals. Steve works closely with the American College of
Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American College of
Veterinary Behaviorists.
|
USA Weekend,
Contributing Editor
|
| April
2002 to present: |
Pet stories regularly appearing in
600 Sunday newspapers reaching over 50 million people (and many
more pets).
Examples of stories include: “Is Fido Family,” a
story asking ‘Are we going overboard with love for our pets?’
“Cutting Edge Medicine” examples of how nearly any medical
procedure available for people is now available for pets, and
“Critters to Consider,” which featured peculiar pets like the
corn snake and Steve’s own Northern blue-tongue skink, Cosette.
|
PawPrints,
Editor-in-Chief |
|
January
2004 to present: |
Partnering with Merial and the American Veterinary Medical
Association, Steve created this newsletter distributed to
veterinary practices globally. The newsletter is either
available online (to be used as a marketing tool for vet
practices) or is printed out and made available in vet office
waiting rooms.
|
Dog
World Magazine,
Special Correspondent/Columnist
|
|
August, 2001 to present: |
| Steve’s current monthly column is
called “Show Nation.” |
| Steve’s personality profiles spotlight legends,
including the founder of Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Dr.
Ian Dunbar; breeder; geneticist Dr. Carmen Battaglia; behavioral
behaviorist and clicker training pioneer Karen Pryor,
and dog show judge Michele Billings.
|
| Steve wrote frequent features for Dog World
pre-dating their current ownership, going back to1995.
|
|
www.Goodnewsforpets.com, Editorial Consultant |
|
March, 2000 to present: |
|
Steve contributes stories for this website designed to
support and promote media reporting of companion
animals. |
|
American Association Feline Practitioners Behavior
Guidelines, Contributing Author
|
|
June, 2005
|
|
Published in the Journal of the American Veterinary
Medical Association, and made available to all
veterinarians throughout the
U.S.
|
www.animal.discovery.com,
Columnist
|
May 1, 2001 to February, 2005 |
|
|
Contributed his weekly newspaper feature stories to
Animal Planet website.
Most
columns remain archived. |
|
Pet
Life magazine, senior columnist
|
|
January, 1996 to September, 2003:
|
| Authored monthly Q & A column, and
wrote frequent feature stories. |
|
www.pets.com, National Correspondent
|
| June 2000 to November
2000: |
|
“My Pet World”
feature stories appeared on this site. His award winning
four-part series on Rimadyl scored their record for most ‘hits.’
Steve also did media interviews on behalf of the website, and
owns a personal pets.com sock puppet (a collector’s item) |
| People
magazine, entertainment/reporter/chatter column contributor
|
| April 1987 to January
1997: |
|
Steve contributed to or authored
feature stories, including many about Oprah Winfrey. Other
features included “Inventing a Lizard,” “Cats Who Watch TV,” and
the death of Michael Jordan’s father. For the “Chatter” column,
Steve interviewed dozens of celebrities, including Jimmy
Stewart, Sally Field and Lily Tomlin. |
|
Chicago Tribune
|
| October 1977 to 1997:
|
|
Feature articles appeared in
Friday, KidNews, Tempo, Video, Arts and Travel Sections…in all,
hundreds of stories.
|
|
1993-1995: “TGIF” weekly column in Friday Section.ction.
|
|
1988-1993: “Celebrity Watch” weekly column in Friday
Section.
|
|
Steve tallied 32 Friday Section cover stories.
|
|
From 1988 through 1995, Steve was responsible for nearly
all the stories on pets and zoos on the feature side of
the Chicago Tribune. He also wrote a special pet series
for the Home Section.
|
Steve authored many stories for the front page of
Tempo, from a “Guide to Grant Park Picnicking” to “Increasing
Costs of Veterinary Care.”
Features in the Friday Section ranged from “Spending A
Day in Chicago with the Pooch” to “Where to Pick
Apples.” His celebrity spotlights included Steve Allen,
Lucie Arnaz, Tony
Bennett, Gladys Knight (sans Pips), Smokey Robinson, Dionne
Warwick, Pia Zadora, Lassie, Elvis Presley impersonators and
many others.
|
| North
Shore Magazine |
| September 1992 to
1997: |
| Dining Editor, feature
stories. |
| USA
Today
|
| February 1983 to July
1989: |
| Mostly celebrity
pieces; interviews with Oprah Winfrey, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope,
Ron Woods, Robert Conrad and others. |
|
Crain’s Chicago Business: |
|
February 1982 to September
1989
|
|
Restaurant critic, feature stories. |
| More Print Credits:
|
| Self
magazine, Reader’s Digest,
Catnip, Cats,
www.thedailycat.com,
www.thedogdaily.com, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy,
American Kennel Club Gazette, Academy of Sciences Agenda,
Puppies ’98 Annual, Puppies ’97 Annual, Minc,
Zoo Monitor,
www.allpets.com, Christian Science Monitor, Stagebill,
Inside Chicago, Video Times, Teen Superstars,
Chile Pepper, Talking to the Boss, Lerner/Skyline
newspapers, Pioneer Press newspapers and Chicago Daily News.
Currently: Steve is
the National Correspondent for Chicagoland Tails. |
Back to top
* * *
Book Credits
|
“DogGone Chicago: Sniffing Out the Best Places for Your
Best Friend” (NTC/Contemporary Books, 1998, update 2001) |
 |
|
“American Zoos” (Bantam-Duobleday-Dell, 1992)
See a review
of "American Zoos." |
|
“The Wacky World of Bart Simpson” (Publications
International, 1990) |
|
“Simpson Mania” (Publications International, 1990) |
|
“All Time Movie Favorites” (Publications International,
1986) |
|
“Movie Trivia Mania” (Publications International, 1984) |
| |
| Wrote Forward: |
| “The Compassion of Dogs,” by Kim Dearth (Prima
Publishing, 2002) |
| |
|
Contributing author:
“The Best of Chicago” (Gault Millau, 1995) |
Back to top
* * *
Television Credits
|
"Steve makes it very easy to discuss difficult topics,
such as animal cruelty. He's definitely providing a
great service to the animal community by educating the
public about pet care. Steve Dale isn't afraid to put
himself out there and say what needs to be said."
|
| --Annemarie
Lucas, supervisory
special investigator at the ASPCA, and star of Animal
Precinct on Animal Planet.
|
| |
|
The Oprah Winfrey Show |
|
| An on-location self-contained piece from a dog beach on ‘dog
etiquette.’
|
|
| |
|
National Geographic Explorer,
CNBC and National Geographic |
|
Crazy Cats! |
| |
|
Parts: Part of the Family.
PBS |
|
Ricky: The piano playing cat, a modern day Meowzart |
| |
|
Petsburgh USA,
Animal Planet (seven shows) |
|
Hosted parades for sight hounds, scent hounds, terriers and
sporting breeds. How to play with your cat. How to play with your dog. Trmming
down tubby tabbies. |
| |
 |
|
A Pet Story,
Animal Planet |
|
Ricky: A Bittersweet Story |
|
FOX News Channel
|
|
Fat Cats |
| |
|
The Pet Project,
Canadian TV/Animal Planet |
|
Ricky: The Musical Cat
|
Steve
joins Annemarie Lucas of the ASPCA and Animal Planet's
'Animal Precinct' on a Satellite Media Tour. |
| |
|
Balance TV, CTV, Canada
(two segments) |
|
Trendy Fashions and Trendy Dog Breeds |
| |
|
The News, NHK,
Japanese Broadcasting Corporation |
|
Cloning Cats |
| |
|
|
|
What
makes Chicago so friendly (taped in WGN Radio studio) |
| |
|
Reuters
|
|
Why we spend so much on our pets
|
Steve
appears frequently on all Chicago television stations. He’s been
a semi-regular at WMAQ-TV (NBC O&O).
|
WGN TV: ‘Pet Expert’
|
| December, 1995
through June 1998: |
|
Contributed weekly segments on superstation WGN Morning News.
Examples: |
|
* Green
Iguanas: Jurassic Pets |
*
Travel Gear for Pets |
| * Litter
Box 101 |
* Truth About
Tarantulas |
| * 60
Seconds to Train a Puppy |
* Designer
Snakes |
| *
Vaccinate Or Not: That is the Question
|
* Dressing
for the Weather |
Parade coverage, La Grange Pet Parade, local cable.
*
* *
Radio Credits
|
Steve Dale’s Pet World
(formerly known as
Animal Planet Radio) |
|
Syndicated by Black Dog Radio Productions |
|
May 2001 to present |
|
Multi-Award winning one-hour weekly interactive call-in
show heard across the U.S. and Canada on more than 60
radio stations. |
|
Steve interviews the best pet book authors in the world
a segment called “Pick of the Litter.” Authors have
ranged from veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kersti Seksel of
Australia to the Dean of all pet book writers, Mordecai
Siegal. Steve talks with celebrities, ranging from Diane
Keaton to Joan Embery to Benji’s person Joe Camp. |
|
”Steve
Dale is amazing. He’s warm, sensitive and comforting,
immediately and sincerely your best friend, and at the
same time a passionate, studied, wildly driven voice for
animals. He is a master at pulling the best out of any
interview. I do no prep when I’m going to talking with
Steve because I know he will find, somewhere within me,
the stuff that will make life better for pets.”
Joe Camp, Benji’s Creator |
|
 |
|
Steve with Joe, Benji and his best friend.
|
| |
|
More than a show about furry friends, Steve includes a
rainbow coalition of pets such as parrots, ferrets,
lizards, snakes and fish. |
|
In “Real People, Real Pets,” Steve hits the streets
asking random questions of ordinary folks about their
best friends. Steve believes there’s too much
misinformation, and strongly supports promoting quality
books about pets in his ‘Pick of the Litter’ author
interviews. |
|
Steve also reports from wherever the pet news happens to
be, for example, bringing his mike to New York for the
Westminster Dog Show, to Las Vegas for a veterinary
conference to dog training classes and benefits for
shelters. |
|
His weekly “Vets on Pets” segment is the only radio
feature ever to be officially endorsed by the American
Veterinary Medical Association. Steve covers cutting
edge medicine, and sometimes reveals medical news before
most vets know. Guests include the most renowned
veterinarians in the world. |
|
|
|
“It
is always a pleasure to work with Steve,”
|
|
--Bonnie Beaver DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVB, Past President AVMA
|
| |
|
Steve periodically interviews guests about wild and zoo
animals, including Jane Goodall, Steve (“Crocodile
Hunter”) Irwin and Jim Fowler. |
|
Aside from presenting entertaining radio, offering odd
animal news with an anchor named ‘Dog Chow,’ Steve is a
determined bulldog with a point of view. He vociferously
expresses his views on topics in the news, such as
Wisconsin’s suggestion to legalize shooting of stray
cats, proposed legislation to tax dog owners for the
rabies vaccine, banning pit bulls and other hot topics.
|
| The Pet Minute
with Steve Dale
(formerly known as The
Pet News with Steve Dale) |
| Syndicated by Black Dog Radio Productions |
| September 2000 to present |
| A quick dose of daily information about
pets with news listeners can use. This one minute
feature airs on more than 60 radio stations five days a
week. |
| Veterinarians and authors participate to offer
the latest medical information and general advice. Steve
presents training tips and answers listener email.
Celebrity appearances range from John Leguizamo to Betty
White. |
|
Pet
Central
|
| WGN Radio, Chicago |
| June 1997 to present |
| Airing on one of
America’s most respected radio stations, and heard live at
www.wgnradio.com |
|
On this multi-award winning show, Steve breaks local and
international pet news. Steve was the first to learn
about the controversy concerning the cremated remains of
pets in the Chicago area (and reported on that story for WGN Radio news); and he was the first in the U.S. to report
on a fatal dog attack in Germany which led to sweeping breed
bans there, and he conducted an interview from Germany to learn
more. |
|
Steve even creates news: His recent personal involvement
derailed a proposed tax on the rabies vaccine. Pet Central played a significant role to
create Dog Friendly Areas in Chicago, to prevent breed specific
legislation in the city and generate signage in all city taxis
‘Chicago Welcomes Service Dogs.’ |
|
Steve’s involved in the Chicago animal community,
speaking to rescue groups, shelters for fundraisers and
other animal related causes in the Chicago area many
times throughout the year (See
Speaking for more). |
|
His regular “Ask the Vet” segment features local veterinarians.
But Steve’s national influent is clear, as many of the most well
known veterinarians in the nation have appeared on the show,
including nearly every President of the American Veterinary
Medical Association since the program’s inception. Authors have
flown in from around the country to promote their books’ on Pet Central.
|
| When Mayor
Richard Daley appeared, he said, “This is my first dog
interview.” Steve offered a plastic bag to put His Honor
at ease. |
| Steve says his
favorite guest of all was his own cat, Ricky, who played
the piano live on-the-air, astounding onlookers on
Michigan Avenue. |
| Steve takes
phone calls and answers pet behavior problems. |
|
Miscellaneous Radio: |
-
Paul
Harvey: The Rest of the Story featured Steve twice (2000 and
2001).
-
ABC
Radio/Serius Satellite, “Open Road Café” Steve is a weekly
regular for an hour. (2004 through present).
-
BBC
Radio. Steve was a regular guest on various programs (2003
through 2004).
-
Over
100 appearances on radio stations in the U.S. and Canada on
topics ranging from side-effects anti-inflammatory drugs to
gay pets. Steve often appears as a guest to answer
listeners’ pet behavior questions.
-
Steve
has participated in several satellite feeds to address a
range of pet issues, from overweight pets to adopting from
shelters.
|
| More
Radio Credits: |
|
WLS Radio, Chicago, Entertainment Editor |
| May
1987 to August 1987 |
| Reviewing concerts, films and theater
productions often reporting live from events. |
|
|
|
WIND Radio, Chicago, Weekend
Entertainment Editor
|
|
June 1985 to December 1985 |
| Reviewing
film and theater, and responding to listener calls
Sunday mornings. |
| |
|
WCFL Radio, Chicago, Executive
Producer |
| September, 1980 to June 1984 |
|
Executive
Producer, overseeing producers and guest bookings for
all programs for Talk format.
Producer daily “All About
Animals” segment on “The Bob and Betty Sanders Show.”
Occasional weekend Air Talent. |
For music
format, produced “The Fred Winston Show.” For
News/Talk format, part-time
newswriter/part-time
producer. |
|
|
|
WWMM Radio, Arlington Heights,
Air Talent, Public Affairs Director
|
| November
1978 to August 1980 |
| Evening
On-Air host |
| |
|
WONX Radio, Evanston, Air Talent, Music Director
|
| March 1978 to November 1978 |
| Afternoon Drive
host |
| |
| Part time or Fill in On-Air: WYCA Radio,
Hammond; WCLR Radio, Chicago; WLTD Radio, Evanston |
-
Free-lance
voice for radio commercials, training videos
-
WGN Radio: Radio Logkeeper, September, 1977 to March 1978.
-
WLS Radio: Research Assistant, June 1977 to September 1977.
|
* * *
Speaking
“Steve Dale educates, advocates, and motivates for higher
quality of life for all pets. He’s had a major impact on
bringing cutting edging information forward to the veterinary
profession as well as to pet owners.”
Stephen Crane, DVM, Dipl.
ACVS, executive director Western Veterinary Conference
|
Guest
Speaker |
Conference of American Veterinary
Medical Association, installation
luncheon.
Minneapolis, MN; July, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
Key Note Address |
|
International
Association Animal Behavior Consultants Conference,
Baltimore,
MD;
June, 2005 |
| |
| FIP Symposium
Co-Chair |
|
Western Veterinary Conference, Las Vegas, NV; February,
2005 |
|
Speakers on Steve’s program: Niels Pedersen, DVM, School of Veterinary Medicine
Center for Companion Animal Health University of
California, Davis; Co-Chair Susan Little,
Vice-President, DVM, DABVP Winn Feline Foundation,
Ottawa, Canada; Danielle Gunn-Moore, BSc, BVM&S,
MACVSc, MRCVS, Royal School of Veterinary Studies
Summerhall Edinburgh, Scotland; Melissa Kennedy, DVM, PhD, DACVM, University of Tennessee College of
Veterinary Medicine Dept. of Comparative Medicine; Michele Gaspar, DVM, Chicago, IL.
Details
on FIP Symposium from Western Veterinary Conference
catalog
|
| Feline Enrichment
and General Behavior Discussions Co-Presenter and
Facilitator |
|
North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, FL,;
January, 2005 |
| Co-Presenter Karen Overall, VMD, MA, PhD., Dipl.
ACVB |
| Key Note Address |
| Conference of the
Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Denver, CO; September,
2004 |
| Key Note Address,
Feline Enrichment Presenter |
| Prairie States
Humane Conference, Hoffman Estates, IL; June, 2004 |
| |
| Presenter
Behavioral Enrichment in Feline Medicine |
| Postgraduate
Institute of North American Veterinary Conference;
Orlando, FL; May, 2004 |
| Also a participant and graduate NAVC Postgraduate
Institute, Behavioral Medicine, meeting course required
45 hours. Authored paper for popular press, ‘How to
Choose a Dog Trainer.” |
|
“Steve has brought a fresh perspective to our behavior
programs. Registrants and instructors are impressed with
his practical knowledge of canine and feline behavioral
issues.” |
|
Colin Burrows, BVetMed,
Ph.D., MRCVS. executive director North American
Veterinary Conference, Chair of the Department of Small
Animal Clinical Sciences and Chief of Staff of the
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of
Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. |
| Animal Assisted
Therapy Symposium Co-Presenter and Chair |
| Western
Veterinary Conference, Las Vegas, NV; February, 2004 |
| Co-Presenters: Judy Keitz and Lisa Crosett of Chenny
Troupe in Chicago, and Rebecca Johnson, PhD, College
of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri,
Columbia; endowed chair at the Sinclair School of
Nursing, University of Missouri. |
| Feline Enrichment
and ‘How to Talk to the Media’ Presenter |
| Illinois State
Veterinary Medical Association, Schaumburg, IL; January,
2004 |
| Media Training
Panelist |
| Western
Veterinary Conference, Las Vegas, NV; February, 2003 |
| Panelists: Jim Humphries, DVM and Lowell
Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA. |
| Canine
Enrichment/Feline Enrichment Presenter |
| Kansas State
Veterinary Medical Association, Wichita, KS; January,
2003 |
| Feline
Enrichment, Chair and Co-Presenter; “Real Life Media”
Presenter and Co-Presenter |
| Conference of the
American Veterinary Medical Association, Nashville, TN;
July, 2002 |
| Co-Presenter Feline Enrichment Pam Johnson Bennett,
CABC |
| Co-Presenters “Real Life Media:” Journalist Darlene
Arden, CDBC; feline behavior consultant and author Pam
Johnson Bennett, CABC; and private practitioners Sheldon Rubin, DVM;
Jeff Werber, DVM. |
|
Moderator |
|
Pawsitive Interactions Human/Animal Bond Summit,
Atlanta, GA, April, 2002. |
| Panel Members: Alan Beck, director Center for
the Human-Animal Bond, School of Veterinary Medicine
Purdue University, Lafayette, IN; Marty Becker DVM,
ABC-TV; Sandra Barker, PhD, director Center for
Human-Animal InterAction, Virginia Commonwealth
University; Edward Creagan, M.D. past president,
professor medical oncology at the Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, MN. |
| Veterinary
Economics Chair and Facilitator |
| Western
Veterinary Conference, Las Vegas, NV; February, 2002 |
| Speakers on Steve’s Panel: Practice consultant Tom Cantanzarro, DVM, MHA, FACHE, Dipl. ACHE;
practitioner John Cirabassi, DVM; practice
consultant Marsha Heinke, DVM, CPA; David
Knight, DVM, DACVIM charter member of the American
College of Internal Medicine, American Heartworm
Society, professor of Veterinary Cardiology at
Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia; Chicago Sheldon Rubin, DVM. |
| Master of
Ceremonies |
| Dog Writer’s
Association of America Awards Banquet in conjunction
with Westminster, New York, NY, February 2002 and
February 2000 |
| Media Training
Panelist |
| AVMA Leadership
Conference, Chicago, IL, January, 2002 |
| Panel facilitator: Dave Baum, Chicago media
personality |
| Moderator: Search
and Rescue Dog Heroes |
| Tufts Animal
Expo, Boston, MA, November, 2001 |
| Participants included search and rescue dogs at the
World Trade Center and Pentagon after 9/11. |
| Guest Speaker |
| Forum of the
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine,
Chicago, Il; June, 1999. |
| Keynote Address |
| Cat Writers’
Association Awards Banquet, Kansas City, MO; November,
1998 |
- Steve’s
regularly speaks to shelter personnel at facilities
around the country on behavioral enrichment.
|
- Steve speaks
for shelters, rescue groups and at other
animal-related organizations at fundraising events.
In 2003 Steve helped to organize the now annual Take
Your Dog to Dinner benefit for the Chenny Troupe (an
animal assisted therapy organization).
|
| For a list of
Chicago area appearances in 2004, click here:
Chicago Area Appearances. |
- Announcer for
Groups, and Best in Show Competition International
Kennel Club of Chicago dog show, 1993 to present.
|
- Host of
Chicago Veterinary Medical Association Public
Education program at Chicagoland Family Pet Show,
1995 to 2003. Emcee Most Lovable Pooch Contest,
Chicagoland Family Pet Show, 2000 to present.
|
 |
- Steve’s been
a panelist many times at the annual Cat Writers’
Association Professional Writing Conference.
|
|
 |
| Lucy Goes to the
Dogs: Steve
speaks at the historic Reg Lenna Civic Center in
Jamestown, New York at the Lucy-Desi Museum's annual
Lucille Ball Birthday Celebration in the legendary
comedienne's hometown. Steve reminisced about his
conversations with Lucy, and her wacky experiences on
the set with animals, 2003. |
* * *
Activism/Involvement
|
“Not since Roger Caras has a media person been as
beneficial for animals as Steve Dale. America’s foremost
radio advocate for vulnerable creatures. He speaks for
all of us who care deeply “. |
|
Mordecai Siegal, author of 28 books is the Dean of
America’s pet book authors. |
| Tax on Rabies Vaccines: Politicians in
Illinois created a bill to fund low cost/no cost
spay/neuter which would have been funded by taxing
rabies vaccines. Steve publicly fought this legislation,
and participated in a meeting at the state capital to
create alternative sources of revenue, 2005. |
| Firehouse Dogs: After learning Chicago is one
of the only American cities with a continuing firehouse
dog tradition, Steve asked for and received a donation
of a year of free pet food from Iams for each of the
individual firehouse dogs. Steve presented the
Chicago Fire Department and firefighters with the
donation on live TV in 2005.
Read
Release |
| Ricky Fund: Steve set up this fund, named for
his cat Ricky, with the Winn Feline Foundation to fund
research on feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. So far,
several studies have been funded with the more than
$60,000 raised since 2002. Learn more at
www.winnfelinehealth.org
|
| Pets for Afghanistan Kids: President Bush
asked children in the U.S. to each send a dollar to help
care for the kids in Afghanistan. Steve and the American
Veterinary Medical Association realized that millions of
Americans only have ‘children’ with four legs or
feathers, yet they too wanted to help the children of
Afghanistan. The Pets for Afghanistan Kids fund made it
possible to donate in their pet’s names(s). Steve and
the AVMA set up such a fund, and countless thousands
were raised and delivered directly to the White House,
2001.
Read press release, story in Journal of the AVMA
|
| Breed Specific Legislation: Greatly as a
result of Steve’s public outcry on WGN Radio, and his on
air interview with Alderman Shirley Coleman, he was
requested by the City of Chicago to create and lead a
task force to seek alternatives to breed specific bans,
and to re-write the city’s animal control act, 2000.
Read the
story from the AVMA. |
| Chicago Welcomes Service Dogs: After years of
Chicago cab drivers refusing to pick up people with
service/assistance dogs, Steve initiated a campaign to
focus attention on these dogs. Working with the
Chicago Department of Consumer Services, signage in all
Chicago taxis now reads "Chicago Welcomes Service Dogs."
Steve developed a leaflet which was repeatedly stuffed
in paychecks of employees of hotels, the Chicago
transportation authority, and dozens of tourist
attractions in 2000. See the
signage in all Chicago Taxis, and the paycheck stuffer |
| Breed Specific Legislation: Testified in
Buffalo Grove, IL against breed bans, 2000. |
| Dog Friendly Areas: Through his radio show on
WGN, Steve helped to found DOG/Chicago and create a
protocol for developing dog friendly areas in Chicago,
working with various community activists, the Mayor’s
Office and the Chicago Police. |
|
Organization Affiliations: |
|
Board of Directors:
Tree House Animal Foundation, Chicago's oldest no-kill
all cat shelter, 2005 to present.
www.treehouseanimals.org
|
|
Task Force Member: Illinois
Veterinary Medical Association Task Force on Animal Welfare,
2004 to present.
|
| Advisory Board, Animal Friends
animal shelter, Pittsburgh, PA, 2002 to present.
www.animal-friends.org |
| Board Member: Chenny Troupe, one of
America’s leading animal assisted therapy organizations,
Chicago, IL, 1997 to 2005. |
| Advisory Board, DAWG (Dog Advisory
Workgroup), advocacy organization with the Chicago Park
District and the Mayor’s Office to develop dog friendly areas,
1999 to 2001. |
| Auxiliary Board, Lincoln Park Zoo,
Chicago, IL, 1987 to 1988. |
| Docent
Lincoln Park Zoo, and editor of ‘The Ark,’ an internal
newsletter, 1982 to 1987. |
| Chicago
Film Festival Jury Member,
1986 to 1988. |
| United
Way Communications Contest Judge,
1985 to 1987. |
| Vice
President Niles Township Olympic Committee,
1976 to 1984. |
| Charter
Member Chicago Area Broadcast Public Affairs Association, 1979 to 1982. |
* * *
Awards/honors
(click, treat)
|
“This is not a job to Steve Dale, it’s a passion,”
|
|
Karen Overall,
VMD, MA, PhD. Dipl. ACVB, Center for Neurobiology
and Behavior
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine,
Philadelphia, PA |
|
American Veterinary Medical Association Humane Award;
2001/2002 |
|
The highest honor bestowed by the
AVMA to a non-veterinarian. Steve is the youngest person
to ever receive this award.
Read the press release online.
(pdf) |
|
”His
messages are compelling as he tackles tough issues and gets
results,” said AVMA President Dr. James Brandt. “Because of
Steve, ‘pet dumps’ -trash chute-type drop off facilities for
unwanted pets were closed in one community. When a Chicago
alderman announced plans to introduce legislation with
breed-specific language after two dog-bite fatalities, Steve
invited her on his radio program to hear the issues and changed
the course to action to prevent those breed bans. Steve’s
influence and passion are undeniable.” |
| Shojai
Mentor Award, 2004 |
|
For providing guidance, encouraging council
and support that has had a direct and positive influence on
colleagues who write about cats, given at the annual Cat
Writers’ Association Awards.
|
| Unsung
Hero Award, WGN TV, 2004 |
| For contributions to the community,
particularly Steve’s involvement with animal assisted therapy.
|
| American
Kennel Club Distinguished Service Award, 2003 |
| A particularly prestigious honor for
extraordinary achievement and communications excellence,
recognizing the person who, by word, deed or exemplary conduct;
public communication and professional excellence, promotes the
best interest of dogs.
http://wgnradio.com/shows/pet/distinguishedserviceaward.htm |
|
Chicagoland Stray Cat Coalition Feral Cat Action Award, 2003 |
|
Steve’s support Trap Neuter Return, and
humane treatment for stray cats.
|
|
Syndicated General Feature Newspaper Writer of the Year,
Editor & Publisher, 2001 |
| The first pet column ever so honored
against a stable of nationally prominent newspaper columnists.
According to Editor Y Publisher editor David Astor, Steve’s 9/11
reporting figured significantly in his choice as Columnist of
the Year. Within 24-hours, Steve was communicating by cell phone
with search and rescue dog handlers at Ground Zero and at the
Pentagon. Read the story from
Editor & Publisher. |
|
VetOne
Illuminating Light Award, 2002.
|
| From industry leaders and veterinarians, presented
by Dr. Mary Becker of Good Morning America. |
| Cat
Writers’ Association Special Newspaper Writer of the Year Award,
1997 through 2000, 2002 and 2004. |
| Presented to the writer who has done the
most to promote the welfare, health and care of cats, honoring
writing excellence and the ability to communicate technical
information to the public. |
|
Cat
Writers’ Association Muse Medallions: |
| Best
Newspaper Column: 1997 through 1999, 2001 and 2003. |
| Best
Editorial/Opinion Newspaper Story, 2004 |
| Best
Online Feature: 2004 |
|
Best
Radio Presentation: 1997 through 2004
|
|
Dog
Writer’s Association of America Maxwell Medallions: |
| Best
Newspaper Column: 1996, 1999, 2003 |
| Best
Online Feature: 2000 |
| Best
Radio Show: 1996 through 2004 |
Special
Award: Best Newspaper Columnist/Publication of the Year, Dog
Writer’s Association of America, 1996 and 1999.
A dual award (no longer presented) to both
the newspaper for supporting columns, as well as for the
columnist. |
|
Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago, Media Person of the Year, 1997. |
| Pawlitzer
Prize, 1997 and 1999. |
| For supporting the sport of Canine Frisbee. |
| Cats
Chicago, Special Award, 1992 |
|
Extraordinary Performance in Broadcasting, Animal Protection
Institute of America, 1984. |
| For daily “All About Animals” feature,
which Steve produced. |
Back to top
|
