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There are typically two responses when I tell someone I’m a freelance journalist who specializes in dogs. If I’m lucky, they’ll whip out their phone and show me photos of a beloved pup. But sometimes, I’m met with a look of confusion. “You only write about dogs?”

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My primary niche might seem narrow, but that’s not the case. I’ve had the chance to research incredibly varied topics, including:


- Dog and cat cloning in the U.S.
- The use of leeches in veterinary medicine
- How to keep a dog from acting racist
- Dog-friendly travel destinations
- Laws surrounding cannabis and pets
- Kidney transplants for cats
- Incarcerated men training dogs for adoption
- Work to prevent suicide among veterinarians
- Students raising guide dogs for the blind
- Why it’s important for domestic violence shelters to allow pets
- Volunteers helping pets and people fleeing Ukraine
- Breed-specific legislation, like pit bull bans

- Breaking news about pets and the coronavirus
- Fiona the Hippo’s latest book

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I often profile inspiring people and pets working to make the world a better place. I approach interviews with an open mind, a commitment to accuracy and compassion. One source recounting the death of her husband even told me I’m like a “journalist/therapist.”

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My work has appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, CNN, BBC News, Woman's World, Reader's Digest, The Daily Beast, the TODAY show’s website, Best Friends Magazine, Modern Dog, HuffPost, Family Dog, Inside Your Dog's  Mind, PBS’s Next Avenue, Just Labs, Tufts University’s Your Dog and many other publications.


On the book front, I co-authored the travel guidebook “Adventure Guide: Hawaii the Big Island,” photographed and edited “The Golf Fanatic’s Guide to Hawaii” and contributed to the anthology “Second-Chance Dogs.”


I am proud to be former president of the Dog Writers Association of America, which recently awarded me the Distinguished Service Award, and a member of the Cat Writers’ Association, Society of Professional Journalists, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Society for Features Journalism and the Denver Press Club.

About Jen

Awards

 

2024 National Dog Show Presented by Purina Excellence in Writing/Producing Award

Dog Writers Association of America

 

2024 AKC Reunite Microchip Awareness Award

Dog Writers Association of America

 

2024 Best Magazine Article: Breed

Dog Writers Association of America

 

2024 Best Online Article: Rescue

Dog Writers Association of America


2024 Best Online Article: Health

Dog Writers Association of America

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2024 Best Online Article: Any Other Topic

Dog Writers Association of America

 

2023 Pioneer Pet Behavioral Training Award

Cat Writers’ Association

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2023 Upward Dogology's Outdoor Adventure Award

Dog Writers Association of America

 

2023 Best Magazine Article: Any Other Topic

Dog Writers Association of America

 

2022 Catit Kitten Care and Rescue/Adoption Award

Cat Writers’ Association

 

2022 CATalyst Council Connect to Care Award

Cat Writers’ Association

 

2022 GoodNewsForPets.com Human-Animal Bond Award

Cat Writers’ Association

 

2022 Best Long Written Article: Rescue

Cat Writers’ Association

 

2022 Best Short Written Article: Rescue

Cat Writers’ Association

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2021 Distinguished Service Award

Dog Writers Association of America

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2021 The Grey Muzzle Award

Dog Writers Association of America

 

2021 Best Magazine Article: Rescue

Dog Writers Association of America

 

2021 Best Online Article: Health or General Care

Dog Writers Association of America

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2021 Best Short Written Article: Entertainment

Cat Writers’ Association

 

2020 Excellence in Features Award: Short Feature

Society for Features Journalism

 

2020 Best Magazine Article: Health or General Care

Dog Writers Association of America

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2020 The Pet Candy Award

Dog Writers Association of America

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2019 Outstanding Trade Article

American Society of Journalists and Authors

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2019 AAFP Cat Friendly Award

Cat Writers’ Association

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2019 The Fear Free Pets Award

Dog Writers Association of America

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2018 Solopreneur Winner for Pet Industry Woman of the Year

Women in the Pet Industry Network

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2018 Power of Pink Honoree

Germinder & Associates

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2018 Best Newspaper Article: Rescue

Cat Writers’ Association

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2018 Best Magazine Article: Any Other Topic

Cat Writers’ Association

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2018 How-To Article: Honorable Mention

American Society of Journalists and Authors

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2018 Best Newspaper Article: Health

Dog Writers Association of America

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2018 Best Newspaper Article: Any Other Topic

Cat Writers’ Association

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2017 AKC Club Publication Award

Dog Writers Association of America

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2016 Best Opinion Piece

Cat Writers’ Association

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2016 Best Feature Article

Colorado Authors’ League

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2016 AKC Microchipping Awareness Award

Dog Writers Association of America

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2016 Best Magazine Article: Rescue

Dog Writers Association of America

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2015 Azbee Award: Gold – Central Region

American Society of Business Publication Editors

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2015 Best Humor

Dog Writers Association of America

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