Jen Reeder

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?”

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

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.”

My work has appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, CNN, BBC News, Woman's World, Family Circle, 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

2021 Best Short Written Article: Entertainment

Cat Writers’ Association

2021 Distinguished Service Award

Dog Writers Association of America

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

2020 Excellence in Features Award: Short Feature

Society for Features Journalism

2020 Best Magazine Article: Health or General Care

Dog Writers Association of America

2020 The Pet Candy Award

Dog Writers Association of America

2019 Outstanding Trade Article

American Society of Journalists and Authors

2019 AAFP Cat Friendly Award

Cat Writers’ Association

2019 The Fear Free Pets Award

Dog Writers Association of America

2018 Solopreneur Winner for Pet Industry Woman of the Year

Women in the Pet Industry Network

2018 Power of Pink Honoree

Germinder & Associates

2018 Best Newspaper Article: Rescue

Cat Writers’ Association

2018 Best Magazine Article: Any Other Topic

Cat Writers’ Association

2018 How-To Article: Honorable Mention

American Society of Journalists and Authors

2018 Best Newspaper Article: Health

Dog Writers Association of America

2018 Best Newspaper Article: Any Other Topic

Cat Writers’ Association

2017 AKC Club Publication Award

Dog Writers Association of America

2016 Best Opinion Piece

Cat Writers’ Association

2016 Best Feature Article

Colorado Authors’ League

2016 AKC Microchipping Awareness Award

Dog Writers Association of America

2016 Best Magazine Article: Rescue

Dog Writers Association of America

2015 Azbee Award: Gold – Central Region

American Society of Business Publication Editors

2015 Best Humor

Dog Writers Association of America