>> Ted: COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, SECRETARY OF STATE ADRIAN FONTES JOINS US FOR A DISCUSSION ON A VARIETY OF ELECTION CONCERNS.
>>> A POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGIST TALKS ABOUT WORN-TORN NATIONS.
>>> THE ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY COMES UP WITH A WAY TO HELP SOLVE OVERCROWDING IN LOCAL SHELTERS.
THOSE STORIES AND NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.
>> Ted: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.
I'M TED SIMONS.
NEW ELECTION LAWS ARE RAISING CONCERNS OVER POTENTIAL THREATS TO STATE-WIDE ELECTION OPERATIONS AND THERE'S CONCERN OVER A NEW POLITICAL PARTY UPENDING THE STATE'S NOMINATING PROCESS.
JOINING US NOW IS ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE, ADRIAN FONTES.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CONFLICTING WITH ELECTIONS AND HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU WITH THAT?
>> I'M A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED.
I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS AROUND THE STATE WHO, YOU KNOW, ARE DISAPPOINTED.
WE HAD THE LEGISLATURE LOWER THE THRESHOLD FROM .2% TO .5% AND THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE IS THAT WE MAY MISS OPPORTUNITIES TO SEND VOTES OUT TO OUR ARMED FORCES AND FOLKS OVERSEAS AND WE MAY IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO MAY MISS A CHANCE TO SEAT ELECTORS.
BIG CONSEQUENCES AND I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY LOWER THEED THAT THRESH HOLD.
>> Ted: WHAT ARE YOU HEAR.
>> HEARING?
>> FOLKS WANT TO MAKE SURE VOTERS CAN VOTE.
I THINK THERE WAS A 587th 587th MILITARY POLICE RECENTLY DEPLOYED AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THEIR BALLOTS AND THAT'S THE PRIMARY AND GENERAL AND THOSE TIMINGS WILL BE OFF.
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE, I THINK EVERYBODY WANTS ARIZONA'S ELECTORS TO BE SEATED.
>> Ted: FOR THE PRIMARY MOVING THE AUGUST DATE TO JULY, IS THAT DOABLE?
>> THE ANNOUNCEMENTS HAVE GONE OUT AND ARIZONA LAW REQUIRES ELECTION OFFICIALS TO START AT 210 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ELECTION.
WE'RE COMING UP ON THE 180-DAY -- OUR eMINUS 180 DAYS AND SIX MONTHS OUT.
IT WOULD BE MORE DIFFICULT NOW VERSUS HAD WE FIXED THIS PROBLEM WHEN WE NEEDED TO.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET IT FIGURED OUT.
>> Ted: BALLOT PROOFING AND CURATING THAT DO TAKE TIME AFTER THE ELECTION AND CAN THAT TIME BE SHORTENED?
>> WELL, WHAT I WON'T DO, I WON'T PROMOTE A PLAN THAT WILL HARM VOTERS.
THAT BALLOT CURING PERIOD IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE YOUR I.D.
OR A PROBLEM WITH YOUR SIGNATURE, I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE THE VOTERS SUFFERING LESS TIME TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITH YOUR COUNTY OFFICIALS JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY REDUCED A THRESHOLD FOR NO REASON PARTNERSHIP DON'T.
I DON'T THINK THE VOTERS SHOULD OFFER BECAUSE OF A MISTAKE A LEGISLATOR MADE.
>> Ted: WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?
>> THEY'RE TALKING TO ELECTION FOLKS IN THE COUNTIES AND WE'RE ALL COMMUNICATING THROUGH A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT OFFICES.
I HOPE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS GETTING INVOLVED HERE.
SO I'M LOOKING TO ALL OF US TO GET TOGETHER AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR OUR VOTERS.
>> Ted: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NO-LABEL'S PARTY.
A FEDERAL JUDGE DISAGREES WITH YOU REGARDING THE PARTY.
A JUDGE SAYS THE PARTY HAS THE RIGHT TO STRUCTURE ITSELF.
YOU SAY THAT THE JUDGE'S DECISION COULD UPEND THE NOMINATING PROCESS IN THIS STATE.
WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
>> WELL, THE JUDGE IS WRONG.
WHAT ARIZONA'S VOTERS IN THOSE PETITIONS AND TALKING ABOUT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ARIZONA VOTERS SAY THEY WANTED TO VOTE FOR NO-LABEL'S PARTY CANDIDATES IN AUGUST PRIMARIES.
IT'S RIGHT THERE IN BLACK AND WHITE ON THE PETITIONS.
THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN THAT RACE IS IN MARCH AND NOT AUGUST.
AUGUST IS CONGRESS, CORPORATION COMMISSION AND COUNTIES.
THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA WANTED A NO-LABEL'S PARTY UNDER THE REGULAR RULES AND THE JUDGE SAID SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
THE NO-LABELS IS SAYING DIFFERENT.
EITHER NO LABELS LIED OR THE JUDGE GOT IT WRONG OR BOTH OF THOSE THINGS, WHICH I THINK ARE TRUE.
WE'LL APPEAL AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND HOPING THAT COMES SOON.
>> Ted: SO YOU ARE GOING TO APPEAL THIS, BUT WHEN THE JUDGE SAID THAT THE PARTY DOES HAVE THE RIGHT OR SHOULD BE ABLE TO DECIDE WHO REPRESENTS THE PARTY, HOW IS THAT DECISION WRONG?
AND HOW DOES THAT DECISION UPEND THE NOMINATING PROCESS?
>> FIRST AND MOTHER FOREMOST, THAT'S NOT WHAT ARIZONA WANTED.
THEY SAID ARIZONA PRIMARIES AND NUMBER TWO, WE HAVE CANDIDATES WHO HAVE FILED NOTICES OF INTENT FOR THOSE THAT HAVE PRIMARIES IN AUGUST.
SO WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS.
NUMBER THREE, WE JUST DON'T DO IT THAT WAY IN ARIZONA.
THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE, THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE, THEY DON'T GET TO DECIDE WHAT RACES THEIR CANDIDATES RUN IN.
THE CANDIDATES GET PETITION SIGNATURES AND THE VOTERS DECIDE WHO MOVES ON TO THE GENERAL.
THAT'S HOW IT HAS WORKED.
SO SUDDENLY, WE HAVE A VERY, VERY DIFFERENT SPACE WHERE IMAGINE THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE SAYING WE'RE JUST NOT GOING TO RUN ANYBODY FOR CONGRESS THIS YEAR.
THAT'S WHAT THIS RULING FROM THE JUDGE SAYS AND THAT'S JUST WRONG.
>> Ted: AND THE PARTY SAYS, NO LABEL PARTY SAYS, YEAH, BUT THIS KEEPS OUR PARTY FROM BEING HIJACKED.
TO THEY HAVE A POINT?
>> NO.
NO PARTY HAS BEEN OFFERED THIS VERY, VERY SPECIAL AND PRIVILEGED TREATMENT TO SAY THAT SOMEBODY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL GETS TO DECIDE IN ARIZONA FOR ARIZONA'S VOTERS OVER WHAT THE ARIZONA VOTERS ACTUALLY ASKED FOR IN THE FIRST PLACE.
IT'S UNPRECEDENTED AND I THINK THEY'LL LOSE AT THE END.
WHETHER YOU LIKE THE NO-LABEL'S PARTY OR NOT, ARIZONA VOTERS GRANTED THEM PARTY STATUS UNDER ARIZONA LAW, AND MY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THOSE ARIZONA VOTER WISHES ARE UPHELD.
>> Ted: YOU DON'T LIKE THE WAY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS LOOKING AT THE THREATS AND THESE THINGS AGAINST ELECTION WORKERS.
YOU'RE FRUSTRATED AND SAYING THAT THEY'RE FAILING TO RESPOND WITH SUFFICIENT ENERGY AND UNGENCY.
EXPLAIN YOURSELF, PLEASE.
>> THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS.
YOU KNOW, THE DEFINITION OF TERRORISM IS THREATS OR VIOLENCE TO MEET A POLITICAL END.
AND WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IN THIS COUNTRY IS ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS SPECIFICALLY AND POLL WORKERS AND FOLKS BEING THREATENED WITH VIOLENCE OR HAVING ACTS OF VIOLENCE COMMITTED AGAINST THEM TO ACHIEVE A POLITICAL END.
THAT'S DOMESTIC TERRORISM AND I DON'T THINK THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS ACTING WITH THE KIND OF URGENCY.
I WAS CLEAR AS A ROLLING STONE, THIS ISN'T A WHITE HOUSE ISSUE.
WE WANT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTSTIES TOJUSTICE TO ACT INDEPENDENTLY.
THERE ARE SOME THAT WANT THIS A POLITICAL TOOL OF THE POLITICAL END.
I DON'T.
I WANT THE POLICE JUSTICE TO DO ITS JOB, THE WAY THEY DID DURING THE CIVIL RIGHT'S MOVEMENT WHEN SO MANY BAD ACTORS WERE RUNNING AMUCK IN THIS COUNTRY.
THEY NEED TO BUCKLE DOWN ON THESE FOLKS THREATENING OUR ELECTION WORKERS.
THEY NEED TO CELEBRATE THE PROSECUTESES THAT THEY GET MORE VIGOROUSLY AND NEED TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN THEIR INVESTIGATION.
>> Ted: CONSEQUENCES HERE IF NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED.
WHAT HAPPENS OUT THERE?
>> WE'VE LOST ELECTION OFFICIALS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN 12 OF THE 15 COUNTIES AND WE'RE HAVING A TOUGH TIME MAKING SURE EVERYBODY IS TRAINED AND EQUIPPED TO GET THE ELECTIONS DONE THAT NEED TO BE DONE FOR OUR VOTERS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT THIS IS, THIS IS ADVOCATING FOR FOLKS WHO TAKE CARE OF OUR VOTERS.
IT'S NOT ME AND THE MEDIA OR NOT EVEN THE ELECTION OFFICIALS.
BUT IF THE ELECTION'S OFFICIALS AROUND THERE AND IF WE LOST THAT MUCH EXPERIENCE, IT'S THE VOTERS THAT SUFFER.
THAT'S THE PROBLEM HERE AND THAT'S WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE NEEDS TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER ON.
>> Ted: A QUOTE FROM THE STORY HERE, THE DOJ, MORE WORRIED ABOUT APPROPRIATIONS THAN KEEPING THE PEACE AND PRESERVING DEMOCRACY.
THAT'S HEAVY-HANDED THERE.
>> LOOK, SOMEBODY HAS SOMEBODY HAS TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO BE IN A SPACE IN AMERICA AND YOU'RE DOING YOUR JOB AND PEOPLE ARE THREATENING YOUR LIFE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ISN'T DOING ANYTHING.
PARTICULARLY WHEN YOUR JOB IS PRESERVING AND PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY.
IF THESE WERE PROSECUTORS OR COPS, THEY WOULD ACT DIFFERENTLY.
AND IF I WAS TO DO A JOB THAT I EXPECTED DANGER IN, MAYBE A CONSTRUCTION SITE OR MAYBE SOMETHING MORE DANGEROUS BY NATURE, THESE ARE CLERICAL JOBS.
THESE FOLKS ARE THREATING THREATENED BECAUSE OF A POLITICAL DISAGREEMENT AND THAT'S NOT HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK IN THIS COUNTRY.
I EXPECT THOSE FOLKS TO STEP IT UP.
THEY HAVE ADMITTEDLY DONE SOME PROSECUTIONS AND THERE'S NO DETER ANFORRENT.
>> Ted: LET'S TALK ABOUT MISINFORMATION BECAUSE IT'S OUT THERE IN AND MUCH IS GROUNDED IN MISINFORMATION.
ELON MUSK CAME OUT AND HIS QUOTE, ARIZONA CLEARLY STATES THAT TO PROOF OF THE CITIZENSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR FEDERAL ELECTION.
THAT'S NOT TRUE.
IT'S NOT RIGHT, BUT HE HAS A VERY BIG AUDIENCE.
HOW DO YOU COUNTER SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
>> THE BOTTOM LINE, WITH HAVE TO COUNTER IT WITH THE TRUTH.
ELON MUSK IS WRONG.
ARIZONA LIKE EVERY OTHER STATE HAS THE SAME CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS.
WE DO IT A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.
IN FACT, ARIZONA IS UNIQUE IN THE WAY WE REQUIRE A DOCUMENT A PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP.
WE DO BETTER FOR THIS SORT OF THING THAN ANYBODY ELSE DONE.
ELON MUSK, UNLIKE OTHER FOLKS, HE DOESN'T KNOW A THING ABOUT ARIZONA'S ELECTION SYSTEMS.
HE'S BASICALLY TALKING FROM A PLACE OF IGNORANCE, WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE HE HAS SUCH A LARGE AUDIENCE.
IT'S EXACTLY THIS KIND OF MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION THAT MAKES ME CRINGE.
HE SHOULD KNOW BETTER.
A KIND OF WITH THOSE KIND OF RESOURCES SHOULD BE MORE RESPONSIBLE WITH THE BULLY PULPIT HE HAS.
>> Ted: WHAT CAN YOU DO TO COUNTER MISINFORMATION?
WE'RE HEADING INTO THE BELLY OF THE BEAST AS FAR AS THE ELECTION SEASON IS CONCERNED.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
>> I CAN LEAN ON GOOD NATURED FOLKS LIKE YOU AND THE REST OF THE FOLKS IN MEDIA AND TALK TO CITIZENS AND ASK FOLKS TO GO TO TRUSTED SOURCES OF INFORMATION, YOUR LOCAL COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE WEBSITES.
DON'T JUST BELIEVE WHATEVER YOU HEAR.
EVEN IF IT'S SOME RANDOM, YOU KNOW, CELEBRITY OR PERSON WHO'S RICH BECAUSE THEY WON THE LOTTERY AT BIRTH.
THESE ARE THE FOLKS WHO, YOU KNOW, YOU MIGHT GET YOUR OPINIONS ON WHEN IT COMES TO A COLOR OF A VEHICLE, BUT WITH OUR DEMOCRACY AND THE RULES OF THE ROAD, THE TIME, PLACE AND MANNER FOR VOTING AND PRESERVING THAT RIGHT THAT YOU HAVE AS A VOTER, GO TO THOSE TRUSTED SOURCES TO GIVE YOU THE TRUTH FIRST.
BEFORE YOU JUST LISTEN TO SOME HALF-COCKED OPINION.
>> Ted: UP NEXT, A PSYCHOLOGIST DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS DURING TIMES OF REGIONAL CONFLICT.
>> AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY IS JUST BEGINNING WHERE EVERY LITTLE STEP COUNTS.
THIS TINY CHAMELEON AND WATER BOWL TRAVEL ACROSS STRANGE NEW WORLDS IN THEIR QUEST TO MATE.
THE ODDS ARE STACKED AGAINST THEM, BUT THE GREATEST ADVENTURES ARE THE SMALLEST.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 ON ARIZONA PBS.
>> NEXT TIME AS SERGEANT TROY IS RECRUITED TO JOIN A CRICKET TEAM, A WOMAN IS MURDERED.
>> SHATTERED THE SKULL.
>> AND THE WEAPON USED WAS UNUSUAL.
>> SHE WAS KILLED WITH A CRICKET.
>> THE PRIME SUSPECT IS THE VICTIM'S ABRASIVE HUSBAND.
>> THESE GENTLEMEN ARE POLICE OFFICERS.
>> MIDSUMMER MURDERS.
>> THURSDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 ON ARIZONA PBS.
>> Ted: PAIN AND TRAUMA IMPACT NOT ONLY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, BUT ALSO COUNTRIES AND REGIONS AS WARS ARE WAGED AROUND THE WORD.
A PSYCHOLOGIST THAT CAN HELP ON THE PERSONAL LEVEL CAN ALSO HELP NATIONS EXPERIENCING POLITICAL CONFLICT.
MORE FOR ON THIS, WE WELCOME DR. EILEEN BORRIS TEACHING CONFLICT FORGIVENESS.
BEFORE WE CAME ON, YOU HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WORD "CONFLICT" AND CORRECT ME HERE.
>> IT'S POLITICAL FORGIVENESS.
AND IT'S USING THE CONCEPTS OF FORGIVENESS AND APPLYING IT TO THE POLITICAL ARENA.
SO IT'S WORKING NOT OWN ONLY ON THE INDIVIDUAL LEFT.
HOW DO WE HEAL AND BEGIN TO APPLY PRINCIPLES TO POLITICS.
, GROUPS, HEALING.
>> Ted: I'VE INTERVIEWED A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THIS PROGRAM AND NEVER INTERVIEWED A POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGIST.
WHAT IS THAT?
>> IT'S A PSYCHOLOGIST LIKE MYSELF, BUT I'LL TAKING PSYCHOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES AND I'M APPLYING THEM TO THE POLITICAL ARENA.
FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT CONFLICT RESOLUTION, YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT PSYCHOLOGICAL DYNAMICS AND HOW DO WE USE THOSE DYNAMICS TO HELP RESOLVE CONFLICT?
NEGOTIATION USES THE SAME PRINCIPLES.
NOW WHAT I HAVE DONE IS I'VE TAKEN PSYCHOLOGICAL DYNAMICS THAT TAKE PLACE WITHIN A PERSON WHO IS LEARNING HOW TO FORGIVE AND APPLY THAT TO THE POLITICAL ARENA.
>> Ted: I KNOW YOU HAVE A BOOK WITH A SEVEN-STEP PROGRAM FOR LETTING GO, ANGER AND BITTERNESS.
COMPARE DEALING WITH AN INDIVIDUAL AND DEALING WITH TWO NATIONS OR A REGION EMBROILED IN VERY SERIOUS BUSINESS.
>> I LOOK AT HOW DO WE BILL BUILD THE PLATFORM OF SOCIETY.
THE SOCIETY IS MADE UP OF INDIVIDUALS.
SO YOU FIRST WORK WITH THE INDIVIDUALS AND I HAVE A FORMAT, A MODEL, INN IN WHICH I TEACH INDIVIDUALS HOW TO HEAL FROM THEIR GRIEVANCES, HOW TO BEGIN TO LET GO OF WHAT'S BOTHERING THEM.
SMALL THINGS.
AND THEN I TAKE THEM THROUGH A PROCESS OF HOW DO WE LEARN HOW TO LISTEN TO ONE ANOTHER VERY DEEPLY?
JUST LIKE YOU'RE LISTENING TO ME DEEPLY.
HOW DO WE GET TO FEEL HEARD AND TO BE HEARD?
AND THAT'S A SKILL-BUILDING PROCESS THAT GOES ON.
AND THEN WE GO INTO DEEP STORIES.
SO YOU'RE BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THERE OTHER PERSON IS COMING FROM.
YOUR BACKGROUND IS DIFFERENT THAN MY BACKGROUND.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND HOW DID YOUR BELIEFS FORM?
WHAT SHAPED YOU?
>> Ted: IS IT MORE CHALLENGING TO REPAIR WHAT'S BROKEN AS OPPOSED TO MAYBE REPAIR WHAT'S INHERITED?
>> I THINK SO.
I THINK SO BECAUSE WHAT'S REALLY BROKEN, THERE'S TRAUMA AROUND IT.
AND WHEN YOU'RE WORKING WITH A FORGIVENESS PROCESS, IT PARALLELS A TRAUMA HEALING PROCESS.
IT'S HELPING US TO COME OUT OF OUR SILENCE AND TELL THOSE STORIES AND NOT BE AFRAID AND TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK IN A PLACE WHERE IT'S SAFE.
AND SO, THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES BENEATH WHAT'S BROKEN, THE PAIN, THE SUFFERING.
AND THERE AGAIN, IT'S TAKING A LOOK AT, WHAT ARE THE BELIEFS THAT IS FUELING ALL OF THIS, EVEN OUR PAIN AND SUFFERING THAT'S GETTING IN THE WAY SO WE CANNOT SEE, LET'S SAY, THE OTHER, IN A CLEARER WAY.
>> Ted: IN ORDER TO GET THERE, THOUGH, YOU HAVE TO GET THERE.
AND THAT'S PROBABLY -- BEFORE THE FIRST STEP, THAT'S THE FIRST STEP, CORRECT?
>> YES.
AND THAT'S WHY I START WITH THE INDIVIDUAL AND HOW TO HELP THEM HEAL THROUGH THEIR OWN WORK IN FORGIVENESS.
THAT'S WHY THAT PIECE IS SO IMPORTANT.
HOW CAN WE LET GO OF OUR ANGER AND BITTERNESS SO WE CAN BEGIN TO MOVE FORWARD AND LISTEN TO OTHERS?
>> Ted: YOU'VE WORKED IN RUSSIA, LIBERIA AND ETHIOPIA AND ARE OTHER CULTURES OPEN TO RECONCILIATION?
>> YES.
THERE ARE CULTURES THAT ARE CHRISTIAN BASED, FOR EXAMPLE, AND SO FORGIVENESS COMES EASIER TO THEM.
BUT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT FORGIVENESS MEANS.
IT'S NOT ABOUT TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK.
IT'S NOT ABOUT NOT HOLDING SOMEONE ACCOUNTABLE.
IT'S ABOUT YOUR OWN INNER HEALING.
IT'S ABOUT YOU TAKING A LOOK WITHIN YOURSELF AND LEARNING HOW TO WORK THROUGH THE ANGER, WORK THROUGH THE FEAR AND GUILT AND TO BE ABLE TO LET IT GO.
>> Ted: LAST QUESTION HERE, IN ORDER FOR ALL OF THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN, BOTH SIDES NEED TO BUY IN OR CAN IT ONLY BE ONE SIDE?
>> ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT POLITICAL FORGIVENESS IS THAT PEOPLE MUST BE WILLING TO REPAIR A RELATIONSHIP.
THEY MUST BE ABLE TO COMMIT TO THAT.
THEY MUST BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEED TO LEARN HOW TO SPEAK OUR TRUTH AND TOLERANT BUT TO LEARN EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING AND BE COMMITTED TO REPAIRING A RELATIONSHIP.
>> Ted: VERY INTERESTING STUFF HERE.
DR. EILEEN BORRIS, POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGIST.
WE FINALLY INTERVIEWED A POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGIST.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
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BUT OUR GARDEN CAN'T KEEP GROWING WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE ALL THE WAYS YOU CAN HELP OUR GARDEN GROW.
PLANT A SEED WITH ARIZONA PBS TODAY.
>> I'M JEFF BENNETT.
THE LATEST FROM THE NEW BRUNSWICK REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES COMING UP AT 6:00 ON ARIZONA PBS.
>> Ted: THE ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY HAS COME UP WITH A NEW WAY TO ALLEVIATE OVERCROWDING AND SHELTERS BUT HELPS STUDENTS OF VETERINARY MEDICINE.
WE WELCOME KELSEY DICKERSON AND JOSEPH CASADOS AND WHO ARE OUR LITTLE FRIENDS?
>> THIS IS NALA AND SIMBA.
>> Ted: WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?
>> A HOARDING CASE WHERE THERE WAS MORE THAN 20 CATS LIVING IN A BEDROOM.
>> Ted: OH, MY GOODNESS!
>> THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HAVING SO MANY ANIMALS COMING THROUGH OUR DOORS IN AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF NUMBERS IN TEN YEARS.
>> Ted: I WANT TO GET BACK TO THAT, BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH STUDENTS OUT THERE, VETERINARIAN STUDENTS WHO MIGHT GET A CHANCE TO HELP THESE LITTLE CRITTERS.
>> IN DECEMBER, WE EXPANDED OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH WEST MEC BECAUSE OF OVERCAPACITY CONCERNS THAT WE'VE BEEN HAPPENING AND SO, WE SENT JACK, BELUGA AND BEAU, THREE PUPS TO WHERE THE STAFF AND STUDENTS CARED FOR THEM WHILE THEY AWAITED THEIR TIME TO GO UP FOR ADOPTION.
IT HELPED THE STUDENTS TO GET HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WITH THE PUPS TAKING THEIR VITALS AND EVERYTHING YOU WOULD DO FOR A WELLNESS CHECK-UP.
>> Ted: A LITTLE TLC, CORRECT?
>> EXACTLY.
IT'S GREAT WHEN WE CAN HELP STUDENTS TO GET HANDS ON EXPERIENCE AND HOPEFULLY HELP INSPIRE THEM TO BE VETERINARIANS BECAUSE THERE IS SUCH A SHORTAGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND FREE UP SPACE TO CONTINUE TO HELP THE MOST VULNERABLE PETS IN THE VALLEY.
>> Ted: YOU TALK ABOUT HOARDING CASES AND YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS EXTENT.
IS IT WORSE OR MORE IN TERMS OF NUMBERS?
>> SO THIS LAST YEAR ALONE, THE ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY BROUGHT IN 22,000 SICK, INJURED AND ABUSED PETS AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN THESE NUMBERS IN TEN YEARS, AT LEAST.
IT'S BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITY IS FACING A CRISIS.
SO NOT JUST HERE IN ARIZONA, BUT OUR SHELTERS OVER CAPACITY ALL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS.
THERE'S ECONOMIC STRUGGLES AND HOUSING INSTABILITY AND WE'RE SEEING AN INCREASE OF OWNERS, AS WELL.
INFLATION IS HUGE AND IT'S HARD TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD SERVICES.
SO ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT GOES IS PETS.
>> Ted: WHAT ABOUT THE PANDEMIC?
>> THERE'S A HUGE FALLOUT AND PEOPLE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THEIR PETS SPAYED AND NEUTERS AND A LOT OF ACCIDENTAL LITTERS.
WHEN THERE'S A HUGE MEDICAL EXPENSE THAT WAS PRESENTED WITH THE PREVENTATIVE MEDICAL APPOINTMENT, THAT MAY HAVE FOSTERED OVER THE YEARS OF NOT GETTING INTO A VETERINARIAN, AS WELL, WHICH IS WHY THIS PARTNERSHIP IS SO AMAZING.
>> Ted: LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT PARTNERSHIP GUN WITH VETERINARIAN MEDICINE STUDENTS.
WE NEED VETS OUT THERE, DON'T WE?
>> YES.
THERE'S BEEN A SHORTAGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WE'RE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING WITH OUR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO INSPIRE VET ASSISTANTS AND ANYBODY IN THE MEDICAL FIELD FOR PETS BECAUSE IT IS SO IMPORTANT.
>> Ted: THE RISE IN CRUELTY CASES, WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THAT AND WHY IS THAT GOING ON?
I UNDERSTAND HOMELESSNESS AND UNDERSTANDING ECONOMIC SITUATIONS, BUT THE CRUELTY, I DON'T GET.
WHAT IS THAT ABOUT, PLEASE?
>> JUST LAST YEAR, WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 15,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE AND OPENED NEARLY TEN THOUSAND ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS AND SO WE'VE BEEN SEEING SUCH A MAJOR INCREASE IN THAT THAT WE WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SENATOR TJ SHOPE TO STRENGTHEN THE ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS IN ARIZONA.
>> Ted: STRENGTHENING ANIMAL CRUELTY AND REDEFINING IT?
>> I WOULD SAY BETTER DEFINING AND MORE SPECIFICALLY, MAKING SURE THE LAW STATES THAT WE'RE PROVIDING APPROPRIATE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND CARE FOR PETS AND IT SPECIFICALLY DEFINED ABUSE AS THE LACK OF MEDICAL ATTENTION NEEDED AND THEN ALSO DEFINING FOOD AND WATER AS FIT FOR CONSUMPTION AND ADEQUATE FOR THE SPECIES AND DEFINING SHELTER AS SOMETHING THAT WILL PROTECT FROM EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS.
>> Ted: THAT'S A BIG DEAL.
I HAD HEARD OF ALL OF THE ANIMALS ON THE PROGRAM, THIS LITTLE KITTY IS THE MOST DOCILE I'VE HAD.
THIS IS AMAZING.
[ Laughter ] >> I THINK SHE'LL HAVE TO GO HOME WITH YOU, TED.
>> Ted: WE HAVE ONE THAT LOOKS JUST LIKE HER.
I'VE HEARD AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THAT THE NUMBER OF CATS AND KITTENS HAS LEVELED OFF OR BETTER THAN YOU EXPECTED?
RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT CAT AND KITTEN SEASON BUT IN A MONTH, WE'LL HAVE PLENTY OF KITTENS READY.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE STRUGGLING WITH DOG SPACE.
ESPECIALLY THE DOG SPACE, SITTING ON ADOPTION FLOORS AND STRUGGLING FOR ADOPTION SPACE AND LAUNCHING 49 OF THE LONGEST ADOPTION CANDIDATES THAT OUR DOGS HAVE JUST $49 ADOPTION FEES.
A WONDERFUL WAY TO HELP CARE FOR MORE SICK, INJURED AND ABUSED PETS.
>> Ted: DRIVE BY VAN BUREN AND THAT'S SERIOUS BUSINESS.
>> IT WILL ALLOW US TO TREAT MORE PETS IN NEED AND WE'LL FIT 25% MORE PATIENTS IN OUR TRAUMA HOSPITAL AND EXPANDED OUR PARTNERSHIP THROUGH OUR VETERINARIAN SCHOOL, AS WELL.
>> Ted: BEFORE YOU GO, JUST THE CONCEPTS OF ANIMALS AND GETTING THEM ADOPTED AND ANIMAL CRUELTY AND HAVE YOU NOTICED A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE PUBLICALLY ABOUT THIS OVER THE YEARS?
>> YOU KNOW, I WOULD SAY THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS BEHIND US MORE THAN EVER.
WE CONDO THE WORK THAT WE DO RIGHT NOW WITHOUT DOCTORS, FOSTERS AND VOLUNTEERS.
I THINK, TOO, EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO LET PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THESE ARE LIVING BEINGS AND THAT THERE ARE LAWS THAT PROTECT THEM AND THERE ARE RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE OUT THERE, AS WELL.
SO THAT'S A HUGE PART OF WHAT IT DOES, TO KEEP PETS IN LOVING HOMES OUT OF OUR OVERCROWDED SHELTER.
IF ANYONE IS STRUGGLING TO KEEP A PET IN THEIR HOME, REACH OUT TO US.
WE WOULD RATHER KEEP THEM IN A LOVING HOME AND OUT OF A SHELTER.
>> Ted: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
AND THANK YOU, TOO.
YOU HAVE SUCH A GOOD GUEST INDEPENDENT GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH.
>> VERY GOOD TO BE HERE.
>> Ted: THAT'S IT FOR NOW.
I'M TED SIMONS.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING!
