[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHq_q-ci_pA[/youtube]
White Pine presents: Pet Pharm. A film by Patrick Reed.
World Broadcast Premiere on CBC Doc Zone – Thursday, November 4 at 9p.m. ET on CBC-TV & Friday, November 5 p.m. ET/PT on CBC News Network.
Pet Pharm examines the business of Big Pharma for companion animals and ask what constitutes rationality in our treatment of the modern dog and cat.
Humankind has pulled animals into the human narrative since the dawn of our self-awareness. No longer are the majority of pets relegated to the backyard. Anthropomorphism compels us to want our companion animals to live like us–in health, wellness, consumables, wearables and edibles. We want our pets to have it all. But at what cost? And do we love them too much?
Pet Pharm a new film by Patrick Reed and White Pine investigates the newest trends which is the most controversial and revealing: psychoactive drugs for pets. Identifying a mulit-billion dollar untapped market, Big Pharma has just developed and released a handful of designer drugs for pets, treating aggression, separation anixety, obesity and diminished mental capacity related to aging, with many more medications to follow.
Pet Pharm follows a host of North American characters, including a veterinarian pioneering the use of psychiatric drugs in animals, a dog-training expert leading the opposition to these pet drugs, and four families struggling to cope with their own “problem pets.” Pet Pharm also journeys to Japan, the next frontier for puppy Prozac.
“Pet Pharm” is the creation of a skilled team of filmmakers-Patrick Reed and producer Peter Raymont’s previous collaborations include the award-winning “Shake Hands with the Devil” and “Triage:Dr.James Orbinski’s Humanitarian Dilemma.”
