TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," INCREASING CONCERNS OVER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S INTERFERENCE IN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

>>> ALSO TONIGHT, A NEW MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURE THAT COULD ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR OPEN-HEART SURGERY.

>>> AND A PROGRAM THAT INVITES VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE SHELTER DOGS ON DAY-LONG FIELD TRIPS.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

.

TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

THE NOMINATION OF ACTING U.S.

ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE WAS APPROVED BY THE U.S.

SENATE AND JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, THE VOTE FOLLOWED BLANCHE REACHING AGREEMENT WITH REPUBLICAN HOLDOUTS REGARDING A COMPENSATION FUND THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTS TO PAY AMONG OTHERS JANUARY 6 RIOTERS AND BROAD TAX IMMUNITY TO THE PRESIDENT AND HIS FAMILY.

BLANCHE'S CONFIRMATION BY THE FULL SENATE IS NOT A DONE DEAL WITH REPUBLICANS JOINING DEMOCRATS OVER CONCERNS OF THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PRESIDENT.

JOINING US IS PAUL CHARLTON, A PARTNER AT DENTON'S LAW FIRM.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS, TED.

TED: THIS IS BASICALLY WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

WE HEARD RUMBLINGS NOT ALL REPUBLICANS AND THE FULL SENATE ARE ON BOARD WITH THIS GUY?

>> A LOT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT AND FOCUSED ON INCLUDING FROM THE REPUBLICANS.

SENATOR TILLIS WHO VOTED TO VOTE HIM OUT OF THE COMMITTEE PREVIOUSLY CALLED THIS $1.8 MILLION ANTI-WEAPONIZATION FUND A POT FOR PUNKS TO PAY INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN ASSAULTING POLICE OFFICERS ON JANUARY 6, AND THE IMMUNITY DEAL WAS SO BROAD IN ITS INITIAL CREATION, THAT IT WOULD HAVE GIVEN TRUMP IMMUNITY AND HIS FAMILY, NOT FOR HAVING TO PAY TAXES IN THE PAST BUT PROTECT HIM FROM HAVING TO PAY TAXES IN THE FUTURE.

TED: OKAY, WE GOT TWO BIG THINGS THERE, BOTH THINGS, SOME ARE CALLING A SLUSH FUND, THE $1.8 BILLION.

THIS IS TAXPAYER MONEY, AND I WANT TO GET TOO DEEP IN THE WEEDS HERE, THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE PRESIDENT ESSENTIALLY SUING HIMSELF AND PAYING HIMSELF?

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> PRECISELY RIGHT.

AN ACT IN WHICH THE PRESIDENT SUES THE GOVERNMENT THAT HE LEADS, SO THERE'S AN IDEA THAT THERE IS, IN A VERY REAL WAY, COLLUSION.

THE JUDGE WHO HAD THIS MATTER IN FLORIDA IS DOING ITS OWN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS A FRAUD ON THE COURT.

A PRETEND LAWSUIT WHICH BOTH PARTIES WERE AGREEING TO PAY ONE AND THE OTHER.

THE OTHER ASPECT OF THIS THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, TED, IS THAT THIS IS VERY MUCH LIKE A CONTRACT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP, HIS FAMILY, THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IN WHICH THEY WOULD RECEIVE THESE FUNDS, THEY WOULD RECEIVE THIS IMMUNITY.

WHATEVER IT IS, ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE SAYS HE WANTS TO DO IN THE FUTURE TO CHANGE THAT AGREEMENT, CANNOT BE CHANGED UNLESS PRESIDENT TRUMP, HIS SONS AND THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION AGREE TO THAT CHANGE.

SO IT MEANS THAT EVERYTHING TODD BLANCHE IS TELLING THE SENATE NOW IS A KIND OF WINDOW DRESSING OVER WHAT IS AN AGREEMENT THAT MAKES A NUMBER OF SENATORS, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, UNCOMFORTABLE.

TED: I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT, THE TWO HOLDOUTS, THEY WANTED THIS IN WRITING, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID NO, IF I SAY IT, WE DON'T NEED IT IN WRITING.

THEY SAID IF YOU DON'T PUT IT IN WRITING, WE'RE GOING TO VOTE YOU OUT.

HE PUTS IT IN WRITING, IS THAT BINDING?

>> IT WOULDN'T BE, IF I SOLD YOU A CAR FOR A THOUSAND DOLLARS AND YOU AGREED WITH SOMEBODY ELSE NOT TO BUY THE CAR.

YOUR DISCUSSION WITH OTHER PEOPLE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR AGREEMENT.

THE SAME THING OCCURRING HERE.

A BINDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT, HIS SONS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THIS IS A KIND OF PAN SEE -- PANACEA THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COULD CHANGE ITS MIND LATER ON BUT ENOUGH TO ASSUAGE THE TWO SENATORS OBJECTING TO HIS NOMINATION.

TED: THERE IS NOTHING TO STOP ONCE TODD BLANCHE IS VOTED IN AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, FOR THE PRESIDENT TO SAY, AND HE SAID HE LIKES THE IDEA OF THE FUND.

HE WANTS TO PAY THESE PEOPLE THIS MONEY.

I'M GOING AHEAD WITH IT, ANYWAY.

>> THAT'S NOT THE ONLY CONCERN WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THIS IS AN ATTORNEY GENERAL OVERSEEING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WHICH GRAND JURIES ARE REFUSING TO RETURN INDICTMENTS, INCLUDING OUR OWN SENATOR MARK KELLY.

WHY IS THAT?

SOMETHING THAT'S REMARKABLE BECAUSE GRAND JURIES, AND I'VE BEEN IN FRONT OF HUNDREDS OF THEM, NEVER RETURN NO BILLS.

NEVER FAIL TO RETURN AN INDICTMENT BECAUSE PROSECUTORS TYPICALLY HAVE THE KIND OF EVIDENCE THAT WOULD SUPPORT A PROBABLE CAUSE FINDING BY A GRAND JURY AND A TRIAL AND PROOF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

HERE, TODD BLANCHE AS DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL AND ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS OVERSEEN PROSECUTIONS, INVESTIGATIONS IN WHICH GRAND JURIES ARE REPEATEDLY SAYING WE REFUSE TO INDICT BECAUSE THERE IS INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THESE CHARGES.

SO IF THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO DOESN'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SHOULD OPERATE, AND I USE THIS WORD INTENTIONALLY, A JUST FASHION, HE MAY NOT BE THE RIGHT PERSON TO BE CONFIRMED FOR THIS POSITION WHICH HE LEADS THAT DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

>> I WANT TO GET TO THE TAX IMMUNITY ASPECT OF THIS, TOO.

THESE ARE THE TWO THINGS THE SENATORS WANTED TO SEE ADDRESSED.

SOUNDS LIKE THERE WAS SOME LIMIT REGARDING THIS TAX IMMUNITY.

GOODNESS GRACIOUS, THE PRESIDENT GETS CARTE BLANCHE AS FAR AS TAXES, AND HIS FAMILY, THEY WOULD BE COMPLETELY OFF THE HOOK FOR ANYTHING.

>> "FORBES" MAGAZINE ESTIMATES THAT THE TOTAL BENEFITS TO THE PRESIDENT AND HIS FAMILY IS $600 MILLION IN TAXES HE WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY AS A PENALTY, BUT IMPORTANTLY, AND AGAIN, THE PROMISE THAT NOW ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE IS MAKING TO THE SENATE IS A ONE-PAGE DOCUMENT, THERE IS NO AGREEMENT WITH THE PRESIDENT HE HAS TO COMPLY WITH THAT, WITH HIS SONS OR THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION, THEY COULD ALLOW FOR A LAWSUIT TO SPECIFICALLY ENFORCE THE BROADER IMMUNITY THAT WOULD HAVE PROTECTED THE PRESIDENT FOR PAST EVENTS AND FOR FUTURE.

TED: WHAT WAS THE HUBBUB, THEN?

THEY WERE SAYING WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO AHEAD UNLESS YOU DO THIS.

WHAT, NO BIGGIE?

>> AND SEEMS THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS SOMETHING THEY, THE TWO SENATORS WHO ARE INITIALLY OBJECTING, ACKNOWLEDGE IS REALLY A PROMISE THAT COULD EASILY BE BROKEN BY TODD BLANCHE OR BY THE PRESIDENT, BUT IT WAS ENOUGH FOR THEM TO CHANGE THEIR VOTES.

TED: OVERSEEING ALL THIS, AND YOU REFER TO THIS, IS THE IDEA, THE IDEA AT LEAST THAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT THE PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL LAW FIRM.

THE PRESIDENT SEEMS TO THINK THAT IT IS, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THE PREVIOUS ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL NOW AND COULD VERY POSSIBLY BE THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL, THEY DON'T SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

WHY SHOULD AMERICANS BE CONCERNED THAT THERE IS NO FIRE WALL THERE?

>> A COUPLE OF REASONS.

NUMBER ONE, IF YOU HIRED A LAWYER, YOU WANT A LAWYER WHO IS GOING TO GIVE YOU AN HONEST VIEW, AN OPINION, THAT REFLECTS THE LAW AND THE FACTS HONESTLY, SO YOU'RE NOT MISLED INTO BEGINNING A LAWSUIT THAT'S GOING TO END UP TERRIBLY BAD.

THAT'S THE FIRST PIECE OF THIS.

THIS ISN'T JUST A HIRING OF A CIVIL LAWYER.

THIS IS THE LAWYER WHO CAN TAKE OUR LIBERTY INTERESTS AWAY.

THIS IS A LAWYER WHO CAN PROSECUTE US AND TAKE OUR VERY LIVES THROUGH THE DEATH PENALTY.

IN THAT INSTANCE, YOU WANT A PROSECUTOR, YOU WANT THE LEAD PROSECUTOR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, TO BE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS FAIR AND IMPARTIAL AND WHO CAN TELL THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WE'RE NOT GOING TO PURSUE YOUR POLITICAL ENEMIES.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO PURSUE YOUR POLITICAL GOALS.

WE'RE GOING TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST.

TED: DOES IT SEEM LIKE TODD BLANCHE IS THAT GUY?

>> ISN'T IT SO FAR.

HIS RECORD BETRAYS THE INABILITY TO UNDERSTAND HIS ROLES AT LEADER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND HIS PREVIOUS ROLE AS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY.

HE'S INDICATED, AND HE SAID IF I'M NOMINATED TO BE THE PRESIDENT'S ATTORNEY GENERAL, I WILL TELL THE PRESIDENT I LOVE YOU.

HE HAD A MIS-SLIP, A FREUDIAN SLIP WHICH INDICATED HE WAS THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYER, CORRECTED HIMSELF, SAID I WAS PREVIOUSLY THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYER.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A FUNDAMENTAL MISUNDERSTANDING THAT THE BEST KIND OF ATTORNEY GENERAL IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO CAN PROVIDE AN HONEST VIEW OF THE FACTS AND THE LAW, AND SOMETIMES PUT THE BRAKES ON A POLITICIAN'S DESIRE TO USE POLITICS IN PURSUIT OF A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

TED: THAT SAID, REAL BRIEFLY, WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME HERE.

SAY THE SENATE BANDS TOGETHER AND SAY THIS GUY'S GOT TO GO.

EPSTEIN FILES, WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THAT.

COULD THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL BE MORE BEHOLDEN TO THE PRESIDENT?

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL COULD LOOK LIKE, BUT COULD STAY AS ACTING ATTORNEY GENERALS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SAID IF YOU DON'T CONFIRM THIS NOMINEE, I'LL LEAVE HIM IN PLACE AS ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND THERE IS PRECEDENT FOR THAT, BUT IN THIS INSTANCE, IT WILL BE SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND, IN A MUCH MORE PROFOUND WAY, THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN HIS ROLE AS THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYER AND OUR LAWYER AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES.

TED: FORMER U.S.

ATTORNEY PAUL CHARLTON, GREAT STUFF.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

.

TED: A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND SURGERY WAS RECENTLY PERFORMED AT BANNER UNIVERSITY MEDICINE HEART INSTITUTE.

A MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURE THAT INVOLVES REPLACING A DAMAGED HEART VALVE WITHOUT THE NEED FOR OPEN-HEART SURGERY.

WE WELCOME IN PAUL SORAJJA, AND YOU'VE BEEN ON THE PROGRAM BEFORE, BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE DOING GREAT STUFF OVER THERE AS FAR AS THE HEART INSTITUTE, VALVES WITH YOU, MITRAL VALVE LAST TIME?

>> WE TALKED ABOUT MITRAL BEFORE.

NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRICUSPID VALVE LEAK, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME BACK.

TRICUSPID HAS A LEAKY VALVE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HEART.

IT CREATES CONGESTION IN THE ORGANS THAT DRAIN THE LIVER AND KIDNEYS AND THE BOWELS LEAVING PATIENTS FATIGUED, CONGESTED AND IN THE HOSPITAL.

TED: EASY ENOUGH TO DIAGNOSE?

>> IT'S ONE OF THE DISEASES AS ONE OF THE FORGOTTEN ONES, IT'S ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HEART, DOWNSTREAM, THE SOUNDS THAT IT MAKES TEND TO BE QUIETER, AND SO IT'S ACTUALLY HISTORICALLY UNDERDIAGNOSED.

TED: INTERESTING, SO YOU FIRST IN THE NATION SURGERY TO DO SOMETHING, BUT THIS USED TO BE ALMOST ALWAYS OPEN-HEART SURGERY.

CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

HISTORICALLY WHEN WE LOOK AT HISTORY OF VALVE DISEASE IN GENERAL, VALVES HAVE BEEN NEEDED TO BE TREATED WITH REPAIR REPLACEMENT WHERE THE SURGEON OPENS THE CHEST TO GET AT THE VALVES AND REPLACE THEM.

OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS, WE'VE MOVED TO TRANSCATHETER MEANS WHERE WE GO THROUGH PEOPLE'S VEINS AND REPAIR THE VALVES.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN THAT, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

AND SO OVER THE PAST 10 TO 12 YEARS THE FIELD OF TRANSCATHETER REPAIR HAS EXPLODED.

WE'VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT HOW TO TREAT THESE PATIENTS AND BE INITIALLY SUCCESSFUL, BUT WHAT WE'VE LEARNED AS PATIENTS GO ALONG, THE REPAIRS CAN BECOME -- FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD -- FALL APART OR LEAK AGAIN, WHICH NEEDS ANOTHER RE-REPAIR.

TED: DESCRIBE THE PROCEDURE.

WHAT GOES ON HERE?

>> SO WHEN A PATIENT HAS A LEAKY VALVE AFTER AN INITIAL REPAIR, THEY'RE OFTEN LEFT WITH NO CHOICE, AND THAT IS BECAUSE THEY'RE ELDERLY OR MORBIDITIES OR REASONS THAT DROVE THEM TO HAVE THE TRANSCATHETER PROCEDURE FIRST.

AND THOSE SITUATIONS HISTORICALLY, OPEN SURGERY WOULD BE PURSUED BUT AT A HIGH-COST BECAUSE THE PATIENCE ARE ELDERLY.

WHAT WE INVENTED WAS A NEW TECHNOLOGY TO GO THROUGH THE VEIN IN THE LEG AND UNDO THE REPAIR THAT WAS DONE AND REPLACE THE VALVE.

TED: WHAT YOU SAY UNDO THE REPAIR THAT WAS DONE, IS THAT WHERE THE CLIPS WERE INVOLVED?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU REMEMBER RIGHT.

THE MOST COMMON REPAIR NOW IS A CLIP PROCEDURE, WE TAKE TWO SIDES OF THE VALVE AND PUT THEM TOGETHER WHERE THEY'RE LEAKING, AND WHAT WE DO NOW IN THIS PROCEDURE IS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NORTH AMERICA IS TO COME UP, TAKE THE CLIPS OUT AND PUT A NEW VALVE IN.

TED: BRAND NEW VALVE?

>> BRAND NEW VALVE.

TED: WITH THE NEW VALVE IN THERE, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SEE THIS PATIENT AGAIN?

>> WE STILL FOLLOW THEM REGULARLY.

YOU SENT ME A MESSAGE THIS AFTERNOON ON THE WAY HERE, AND WE FOLLOW THEM IN THE CONTINUITY OF CARE.

TED: AS FAR AS THE PROCEDURE IS CONCERNED, SHOULD PRETTY MUCH BE IT, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

A VALVE REPLACEMENT TAKES AWAY ALL OF IT.

TED: THIS PATIENT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, THE FIRST IN THE NATION SURGERY, THIS WAS AN 89-YEAR-OLD GENTLEMAN?

>> IT WAS.

HE'S FROM SURPRISE.

HE TOLD ME HE'D LOVE TO COME ON THE SHOW SOMETIME IF YOU WILL HAVE HIM.

TED: ALL RIGHT.

>> BUT HE'S DOING AMAZING.

TED: BUT AGAIN, AT 89 YEARS OF AGE, OPEN-HEART SURGERY NOT REALLY AN OPTION.

>> MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THEY REACH 89 YEARS OF AGE, WE ARE LOOKING AT HOSPICE OR PALLIATIVE MEANS.

TED: RECOVERY TIME, WHAT ARE WE TALKING HERE?

>> TYPICALLY AFTER THE PROCEDURES, COUPLE DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL.

TED: WOW.

>> PRETTY QUICK.

TED: THAT COMPARES TO THE OPEN-HEART SURGERY DAYS WHICH INVOLVED ALL SORTS OF THINGS, I WOULD IMAGINE?

>> YEAH, FOR AN 89-YEAR-OLD, TYPICALLY ONE TO TWO WEEKS OR LONGER IF THERE ARE COMPLICATIONS, ONE OR TWO DAYS IS REMARKABLE.

TED: YOU WERE HELPED BY THE FDA'S EXPANDED ACCESS PROGRAM.

>> YEAH.

TED: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> WHAT IT MEANS IS FOR NEW TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE NOT COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH A SPECIAL ACCESS PROCESS, AND THIS IS DONE WITH THE SUPPORT OF BANNER WHICH IS AMAZING IN TERMS OF HELPING US GET THIS THROUGH.

WITH BANNER'S SUPPORT, WE WERE ABLE TO APPLY TO THE FDA TO GET EXEMPTION TO DO THE TECHNOLOGY.

TED: NOW THAT YOU'VE DONE THIS TECHNOLOGY, AND IT IS A SUCCESS, IS IT FULL SPEED AHEAD?

YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS EVERY TIME?

>> RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT'S QUITE EARLY, THE FDA IS REQUIRING US TO GO THROUGH THE USUAL PROCESS OF AN EARLY FEASIBILITY STUDY, WHICH WOULD LEAD TO PIVOTAL STUDY, WHICH HOPEFULLY WILL LEAD TO COMMERCIAL APPROVAL.

TED: VERY GOOD.

WE TALKED ABOUT YOU BEING ON THE SHOW BEFORE.

I UNDERSTAND RESEARCH WITH ARRYTHMIA, FOLKS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ARRYTHMIA.

>> ARRYTHMIA IS VERY COMMON, THERE IS A LOT OF RESEARCH TOO.

TED: PREVENTING CARDIAC ARREST BY WAY OF IMMUNOTHERAPY.

>> YOU ARE REALLY WELL READ.

TED: I'M TRYING, I'M TRYING.

PEOPLE TAKING IMMUNOTHERAPIES CAN BE A FACTOR, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WHEN WE LOOK AT A LOT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, IT IS INFLAMMATORY, IF WE TURN OFF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, WE CAN GET TO A LOT OF DISEASES THAT WAY.

>> YOU ARE DEALING WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROCEDURE, YOU HAVE A SUCCESS STORY AND GOING FULL SPEED AHEAD.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE AND DEVELOP?

>> VERY DRUGS CAN BE MANY YEARS, 10 TO 15 YEARS.

FOR DEVICES LIKE, THIS GENERALLY 8 TO 10 YEARS.

IT IS A LONG PROCESS.

I DIDN'T MENTION THAT.

I WAS LUCKY TO BE THE FOUNDER OF THIS COMPANY, AND THIS COMPANY WAS FOUNDED FIVE YEARS AGO AND IT'S TAKEN US FIVE YEARS JUST TO GET TO THIS POINT.

TED: CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS, FIRST IN THE NATION HEART SURGERY, A PROCEDURE FOR THIS 89-YEAR-OLD FELLA MUST BE CLICKING HIS HEELS BACK HOME.

>> HE'S HAPPY.

TED: DR.

PAUL SORAJJA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US.

TED: YOU BET.

.

TED: MARICOPA COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL IS OFFERING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE SHELTER DOGS ON DAY-LONG FIELD TRIPS AWAY FROM THE SHELTER.

THE CHANCE TO GIVE A THE DOG AN ADVENTURE AND MUCH NEEDED BREAK FROM SHELTER LIFE AND COULD LEAD TO THE DOG FINDING A NEW FOREVER HOME.

KIM POWELL IS WITH MARICOPA COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL, AND WHO DO YOU HAVE WITH YOU?

>> THIS IS A REALLY CUTE PUPPY NAMED BABY SOCKS.

TED: BABY SOCKS.

>> AFTER 750 SHELTER DOGS, YOU KNOW.

TED: HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN IN THE SHELTER?

>> SHE CAME IN JULY 31, SHE WAS A STRAY AND THE FAMILY TOOK HER IN.

SHE DIDN'T HAVE A MIKE CHIP OR TAG OR ANYTHING, SHE'S AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.

TED: WOW.

AND SHE IS PROBABLY, COULD BE VERY WELL BE PART OF TAILS AROUND TOWN, THE PROGRAM.

WHAT IS THIS PROGRAM ALL ABOUT?

>> USUALLY FOR THE TAILS AROUND TOWN PROGRAM WE FOCUS ON DOGS STRUGGLING TO GET ADOPTED.

I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF BABY SOCKS GETS ADOPTED QUICKLY.

WE FOCUS ON DOGS SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME IN KENNELS.

IT'S A WAY TO HAVE A DAY OUT ON THE TOWN WITH JUST ANYONE, A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC, THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE A TECHNICAL VOLUNTEER AT SHELTER.

THEY SIGN UP ONLINE AND SHOW UP.

WE PICK A DOG OUT FOR THEM.

GIVE THEM A BACKPACK WITH THE GOODY SUPPLIES AND THEY GO OFF ON ADVENTURE FOR THE DAY.

TED: LET'S SAY, I'M CALLING IT I WANT TO TAKE A DOG ON A FIELD TRIP.

WHAT'S THE PROCESS?

WHAT DO YOU ASK ME AND WHAT DO I GET TO ASK YOU?

>> CAN YOU JUST, TYPICALLY WE'LL HAVE YOU SIGN UP ONLINE, YOU FILL OUT A LITTLE APPLICATION.

YOU CAN ASK, LET'S SAY, YOU DON'T WANT A DOG THAT'S GOING TO PULL, YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY REQUEST THAT.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WOULD PREFER DOGS MORE ON THE SHY SIDE.

THEY LIKE TO SEE THEM COME OUT OF THEIR SHELL.

IF YOU HAVE DONE IT A FEW TIMES, WE HAVE REPEAT TAILS AROUND TOWNERS, YOU CAN REQUEST WHAT TYPE OF DOG YOU TAKE OUT.

WE TEND TO DO IT WITH DOGS THAT ARE AT THE SHELTER LONGER WHICH ARE SADLY THE BIGGER DOGS AS WELL.

TED: WHEN IT'S A BIGGER DOG, I'M THE GUY CALLING IN, I DON'T WANT THIS OR THAT.

CAN YOU FILL THAT ORDER, OR IS IT, HEY, YOU LOOK LIKE YOU WOULD BE GOOD FOR THIS PARTICULAR DOG?

>> DEPENDING WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR, WE CAN FIND A DOG.

WE HAVE 750 DOGS, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE WE HAVE ONE IN MIND THAT CAN FIT ANYONE'S PERSONALITY TYPE.

SOME PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS A LOT NICER, THEY WANT TO GO OUT WITH A HIKE WITH THE DOG, WE DON'T WANT TO SET THEM UP WITH A DOG THAT IS OVERWEIGHT OR ON THE OLDER SIDE, WE SEND THEM WITH A DOG THAT HAS A TONS OF ENERGY AND WILL BENEFIT FROM IT.

OR IF YOU ARE LIKE I'M GOING TO BRING THEM BACK TO MY HOUSE AND RELAX, WE MIGHT GIVE YOU THE SENIOR DOG THAT WANTS A COUCH TO NAP ON.

TED: THAT COULD BE A FIELD TRIP, RIGHT?

COME HOME AND WANDER AROUND THE HOUSE.

>> HAVING THEM IN A HOME ENVIRONMENT HELPS THEM DECOMPRESS FROM THE SHELTER LIFE.

A LOT OF THE DOGS IN THE SHELTER AREN'T SLEEPING.

THEY GET STRESSED OUT, THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THEY'RE THERE.

THERE ARE OTHER BARKING DOGS.

THEY ARE NOT GETTING GOOD SLEEPMENT IF YOU BRING THEM INTO YOUR HOME, THEY MIGHT WANT A LONG NAP AND THAT IS PERFECTLY FINE.

TED: ISN'T THAT INTERESTING?

THAT'S GREAT.

>> THE SHELTER CAN BE VERY STRESSFUL FOR DOGS AND THEY CAN START TO DETERIORATE, AND IT'S DEPRESSING TO WATCH.

IT'S HEART BREAKING AND GETTING THEM OUT OF SHELTER FOR A DAY SETS THEM BACK TO THEIR NORMAL SELF FOR A LITTLE BIT.

TED: AND I IMAGINE YOU TAKE A DOG OUT FOR A WALK, PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS COMMENTING ON DOGS.

AND THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO INTRODUCE A WHOLE BUNCH OF FOLKS TO A DOG WHO MIGHT NEED A NEW HOME?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IN THE BACKPACK WE GIVE PEOPLE GOING ON TAILS AROUND TOWN, IS A LITTLE THING WE CLIP ON THE LEASH, SHOULD I HAVE BROUGHT ONE, BUT IT SAYS ADOPT ME.

THE BACKPACK SAYS ASK ME ABOUT MY DOG, AND CATERS TO STARTING THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT, HEY, WHO IS THAT DOG AND CAN I HAVE THE DOG?

THERE ARE PLENTY OF STORIES PEOPLE COME BACK AND BRING BACK SOMEONE WITH THEM WHO WANTS TO ADOPT DOG.

AND THAT'S THE GOAL.

TED: GREAT STORY.

CAN FAMILIES, KIDS OKAY, HOW DOES THAT FIT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE RECOMMEND BRINGING EVERYONE WITH YOU WHEN YOU PICK UP THE DOG AND WE'RE ABLE TO CATER TO THE RIGHT FAMILY, RIGHT DOG TO THE RIGHT FAMILY.

THERE ARE SOME DOGS WE KNOW ARE SUPER JUMPY, IF YOU HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN, WE WON'T GIVE YOU THAT TYPE OF DOG, ONE OF THE CALMER ONES AND FIT IT TO THE LIFESTYLE AND THE ADVENTURE YOU HAVE PLANNED.

TED: SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED YOUR OWN CAR?

>> YES, THAT IS THE ONE REQUIREMENT WE ASK.

HAVE TRANSPORTATION, ESPECIALLY IN THE HOT WEATHER RIGHT NOW.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE WALKING AROUND NEAR THE SHELTER TO GO TO THEIR DESTINATION.

TED: AND DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE CAR AND DOG TOO FAR OUT OF TOWN OR EVEN OUT OF TOWN AT ALL?

>> HERE'S THING, YOU GOT TO RETURN THE DOG BY 5:00 P.M., IF YOU DON'T, YOU HAVE A NEW DOG.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ADOPTED.

WE ASK PEOPLE STAY SOMEWHAT CLOSE.

WE HEAR THEM GOING TO THE RIPARIAN PRESERVE, TEAM TOWN LAKE IS ANOTHER POPULAR SPOT, AND IF WEATHER PERMITTING, MOUNTAIN HIKING, RIGHT NOW NOT THE BEST IDEA, OR THEY'LL GO TO THEIR HOUSE OR A PET SMART NEARBY ANY, DOG FRIENDLY PLACE, IN THE BACKPACK WE HAVE A LIST OF STORES AND RESTAURANTS THEY CAN GO TO FOR A COUPLE HOURS.

TED: QUICKLY BEFORE WE GO, WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION?

>> GO TO MARICOPA.GOV/PETS, THERE'S A TAILS AROUND TOWN LINK ON THAT.

WE ARE ON A SUMMER HIATUS BECAUSE IT IS SO HOT OUT.

KEEP LOOKING, APPOINTMENTS OPEN UP ALL THE TIME.

TED: BABY SOCKS, CALM DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

>> SHE'S READY FOR A NAP.

TED: THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.