It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the unexpected passing of beloved veterinarian and longtime host of KKCR’s Pets and People in Paradise, Dr. Ihor Basko, DVM.

“Dr. B,” as many called him, loved KKCR and devoted more than 20 years to sharing his expertise with the community here on Kauaʻi, across the Hawaiian Islands, and with his many listeners on the Mainland. He brought humor, wisdom, and eclectic musical selections to Saturday mornings, connecting with listeners—whom he fondly called his ʻohana—often with his beloved dog Hina by his side in the studio.

Through his program, Dr. B sought to educate and empower pet owners to “know their pet better than their vet.” With enthusiasm and generosity, he spoke about holistic pet care, herbal therapies, Chinese medicine, and the art of preparing nourishing food for pets. He truly cared for “all creatures great and small,” and so many of us benefited from his lifelong dedication to sharing the latest insights in holistic healing.

In his honor, those of us who worked with him and learned so much from him have created this donation page to help keep his work available and his voice alive. KKCR will be transforming recordings of his radio programs into a podcast, available wherever you listen, and your donations will support both KKCR and the production of this podcast. In this way, the wealth of knowledge Dr. B shared about holistic pet—and human—healthcare will continue to reach new audiences and change lives. Mahalo.