ReadersMagnet Review: America Tonight with Kate Delaney | Mariah Leal, “Piper Gets a New Home”

by ReadersMagnet | September 30, 2026 | radio interview | 0 Comments

When author and educator Mariah Leal joined Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Kate Delaney on America Tonight, the conversation explored much more than the joys of owning a dog. Centered on Leal’s children’s book Piper Gets a New Home, the interview revealed how a lifelong connection with animals evolved into an educational mission focused on responsible dog ownership, puppy training, socialization, and helping children learn to interact safely with dogs.

Leal’s journey is deeply connected to her experience in the animal field. A former veterinary technician who also operated a grooming and training business for approximately 25 years, she has spent much of her life learning about dogs and educating others. Today, she channels that experience into books and presentations designed to help children and families build safer, more informed relationships with their canine companions.

Turning a Life-Changing Setback Into a New Mission

Leal’s professional path changed dramatically following a head-on collision in which she was a passenger. The accident resulted in serious injuries and multiple surgeries, and she was eventually told that she could no longer work.

Rather than stepping away from the animal field completely, Leal searched for another way to contribute. While recovering, she continued her education and took continuing education courses to stay current with developments in the animal field. Her first service dog, Piper, ultimately inspired a new direction.

Leal explained that she spent time reflecting and praying about what she could do that would make a difference. She was already concerned about dog bites involving children, and Piper gave her a way to address the issue through education.

That became the foundation for her books and presentations. As Leal explained during the interview, her goal is to educate children and their families about dogs while making the information accessible through storytelling.

Piper Gets A New Home: Starting With the Right Dog for the Family

Piper Gets A New Home is the first book in Leal’s five-book The Adventures of Piper series. The story begins with Piper arriving from Michigan, but the lessons begin even before bringing a puppy home.

One of the central messages Leal discussed with Delaney is the importance of researching what type of dog will actually fit a household. A breed may look appealing or impressive, but appearance alone does not tell a family whether the dog’s needs match its lifestyle.

Training, Socialization, and the Lessons of a Puppy’s First Year

The interview also highlighted how the series follows Piper’s development and uses her experiences to teach practical lessons.

In the first book, readers learn about beginning puppy training, including consistency, crate training, housebreaking, and basic commands such as “sit,” “down,” and “come.” Leal emphasized starting early and staying consistent.

The second book, Piper’s First Experiences, focuses on early socialization. Leal described ways she introduced Piper to different people, environments, sounds, and experiences while taking appropriate precautions before the puppy had completed vaccinations.

The third book, Piper Goes to School, moves into formal training and the importance of learning around distractions, other dogs, and other people. Leal even shared a humorous story about Piper pulling a bottle of water from another person’s tote bag during puppy class. This small incident became an opportunity to teach proper behavior.

Teaching Children That Dogs Have Boundaries, Too

A particularly important part of the conversation focused on dog bites involving children. Leal stressed that educating children is just as important as training dogs.

Leal also shared an anecdote about a St. Bernard that a newspaper reportedly described as having attacked a toddler. According to the account she remembered, the fuller explanation revealed that the child had put a pencil into the dog’s ear. For Leal, the story illustrated why understanding the circumstances surrounding dog behavior matters.

Storytelling That Reaches More Than One Generation

Leal explained that she wrote the five-book series in approximately six months, although publishing each book took much longer. She deliberately chose a nonfiction approach supported by actual photographs rather than creating purely fictionalized or “cutesy” dog characters.

The books are nevertheless presented in story form through Piper’s perspective. This approach allows young readers to follow Piper’s experiences while learning how dogs may respond to different situations.

The books have also found audiences in settings beyond the home. Leal recalled a Subaru waiting room where her books were made available to customers and said she received comments from people who became absorbed in the information while waiting for their vehicles.

A Mission Built Around Education and Compassion

Beyond writing, Leal continues to share her message through presentations at libraries, schools, and other settings. Her service dogs have also played an important role in her journey, with Piper inspiring the mission and Axel later taking over the service-dog role.

Watch the Interview, Explore the Author’s Work, & Get the Book

Watch Mariah Leal’s complete conversation with Kate Delaney on America Tonight on the ReadersMagnet YouTube channel.

Learn more about the author, her books, and her educational mission through her website. Readers can also follow her work and updates on Facebook and Instagram.