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and artificial intelligence. The Icon School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, we find a way.

This is the science podcast for February 12, 2026.

I'm Sarah Crespi.

First this week, more than half of all dogs that go through service animal training

don't make it to graduation.

In this segment, producer Kevin McLean journeys with online news editor David Grimm to

K-9 Companions, one of the largest organizations in the U.S. for training working dogs.

At the facility, they meet puppies in preparation and learn about the behavioral testing and genetics

that could be used to improve service animal schooling.

Next on the show, researcher Kishaloid Day talks about observing the birth of a stellar black

hole in the nearby Andromeda Galaxy.

He recounts how his team looked for this elusive event and describes what we can learn

from observing it in the decades to come.

Years ago, I ran into my friend's mom while she was out walking her dog, or a dog. It wasn't actually hers. This incredibly calm lab was well beyond the floppiest puppy stage,

but young enough that some excitement or jumping around

wouldn't have been unexpected. I don't remember if I commented on how relaxed the dog was,

but I do remember her saying that the dog wasn't going to make it. Not in a morbid sense,

...