Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein
Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is an internationally-seen television talk show host, author, speaker, and animal advocate whose mission is to bring awareness and the truth about important issues impacting animals worldwide. Tina achieves this by hosting a television show, ( A Close-Up Look at ) Animal Welfare Issues on BCTV, authoring articles on blogs on the Reading Eagle newspaper website, being a guest on other television and radio programs, and having articles published by other papers.
Tina uses her personable but hard-hitting, unique style on the small screen to interview guests from around the globe. The CEO of Born Free USA, Adam M. Roberts, called her show from Thailand to speak about the Captive Primate Safety Act. Chris Grimes, filmmaker of the documentary “Dog by Dog” about puppy mills chose Tina’s show to be his first television appearance to promote his new film. SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness) based in Illinois has been a frequent guest to discuss live pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania. Senators Roy Afflerbach (Ret.) and Senator Judith Schwank have been on Tina’s show to address animal legislation and getting involved
politically for animals.
Prior to hosting and producing her current talk show, Tina created, hosted and produced the first-ever television program for the Animal Rescue League of Berks County, Pennsylvania. She also wrote a blog for the League which was also posted on the Reading Eagle website.
Being with the League for eight years (volunteering and staff member) working in the Media department, Tina realized that if she wanted to meet her goals of raising the consciousness of people about diverse animal topics on a larger scale, it required a broader and more global platform. Her decision to leave the League wasn’t an easy one, but it was necessary to fulfill her dreams.
Tina has been a frequent guest on Comcast Tonight, WRFY’s Roundtable Discussission, 10! on 10 Philadelphia talk show, WRFY morning program, and WEEU morning/afternoon radio shows. She has been the featured guest on Comcast Newsmakers to talk about Pennsylvania’s Dog Law in addition to being a guest on other news and radio stations.
Reporters have interviewed Tina for articles about animal issues. Tina has traveled statewide to cover multiple animal cruelty court cases. One notable court case she covered was Derbe ‘Skip’ Eckhart who owned one of the largest and worst puppy mills in Pennsylvania’s history- Almost Heaven Kennels. She attended and reported on Eckhart’s court appearances and trial.
Tina worked with Senator Andy Dinniman’s ( D-Chester County) office to help with the wording of a bill he introduced which would ban the use of gas chambers in Pennsylvania animal shelters.
Tina has been actively involved in animal advocacy for nearly 16 years which has taken her on a journey she never could imagine. She was deeply moved
when she was sent to the devastated area of Slidell, Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina to not only do a story on Noah’s Wish, an animal organization called to help after the historical catastrophe, but also to help them. Her story was chronicled by news station WFMZ, WEEU (radio station) and the Reading Eagle newspaper. She was present for the taping of the Today Show segment when one of the few reunions between a family and their missing pet was documented.
Tina’s burning desire to see the end of puppy mills in what some call the puppy mill capital state – Pennsylvania – has led her to cover this important topic on her television show numerous times with Senators, elected officials, lawyers, rescue organizations and the original organizers of Puppy Mill Awareness Day. Tina has published articles about puppy mills for the “Berks County Women’s Journal.”
In 2008, Tina’s interview of Elmer Zimmerman, one of the brothers who shot and killed 80 of their breeding dogs, was first to be published on the internet and
subsequently went viral which led to it being picked up by many outlets worldwide. The mass shooting was the impetus for the new Dog Law in Pennsylvania. Zimmerman spoke to Tina after a candlelight vigil she attended for the 80 dogs.
Tina genuinely enjoys sitting down with her wide-ranging and knowledgable guests for her talk shows, articles, and podcasts. She has interviewed leaders of regional, national and international animal organizations, Senators, politicians, rescue groups, lawyers and people seeking help for a pet or those who are helping animals among so many others.
Tina thrives on finding the truth no matter where it takes her and feels the public has a right to know. She is honored her television show has been picked up by an international news website featured in the U.K., Australia, India, and the United States.
Tina has worked and/or volunteered with many animal organizations over the years. She has written and recorded radio and television Public Service Announcements (PSA’s) for various groups and has garnered media exposure for many of them. Tina was the keynote speaker for the First State Greyhound Rescue’s Annual Gala Dinner in 2011.
She has been chosen as an Ambassador for World Animal Day representing the United States. World Animal Day’s mission is to raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe. It has been an honor for Tina to have been chosen this worthy position. She is on board to make this world a better place for all living creatures. Tina is the only representative from the United States to be picked as an Ambassador. She takes this role very seriously. Over 100 countries are represented for World Animal Day with its official date as October 4th but celebrated year-round.
Her latest project is writing a book about her journey with the dedicated people and animals she has met over the years and continuing to inform the public about
animal issues through her public speaking.
When not advocating for animals, Tina spends time with her husband, Ed, and their three-legged dog, Brody, and dove, Mr B. She also enjoys
visiting residents in nursing homes and is known to take her dogs along with her. A bit of a history buff, she enjoys visiting
historical places. She is a graduate of Penn State University and attended Alvernia and Kutztown Universities.
If you are interested in booking Tina to speak at your function or have a topic for a show or article, you can contact her at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com or 484-368-7120.