Explore every episode of the podcast My Dog Is Better Than Your Dog
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Skeptic to Believer: The Science of Essential Oils for Pets w/ Dr. Janet Roark | 18 Oct 2026 | 00:43:42 | |
Everything You've Been Told About Essential Oils and Pets Is Wrong. If you've ever Googled essential oils and pets, you've been told to stay away. Don't diffuse. Don't apply. And especially not around cats. Dr. Lily was skeptical too, until she took Dr. Janet's course and understood the science. Dr. Janet Roark is known worldwide as the Essential Oil Vet. She is the author of The Essential Oils for Pets guidebook, creator of the Animal Aromatherapy Specialist Certification Program, and has built a global community of pet owners and veterinarians learning to use essential oils safely and effectively. Her own practice has moved from fully conventional to fully integrative to now fully holistic — acupuncture, chiropractic, and essential oils. Her story started with migraines so severe she thought she had a brain tumor. As a veterinarian, she was on multiple medications with side effects that were destroying her gut. A friend handed her an essential oil blend at dinner one night. Her headache disappeared in 15 minutes and stayed gone. That was the moment everything changed. In this episode, Dr. Janet explains why the answer to "are essential oils safe for pets?" is both yes and no, and why quality and purity are the distinction most people miss. She walks through the science of how essential oils actually work in the body, and she shares the story of Louie the Horse — three years of recurring sinusitis, round after round of antibiotics, resolved after one essential oil session. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ The essential oil industry is largely unregulated and dominated by a perfume industry that adds synthetics to make oils smell consistent. This is not what we are talking about when we talk about therapeutic essential oils. ✨ Perfume grade oils and therapeutic grade oils are not the same. Brand and purity matter the same way they do with food, herbs, and medicine. ✨ Essential oils are lipid soluble, which means they absorb through the skin directly into the bloodstream. They do not need to be digested or processed the way water-soluble herbs do. ✨ Because of their molecule size, certain essential oils can cross the blood-brain barrier. This makes them uniquely effective for neurological conditions that are difficult to treat with traditional medicine. ✨ Dogs and cats have two olfactory systems — direct and indirect — far more advanced than humans. Aromatherapy works directly on the part of the brain that governs emotion and memory. ✨ Essential oils can stop fear cycles and anxiety spirals by activating the vagus nerve and shifting the nervous system toward parasympathetic mode without sedating the brain. ✨ Louie the Horse had recurring sinusitis for three years on antibiotics. After two essential oil sessions 12 years ago, it has never returned. ✨ Stress leads to inflammation, and inflammation leads to disease. Essential oils address the stress-inflammation connection that drives so much of chronic disease in pets today. ✨ Essential oils are an and, not an or. They do not replace surgery or antibiotics when those are necessary. They reduce how often we need to reach for those tools. ✨ AI is now generating the same misinformation about essential oil safety that Google produced a decade ago. Educating yourself from veterinary sources matters more than ever. RESOURCES: Dr. Janet Roark: www.essentialoilvet.com Instagram: @essentialoilvet Facebook: Essential Oil Vet - Janet Roark, DVM Linktr.ee: @Essential Oil Vet FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet | |||
| The Part of Pet Parenthood Nobody Prepares You For w/ Dr. Jenn Roedig | 04 Oct 2026 | 01:00:16 | |
There is a moment almost every pet parent will face and almost nobody is prepared for it. You are sitting with your dog and it hits you. We are getting closer to the end. And then comes the flood. The emotions. The questions you did not know how to ask. The guilt you did not see coming. The decisions that feel impossible because you are making them for someone who cannot tell you what they want. Dr. Jenn Roedig is a licensed veterinarian and the founder of Sage Paws, a virtual practice built entirely around supporting pet parents through their animal's aging, illness, and end of life. She has guided over 500 families through this space. And two months before we recorded this conversation, she lost her own dog Luke unexpectedly the night before Easter to a ruptured splenic mass. She shares that story in this episode. It is raw and it is real. We talk about guilt, probably the most common emotion pet parents carry, and what is actually underneath it. We talk about anticipatory grief, the kind that starts weeks or months before the loss when nobody around you understands why you are already mourning. And we talk about how to know when it is time, and why you will know is not always a good enough answer. Dr. Lily also shares something personal in this one. She lost her heart dog in 2020 and still carries pieces of that ending with her. KEY INSIGHTS:
RESOURCES: Sage Paws: https://www.sagepaws.com/ Instagram: @_sage_paws Sessions: 90 minutes, virtual, available worldwide Linktr.ee: @sagepaws FOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com/ Instagram: @integrativepet Threads: @integrativepet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ Dr. Lily Chen: Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Threads: @the.unicorn.vet | |||
| Your Dog's Tongue Is Trying to Tell You Something w/ Carol Bramson | 20 Sep 2026 | 01:13:48 | |
Your Dog's Tongue Is Trying to Tell You Something w/ Carol Bramson
Carol Bramson is the founder of Side by Side Pet, a whole food pet nutrition company built on Eastern food therapy. She grew up in a household where food was health, spent years visiting over 3,000 food ingredient suppliers across the US and Europe, and then got her first dog, Wrigley, was handed a bag of kibble, and thought this does not look like food. Wrigley is 11 now and everyone who meets him thinks he is about two. We get into the energetics of food, warming cooling and neutral, why gut health has to come first before food can even do its job, why seizures and hot spots so often trace back to what is in the bowl, and why the answer to changing pet health is collaboration not competition. KEY INSIGHTS: RESOURCES:
FOLLOW: Dr. Lily Chen: Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Threads: @the.unicorn.vet | |||
| The Vet Episode Nobody Taught You in Vet School w/ Dr. Judy Jasek | 06 Sep 2026 | 00:43:29 | |
This one is for every veterinarian who has ever felt like an island. But it is also for every pet parent who has ever wondered what it actually takes for a vet to practice medicine on their own terms, and why so many of the best ones end up building something from scratch. Dr. Judy Jasek never wanted to own a business. She became an entrepreneur because it was the only way she could practice the medicine she believed in. She bought a conventional practice, stopped doing as many vaccines because she believed they were harming her patients, and watched her revenue plummet. Then she built a full integrative hospital, burned out under the weight of it, sold it, sat through a three year non-compete, and rebuilt from the front room of her house. No debt. No bank loan. Just a mat on the floor and a willingness to see what happened. It thrived. Dr. Lily started the same way. House calls, then 500 square feet, a mat and a desk, no X-ray machine, no surgery suite. The only piece of equipment she needs to plug in today is her ozone machine. This conversation also goes into the loss of empathy in the veterinary profession since COVID, what drove it, and why both Dr. Judy and Dr. Lily believe that healing is an art that is at risk of being lost. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Most holistic vets become entrepreneurs by necessity, not choice. The only way to practice authentically is often to build something yourself. ✨ You do not need a big loan, a big space, or all the equipment. Dr. Judy rebuilt from her front room. Dr. Lily started with house calls and 500 square feet. Both practices thrived. ✨ Avoiding debt is one of the most important decisions you can make when starting a practice. When you own debt, you feel trapped. When you own nothing, you are free to practice the way you want. ✨ Find the modality that is uniquely yours and go all in on that. You do not have to do everything. Every other clinic is already doing everything. Your niche eliminates your competition. ✨ The curbside drop-off era during COVID did profound damage to the veterinarian-client bond. The loss of empathy in the profession since that time is something both Dr. Judy and Dr. Lily are seeing firsthand. ✨ Corporate practice appointments run every 10 to 15 minutes. There is not enough time to sit on the floor, listen to the family, explore options, or practice medicine that feels like medicine. ✨ Informed consent is how veterinarians are supposed to practice. Explaining the risks, the whys, the regulations, and letting the family make the choice. Not badgering, not enforcing, not checking boxes. ✨ Clients follow doctors, not clinics. When you practice from the heart, people are drawn to that energy. The right clients will find you. ✨ Healing is an art. Every veterinarian has unique gifts. The world needs those gifts, not another clinic that does the same things as the 10 clinics around it. ✨ If you feel like an island in this profession, you are not alone. There are more of us than you think. RESOURCES: Animal Healing Arts: https://ahavet.com Instagram: @judyjasek Facebook: @Animal Healing Arts Substack: https://judyjasekdvm.substack.com Membership (free to join): https://ahavet.com/membership FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Threads: @integrativepet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ Dr. Lily Chen: Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Threads: @the.unicorn.vet LinkedIn: Lily Chen, DVM, CVA & The Unicorn Vet | |||
| Your Pet Is Living in the Moment. Are You? w/ Dr. Judy Jasek | 23 Aug 2026 | 01:05:38 | |
Your Pet Is Not Worried About Dying. You Are. What if the tumor is not the disease? What if it is the body's way of telling us something went wrong a long time ago, and the real work is figuring out what that was? Dr. Judy Jasek graduated from Colorado State University in 1988 and spent years in conventional practice before something shifted. Her own horse developed a behavioral problem that no conventional approach could touch. An energetic chiropractor turned the animal around completely, and once Dr. Judy started looking at medicine differently, she could not stop. Nearly 40 years later, she runs Animal Healing Arts, a telemedicine practice rooted in what she calls the Terrain Paradigm: the idea that health is the body's natural state, and our job is to figure out what knocked the body off balance and help it return. We talk about mistletoe therapy, ozone, Chinese herbal medicine, why she almost never recommends surgery as a first step, and why your pet is not worried about dying from cancer. They just want to live a happy life. And the energy you bring into the room, fear or gratitude, directly affects their healing. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ The tumor is the tip of the iceberg. It is a warning sign that the body's toxic load has exceeded what it can handle. Removing the tumor without addressing what caused it is incomplete. ✨ Cancer rates are rising in young dogs. Lymphoma in two-year-olds, aggressive tumors in four-year-olds. This was not something seen 20 or 30 years ago and it is a wake-up call. ✨ Dr. Judy's first question for every cancer patient is not about the diagnosis. It is how is the pet doing. A pet that is still eating, vigorous, and enjoying life has a lot to work with. ✨ Mistletoe therapy has been used in human oncology in Europe for over 100 years. In Germany, roughly 70% of human cancer patients receive it. It is immunomodulating, has direct anti-cancer effects, and can be administered at home. ✨ Fever after mistletoe treatment can be a sign the immune system is waking up, not a sign something is wrong. Warming the body activates enzymatic pathways that support healing. ✨ Ozone therapy oxygenates the body at a cellular level. When pets are tired after ozone treatment, it is often because the body has been given a healing tool and needs to rest to use it. ✨ Dr. Judy almost never recommends surgery as a first step. Unless there is a life-threatening blockage or bleed, she focuses on supporting the body first and correcting what led to the cancer. ✨ Success does not have to mean the tumor is gone. Can the pet live with this comfortably with good quality of life? That is a more realistic and more achievable goal than elimination. ✨ Your pet does not know they have cancer. They want to eat, play, and curl up next to you. The fear and grief you carry around them affects their healing. Gratitude and presence are medicine. ✨ Prevention is the most powerful tool. Testing the gut microbiome, vitamin D levels, and toxic burden early, before anything shows up on bloodwork, gives the body the best chance to come back into balance before disease develops. ✨ Diarrhea is not a metronidazole deficiency. Any symptom the body produces naturally has a reason. The question is not how do we stop this, it is what is the body trying to tell us. RESOURCES: Animal Healing Arts: https://ahavet.com Instagram: @animal.healing.arts Facebook: @animalhealingarts Substack: judyjasekdvm.substack.com 👉 Membership (free to join): https://ahavet.com/membership-agreement/ FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Threads: @integrativepet TikTok: @integrativepet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ Dr. Lily Chen: Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Threads: @the.unicorn.vet LinkedIn: Lily Chen, DVM, CVA | |||
| The Bonus Conversation: Genetics, Gut Health and Getting It Right w/ Heather Gibson | 09 Aug 2026 | 00:36:34 | |
This one started as a continuation after the main episode wrapped up. Heather Gibson and Dr. Lily just kept talking, and what came next was more honest and more direct than anything in the main episode. They got into the coefficient of inbreeding, a term becoming a bigger deal in the breeding world that Dr. Lily had never heard before, and why Heather made the controversial decision to move from purebred to mixed breeding for the sake of dog health. Then Heather asked Dr. Lily about microbiome testing, fecal transplants, and why vets are still using metronidazole as a first line dewormer for puppies. That part got Dr. Lily fired up. Shorter, a little more raw, and very much a conversation between two people from different corners of pet care who both care deeply about getting this right. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ The coefficient of inbreeding measures how genetically similar a puppy's parents are. Lower numbers mean more genetic diversity, which generally means better health, stronger immunity, and fewer inherited diseases. ✨ Pedigrees alone cannot tell the full story. Two dogs from completely different lines, even different continents, can still be genetically too similar. Companies like Embark now calculate this before a breeding ever happens. ✨ Many purebred dogs are already mixed breeds, just from centuries ago. Golden Retrievers were originally Irish Setters, Bloodhounds, a Tweed Spaniel, and reportedly a dog from the side of the road. ✨ Heather moved from purebred to mixed breeding because she saw health issues she did not believe could be resolved without more genetic diversity. It is not anti-purebred. It is pro-health. ✨ Asking a breeder whether they test for coefficient of inbreeding is one of the most important questions a pet parent can ask and most never think to. ✨ Metronidazole is wildly overused as a first line dewormer for puppies. Some puppies arrive at eight weeks already having had three or four rounds, leaving their gut microbiome already depleted before they ever come home. ✨ Giardia can be cleared naturally without antibiotics. Dr. Lily has done it and trained vets to do it successfully with microbiome testing before and after to prove it. It takes more work but builds a far more resilient gut. ✨ Not every dog needs a fecal transplant. Some improve with diet changes and the right supplements. But choosing supplements without microbiome data first can sometimes make things worse. ✨ Fecal microbiome restoration does not require sedation or invasive prep. At Dr. Lily's clinic it is a gentle one to two minute procedure. Animals go home exactly as they came in. ✨ Research takes an average of 20 years to move from a journal into standard clinical practice. Our pets do not have 20 years to wait. ✨ Testing the mother's microbiome before breeding could be one of the most impactful things we do for puppy health since her microbiome becomes the puppy's starting point for life. RESOURCES: Big Hearted Breeders: https://www.bigheartedbreeders.com Instagram: @bigheartedbreeders Facebook: @bigheartedbreeders YouTube:@Bigheartedbreeders AnimalBiome: https://www.animalbiome.com AHVMA Vet Directory: https://www.ahvma.org Magic of Microbiome Course for Vets: https://theunicorn.academy FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Threads: @integrativepet TikTok: @integrativepet Youtube: @integrativepet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ Dr. Lily Chen: Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Threads: @the.unicorn.vet LinkedIn: Lily Chen, DVM, CVA | |||
| What Happens Before Your Puppy Comes Home and Why It Changes Everything w/ Heather Gibson | 02 Aug 2026 | 01:00:45 | |
Before that puppy ever comes home to you, before the first walk, the first vet visit, the first time they fall asleep in your lap, there are six to eight weeks happening behind the scenes that will shape their health, their temperament, and their resilience for the rest of their life. Most pet parents have zero control over what happens during that window. And most never think to ask. Heather Gibson is the founder of Big Hearted Breeders, a certified pet nutrition coach who has spent over 12 years raising dogs and cats with a holistic wellness first approach. Before she was a breeder, she was a foster parent for over a decade, caring for children with severe trauma. It was watching her foster children heal through their bond with animals that set her on this path. We get into what early neurological stimulation actually is and why it matters, what health testing should happen before breeding ever begins, how to tell the difference between a breeder who truly cares and one who is running a business, and why the relationship between breeders and vets is so strained and what we can do about it. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ The first eight weeks of a puppy's life happen entirely without you. What a breeder does during that window shapes the immune system, nervous system, temperament, and resilience for life. ✨ Early neurological stimulation, developed by the military and sometimes called the Superdog program, is done from day six to day 17. Research shows it builds a more robust immune system and a nervous system better able to handle change. ✨ After those first two weeks, good breeders move into daily socialization, introducing new sounds, textures, smells, and obstacles so the puppy's brain builds the neural pathways that say new things are safe. ✨ Health testing on the parents is non-negotiable. Hips, elbows, patellas, heart, eyes, and a full genetic panel to screen for recessive genes that two healthy dogs can unknowingly both carry and pass on. ✨ Colostrum is a window that cannot be replicated. If a puppy misses those first hours of mother's milk, they start at an immune disadvantage that is very difficult to make up. Ask whether all puppies were latched and fed immediately after birth. ✨ Weaning straight from mother's milk to kibble is a harsh transition for a developing gut. Even partial introduction of fresh food during weaning sets up a stronger microbiome for life. ✨ Routine deworming with metronidazole every two weeks means some puppies have had three or four rounds of gut-clearing medication before they leave the breeder. Dr. Lily recommends testing before treating rather than automatic deworming protocols. ✨ Ask any breeder whether they offer lifetime support and whether they will take the dog back at any point if something happens to the family. That answer tells you who you are working with. ✨ A puppy at eight weeks can only be awake for about 30 minutes before needing a long rest. Overstimulation is one of the most common reasons new puppies seem out of control, and most families are never told this. ✨ The vet and breeder relationship does not have to be adversarial. They share the same goal. Building bridges between those two worlds is better for puppies and better for families. Resources: Big Hearted Breeders: https://www.bigheartedbreeders.com Instagram: @bigheartedbreeders Facebook: @bigheartedbreeders YouTube: @bigheartedbreeders TikTok: @bigheartedbreeders Pinterest: @bigheartedbreeders FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Threads: @integrativepet TikTok: @integrativepet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ Dr. Lily Chen: Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Threads: @the.unicorn.vet LinkedIn: Lily Chen, DVM, CVA | |||
| We Made It to 100 and I Have a Lot to Say w/ Dr. Lily Chen | 19 Jul 2026 | 01:32:13 | |
Episode 100. I almost cannot believe it. When this podcast started, I did not know if anyone would listen. I only knew there were options out there, real and powerful ones, that too many pet parents never get told about. So I made a place for those conversations. Tonight was different. No guest, no script. Just a live recording with a room full of pet parents who have been on this journey with me, asking the real questions, sharing what they have lived through, and reminding me exactly why this exists. We talked about fecal transplants for IBD and when to start tapering off antibiotics like tylosin. We talked about ozone therapy and what it actually does inside the gut. We talked about the Qest4 scan, stem cell therapy for heart disease, UVBI, reference ranges that shift over time, and why a dog's liver values being high for 15 years might just be that dog's normal. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, I said something I have been wanting to say for a long time. I am a little tired of the fighting between conventional and holistic. I do both. I sit squarely in the middle. And it was never for us doctors to decide. It is for the families to decide, and they cannot decide if they do not know the options exist. Here is to the next hundred. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Diarrhea and heart failure are not directly connected. Heart failure causes fluid in the lungs or belly, not the intestines. But pets in heart failure may be more prone to gut issues because the body is already working so hard. ✨ Seasonal flares and stress are real allergy triggers. A dog can have their food sensitivities fully managed and still flare because of pollen, environmental shifts, or the anxiety of their person being away. ✨ Quercetin with bromelain stabilizes mast cells, one of the biggest drivers of allergic reactions. It works best as longer term support rather than an in-the-moment rescue. ✨ Metronidazole has been overused for diarrhea for decades. Research shows it can damage the microbiome and sometimes it does not recover. Fecal transplant is often a better first reach. ✨ When a pet is on multiple gut medications simultaneously, FMT will be less effective but still worth doing. The goal is to build enough stability to slowly taper, starting with the antibiotic. ✨ Ozone before fecal transplant is not about killing bad bacteria. It breaks up biofilm so the new transplant material has a better chance to take hold. ✨ Reference ranges shift over time and are based on a sample population. Trends over time matter far more than any single value. ✨ When kidney values are elevated on bloodwork, 70 to 80 percent of kidney function may already be gone. Watching trends within normal range gives you time to intervene before that point. ✨ The Qest4 bioenergetic scan can test supplement compatibility, showing whether a product is addressing root cause, addressing symptoms, or is not a match for that pet. ✨ Stem cell therapy using amnion has produced dramatic results in heart valve disease, including reversal in some patients. It works best when introduced early in the disease process. ✨ A 20 minute sniff walk provides mental stimulation equivalent to roughly one hour of physical exercise. Letting the dog lead the sniff rather than pulling them along is one of the most effective enrichment tools available. ✨ The microbiome can be imbalanced from puppyhood, often traced back through generations. Testing early, before symptoms appear, gives the most time and the most options. FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Threads: @integrativepet TikTok: @integrativepet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ Dr. Lily Chen: Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Threads: @the.unicorn.vet LinkedIn: Lily Chen, DVM, CVA & The Unicorn Vet | |||
| A New Study Could Save Parvo Puppies Faster and Cheaper w/ Dr. Lily Chen | 05 Jul 2026 | 00:24:33 | |
A study landed on my desk a few weeks ago and I have not been able to stop thinking about it. If you have a puppy, a young dog, or you know someone who does, this minisode is for you. It is about parvovirus, one of the scariest and most deadly diseases in young dogs, and a new study showing exactly what can be added to the standard of care to give puppies a better shot at survival, and at a fraction of the cost. The study, a double blinded, placebo controlled trial out of Ohio State University, looked at fecal microbiota transplant, also called microbiome restoration therapy, added on top of standard hospitalization for parvo. Not instead of it. The results are hard to ignore, and so is the part of the story about cost, because for many families, cost is the difference between treating their dog and losing them. I am sharing this now, before you ever need it, in the hope that you never do. But if you do, I want you to already know this exists. KEY INSIGHTS: FOLLOW:
Dr. Lily Chen: | |||
| Who Pays for the Pet Health Advice You're Getting? With Lara Shannon | 21 Jun 2026 | 00:59:23 | |
Who Is Really Behind the Pet Health Advice You Are Getting Every piece of pet health advice reaching you through media, whether it is a food recommendation, a sponsored post, a TV segment, or a YouTube video, somebody paid for it to get to you. The question worth asking is whether it was paid for by someone who wants your pet to be healthy or someone who wants your money. Lara Shannon is a certified dog behaviourist, pet food nutritionist, and host of Pooches at Play, now in its tenth season on Channel 10 in Australia. She also created Animal SOS Australia, documenting the mental health crisis inside the veterinary profession. Here is what stopped me. In Australia, Lara funds her own TV show and pays the network to air it. For ten years she has walked a line between keeping sponsors happy and keeping the message honest. We talk about a kibble company that claimed on national TV their product fixes the gut microbiome, why Australia has zero pet food regulations, what Dr. Lily found when she tested kibble diets for toxins, the anxiety epidemic in pets on both sides of the Pacific, and a shelter crisis where 90% of animals are no longer being adopted. This one is going to make you think differently about where your information is coming from. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Every pet health recommendation you receive has a funding source behind it. That does not automatically make it wrong, but it is worth asking who paid for it and what outcome they want. ✨ Australia has zero pet food regulations. Companies are self-regulated and can make almost any health claim without evidence to back it up. ✨ A kibble brand ran a national TV ad claiming their product improves the gut microbiome while raw feeding companies had to fight through endless approvals to get basic claims through. ✨ Dr. Lily tested kibble-fed pets and found consistently high levels of glyphosate and mold toxins. A major pet food company responded that levels were within the acceptable range for people. Pets are not people. ✨ Adding fresh food to the bowl can change everything. Lara's friend had a fussy anxious dog with skin issues who never touched his kibble. One change and he inhaled it. Dr. Lily had the same experience with her own dog. ✨ Anxiety in pets is rising on both sides of the Pacific. Pets mirror our stress and nervous system. When we are rushing and anxious, our animals go up a level. ✨ Itchy skin and gut issues are connected to behavior. If a pet is uncomfortable, it shows up as anxiety and reactivity. Rule out the physical before addressing the behavioral. ✨ In Australia, 90% of shelter animals are currently not being adopted while surrenders keep rising due to cost of living. Shelters are over capacity. ✨ The veterinary profession has one of the highest rates of burnout and suicide of any profession. Lara advocates from outside the profession because sometimes that outside voice carries differently. RESOURCES: Lara Shannon: https://www.larashannon.com Pooches at Play: https://www.poochesatplay.com Instagram: @larashannon @poochesatplay Linktree: @larashannon @poochesatplay Books: Eat, Play, Love Your Dog and World of Dogs available in the US FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Threads: @integrativepet TikTok: @integrativepet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ Dr. Lily Chen: Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Threads: @the.unicorn.vet LinkedIn: Lily Chen, DVM, CVA | |||
| Can Your Dog Live to 25 w/ Dr. Gary Richter | 14 Jun 2026 | 01:15:35 | |
What If Your Dog Could Live to 25 w/ Dr. Gary Richter Your dog's cells are aging right now, and by the time you notice the stiffness, the slowing down, the gray around the muzzle, it has already been happening for years. Dr. Gary Richter has spent over 25 years in integrative veterinary medicine asking what else is possible. He is the author of Longevity for Dogs and Longevity for Cats, founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, and right now he is building PetMetrics, a wearable biometric monitor for pets that works like an Apple Watch crossed with veterinary medicine. This conversation goes places I did not expect. We start with the three things that matter more than any supplement or technology for your pet's longevity, and they are free. Then we get into what is available right now that most pet parents have never heard of: UC-II collagen, Adequan, plasmalogens, and peptides like BPC-157. And then Dr. Richter walks me through gene therapy research that can literally instruct aging cells to go backwards. He said something that stuck with me. It is not at all out of the realm of possibility that pets living well over 20 is going to become the norm. After this conversation, I believe him. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ The three most important things for your pet's longevity are diet, exercise, and lifestyle. They are free. No amount of stem cells, peptides, or gene therapy will overcome a body not getting the basics right. ✨ Most pets are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D even when eating a good diet. Test before supplementing, especially vitamin D as too much can cause kidney failure. ✨ UC-II collagen is significantly more effective than glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support, yet most pet parents and veterinarians have never heard of it. ✨ Adequan is one of the most underutilized tools in small animal medicine. Dr. Richter cannot keep it on the shelf. If your pet has arthritis, ask your vet about it. ✨ Plasmalogens are fatty acids that are an integral part of cell membranes and decline as pets age. Low levels are linked to organ failure, cognitive decline, and neuropathy. ✨ Peptides like BPC-157 are being used for gut support, tissue healing, muscle repair, and cognitive support. They are just beginning to enter mainstream veterinary medicine. ✨ PetMetrics is a wearable device in development that will monitor your pet's heart rate, respiration, sleep, and activity levels in real time, flagging problems before they become emergencies. ✨ Pets are hardwired to hide illness. By the time symptoms appear, a disease process has often been going on for far too long. Early detection changes everything. ✨ Yamanaka factors are a set of genes that can literally tell mature cells to go backwards in age. Researchers at Harvard are actively working on controlled applications for both animals and people. ✨ Aging is not magic. It is biology. If we can make it run faster through poor lifestyle choices, it stands to reason we can make it run slower through the right ones. ✨ Loyal's longevity drug targets insulin-like growth factor as a function of aging. Dr. Richter says if clinical trials show it is safe and effective, he will use it in his practice without hesitation. 📥 Download our free Longevity Guide with all the supplements and modalities mentioned in this episode. RESOURCES: Dr. Gary Richter: Instagram @petvetexpert Holistic Veterinary Care: https://www.holisticvetcare.com Ultimate Pet Nutrition: https://www.ultimatepetnutrition.com PetMetrics: https://www.petmetrics.com Prodrome Sciences (plasmalogens): https://www.prodromesciences.com FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Threads: @integrativepet TikTok: @integrativepet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ Dr. Lily Chen: Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Threads: @the.unicorn.vet LinkedIn: Lily Chen, DVM, CVA | |||
| A Good Probiotic Is Not Enough w/ Billy Hoekman | 07 Jun 2026 | 01:01:45 | |
Why a Good Probiotic Is Not Enough and What Your Dog Actually Needs for Real Gut Health w/ Billy Hoekman If you have ever told your vet your dog is already on a good probiotic, this episode is going to make you think differently about that. Billy Hoekman is back. He is Vice President of Nutrition and Communication at Green Juju, and he has been in pet nutrition for 15 years. The last time he was on the podcast, the probiotic line was still in development. Now it is out, the clinical research is done, and the results are worth talking about. We get into why microbial diversity matters far more than finding the right probiotic strain, why the Amish kids Billy works with on farms in Pennsylvania do not have allergies, and what that tells us about our pets living in our clean modern homes. He also shares why every single one of the longest-lived dogs in recorded history had one thing in common. And then there is the clinical research. Two months, 47 dogs, and results that honestly surprised even the lab. Gut inflammation normalized in 98% of the dogs. The body's ability to detoxify improved by 57% on average. And the symptom improvements showed up exactly where you would expect them in real life. If your dog has allergies, skin issues, anxiety, or gut problems, this one is worth your full attention. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ A good probiotic is not a category. It is a principle. Your dog needs microbial diversity from food, fermented products, the environment, and supplements that reflect what nature actually provides. ✨ The Amish kids Billy works with on farms in Pennsylvania do not have allergies. They are barefoot all summer, swimming in ponds, surrounded by animals and soil. Constant microbial exposure is not a coincidence. ✨ Every one of the longest-lived dogs in recorded history slept outside. Our sanitized modern homes have removed something important from their lives. ✨ True health is resilience. If your dog is fine only on the exact right diet and supplements but falls apart the moment something changes, that is managed health, not true health. ✨ Green Juju's probiotics are grown from whole fermented foods: kombucha, wild fermented vegetables, and raw milk from an Amish farmer in Pennsylvania. The soil probiotic contains 500 plus naturally occurring species. ✨ Beta-glucuronidase, which measures how well the body detoxifies, dropped by an average of 57% in two months across 47 dogs. ✨ Calprotectin, the marker for gut inflammation, normalized in 98% of the dogs. Nine started with high inflammation. At the end, 45 out of 47 were in normal range. ✨ Symptom improvements tracked by size. Large dogs: panting and lethargy. Medium dogs: gas and diarrhea. Small dogs: anxiety and excessive licking. If your small dog seems anxious and licks constantly, that may be a gut issue. ✨ 44% of dogs showed a reduced immune response to gluten. When the gut heals, immune overreaction to many things starts to come down. ✨ Dr. Lily rotates her fecal microbiome restoration patients through Green Juju's Soil, Farm, and Leaf probiotics as part of her standard post-protocol. ✨ You can run your own case study. Order a gut health test from Innovative Pet Labs, start a probiotic, and retest in two months. RESOURCES: Green Juju: https://www.greenjuju.com Instagram: @greenjujukitchen Facebook: facebook.com/greenjujukitchen Clinical Research: email info@greenjuju.com or william@greenjuju.com Innovative Pet Lab: https://www.innovativepetlab.com FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Threads: @integrativepet TikTok: @integrativepet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ Dr. Lily Chen: Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Threads: @the.unicorn.vet LinkedIn: Lily Chen, DVA, CVA | |||
| What Your Dog's Body Is Trying to Tell You About Pain and How to Listen w/ Charlotte Speller | 31 May 2026 | 01:22:27 | |
Charlotte Speller spent 15 years as a dog behavior trainer before becoming a veterinary physiotherapist. And the thing that changed her path was something she kept seeing that nobody was talking about. Dogs labeled as difficult, grumpy, or reactive who were actually in pain. Not a behavior problem. A body problem. Nobody had caught it yet. That observation sent her into physiotherapy, where she now combines her understanding of animal behavior with hands-on physical rehabilitation. She works with post-surgical recovery, chronic arthritis, and dogs who have been told there is nothing more that can be done. We talk about the subtle signs most pet parents miss, why your dog hesitating before jumping in the car might matter more than you think, how a tiny wince across her own dog's face turned out to be the first sign of osteosarcoma, and why she wants to make herself redundant by getting to dogs before there is ever a crisis to fix. This is a conversation about prevention, about paying attention, and about what happens when we stop waiting for things to get bad before we ask for help. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Dogs labeled as grumpy, reactive, or difficult are often in pain. Behavior changes can be the first and only sign that something is wrong physically. ✨ Watch for what has changed, not what is dramatic. Hesitating before jumping in the car, avoiding slippery floors, taking themselves off to a new spot to lie down, not wanting to be touched. These are the early signs. ✨ Noise sensitivity can be a pain signal. If a dog that was never bothered by loud sounds suddenly becomes anxious around noise, the body may be bracing because sudden movement hurts. ✨ Charlotte's dog Brutus showed one single wince when asked to jump into the van. That was the first sign of osteosarcoma. It is that subtle. Please do not feel guilty for missing things this small. ✨ A step that is six inches high is roughly the equivalent of a dachshund climbing pyramid steps. We never think about how our home environment is physically taxing on small dogs with every single trip up and down. ✨ Nobody ever taught our dogs how to move properly. They just fly up and down the stairs, jump off furniture, and we never think to build the strength and body awareness that would protect them. ✨ Physiotherapy offered as a last resort, after medications have stopped working, is heartbreaking. Charlotte describes getting dogs into her clinic who could have been helped years earlier if she had been part of the plan from the start. ✨ When the first anti-inflammatory is prescribed, that is the moment to also bring in physiotherapy. One manages symptoms. The other works on the root cause. They should always go together. ✨ Prevention is the goal. Charlotte said something that stayed with me: you go to the gym not because something is wrong, but because you want to stay healthy and functional. Why would we not think the same way about our dogs? ✨ Before your vet appointment, send a video. It gives your vet something to work with immediately instead of spending the whole visit trying to describe what you are seeing at home. RESOURCES: Charlotte Speller Lead the Way Physio: https://leadthewayphysio.co.uk Facebook: Lead the Way Physio and Behavior Training Instagram: @leadthewayphysio Email: charlotte@leadthewayphysio.co.uk FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Threads: @integrativepet TikTok: @integrativepet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ Dr. Lily Chen: Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Threads: @the.unicorn.vet LinkedIn: Lily Chen, DVM, CVA | |||
| What Pet Parents Need to Know About Corporate Vet Care, Longevity Drugs and Allergy Medications | 24 May 2026 | 00:19:47 | |
Three big stories on my mind right now that I think every pet parent should know about. Story one: Chewy just acquired Modern Animal, a tech-forward veterinary chain with 29 clinics. That means the same company selling your dog's food, supplements, and medications now also owns the vet clinics seeing your dog. Is that great news or scary news? Honestly, both. Story two: Loyal is developing a longevity drug for senior dogs that promises to extend healthy life by about a year. The FDA cleared a major safety hurdle in January 2026. But here's the thing: we already know how to give most senior dogs more good time. Lean body weight, good nutrition, exercise, sleep, connection. These things are powerful. So why are we reaching for a pill? Story three: New allergy drugs are hitting the market. NUMELVI and Zenrelia are JAK inhibitors that stop the itch sensation. But they don't fix the underlying immune issue. And one of them came with an FDA warning that dogs could die if vaccinated while on the drug. I bring these up not to scare you, but to help you think critically about what's happening in pet care right now and what questions you should be asking. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Chewy now owns 47 veterinary clinics after acquiring Modern Animal. That's a lot of vertical integration and a lot of incentive to recommend their own products. ✨ Ask your vet who owns the practice. You'd be surprised how many clinics that look independently owned are actually backed by corporate or private equity groups. ✨ Always keep a copy of your pet's medical records and lab results. It helps when you need care somewhere else or have multiple providers. ✨ Loyal's longevity drug LOY-002 targets age-related metabolic dysfunction in senior dogs 10+ years old and weighing at least 14 lbs. It cleared FDA safety approval in January 2026. ✨ We already know how to extend most dogs' lives by a year or more: lean body weight, good nutrition, exercise, sleep, and connection. A study from 22 years ago proved this. ✨ The goal can't just be more days. The goal is more good days and quality days. ✨ NUMELVI and Zenrelia are JAK inhibitors that stop the itch sensation in allergic dogs. They don't fix the underlying immune issue. ✨ Zenrelia came with an FDA warning: do not vaccinate dogs while on this drug. Pause the medication for 28 days to 3 months before vaccinating. Some dogs died after being vaccinated while on the drug. ✨ Allergy drugs buy you time to work on the root cause. They should not be relied on forever because chronic immune issues can lead to more serious problems like cancer later in life. ✨ Corporate consolidation in veterinary medicine has actually slowed in 2026, which makes the Chewy-Modern Animal deal one of the biggest recent moves. FOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet LinkedIn: Lily Chen DVM, CVA 👉Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| How to Advocate for Your Pet's Health and Get Results w/ Weylie Hoang | 17 May 2026 | 01:13:41 | |
A cardiologist told Weylie her dog had only six to nine months to live. That was over 15 months ago. Her dog's heart disease has actually reversed. And her cardiologist doesn't have a great explanation for it. Weylie Hoang is not a vet. She's not a doctor or a researcher. But she is an expert on her pet. She grew up with zero experience with animals, trusted everything her vet said, fed kibble because that's just what you do. Never questioned it until the day her dog was put on steroids after a dental procedure and nobody told her what was coming. The thirst, the weight gain, the personality shift. By the time she figured out what was happening, her dog was never quite the same. That moment changed everything. Fast forward and Weylie is now the pet parent who drives over an hour each way for integrative care, who researches at midnight, who does nightly positive affirmations with her dogs, and whose dog Navi, the one given six to nine months after congestive heart failure, is still here thriving with documented reversal of her heart disease. This conversation is for anyone who has ever sat in a vet's office and felt dismissed, anyone who's been told "just watch and wait" when your gut is screaming that something is wrong, and anyone who is curious about holistic care but doesn't know where to start or is scared of being judged for even asking. Weylie's been there. And she's going to tell you exactly what she did about it. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ You are the expert on your pet. Your daily observations are clinical data. No one has more of it than you. Trust what you see. ✨ A defensive vet is a red flag. If asking questions makes them defensive or they don't explain things clearly, consider a second opinion. ✨ Integrated medicine isn't choosing sides. It's choosing more. Navi is on heart medication AND gets acupuncture, fecal transplants, ozone therapy, and amnion cell treatment. None of these cancel each other out. They compound. ✨ Being proactive is always cheaper and more effective than being reactive. Catch issues early before they become full-blown crises requiring stronger medications. ✨ Healing isn't just physical. Nightly positive affirmations, calm energy, and intentional moments of love create measurable changes in your pet's wellbeing. ✨ If you're doing the same thing, you're only going to get the same results. If what you're doing isn't working, try something different. ✨ Amnion stem cell therapy changed everything for Navi. Her resting breath rate dropped from 26 to 12. Her allergies improved. Her heart disease reversed from stage C to stage B1. ✨ Fecal transplant combined with amnion helped Navi's chronic allergies so much that she no longer needs Cytopoint injections. ✨ Thoughts and energy carry measurable vibration. Dogs feel our energy. What started as silly affirmations became a nightly ritual that both Weylie and her boyfriend now do together. ✨ Get pet insurance as soon as possible. It gives you options when your pet needs care. RESOURCES: FOLLOW: Weylie Hoang:Instagram: @Weylie YouTube: @Weylie Hoang FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet LinkedIn: Lily Chen DVM, CVA 👉Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| We Missed the First Step — What 50 Years of Cancer Research Got Wrong w/ Dr. Loren Nations | 10 May 2026 | 01:24:19 | |
For 50 years, we thought we knew what caused cancer. Billions of dollars in research, the entire human genome sequenced, all of it built on one assumption: cancer is a genetic disease. And then the data came back. And the data said we got it wrong. Dr. Loren Nations is a board-certified veterinary practitioner with almost 35 years in internal medicine, oncology, and cardiology. He's pioneered hyperbaric oxygen therapy, ketogenic nutrition, mistletoe therapy, and microbiome medicine in veterinary care. But what makes his story powerful isn't the credentials. It's the moment that changed everything. After three decades of practicing conventional medicine with tremendous success, he lost his wife to triple negative breast cancer. Five weeks from diagnosis to her passing. In the wake of that loss, he started asking questions the entire medical system had stopped asking: Why did the genetic theory fail? What's actually driving disease at the cellular level? And what would happen if we stopped treating symptoms and started optimizing the body's own metabolism instead? We talk about the health continuum from optimization to disease, why most wellness appointments aren't actually about wellness, and what it means to heal from the cellular level up. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Cancer is not a genetic disease. After 50 years of research based on the somatic mutation theory, the data showed no correlation between genetic abnormalities and cancer types. ✨ The real driver of cancer is metabolic dysfunction. Cells lose their ability to produce energy properly through mitochondrial damage and oxidative phosphorylation breakdown. ✨ Cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, autoimmune disease all share the same foundation: inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. ✨ The health continuum runs from optimization (Olympic athlete level) to wellness (healthy but room for improvement) to disease. Most pets live in the wellness space, not the optimization space. ✨ Wellness appointments as we know them (vaccines, parasite prevention, bloodwork) are maintenance, not optimization. They don't move the needle on metabolic health or longevity. ✨ Medicine 3.0 asks "why is this happening?" instead of just treating symptoms. It's about finding a cure for the cause, not a pill for the ill. ✨ Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used for acute inflammation, snake bites, non-healing wounds, pancreatitis, IBD, neurological issues, and even cancer therapy in Dr. Nations' practice. ✨ The gut microbiome is 25-50% of what's needed for optimal health. Pets don't get healthy microbes from kibble or sterile environments the way wild animals do. ✨ Metabolic health is the life force. It's the body's ability to convert and utilize energy. When that breaks down, disease follows. ✨ Vaccines were the foundation of veterinary medicine for decades. The profession is built on annual vaccines, and shifting that paradigm requires courage and scientific questioning. ✨ One flame can light the world by lighting one more flame at a time. Change happens through curiosity, courage, and community. RESOURCES: Veterinary Healthcare Associates (VHA): https://vhavets.com Instagram: @vhavets LinkedIn: Veterinary Healthcare Associates Facebook: Veterinary Healthcare Associates Contact: vhavets@vhavets.com Neoterric Institute: https://neoterric.com/ Instagram: @neoterricinstitute LinkedIn: Neoterric Institute Facebook: Neoterric Institute LLC Contact: support@neoterric.com COMING SOON: The Optimized Pet System (Canine Masterclass) — Online course for pet parents on how to optimize metabolic health FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet LinkedIn: Lily Chen DVM, CVA Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| How Microbiome Medicine Is Transforming Pet Health w/ Sanjit Basak-Smith | 03 May 2026 | 01:00:06 | |
Sanjit Basak-Smith has been doing veterinary work since he was five years old when his father opened their family practice in 1997. He started with kennel work, moved to answering phones, and eventually became a veterinary technician working alongside his dad for years. About 10 years ago, Sanjit started specializing in integrated modalities like stem cell therapy, PRP, photobiomodulation, and microbiome medicine. And through that work, he helped transform his family's traditional Western practice into a local leader in integrative care. But here's where it gets really interesting. When Sanjit was about 12 years old, a doctor wanted to put him on steroids for his psoriasis. His father, a veterinarian, said absolutely not. He found a natural alternative and it worked. Years later, when Sanjit started working closely in the clinic, he noticed something he couldn't let go of. The same steroid his dad refused for his own son, he was prescribing to his patients every day. That one question changed the entire trajectory of their practice: Why is this okay for your patients, but not for your son? We talk about why probiotics alone aren't enough, what microbiome testing actually reveals, why your dog's skin problem might really be a gut problem, and how to start making changes that actually stick. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ If your pet doesn't have diarrhea, it doesn't mean the gut is fine. Skin issues, chronic allergies, and inflammation are often rooted in microbiome imbalance. ✨ The microbiome is responsible for breaking down food and regulating immune response. When it's off, symptoms show up everywhere. ✨ Probiotics are great for a healthy gut, but when there's dysbiosis, you need fecal transplant to reintroduce native bacteria the body actually needs. ✨ Prescription diets are meant to be used for 30 days to diagnose food allergies, not as a lifelong diet. ✨ Drugs like Apoquel and Cytopoint suppress the immune system. Never start them if infection is present. Microbiome testing helps identify hidden infections before starting immunosuppressants. ✨ Microbiome testing should be done preventively throughout a pet's life, just like bloodwork. It can detect issues before organs start failing. ✨ After antibiotics, use fecal transplant capsules for seven days to restore native bacteria. Probiotics alone won't reintroduce what was wiped out. ✨ Fresh food is superior to kibble. This isn't controversial anymore. Processed food and poor farming practices are affecting our pets' health. ✨ Sanjit's father was ready to sell the practice and leave veterinary medicine. Integrative medicine and microbiome treatment brought the love back and saved him from burnout. ✨ You are allowed to ask questions and advocate for your pet. A good vet will welcome that conversation. RESOURCES: Monroe Town and Country Veterinary Hospital: https://monroectvet.com Instagram: @monroetowncountryvet Animal Biome: https://www.animalbiome.com Instagram: @animal.biome/ FOR VETERINARIANS: Feeling stuck in the cycle of treating the same chronic cases with limited tools? Vets in Dr. Lily's first microbiome training cohort said learning this work literally saved them from burnout and brought the passion back to their practice. The Magic of Microbiome Course (Veterinary Microbiome Training): https://theunicorn.academy/ Learn how to:
FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet LinkedIn: Dr. Lily Chen 👉Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Animal Kinesiology: How Pets Mirror Our Emotional Wounds & Why They Choose Us w/ Claire Forsyth | 26 Apr 2026 | 01:10:57 | |
I sat down with Claire Forsyth, a specialist animal kinesiologist with over 25 years of experience, knowing almost nothing about her work. What I got was one of the most fascinating conversations I've had on this show. Claire started in animal behavior, running dog training classes. And she kept noticing something she couldn't explain with training alone. Dogs and their people were walking the same way. Anxious about the same things. Even learning at the same pace. That led her to kinesiology, a practice that uses muscle testing to access the body's energy systems. Through precise protocols, Claire can identify the root emotional patterns driving an animal's behavior, trace them back to a specific age or wound, and then bring in the human. Because the animal and their person are almost always holding the same pattern. Not because the human is stressing the animal out. But because they found each other. Because something in this shared vibration drew them together. We talk about what a session looks like, how muscle testing works through a surrogate, why separation anxiety is actually an attachment problem, and the story of a Labrador named Gus that changed how I think about the bond between pets and their people. This one's going to stretch your mind a little. And I think that's a good thing. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Dogs and their people mirror each other in walk, limp, learning pace, and anxiety patterns. ✨ Muscle testing accesses chakras, meridians, and aura through the nervous system. Corrections include tuning forks, flower essences, essential oils, and energy healing. ✨ Animals aren't absorbing our stress. They mirror it. They found us because we share the same vibration, the same emotional wounding. ✨ Separation anxiety is not a training problem. It's an attachment problem. ✨ Gus's story: A Labrador with separation anxiety and his human Tina were both abandoned by their mothers. Both had insecure attachment. When Claire healed the abandonment wound for both, Gus stopped being destructive and Tina stopped over-functioning in relationships. ✨ We don't care enough about ourselves to heal. But for our animals, we'll explore all our emotions if it means they'll be okay. ✨ Conflicting emotions cause inflammation. When we hold two conflicting things, the conflict creates inflammation in the body. Animals hold these too. ✨ Claire works with animals worldwide online through Zoom or photographs. RESOURCES: Claire Forsyth: www.animalenergytherapies.com Instagram: @animalkinesiology Facebook: @animalenergytherapies The Animal Mirror Method: Learn muscle testing and explore shared emotional patterns FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet 👉Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Root Cause Care & Holistic Health Coaches: A Better Way Forward for Pets w/ Dr. Ruth Roberts | 19 Apr 2026 | 01:15:03 | |
Dr. Ruth Roberts has been practicing integrative veterinary medicine for over 30 years. She's the creator of The Original CrockPet Diet, which has helped thousands of pets with everything from kidney disease to cancer to chronic allergies. And she's the founder of the Holistic Pet Health Coach Certification Program, training a whole new generation of people to fill the massive gap in how our animals get care. But this conversation isn't just about what she's built. It's about what's broken in veterinary medicine and how we fix it. We talk about why your vet appointment feels so rushed, why you leave the clinic feeling like you still don't have answers, and why preventive medicine is still such a hard sell. We talk about the shift from pets as property to pets as family, how corporate consolidation is changing the care your animal receives, and why the real value isn't in prescription sales but in the doctor's brain sitting in front of you. We also get into the hard stuff. The animals that changed the course of our careers. The promise Dr. Ruth made to her dog Arnold when he died. The black lab named Lucy who taught me that I never wanted to euthanize another pet just for arthritis. And why coaches and veterinarians can actually work together instead of fighting each other. This one gets emotional. But it's also hopeful. Because Dr. Ruth isn't just talking about what's broken. She's building the bridge. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Veterinarians are overwhelmed. With corporate consolidation, many vets are seeing patients in as little as 6-minute appointments. The average is now 15-20 minutes. ✨ The shift from pets as property to pets as family happened fast. In 30 years, we went from dogs chained outside to dogs sleeping under the sheets with us. ✨ As pets became family, people wanted specialist care. But generalist vets started learning "here's when to refer" instead of "here's how to treat." ✨ Corporate veterinary medicine (Mars Pet Care and hedge funds) now owns 60% or more of veterinary practices. The motive has shifted. ✨ The real value isn't in prescription sales. It's in the veterinarian's brain and their ability to sit with you, listen, and guide you through your pet's health journey. ✨ AI recently scored 95-98% on Japan's veterinary board exam. Knowledge won't be the advantage anymore. Critical thinking, experience, and presence will be. ✨ Holistic Pet Health Coaches fill the gap. They sit with pet parents for an hour, help them navigate all the information from specialists, and create nutrition and supplement plans. ✨ The program is accredited for 40 hours of CE for vets and vet techs in the US and Canada. But most graduates are human health coaches, groomers, trainers, and pet sitters who see pets regularly and want to help. ✨ Some vets see coaches as competitors. But they're colleagues and allies. They free up the vet to stay in their zone of genius while the coach handles education and follow-up. ✨ Preventive medicine is the hardest sell. Human nature reacts to problems, not freight trains coming miles away. But if we can shift the train to another track before it reaches the station, we're miles ahead. ✨ The future: In 20 years, Dr. Ruth hopes we stop fighting to protect our dogma and start listening to each other. That we evaluate options purely on whether they help the animal in front of us. RESOURCES: Dr. Ruth Roberts: www.drruthroberts.com Find a Holistic Pet Health Coach: www.drruthroberts.com (Find a Coach tab) The Original CrockPet Diet: Home-cooked diet based on functional medicine and TCVM principles Holistic Pet Health Coach Certification Program: 16-week intensive program, accredited for 40 hours of CE Instagram: @dr.ruthroberts YouTube: Dr. Ruth Roberts Facebook: @crockpetdiet Tiktok: @dr.ruthroberts FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶 | |||
| Preventive Pet Health: Testing and Treatments You Might Not Know Exist | 12 Apr 2026 | 00:26:18 | |
This is a quick conversation I had with Esa after we finished our rescue episode. She asked me the questions I think a lot of you might be wondering but maybe don't know how to ask. What am I most excited about in holistic medicine? What new modalities are coming to the practice? How did Integrative Pet Wellness Center even start, and why does it feel so different from a traditional vet hospital? I pull back the curtain a little bit. I talk about the bioresonance scans I'm obsessed with right now, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber I want to bring into the practice, and the hormone replacement therapy I think we've been overlooking in animals for way too long. I also share my origin story: why I started this practice, how I started it, and my story of doing house calls and how that shaped everything about the way I practice medicine today. We also talk about Remi's story. Remi came to me with a cough that lasted over a year. He'd done all the testing, all the diagnostics, all the medications. Nothing worked. We did one ozone UVBI treatment, and the cough was gone in seven days. One week. This is a quick conversation for anyone who's ever wondered what's possible beyond what's already been offered. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Bioresonance scans are the future of preventive medicine. They pick up frequency shifts in cells before disease manifests, allowing us to prevent cancer, immune issues, and slow aging. ✨ When a cell is diseased, it emits signals different from healthy cells. Bioresonance scans detect those signals using hair samples or saliva swabs, even for pets who live far away. ✨ Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is coming to the practice. Cellular oxygen is essential, and we are so depleted in modern life. ✨ Hormone replacement therapy is overlooked in animals. Pets spayed and neutered young miss critical developmental hormones, and hormone deficiencies contribute to many diseases we see in aging pets. ✨ Ozone UVBI therapy (ozone mixed with blood and activated with UV light) can resolve chronic issues conventional medicine can't touch. Remy's year-long cough disappeared in seven days with one treatment. ✨ The practice was built on the house call model. Dr. Lily saw that animals heal better in their own environment, so she created a clinic that feels like coming to her home. ✨ Trust is the foundation of healing. When people trust their vet enough to enter their personal space, that trust translates into better outcomes for the pet. ✨ Every team member at Integrative Pet Wellness Center found their way to the practice organically. Dr. Lily has never placed an ad or actively recruited anyone. ✨ We're all on the same team. The best outcomes happen when clients trust their vet, vets trust their clients, and everyone is working toward the same goal: the pet's health. RESOURCES: Bioresonance Testing: Non-invasive scans using hair samples or saliva swabs to detect frequency imbalances in the body (available at Integrative Pet Wellness Center) Ozone UVBI Therapy: Ozone mixed with blood and activated with UV light for chronic immune issues, infections, and inflammation (available at Integrative Pet Wellness Center) FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Dog Rescue & Adoption: The Real Truth About Fostering & Shelter Work w/ Esa Van Dusen | 05 Apr 2026 | 00:56:08 | |
Most of us can't imagine doing rescue work the way Esa Van Dusen does. This isn't about fostering a dog here and there. This is about finding a pit bull chained to a tree with no access to water. Getting a video of a terrified dog living in spray paint cans and bushes. Driving straight into a hurricane to pull animals out of abandoned boarding kennels. Esa has been rescuing animals for 15 years in Austin and LA. She's a digital writer, advertiser, energy healer, and someone who shows up for animals in ways most people never will. Her vision? A healing sanctuary ranch for animals and people. But this conversation isn't about feel-good adoption photos. It's about the real version of rescue. The version where you have to reconcile with the fact that you cannot save them all. The version where you sit in your car crying because the weight of it is too much. And the version where you learn to follow the energy of one. Esa found a blind and deaf Catahoula dog (originally called Possum) in an abandoned kennel during a hurricane and found her a magical home with two Australian Shepherd brothers where she's still thriving today. But here's what makes this conversation so important: we talked about the reality. Suffering is inevitable. We're not always in charge. We can't decide the outcome. The work isn't about saving them all. It's about showing up for the one right in front of you and trusting that something bigger might be running in the background. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Follow the energy of one animal at a time. 100% of the time, a miracle happens when you do. ✨ Suffering is inevitable. We're not in charge of the outcome, but we can show up for the animal right in front of us. ✨ You can't be helpful if you're sitting in your car crying. Develop the strength to do this work without burning out. ✨ Every single breed is represented in rescue right now. Wiener dogs, doodles, even "bulletproof" breeds that used to never end up in shelters. ✨ The overbreeding crisis means perfectly good family dogs are being euthanized, not because they're difficult, but because there's no room. ✨ Petfinder is still one of the best resources to find rescue dogs by breed, location, and specific traits. ✨ Private rescues are foster-based and easier to volunteer with than municipal shelters. Look for breed-specific Facebook groups and Instagram communities. ✨ You don't have to foster to help. Volunteer at adoption events, transport dogs, share posts on social media, donate supplies, or network for animals who need homes. ✨ Not all rescues are created equal. Some run like businesses, some are emotionally charged. Find one that matches your energy and values. ✨ Rehoming is the closest option to rescue. If you know a family rehoming their dog, help them network to find a new home before the shelter becomes the only option. ✨ Saving one dog will not change the world, but for that one dog, the world has changed. RESOURCES: Adoption & Rescue Search:
Rescue Organizations:
Community Resources:
CONTACT ESA: If you have questions about rescue, fostering, or need guidance on where to start, Esa is happy to help. Instagram: @esavandusen Phone: 512 775 6999 Email: esa1010@gmail.com FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet 👉 Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Light as Medicine (and Why Your Pet Is Starving for It) - With Jackie Jolie | 29 Mar 2026 | 00:59:36 | |
What if the most powerful medicine for your pet isn't a supplement or a drug, but something as simple as light? Jackie Jolie, founder of AnimaSol, believes light is the foundation of health. Every cell in every mammal's body has a light sensor called a melanopsin, waiting to receive information from photons. And yet, we and our pets are spending 98% of our lives indoors, cut off from the very thing our DNA was built to run on. Jackie spent 15 years as an equine and canine bodyworker. But in 2018, after being diagnosed with Lyme disease, she rebuilt her health using natural treatments and something she calls a light life: reconnecting to sunlight, circadian rhythms, grounding, and red and near infrared light therapy. She says she runs better at 42 than she did in her twenties. That personal transformation became AnimaSol, a company that creates battery-operated, full-body red and near infrared light therapy blankets for horses, dogs, and cats. This conversation goes deep into the science of light, the difference between lasers and LEDs, which wavelengths actually penetrate to bone and nerve, and how to choose a safe device in a market flooded with cheap knockoffs. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Every mammal cell has a melanopsin, a light sensor waiting to respond to photons. Light is foundational to health. ✨ Red wavelengths penetrate 5-10 mm into tissue for surface healing. Near infrared penetrates 50 mm down to nerve, bone, and bone marrow. ✨ The 810 nm wavelength penetrates the cranium and vertebrae, effective for cognitive issues, head trauma, IVDD, and paralysis. ✨ LEDs vs. lasers: LEDs deliver the same benefits with zero thermal effect, no burns, and no risk of harm. ✨ Contact method matters. Red light therapy is most effective when the device is in direct contact with the skin. ✨ Cancer and red light: After 40 years of use, no documented cases of LED therapy causing cancer or accelerating tumors. ✨ New studies show red and near infrared light therapy reduces IBS and IBD symptoms and increases beneficial gut bacteria. ✨ Light therapy activates acupuncture points in 30-45 seconds, ideal for needle-shy animals or at-home maintenance. RESOURCES: AnimaSol Website: www.animasol.life Instagram: @anima__sol Linktree: https://linktr.ee/animasol Email: info@animasol.life (Jackie personally answers all emails) PRODUCTS:
SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR LISTENERS:Use code IntegrativePetSol at www.animasol.life for 10% off 💡FREE GUIDE FOR PET PARENTS: Curious about red light therapy for your pet? Dr. Lily Chen and Jackie Jolie put together a free guide that covers everything you need to know. Inside you'll find how red and near-infrared light works, which wavelengths actually matter, a 7-point device checklist, and a condition reference guide for arthritis, IVDD, skin allergies, gut health, and more. 👉 Download your free copy here FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| The Pet Care Future We're Fighting For - With Dr. Judy Morgan | 22 Mar 2026 | 01:11:04 | |
In Part 1, we talked about the cases that changed us. In Part 2, we're talking about what needs to change in veterinary medicine. Dr. Judy Morgan doesn't hold back. We go deep into the drugs that concern us most, why prescription diets were only supposed to be temporary fixes, and how corporate medicine is reshaping the profession in ways that aren't always serving pets or their parents. We also talk about something I wasn't expecting to discuss: the system itself. Emergency hospitals diverting patients because they're too full. Specialists who only work eight to four, Monday through Friday. Bills that reach thousands of dollars for supportive care alone. And the uncomfortable reality that a corporate executive admitted to me over dinner that they wouldn't take their own dog to their own hospital because of the cost. But this conversation isn't just about what's broken. It's about what the future could look like when pet parents are educated, empowered, and asking better questions. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Isoxazoline flea and tick preventatives are neurotoxins, and it took years to get that on the label. ✨ Prescription diets were meant to be used for 30 days, not for life. They're a short-term fix while you address the root cause. ✨ You can't outsupplement a bad diet. Food is the foundation of everything. ✨ How to afford fresh food: Buy whole animals from local farmers, join co-ops, use base mixes and add your own meat, or feed nutrient-dense foods that require half as much. ✨ The veterinary system is breaking: emergency hospitals diverting patients, specialists only working weekdays, and pricing so extreme that financial euthanasia is now a reality. ✨ Corporate medicine is driving burnout: support staff cut, quotas imposed, relationships become transactional instead of trust-based. ✨ Dr. Judy's mission: Educate and empower pet parents to make good decisions and stand up for the health of their pets. RESOURCES: Website: NaturallyHealthyPets.com Dr. Judy Morgan: www.drjudymorgan.com Dr. Judy U (University): courses on holistic pet care, hospice, and palliative care Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudyMorganDVM Instagram: @drjudymorgan YouTube: @DrJudyMorgan ✨SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR LISTENERS: Use code MYDOG10 at NaturallyHealthyPets.com for 10% off RECOMMENDED BOOKS (all 9 books available at DrJudyMorgan.com or Amazon):
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: Susan Thixton's List: TruthAboutPetFood.com FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.comInstagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| The Rebels Who Found Each Other - With Dr. Judy Morgan | 15 Mar 2026 | 00:32:41 | |
What happens when one of the most influential voices in holistic veterinary medicine walks into the biggest conventional veterinary conference in the world? I spotted Dr. Judy Morgan at VMX in Orlando, and honestly, I had to do a double take. Here was a woman who has dedicated nearly 40 years to transforming pet wellness, walking confidently into rooms full of conventional practitioners, educating veterinary students who are hungry for a different approach, and bridging the gap between traditional and holistic care. This conversation is about the turning points. The German Shepherd who couldn't walk and then ran down the hallway five minutes after his first chiropractic adjustment. The practice that was the biggest seller of prescription diets in the country and put almost every dog and cat on one. The chronic ear infections, skin problems, and smelly animals that never got better no matter what conventional medicine threw at them. Dr. Judy and I couldn't stop talking, so we split this into two parts. Part 1 is about how we got here and what broke us in conventional medicine. Part 2, coming next week, is where things get real: the food industry, the drugs we wish didn't exist, and the uncomfortable truth about the veterinary business model. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Dr. Judy Morgan became a vet at 12 when a veterinarian performed surgery on her gimpy show pony, inspiring her to help animals the same way. ✨ The turning point: A 100-pound German Shepherd that couldn't walk came in for treatment. After chiropractic adjustments, the dog jumped up and ran down the hallway 5 minutes later. ✨ Why conventional medicine felt broken: Every month, the same chronic ear infections, the same skin problems, the same smelly, itchy animals with no real improvement. ✨ The prescription diet problem: Dr. Judy worked at a practice that was the biggest seller of prescription diets in the country. Almost every single dog and cat was on one, including puppies on PD and seniors on GD. ✨ Prescription diets are meant to be used for 30 days, not for life. They're a short-term fix while you address the root cause, not a lifetime sentence. ✨ One client unknowingly starved their dog to death on RD (reducing diet) because no one followed up to reweigh the animal for a year. ✨ Integrated medicine in action: Dr. Judy's cat developed severe neurologic symptoms with sky-high white blood cell counts. She used steroids short-term to save the cat's life, then weaned onto natural anti-inflammatories like PEA and mushrooms. ✨ The frustration of conventional medicine: Limited tools, antibiotics that barely worked, chronic problems that never resolved, and side effects from every medication. ✨ Emergency medicine was the exception: Dr. Judy loved emergency work because it was rapid-fire problem-solving with immediate results, not chronic symptom management. ✨ The vision came early: As a child, Dr. Judy dreamed of a future where people could see into her life and watch videos of what she was doing. Now millions follow her work online. ✨ Integrated doesn't mean anti-science: It means using everything available to actually heal, not just suppress symptoms. RESOURCES: Website: NaturallyHealthyPets.com Dr. Judy Morgan: www.drjudymorgan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudyMorganDVM Instagram: @drjudymorgan YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJudyMorgan SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR LISTENERS: Use code MYDOG10 at NaturallyHealthyPets.com for 10% off any purchase (supplements, dental health formulas, books, and more) RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| 35 Dogs, Zero Leashes, One Forest: Rethinking Everything You Know About Dog Training with Sam Amalsadvala | 08 Mar 2026 | 01:11:13 | |
Picture this: 35 dogs running free in a 175-acre forest. No leashes. No commands. No chaos. Just one guy leading the pack, and every single dog follows him. How is that even possible? In this episode, I sit down with Sam Amalsadvala, a former merchant navy chef who accidentally became one of the most insightful natural dog trainers I've ever met. Sam doesn't train dogs — he listens to them. And what he's learned will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about "training" your dog. Coming from India where dogs roamed freely and leashes didn't exist, Sam moved to Montreal and couldn't speak French. In that isolation, he realized something profound: dogs live in that space every single day. They can't speak our language. They're frustrated, misunderstood, and judged. So he stopped treating them like problems to be fixed and started treating them like beings who needed to be understood. This conversation will change the way you see your dog — and maybe even yourself. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ How Sam walks 35 dogs off-leash in a Canadian forest — and why they never run away, fight, or get lost. ✨ Why socialization matters more than traditional training — and how it prevents behavior issues that lead to shelter returns. ✨ The three things every dog needs: physical activity, mental stimulation, and social time with other dogs. ✨ Why your dog's "anxiety" might actually be blocked energy — and what freedom, play, and socialization can do to fix it. ✨ How to teach recall through play and curiosity instead of commands and treats. ✨ The truth about neutering and aggression — it's not hormones, it's lack of social skills. ✨ Why growling isn't bad behavior — it's communication. And what happens when we punish it. ✨ Leadership isn't about dominance — it's about consent, understanding needs, and walking at the pace of the slowest dog. ✨ Management before modification — how to keep everyone safe in the moment, then work on behavior later. ✨ Replace the word "training" with "learning and observing" — and everything else falls into place. ✨ The microbiome connection: how ear health, gut health, and behavior are all linked. RESOURCES: Sam Amalsadvala: https://linktr.ee/thesamaysam Canivie: https://linktr.ee/canivie FREE RESOURCES FROM SAM:
FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Leaving Veterinary Medicine Better Than She Found It: One Vet's Mission | Dr. Lindsey Wendt | 01 Mar 2026 | 00:27:57 | |
What if the key to a faster, easier surgical recovery wasn't more drugs — but better preparation? In this episode, I continue my conversation with Dr. Lindsey Wendt, and we're going somewhere deeper. We're talking about the future of veterinary medicine, the power of pre-op integrative care, and what happens when conventional and integrative doctors actually work together instead of staying in silos. Dr. Lindsey shares the story of her foster dog Pineapple, who had bilateral knee surgery and was walking without limping just days later — not because of luck, but because of intentional preparation. We also dive into her exciting work bringing decentralized clinical trials to the pet supplement industry, why emergency hospitals are now using acupuncture points, and the mental health crisis our pets are facing. If you've ever wondered what the future of better veterinary medicine looks like — this is it. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ How Dr. Lindsey prepared Pineapple for bilateral knee surgery with prolotherapy, herbs, and pre-op planning — and why she's thriving 11 days post-op. ✨ Why integrative veterinarians need to be in the room with orthopedic surgeons, dermatologists, oncologists, and internal medicine specialists from the start. ✨ The exciting announcement: Dr. Lindsey is bringing decentralized clinical trials to the pet supplement industry — making research more accessible and affordable. ✨ How decentralized trials allow pets to live at home while participating in research, instead of in research facilities. ✨ Why this could lower clinical trial costs from $120,000-$250,000 down to $50,000-$60,000 — making it possible for more brands to prove their products work. ✨ The small but powerful shift: emergency hospitals now giving sedatives at GV 20 (an acupuncture point) because the research is published. ✨ Why neurologists are starting to incorporate rehabilitation, acupuncture, and cannabis into standard protocols. ✨ The mental health crisis in pets: anxiety, fear, reactivity — and how early spay/neuter, microbiome issues, and environmental stressors play a huge role. ✨ What success looks like for Dr. Lindsey: leaving the veterinary industry in a better state than she found it, even if it's just one small lane. ✨ Why we need more evidence-based medicine supporting integrative choices — so we can bring more conventional vets to the table with data they trust. ✨ How pet parents drive change by voting with their dollars and demanding better from brands. Connect with Dr. Lindsey Wendt:
Botanical Bones:
Connect with Dr. Lily Chen:
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| Veterinarian Exposes Pet Treat Industry: What Companies Don't Want You To Know - Insights from Dr. Lindsey Wendt | 22 Feb 2026 | 00:43:09 | |
You probably stood in a pet store aisle staring at rows and rows of colorful bags, all promising to be natural, holistic, or premium. You probably grabbed one, read the ingredient list, thought it looked pretty good, and tossed it in your cart. Here's what you didn't know. Less than 10% of pet treat companies actually test to see if their product is still good before the best-by date on the back — which means your dog could be eating oxidized, rancid oils that trigger massive inflammation in their body, and you'd never know. In this episode, Dr. Lily sits down with Dr. Lindsey Wendt — a longtime friend, integrative veterinarian, co-founder of Botanical Bones, and one of the most fearless advocates for transparency in the pet industry. Dr. Lindsey has worked behind the scenes with some of the biggest pet food and supplement brands in the world — and what she's seen has shocked her. She's the kind of veterinarian who will call out a company publicly when they're cutting corners, who spends hours researching a single ingredient, and who asks the hard questions most of us don't even know to ask. This isn't a feel-good conversation. It's a wake-up call. Because the treats you're giving your dog every single day — they matter. And it's time we all started asking better questions. Key Insights ✨ Less than 10% of pet treat companies run shelf stability trials — meaning most best-by dates are essentially guesses, and your dog could be eating rancid, oxidized oils without you ever knowing. ✨ Marketing terms like "natural," "holistic," "humanely raised," and "premium" mean nothing unless a company can back them up with actual proof. Ask for certifications, testing data, and sourcing documentation. ✨ The questions that matter most when buying any pet product: Do you run shelf stability trials? Do you test for glyphosate, mycotoxins, and heavy metals? Will you share your AAFCO nutrient analysis? Who formulated this product? ✨ Most veterinarians don't know what questions to ask pet food and supplement companies — because they've never been behind the scenes. Dr. Lindsey's insider experience changed everything she recommends. ✨ Treats are medicine. Every treat you give your dog is either supporting their health or undermining it. There is no neutral. ✨ Brands doing it right — Evermore, Green Juju, Adored Beast Apothecary, Pet Wellbeing, and Fara Pets — are spending as much on quality and testing as they do on marketing. They deserve our support and our dollars. ✨ Botanical Bones was the first company in the pet industry to test finished products for glyphosate — a silent driver of major diseases that most brands completely ignore. ✨ Scaling a mission-driven business doesn't have to mean compromising quality — but it requires having the right people at the table who are stewards of the original mission. Resources & Links Connect with Dr. Lindsey Wendt:
Botanical Bones:
FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Dogs Save Lives: Depression, Grief & The Human-Animal Bond That Keeps Us Alive w/ Dr. David Haworth | 15 Feb 2026 | 00:44:12 | |
In this episode, I continue my conversation with Dr. David Haworth, and we're going somewhere deeper—into the human-animal bond that saves lives. Not metaphorically. Literally. We explore what enrichment actually looks like for your individual dog (hint: it's not one-size-fits-all), the real stories of heart dogs and the lessons they teach us, what the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study revealed about cancer and the microbiome, why guilt and anxiety are part of loving deeply, and how to honor the end of life with grace. If you've ever felt like your pet understands you in ways humans don't, if you've grieved an animal so deeply it surprised you, or if you've wondered if you're doing enough for them—this conversation will meet you exactly where you are. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ What enrichment actually looks like: mind stimulation, body stimulation, and emotion stimulation tailored to your individual dog. ✨ Why opening a window brings an entire universe of stimulation to dogs—they experience the world through their noses. ✨ The concept of "sniffy walks" where dogs read the newspaper on every vertical surface versus exercise walks for training. ✨ Why laser pointers can trigger obsessive compulsive prey drive in cats—not fun, but frantic and stressful. ✨ How the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study revealed that cancer is overrepresented in dogs, but not as much as we thought when you factor in age and life expectancy. ✨ Why the future of longevity and cancer treatment lies in microbiome medicine, and how AI can help us understand the complexity of gut health. ✨ How dogs with anxiety often have microbiome imbalances, and why the gut-brain connection affects behavior, hormones, and food preferences. ✨ Why quality of life matters more than length of life, and how pets teach us to "square the curve"—living well until the very end. ✨ How our pets often tell us when it's time to let go, and why honoring that is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. ✨ Why guilt and anxiety are part of loving deeply, and how these feelings mean you're doing it right. ✨ How calmer, more confident pet parents often have calmer, more confident dogs—they pick up on our energy. FOLLOW: Dr. David Haworth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-haworth/ Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet ➡️Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Modern Pet Parenting: Technology, Enrichment & The Reality of Dog Ownership w/ Dr. David Haworth | 08 Feb 2026 | 00:45:46 | |
We've made being a dog safer than ever before. But is safer actually better?
Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com
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| She's Cured 70+ Cats from FIP: Here's What Every Cat Owner Needs to Know w/ Dr. Lisa Fiorenza | 01 Feb 2026 | 00:44:00 | |
I know what you're thinking. Wait, isn't this podcast about dogs? Yes. Yes it is. But today, we're doing something different because sometimes there's information so important, so lifesaving, that it doesn't matter if you're a dog person, a cat person, or both. If you're listening to this episode, there's a good chance your heart is heavy. Maybe you just heard the words "FIP" from your vet. Maybe you're watching your kitten fade and you feel helpless. Maybe you've been told there's nothing that can be done. I need you to hear this: FIP is no longer a death sentence. I'm sitting down with Dr. Lisa Fiorenza again, a veterinarian who has cured over 70 cats from Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) since 2020. Seventy cats who were supposed to die are now thriving. For decades, FIP was considered incurable. When I graduated from vet school in 2007, we were taught that if a cat was diagnosed with FIP, the kindest thing we could do was prepare the family to say goodbye. There was no treatment. No hope. But that's not true anymore. In this special episode, Dr. Lisa is sharing everything you need to know: how to recognize FIP early, what treatment actually works, where to find help if your vet isn't aware of the cure that's now legally available in the United States, and what the success rate really looks like. Spoiler: It's 95% if treatment is started in time and the cat is responding well. This information could save a cat's life. Whether you have cats, know someone who does, or just care about animals—please listen, take notes, and share this episode with anyone who loves cats. There is hope, and we are here to help you find it 💚 KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ How FIP went from a death sentence to a 95% cure rate, and why every cat parent needs to know this now. ✨ What FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) really is: a coronavirus that mutates in certain cats and hijacks their immune system, causing massive inflammation. ✨ Why FIP is most common in kittens and often triggered by stress like vaccines, surgery, adoption, new pets, or environmental changes. ✨ How to recognize FIP early: decreased appetite, decreased energy, weight loss, and sometimes a distended belly (wet form) or neurologic/eye symptoms (dry form). ✨ Why FIP is called "the great pretender" and how it can look like so many other diseases, making diagnosis challenging. ✨ How the drug GS (a pro-drug of remdesivir) became the cure for FIP after research published in 2018 by UC Davis and Dr. Niels Pedersen. ✨ Why underground Facebook groups saved tens of thousands of cats before the drug was legalized in June 2024. ✨ How treatment now costs $600-$4,000 (depending on cat size and pharmacy) compared to the previous $4,000+ for unregulated injectable versions. ✨ Why oral GS is now the preferred treatment over injectable (it's less painful, more effective, and doesn't cause bladder stones). ✨ What minimal testing you need before starting treatment: blood count, chemistry panel, and feline leukemia/FIV test to rule out other diseases. ✨ Why creating drug resistance is a serious concern, and why treatment should only be used when there's strong clinical suspicion of FIP. ✨ How to find FIP-savvy vets and resources, including the FIP Global Cats Facebook group and FIP Vet Education Group. RESOURCES: 🐾 Dr. Lisa's FIP White Paper – Free resource on diagnosing and treating FIP @DrLisaHolisticVet🐾 FOLLOW: Dr. Lisa Fiorenza on Instagram: @drlisaholisticvet Dr. Lisa Fiorenza on Facebook: facebook.com/doctorLisa Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| You're Not Imagining It: Why You and Your Pet Share the Same Health Problems — With Dr. Lisa Fiorenza | 25 Jan 2026 | 00:58:45 | |
Have you ever noticed that when you're anxious, your dog seems anxious too? Or that you and your pet struggle with the same health issues — digestive problems, autoimmune diseases, even the same kind of anxiety? You're not imagining it. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Lily sits down with Dr. Lisa Fiorenza, an integrative veterinarian who sees this pattern every single day in her practice. Together, they explore the fascinating connection between pet and human health, the gut-brain axis, microbiome restoration therapy, and why our animals are often mirrors of our own emotional and physical state. This episode will change the way you think about healing — not just for your pet, but for yourself too. Key Insights ✨The Mirror Phenomenon Pets and their people often present with remarkably similar health issues. Dr. Lisa shares how she consistently sees anxious owners with anxious pets, people with GI issues whose pets have chronic diarrhea, and even families dealing with autoimmune diseases alongside their cats experiencing the same condition. This isn't coincidence — it's a message. ✨The Gut-Brain Connection 95% of our serotonin (our "happy chemical") is made in the intestines. When the gut is out of balance, it doesn't just affect digestion — it impacts mood, anxiety, behavior, and overall health. The same is true for our pets. Healing the gut can transform not just physical symptoms, but emotional wellbeing too. ✨Microbiome Restoration Therapy (MBRT) Dr. Lisa walks us through MBRT — a two-step process using rectal ozone to clear out harmful bacteria's "suit of armor" (biofilm), followed by healthy fecal transplant material to repopulate the gut with beneficial microbes. This therapy is creating profound transformations in pets with chronic GI issues, anxiety, autoimmune conditions, and even cancer. ✨Energy and Emotions Matter Our pets pick up on our emotional state in ways we're only beginning to understand. Dr. Lisa emphasizes the importance of managing our own anxiety and grief — especially during palliative care or end-of-life situations — so we don't transfer that emotional burden onto our beloved companions. ✨Integrative Medicine Works Best When You Don't Have to Choose You don't have to pick between conventional and holistic care. The magic happens when you combine them — using surgery, chemotherapy, or medications alongside acupuncture, herbs, and microbiome restoration to support the body's natural healing capacity and improve outcomes. ✨Prevention is Everything So many chronic diseases start years before symptoms appear. By the time pets are visibly sick, inflammation and imbalance have often been building for a long time. Preventive integrative care — addressing gut health, nutrition, and emotional wellbeing early — can change the trajectory entirely. Resources & Links Connect with Dr. Lisa Fiorenza: Practice name: Dragonfly Holistic Veterinary Care Email: dragonflyholisticvet@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/DogtorLisa Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Inside the Mind of a Monk Vet: How Ancient Wisdom Explains Modern Pet Health Issues w/ Dr. Bharat Kumar | 18 Jan 2026 | 01:27:06 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Bharat Kumar, once an emergency vet, now a holistic house call vet, to explore a part of pet health that's often overlooked: the emotional, energetic, and spiritual lives of our animals. Dr. Kumar blends Ayurveda, psychology, meditation, Reiki, acupressure, and holistic medicine to better understand the rich emotional and mental landscape our pets navigate. We talk about why dogs in India seem to face different health challenges than dogs in the U.S., why our animals often carry the emotions they absorb from us, and how meditation and energetic presence can support deeper healing. If you’ve ever felt like your pet was holding up a mirror to your inner world, this episode is for you. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ How pets absorb the emotions of their humans — and why they struggle to process what they take on. ✨ Why animals in India have fewer chronic diseases, and what that reveals about their lifestyles. ✨ How Dr. Kumar’s background in Ayurveda and meditation shapes his understanding of inflammation, gut health, and long-term wellness. ✨ How energetic presence, intention, and calm can change a pet’s behavior instantly during an exam or treatment. ✨ Why spiritual practices like Reiki and meditation help pets release stored stress and emotional “residue.” ✨ Why fixing the gut is often the first step in resolving allergies, anxiety, GI issues, and immune dysfunction. ✨ Why Dr. Kumar believes pets are “enlightened beings” whose health depends on the energy of their environment — including their humans. RESOURCES: Dr. Bharat and I might be collaborating on a meditation retreat for pet parents next year. To make sure you don’t miss any updates join my email list here 🐶👇 Get meditation retreat updates and holistic pet parent tips You can book an appointment with Dr. Kumar through this website: https://comfortpawsmobilevet.com/ Dr. Kumar On Instagram: @drbhrtkumar Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Bioenergetic Scan and The Gabapentin Problem You Need To Know | 14 Jan 2026 | 00:16:39 | |
In this personal minisode, Dr. Lily Chen opens up about her word for 2026, a surprising case that's changing how she practices medicine, and an important study every pet parent (and human) taking gabapentin should know about. This isn't a typical episode with a guest expert or clinical protocols. This is Dr. Lily, fresh back from Taiwan and about to head to VMX, sitting with you and sharing what's on her mind—trust, bioresonance breakthroughs, chronic pain management, and why asking better questions matters now more than ever. If your pet is on long-term medication, dealing with chronic vomiting or pain, or if you're simply curious about the future of integrative medicine, this episode is for you. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE: 💚 Dr. Lily's word for 2026 – Why "trust" is her anchor for the year ahead 💚 The indoor cat with chronic vomiting – How a bioresonance scan revealed glyphosate toxicity (and what that means) 💚 Qest 4 bioresonance explained – Why Dr. Lily believes this is the next step in medicine 💚 The gabapentin study everyone needs to know – New research linking long-term use to dementia and cognitive decline 💚 Alternatives to chronic pain medication – From acupuncture and laser therapy to PRP, prolotherapy, and amnion injections 💚 Why the gut microbiome affects pain – The gut-nerve connection that changes everything 💚 The invitation to ask better questions – Why symptom management isn't enough anymore CONNECT WITH DR. LILY & INTEGRATIVE PET WELLNESS CENTER: 📍 FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: 💌 Sign up for our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ INTERESTED IN QEST 4 BIORESONANCE TESTING? We now offer remote testing for pets everywhere. Contact us to learn more: 📧 Email: info@integrativepet.com 📩Instagram: @integrativepet | |||
| Is Animal Fiber the Missing Link for Kidney Disease, Bloat & Chronic GI Issues in Dogs? w/ Dr. Conor Brady | 11 Jan 2026 | 01:36:27 | |
KEY INSIGHTS: What if the real missing piece in your dog’s diet isn’t more plant fiber (like pumpkin or sweet potato)… but the animal fiber (cartilage, ligaments, skin) their body was truly built to thrive on? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Conor Brady, a dedicated PhD researcher, writer, and founder of Dogs First and DCV Holistic, to uncover one of the most overlooked topics in pet nutrition: fiber. We dive into fascinating studies, from one showing that more plant fiber in the human diet can actually worsen constipation, to research revealing that big cats in zoos had fewer kidney issues when fed meat with the hide still on, and we explore many more thought-provoking findings that challenge what we’ve been taught. Honestly, it all makes a strong case for feeding our pet carnivores the animal fiber their bodies crave. So if your dog or cat is dealing with gas, or you're worried about bloat, or your pet has kidney issues (or you're hoping to prevent them), this episode truly will change how you think about feeding your pet. ✨ What animal fiber is and how cartilage, ligaments, bone and hide feed the microbes our pets need. ✨ Why plant fiber behaves so differently in humans versus dogs and cats, and how their digestive systems struggle to ferment it. ✨ How plant fiber can increase gas and bloating, and why that can be risky for deep-chested breeds prone to bloat. ✨ Why bloat is rarely seen in raw-fed dogs, and how studies link kibble and high-FODMAP plant fibers to fermentation gas. ✨ How natural phosphorus from real food differs from synthetic phosphates in kibble, and why phosphates are the real concern. ✨ Why hydration matters more than anything for kidney support, and how dry kibble works against the body’s needs. ✨ Why “complete and balanced” labels can be misleading, and how many pet foods fail to meet minimum nutrient standards. ✨ How early-life feeding shapes food preferences, and why some pets struggle to transition away from kibble. ✨ Why removing plant fiber — not adding more — may support constipation, diarrhea and IBS or IBD symptoms in certain pets. ✨ Why dietary variety matters more than perfection, and how true balance happens over time rather than in every single bowl. RESOURCES: Book a consultation with Dr.Conor 👇 https://dogsfirst.ie/book-an-appointment/ Check out his products 👇 Dr.Conor’s courses for pet parents 👇 https://dogsfirst.ie/all-courses/ Dr.Conor’s book👇 https://www.amazon.co.za/Feeding-Dogs-Science-Behind-Debate/dp/1916234003 FOLLOW: Dr.Conor Brady’s Website: https://dogsfirst.ie/about-dr-conor-brady/ Dr.Conor Brady On Instagram: @dogsfirstireland Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram:@dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet ➡️Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Ask Dr. Lily Chen: Your Questions Answered | 04 Jan 2026 | 01:05:04 | |
Happy 2026! We're kicking off the new year with something special: your questions answered.
✨ Why pets often "come alive" again after arthritis treatment, doing things they haven't done in years, proving they were in chronic pain all along. ➡️ Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Year in Review: Sit. Stay. Reflect: 3 Talks That Changed Everything | 28 Dec 2025 | 00:47:00 | |
What if the way you've been feeding your dog, talking about money at the vet, or processing grief has been making everything harder than it needs to be? In this vulnerable year-end reflection, I'm switching seats as my practice manager Dianne interviews me about the three conversations that didn't just change my veterinary practice: they changed me. From discovering the hidden truth about pet food labels with advocate Susan Thixton, to processing loss and burnout with Rodney Habib, to finally cracking the code on compassionate money conversations with experts Suzanne Cannon and Ron Sosa, these episodes shook me awake. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting pet nutrition advice, guilty about what you can afford at the vet, or alone in your grief over losing an animal, this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and ready to move forward with more clarity and less shame 💛 KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ The shocking difference between "feed grade" and "human grade" pet food ingredients, and why this one distinction changes everything about how you read labels. ✨ Why I stopped recommending one food for life and now tell every client to rotate proteins and brands (your dog's gut microbiome will thank you). ✨ The three-question framework for evaluating any pet food: What does it mean ethically? Nutritionally? Environmentally? ✨ The one question that transforms stressful money conversations at the vet: "What's your budget for today?" (And why most vets are too afraid to ask it.) ✨ How flexible payment options help pet parents focus on the value of care instead of just the price, and why this psychological shift changes outcomes. ✨ And the truth I keep coming back to: healing is always a partnership. No vet, pet parent, or animal heals alone. It takes community, compassion, and curiosity. 🎧 Episode 32: Susan Thixton on Pet Food Transparency & Label Reading 🎧 Rodney Habib: Grief, Purpose & the Soul of Veterinary Medicine 🎧 Suzanne Cannon & Ron Sosa: How to Talk About Money Without Shame SUSAN THIXTON'S PET FOOD LIST: 2026 List YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED NEXT: Starting 2026 with an Ask Dr. Lily episode. Your chance to get answers about:
Send your questions: 📩 Instagram DM: @integrativepet 📧 Email: info@integrativepet.com This is more than a podcast. It's a movement of informed, empowered, heart-centered pet parents who refuse to settle for surface-level answers. Thank you for being here 🐾✨ FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Holiday Healing: A Letter From Dr. Lily's Heart - Minisode | 24 Dec 2025 | 00:11:39 | |
In this deeply personal minisode, Dr. Lily Chen opens her heart as we close out 2025. This isn't a typical episode with a guest expert or clinical protocols. This is Dr. Lily, sitting with you, reflecting on the year—the pets we've lost, the lessons they've taught us, and the reminder to be present in the moments we have. If you've lost a pet this year, if you're grieving, if you're feeling the weight of 2025, or if you simply need permission to slow down and be still—this episode is for you. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE: 💚 Why Dr. Lily started this podcast – Making holistic pet care accessible to everyone, everywhere 💚 The pets we lost in 2025 – Honoring their presence and the space they left behind 💚 Pets as mirrors – What our animals teach us about becoming better versions of ourselves 💚 The quote that started it all – "I want to be the person my dog thinks I am" 💚 Animal communication & staying open – Dr. Lily's exploration of how our pets stay with us 💚 The reminder we all need – How to get still, listen, and be present 💚 A practice that created home – How a 7-year-old's dream became Integrative Pet Wellness Center FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Pet Parenting with Lisa & Scot: How to Advocate for Your Pet In A Nice Way | 21 Dec 2025 | 00:44:04 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Lisa and Scot—the powerhouse husband-and-wife duo behind Woof Creek Pet Wellness—for part two of our conversation, going beyond food and supplements into what really sustains healing: partnership with your vet, and caring for yourself while you care for your animal. We talk about how to ask better questions at the clinic (even if you’re nervous), what a collaborative vet relationship actually looks like, simple ways to stay grounded when your pet is struggling, and why your energy at home is part of your pet’s medicine. If you’ve ever walked into a vet office feeling intimidated or overwhelmed, this episode is for you. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ How to advocate with confidence and kindness. You know your pet best, here’s how to ask for what you need. ✨ How a great vet relationship is built on two-way trust, clear priorities (budget, time, philosophy), and the understanding that not everything can be solved in one visit. ✨ How to pause before you choose a treatment plan for your pet (when it’s not an emergency). ✨ How to track what matters. A simple log of meals, stools, sleep, symptoms, and changes turns guesswork into clarity and helps your vet see patterns. ✨ How to build your wellness team and access the best of conventional and holistic care. ✨ How pets feel our stress. And how tiny rituals can shift the home “energy” and support healing. Special Offer For Listeners 🎁 Use the code DRLILY25 at checkout to get a 25% discount 🎉 at https://www.wooofcreek.com/discount/DRLILY25 through December 31, 2025. FOLLOW: Woof Creek Wellness: https://www.woofcreek.com/ Woof Creek Pet Wellness On Instagram: @woofcreekwellness Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet 👉Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| How One Couple Is Transforming Pet Wellness Through Clean Ingredients and Sustainable Values w/ Founders Lisa and Scot | 14 Dec 2025 | 01:07:25 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Lisa and Scot, the powerhouse husband and wife duo behind Woof Creek Pet Wellness, to explore how clean, sustainable nutrition can support the health of our pets and the planet. Lisa and Scot share their heartfelt story of how their dog, Lily Lou, inspired a complete life pivot—from running an Ayurvedic restaurant to formulating chef-style superfood blends and eco-conscious supplements for pets. We talk about how to read pet food labels like a pro, why the difference between active and inactive ingredients matters more than most pet parents realize, and how thoughtful choices—like using algal oil instead of fish oil—can protect both your dog’s health and our oceans. If you’ve ever wondered if your pet’s favorite brand is good for the planet, this episode will forever change how you shop for your pet 🌍✨ KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ How reading the entire label (not just the front) can help you spot misleading marketing and avoid hidden toxins. ✨ Why understanding the difference between active and inactive ingredients can protect your pet from unnecessary fillers and irritants. ✨ How clean, bioavailable nutrition—free from glycerin, binders, and vague “meat meals”—can transform your pet’s health. ✨ Why freshness and packaging matter more than you think. ✨ How plant-based omega sources like algal oil offer all the benefits of fish oil—without the mercury, allergens, or impact on ocean ecosystems. ✨ Why Woof Creek’s products are created with human-grade ingredients, eco-conscious packaging, and sustainable sourcing. ✨ How every small switch you make (from cleaner oils to toxin-free bowls) supports both your pet’s health and a healthier planet. ✨ And how Lisa and Scott’s journey from restaurateurs to pet wellness pioneers is proof that love, curiosity, and compassion can transform everything. Special Offer for Listeners 🎁 👉 Use the promo code DRLILY25 for 25% off at 🔗 https://www.woofcreek.com/discount/DRLILY25 through December 31, 2025! FOLLOW: Woof Creek Wellness: https://www.woofcreek.com/ Woof Creek Pet Wellness On Instagram: @woofcreekwellness Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| The Spiritual Side of the Human–Animal Bond: How Pets Help Us Come Home to Ourselves w/ pet homeopath Jan Allegretti | 07 Dec 2025 | 00:41:22 | |
In this episode, I sit down with author and pet homeopath Jan Allegretti for part two of our conversation where we dive into the spiritual connection we share with our pets. Jan shares her heartfelt philosophy that every animal’s life is just as valuable as our own—and how unconditional love, the kind our pets model so effortlessly, is one of the most sacred forces we can experience. You’ll hear how pets can become our greatest spiritual teachers, why five minutes of stillness can transform your relationship with your animal, and how nature helps us metabolize stress and soften burnout. So if you’ve been craving a calm reset, light a candle, curl up with your pet, and press play 💖 KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Why advocacy is love in action—and how using our voice honors beings who can’t speak for themselves. ✨ How stillness becomes medicine for us and our animals, deepening perception, presence, and connection. ✨ Why perfection is the enemy of the good in feeding and living, and how “balance over time” creates freedom. ✨ How our dogs and cats already model presence, trust, and compassion—and why mirroring them changes us. ✨ Why nature helps metabolize pain and trauma, and how awe can soften the hard edges of busy modern life. ✨ How simple rituals—walking, quiet sitting, mindful play—recalibrate the nervous system for both humans and animals. ✨ Why the love we feel for our animals is a direct experience of the sacred—and how it heals us from the inside out. ✨ How five minutes of daily silence can shift your entire relationship with your pet, your work, and yourself. ✨ Why designing a life and practice that serves the healer first prevents burnout and sustains true service. ✨ How choosing presence over hustle helps us “see the being in front of us” and make kinder, wiser care decisions. RESOURCES: Grab Jan Allegretti’s books 👇 The Fresh and Flexible Meal Plan The Complete Holistic Dog Book Listen to the Silence: Lessons from Trees and Other Masters FOLLOW: Jan Allegretti: https://janallegretti.com/ Jan Allegretti on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jan.allegretti/ Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| From Kibble to Kitchen: How to Feed Your Pet Like Family w/ Jan Allegretti | 30 Nov 2025 | 01:02:11 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Jan Allegretti, a pioneer in holistic animal health and the author of The Fresh and Flexible Meal Plan—a book that’s rewriting the rules on pet nutrition. Jan’s approach is refreshingly simple: stop overcomplicating feeding and start applying the same common-sense principles you use for your own meals—fresh, whole foods, variety, and yes, sharing what you eat with your pets. We’re diving into why variety is the real insurance policy for nutrition and why it beats a single “complete and balanced” recipe on repeat, as well as how feeding fresh can help transform chronic health issues. If you’ve ever looked at a bag of kibble and thought, “There’s got to be a better way,” this episode is for you 💖 KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Why variety—not a single perfect recipe—is the real foundation of balanced nutrition. ✨ How sharing your meals (just making extra of what you already cook) can make fresh feeding simple, affordable, and sustainable. ✨ Why highly processed foods may be contributing to many chronic issues like itchy skin, allergies, and infections. ✨ The 30–60–10 guideline Jan uses to help pet parents get started with confidence: 30–60% protein, 30–60% carbohydrates, and 10–30% fruits and vegetables. ✨ Jan’s special way of transitioning pets to a fresh food diet that reduces tummy upsets. ✨ How cooking for your pets often inspires you to eat healthier too (because they make us better humans 💛). ✨ Why convenience and marketing—not science—shaped the commercial pet food industry, and how to reclaim your common sense. ✨ How fresh food feeding can help prevent disease, lower vet bills, and support long-term vitality. ✨ The simple “nutrition boosters” Jan recommends adding like spirulina, nutritional yeast, cooked mushrooms, and fermented foods. ✨ Why this isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, intuition, and trusting that good food is good food, for you and your pets. RESOURCES Grab Jan Allegretti’s books 👇 The Fresh and Flexible Meal Plan The Complete Holistic Dog Book Blogs by Jan Allegretti 👇 Simple Strategies for Really Good Food Healthy and Fresh for Dogs and Cats: What your animal family really wants for dinner Holiday Home Cooking for Everyone in the Family Human foods your dog should avoid👇 Onions, grapes/raisins, chocolate, macadamia nuts, xylitol, chicken bones, corn cobs (the corn cut off is fine), alcohol, caffeine, processed sugar (a bit of honey is okay) This list is for informational purposes only, it does not constitute veterinary recommendations. For all pets, we recommend that they work with their veterinarians closely to develop a diet plan. FOLLOW: Jan Allegretti: https://janallegretti.com/ Jan Allegretti on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jan.allegretti/ Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram : @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| Can Energetic Healing Help Pets with Cancer? Inside Bioresonance Therapy w/ Dr. Kristi Wilson | 23 Nov 2025 | 01:59:51 | |
What if healing cancer could start long before it shows up on a scan? In this episode, I sit down with integrative veterinarian and cancer survivor Dr. Kristi Wilson, DVM to explore how energy medicine and bioresonance therapy are changing what’s possible in cancer care for pets. After surviving stage 3C breast cancer, Dr. Kristi dedicated her life to finding innovative solutions to challenging cancer cases and helping pets heal by addressing the energetic signatures that often appear before disease ever manifests physically 🤯 If your pet has cancer—or you simply want to understand how healing can happen on a deeper level—this episode will expand what you believe is possible ✨ KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ How Dr. Kristi’s own cancer journey transformed her understanding of medicine and inspired her to integrate bioresonance into veterinary care. ✨ What bioresonance therapy is and how it measures the body’s energetic patterns. ✨ The story of a dog with stage-4 sarcoma whose tumor vanished within six weeks after bioresonance-guided treatment. ✨ Why this integrative, energy-based approach represents the next evolution of veterinary medicine—bridging compassion, science, and frequency. ✨ Why every pet is a one-of-a-kind energetic snowflake—and how healing must be customized for each animal’s body, mind, and energy. ✨ How trauma and emotional stress can manifest as disease in both humans and pets. ✨ And a free tool any pet parent can use right now: a five-minute daily visualization practice. FOLLOW: Dr. Kristi Wilson on Instagram: @kristi_wilson_dvm Dr. Kristi Wilson: https://hopehealingforanimals.com/ Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips 🐶🐈⬛ | |||
| AI, Telemedicine & The Future of Vet Care w/ Dr. Carla Castro, DVM | 16 Nov 2025 | 00:35:55 | |
Dr. Carla Castro is back on the podcast with a heart-forward, grounded take on something that can feel overwhelming: AI and technology in veterinary care. Together, we explore how simple tools—like AI-powered note-taking and voice capture—can lighten the mental load of record-keeping so we can show up fully present for our patients and their families. We unpack the role of telemedicine as a meaningful complement (not a replacement) to hands-on exams, the rise of pet wearables and real-time health tracking, and how “hybrid care” models can ease clinic stress while offering pet parents quicker answers. If new tech has ever felt scary to you, this episode offers a calm exploration of how it might be able to help your pet or your vet practice. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Why AI is a tool—not a replacement—and how using transcription or scribe support can free vets from endless notes so they can be more present with patients. ✨ How voice-to-text apps can help you capture ideas, notes, and reminders on the go without losing valuable insights. ✨ How telemedicine can complement in-person care by easing clinic pressure, supporting rechecks, and helping pet parents get faster answers. ✨ How hybrid care—combining telehealth, in-clinic visits, and digital documentation—can streamline workflow and reduce decision fatigue. ✨ How pet tech like health-monitoring collars and trackers can empower pet parents with real-time insights while keeping vets in the loop. ✨ Why adaptation is critical in veterinary medicine and how embracing new systems can help clinics thrive. ✨ Why calendar automation tools can reduce stress and decision fatigue by helping you prioritize tasks and protect personal time. ✨ How technology can expand access to veterinary support globally—especially in underserved or bilingual communities. ✨ Why staying curious and open to change will define the next era of compassionate, connected pet care. RESOURCES: Interested in AI? Listen to my episode with Ron Sosa on the My Dog Is Better Than Your Dog Podcast 👉 Could AI Be The Secret Tool To Smarter Pet Care Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com FOLLOW: Dr.Carla Castro: https://www.drcarlacastro.com/ LinkedIn: Dr. Carla Castro Instagram: @the.carlacastro Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips. | |||
| Have You Ever Noticed How Pets Mirror Their Pet Parents? Emotions, Energy & the Human–Animal Bond w/ Dr. Carla Castro, DVM | 09 Nov 2025 | 00:50:06 | |
This week, we’re exploring one of the most fascinating and incredibly helpful truths in pet care—our pets and our pet patients often mirror our own energy, stress, and emotions. I’m joined by veterinarian, coach, and human–animal bond advocate Dr. Carla Castro, who shares practical tools that both pet parents and vets can use to calm the nervous system, support their pet’s health, and create a healing environment at home and in the clinic. Dr. Carla shares a powerful story about a horse who helped her realize just how deeply our energy affects the animals around us, a moment that shaped how she approaches every pet patient. You’ll also learn how to prepare for vet visits with less anxiety, what to prioritize in short appointments, and how to build a true partnership with your veterinary team. If you’ve ever wondered why your dog or cat seems to pick up on your stress, or how to make vet visits feel calmer and more connected, this episode gives you simple tools to start 💜 KEY INSIGHTS ✨ How pets often mirror their humans—our stressed, worried, or calm energy directly affects theirs. ✨ How simple breathing techniques like box breathing or the physiological sigh can reset your nervous system in minutes. ✨ How practicing the pause and staying curious, not judgmental, helps you uncover the root of emotions. ✨ How emotions are information, not identity—recognizing this helps both humans and pets heal. ✨ How meditation, sound baths, and PEMF therapy are simple tools that activate your body’s natural healing state. ✨ How pet parents play a vital role in veterinary care and how your questions help your vet find the right plan. ✨ How preparing for appointments with clear priorities reduces stress for you, your pet, and your vet team. ✨ How vets can create calmer clinics by centering themselves first and seeing each visit through the pet’s eyes. ✨ And how you already hold medicine within you: your breath, awareness, and presence are where healing begins. RESOURCES For Coaching with Dr. Carla: Email her at carla@drcarlacastro.com Dr. Carla Castro: https://www.drcarlacastro.com/ FOLLOW Dr. Carla Castro on IG: @the.carlacastro Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips | |||
| How to Heal After Pet Loss: Rituals, Grief & Love That Endures w/ Animal Chaplain Sophie Gamand | 02 Nov 2025 | 00:37:43 | |
This week we’re having a conversation that might stretch how you think about pet loss, in the most compassionate way. I’m joined by artist, photographer, and animal chaplain Sophie Gamand, whose shelter work, including the viral project Pit Bull Flower Power, has helped thousands of people see rescue dogs with fresh eyes 🌸 We talk about honoring grief as sacred, practical ways to create ritual and meaning when a beloved animal dies, and how veterinary teams and shelter volunteers can hold space without burning out. This episode offers gentle, practical support for pet parents too, whether you’re helping someone you love through a loss, or you’re grieving your own companion animal. This episode is designed to help you feel supported, seen, and a little more held while navigating the “disenfranchised grief” that is pet loss 🤍 KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Why pet loss is often “disenfranchised grief,” and how naming it can help you feel less alone. ✨ How crying can be self-care, and why finding safe people to cry with matters. ✨ How “continued bonds” keep the relationship alive after death, and gentle ways to honor that connection. ✨ Why small rituals (altars, keepsakes, candles) can ground big feelings without needing perfect words. ✨ How everyday creativity—journaling, cooking, walking the old route—can give your love somewhere to go. ✨ Why “holding space” beats fixing, and how to support a grieving friend without minimizing their pain. ✨ How clinics can be grief-aware with simple cues (quiet signals, private exits, chaplain support, 24/7 hotlines). ✨ Why anticipatory grief hits vets and volunteers so hard, and how leaders can model healthy vulnerability. ✨ How meaning-making transforms sorrow into service, from support circles to Sophie’s ceramics as “grief holders.” ✨ Why it’s okay to ask for what you need at euthanasia—music, crystals, keepsakes, time—so goodbye feels true to you. ✨ And how community care (support groups, rituals of remembrance) helps us carry what cannot be fixed. RESOURCES: Sign up for Sophie’s newsletter on her website 🐶 👉 https://www.sophiegamand.com/newsletter-signup Support Sophie’s work with shelter dogs 🐶 👉 https://www.patreon.com/SophieGamand Purchase your own dog talisman lovingly crafted by Sophie 🐶 👉 https://www.sophiegamand.com/shop FOLLOW: Sophie Gamand’s website: https://www.sophiegamand.com/ Sophie Gamand on Instagram: @sophiegamand Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips | |||
| Do Our Pets Get A Say? Pet Parenting With Consent, Advocating For Our Pets, And Showing Up For Dogs In Shelters w/ Sophie Gamand | 26 Oct 2025 | 00:45:24 | |
This week we’re having a conversation that might stretch how you think about life with your dog—in the best way. I’m joined by artist, photographer, and animal advocate Sophie Gamand, whose shelter work, including the viral project Pit Bull Flower Power, has helped thousands of people see rescue dogs with fresh eyes. We talk about how you can uplevel your pet parenting game even more by truly listening to and honoring what your pet is telling you. Together, we explore how collaborative care and gentle desensitization can transform medical handling, the complicated reality of free-living dogs versus those labeled as “strays,” and what Sophie has witnessed inside shelters across the U.S., from breed stereotypes to the powerful socioeconomic forces that push good pets into cages. If you’ve ever wondered how to love your dog in a way that celebrates who they are, not just who we hope they’ll be, this episode is for you 💜 KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Why “I love my dog” isn’t always enough, and what a deeper, more respectful bond really looks like. ✨ How to bring consent and choice into everyday moments with your dog. ✨ Why growling is communication, not disobedience, and why you don’t want to train your dog out of it. ✨How collaborative care and gentle handling can change a dog’s medical experience. ✨ Why free-living dogs can teach us about agency, adaptation, and community. ✨ The hidden truths of shelter life and what Sophie discovered after photographing hundreds of dogs across the U.S. ✨ How Sophie’s viral Pit Bull Flower Power project changed the way millions of people see pit bulls forever. ✨ Why large, working breeds struggle in most cities and what that says about our lifestyles. ✨ The emotional cost of volunteering in shelters and what it truly means to give an animal their dignity back. ✨ Why adoption is just one way to help and how each of us have a unique skill that can help a shelter. ✨ And we explore what it truly means to honor who our pets are, not just who we want them to be. RESOURCES: Sign up for Sophie’s newsletter on her website (just scroll to the bottom of the page) 🐶 👉 https://www.sophiegamand.com/newsletter-signup Support Sophie’s work with shelter dogs 🐶 👉 https://www.patreon.com/SophieGamand Purchase your own dog talisman lovingly crafted by Sophie 🐶 👉 https://www.sophiegamand.com/shop FOLLOW: Sophie Gamand’s website: https://www.sophiegamand.com/ Sophie Gamand on Instagram: @sophiegamand Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips | |||
| Navigating Pet Loss, Grief & Healing Together with Jenn Gavin | 19 Oct 2025 | 00:38:41 | |
In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Jenn Galvin to talk about something we don’t speak about enough in vet med or pet parenting: grief 💛 We share what it looks like behind the scenes for the vet team when a beloved patient passes… how we somehow hold it together between appointments… and what actually helps when the waves come crashing in later. Jenn opens up about what it means to support families through euthanasia — creating calmer spaces and gentle rituals. We also talk about anticipatory grief and the simple ways pet parents can ask for the goodbye that feels right for them. If you’re navigating loss (or holding space for someone who is), this conversation is tender, practical, and full of heart. Tune in, you're not alone in this 🕊️ KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Why grief never really goes away and how it becomes a lasting reminder of love. ✨ How veterinarians and pet parents carry layers of grief that resurface with every loss. ✨ Why guilt often shows up after euthanasia and how to remind yourself you truly did your best. ✨ How to recognize anticipatory grief when you know a pet’s time is near and ways to cope through it. ✨ Why being vulnerable as a leader can strengthen your veterinary team and create deeper trust. ✨ How to support grieving families with rituals, compassion, and permission to take their time. ✨ Why crying isn’t weakness but sacred self-care for both vets and pet parents. ✨ How creating a calm, private space for euthanasia can completely change a client’s experience. ✨ Why it’s important to ask for what you need—whether it’s time, keepsakes, or specific end-of-life rituals. ✨ How loss can inspire new forms of healing, like Dr. Lily’s Kidney Protection Plan in honour of her pet patient Chloe. ✨ And how every goodbye, no matter how painful, deepens our capacity to love, lead, and honor the pets who’ve shaped us. Resource: Jill Cooper Coaching (end of life / transitional support for people): JillCooper11@gmail.com FOLLOW: Jenn Galvin’s practice: https://aac.vet/ Jenn Galvin’s practise on IG: @aacvet Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips | |||
| 8 Years of Diarrhea Finally Cured With Fecal Transplants: Fern the Labrador’s Gut-Healing Story w/ Jenn Galvin | 12 Oct 2025 | 00:45:41 | |
In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Jenn Galvin to talk about her spirited chocolate Lab, Fern, and their uphill battle with chronic GI issues since puppyhood. From endless vet visits to a Helicobacter diagnosis treated with rounds of triple-antibiotic therapy, nothing truly made her better. So when Jenn asked for my help, we tried something different. We started Fern on microbiome therapy (AKA fecal transplants). And after 4 weeks of fecal transplants, Fern finally had a normal poop for the first time in years. That one shift sparked a transformation not just for Fern, but for Jenn’s clinic, which now offers microbiome therapy to pets in need 💩✨ If your pet struggles with chronic diarrhea, itchy skin, chronic vomiting, allergies, or any other chronic illness, this episode is filled with hope, practical insights, and a new way forward. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ How one joyful chocolate Lab named Fern went from eight years of chronic diarrhea to normal, healthy stools and what finally made the difference. ✨ Why repeated antibiotics and “band-aid” treatments weren’t enough to fix her gut and what Jenn and I decided to try instead. ✨ What “microbiome therapy” (aka fecal transplants) really looks like in practice and how gentle and safe the process can be. ✨ The moment Fern’s stool finally normalized after week four and what that milestone revealed about the body’s ability to heal. ✨ How Jenn’s clinic began offering microbiome therapy to other pets and the remarkable early outcomes they’re seeing. ✨ Why addressing emotional stress is just as important as treating the gut itself especially for sensitive dogs like Fern. ✨ How flower essences and environmental enrichment (like walks and swim time) can play a role in restoring your pet’s gut health. ✨ Why prevention matters and how supporting the microbiome in puppies and kittens can help avoid chronic issues later. ✨ What to know about donor screening and safety and why “microbiome restorative therapy” is a better name to share with clients. ✨ And how this one story is inspiring more vets to explore a do-no-harm, science-backed path to true gut healing. RESOURCES: Other microbiome and gut health related episodes on the My Dog Is Better Than Your Dog Podcast ✨👇 The Secret World Of Pet Microbes w / Dr. Odette Suter Homemade Dog Feeding For Busy Pet Parents On A Budget w/ The Doggy Dish The Best Food For Your Dog w/ Dr. Hilary Woolfe Microbiome, Mushrooms, And The Ancestral Connection w/ Adored Beast Founder Julie Ann Lee FOLLOW: Jenn Galvin’s practice: https://aac.vet/ Jenn Galvin’s practice on IG: @aacvet Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips | |||
| Shop Smarter For Your Pet: The No-BS Cheat Sheet to Decoding Labels, Choosing Truly Healthy Food, Toys, Bowls & Supplements, and Finding Indie Pet Stores That Actually Care w/ Toni Shelaske | 05 Oct 2025 | 01:17:25 | |
Ever walked into a pet store, stood in front of a wall stacked with food, toys, and supplements plastered in labels like “all natural,” “holistic,” and “wellness”… and thought, “Wait—which one's actually the best?” This week on the podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Toni Shelaske—entrepreneur, holistic pet wellness advocate, former owner of Pittsburgh’s favorite natural pet shops, and host of the Toni Unleashed podcast. Together, we’re pulling back the curtain—sharing our go-to brands and getting real about what’s in your pet’s bowls, toys, and enrichment tools, including hidden toxins like lead that can sometimes sneak into products. 😳 Toni just got back from SuperZoo (one of the biggest pet product conventions in the world!) and she’s bringing us the scoop on what’s new, what’s next, and why shopping small and local could change how you care for your pet forever. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed walking the aisles of a pet store, this episode is your no-nonsense cheat sheet to help you shop with clarity and bring home only the best for your furry family member 🐾 KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ How freeze-dried raw, and gently cooked foods are shaping the future of pet nutrition—and why convenience and psychology still drive what we reach for. ✨ Why labels like “natural” and “holistic” can be marketing buzzwords, and the questions to ask for real transparency. ✨ How Toni built the raw food market in Western Pennsylvania and what 25+ years of feeding raw has taught her. ✨ The surprising truth about dog toys and bowls and why some companies follow child-level safety testing. ✨ Specific toy brands and enrichment ideas Toni recommends—like West Paw, Fluff & Tuff, Tall Tails, Soda Pup, and creative DIY snuffle games. ✨ Why bully sticks, yak chews, and coffee wood chews (Canophera sticks) can be great for puppies—and what to watch for with power chewers. ✨ How new tech gadgets (like automatic feeders) and innovative products (like Atomic Bubbles) are shaking up the pet space. ✨ Why independent pet stores offer more passion, product knowledge, and heart than big-box chains—and how they can help you discover hidden-gem brands. ✨ The mushroom supplement boom, CBD trends, and why sourcing, testing, and intentionality matter more than ever. ✨ How Toni is supporting families through The Izzy Fund nonprofit, helping pets stay with their families during medical crises. ✨ Why preventive care, community, and collaboration are the future of pet wellness—and how pet parents like you are leading the way 💛 RESOURCES: Go listen to those Super Zoo episodes that explore the latest products for pets on Toni’s podcast 👉 Toni Unleashed Check out Toni’s Pittsburgh-themed dog toys 👉 Yinzer Dog Learn more about The Izzy Fund, a nonprofit that help cover pet’s medical bills: 👉 TheIzzyFund.org Pet safe bubble brand 👉 Atomic Bubbles US made pet toys brand 👉 Cycle Dogs Some toxins to look out for in dog toys👇 How to find non toxic dog toys FOLLOW: Toni’s pet store: @ healthy pet products. Florida Toni on Instagram on Instagram: @Iknowtoni Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Sign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips | |||
| Launching the First Of Its Kind Online Integrative Vet Membership for Devoted Pet Parents w/ Integrative Vet Dr. Lily and DianNe RVT | 28 Sep 2025 | 01:03:34 | |
What if your vet team could help your pet live a longer, healthier, happier life—not by suppressing symptoms or turning to anti-aging drugs for dogs, but by identifying and correcting imbalances before they become diseases? That’s exactly what Concierge 2.0 was built for: a membership designed for pet parents who want strategic, high-level integrative care that goes beyond the basics, wherever you live in the world. In this episode you’ll hear:
This isn’t just a wellness plan. It’s a new standard of care. Tap play to learn how Concierge 2.0 is helping pets everywhere live longer, healthier, and more vibrant lives. KEY INSIGHTS: ✨ Why preventive care has to start in puppyhood and kittenhood, and how early choices shape lifelong health. ✨ How functional testing (vitamins, minerals, heavy metals, mycotoxins) reveals hidden issues conventional vets often miss. ✨ The surprising link between mold exposure and chronic symptoms like lethargy, appetite loss, and respiratory problems. ✨ Why true preventive care means acting when pets seem healthy—before disease shows up. ✨ How integrative approaches are breaking the cycle of “manage but never heal” in pets with chronic allergies and skin issues. ✨ Why conventional hypoallergenic diets may mask symptoms without solving the root cause. ✨ The real financial difference between chasing symptoms with meds vs. investing in root-cause healing. ✨ How the Concierge Membership provides continuity, trust, and the kind of support you can’t get in a rushed 15-minute appointment. ✨ Why community, hope, and mindset are powerful healing tools for both pets and their people. ✨ Bella’s story: how a dog given just 3 months to live with hemangiosarcoma is still thriving 8 months later thanks to holistic therapies. ✨ What makes Concierge 2.0 different—including the new Baby Pearls program for puppies and kittens, and the Crystal Tier designed for international pet parents. RESOURCES: Check out the Concierge Membership here 💖👇 FOLLOW: Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen Sign up to our free newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips | |||