Explore every episode of the podcast Short Leash Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beyond the Bowl: How Everyday Nutrition Shapes Lifelong Health | Dr. Chris Bessent | 19 Oct 2026 | 00:46:56 | |
Is your dog's food providing everything they need to thrive, or simply meeting minimum nutritional requirements? In this episode of Short Leash, holistic veterinarian Dr. Chris Bessent, founder of The Simple Food Project, joins Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart to discuss whole food dog nutrition, fresh vs. processed dog food, nutrient absorption, and how everyday feeding choices may influence long-term canine health and longevity. They explore why “complete and balanced” doesn't tell the whole story, how processing affects nutrients, the benefits of incorporating fresh foods, and how Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches food energetics and feeding schedules. In the News: Research & Articles: Functional Foods for Dogs: Chrononutrition for Dogs and Cats: Dog Aging Project Research: 🎙️ Short Leash: Dog News, With Real Context. Subscribe for expert conversations on dog nutrition, canine health, longevity, and the science behind caring for our dogs. 📩 Get the Short Leash newsletter: https://feedreal.com/short-leash #DogNutrition #DogHealth #FreshDogFood | |||
| Healing Beyond the Diagnosis: The Future of Integrative Veterinary Medicine | 05 Oct 2026 | 01:01:08 | |
What does it really mean to treat the whole dog? In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart, RVT, CPCN, look beyond isolated symptoms to explore factors that can influence health—from sleep and movement to stress, environment, lifestyle, and the human-animal relationship. They begin with three stories from the latest Short Leash newsletter: a study examining how women perceive sleeping with their dogs, shockwave therapy for canine osteoarthritis, and how nutrition, stress, environmental exposures, and lifestyle may influence healthy aging through epigenetics. Then, emergency and integrative veterinarian Dr. Barrie Sands joins the conversation to explore what whole-patient care can look like in practice. Dr. Sands shares her BioEPIC approach to integrative medicine and discusses connections between physical health, emotional state, environment, and the relationships animals share with people. The conversation moves into heart-brain coherence, nervous system regulation, stress, light and sound therapies, and her perspective on how human and animal physiology may influence one another. She also shares a powerful emergency-room story illustrating something central to her philosophy: integrative medicine doesn't have to mean choosing between conventional and complementary approaches. Sometimes the most meaningful care comes from understanding where each fits—and recognizing the individual animal and family in front of you. In this episode:
Articles discussed: Do Women Really Sleep Better with Their Dogs? When Sound Becomes Medicine: Shockwave Therapy in Canine Arthritis Care Healthy Aging Starts Long Before the Senior Years About Dr. Barrie Sands Dr. Barrie Sands is an emergency and integrative veterinarian who combines conventional veterinary medicine with complementary approaches. She is also an author, lecturer, certified HeartMath trainer, and researcher interested in heart-brain coherence and the human-animal relationship. Short Leash is dog news with real context. Each episode starts with stories shaping the dog world, then goes deeper with experts helping us understand what they mean for the dogs we care for. | |||
| From Kibble to Context: What “Feeding Better” Actually Means | Ruby Balaram | 21 Sep 2026 | 00:33:39 | |
Dog parents are being told to feed better...but what does “better” actually mean? With pet food marketing, social media advice, veterinary recommendations, homemade recipes, and supplements all competing for attention, making a better choice can quickly feel overwhelming. In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart, RVT, CPCN, are joined by Ruby Balaram, Director of Feed Real Institute and Founder & CEO of Real Dog Box, to talk about why dog parents get stuck; and how better context can make feeding feel a lot simpler. They discuss what pet food labels tell us (and what they don’t), the difference between real food and nutritionally thoughtful feeding, dietary variety, purposeful supplementation, and why fresh food is only part of the conversation. In This Episode Dr. Sue and Kay also discuss a lawsuit involving The Farmer’s Dog, research comparing higher-carbohydrate and higher-fat diets in dogs, and the rapid growth of the fresh pet food category. Topics Discussed
Articles Mentioned Fresh Dog Food Under Legal Scrutiny (The Farmer’s Dog Lawsuit) Dogs May Process Fat Better Than Carbs The Fresh Pet Food Movement Is Exploding About Short Leash Short Leash is dog news with real context. Hosted by Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart, RVT, CPCN, each episode goes beyond the headlines to unpack what’s happening in canine health, nutrition, and wellness, and what it actually means for your dog. Get bite-sized dog news straight to your inbox at shortleash.co. | |||
| How Integrative Veterinary Medicine Helps Dogs Age Better | Dr. Tejinder Sodhi | 07 Sep 2026 | 00:43:27 | |
What does it really mean to care for the whole dog? In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart explore how movement, cognition, nutrition, pain, and healthy aging are connected. They first break down new research on canine rehabilitation, physical activity and cognitive health, and TCVM food therapy. Then, integrative veterinarian Dr. Tejinder Sodhi joins the conversation to discuss Ayurveda, acupuncture, chiropractic care, rehabilitation, nutrition, hydrotherapy, and how these approaches can work alongside conventional veterinary medicine. A major theme of the episode: there is rarely one treatment, food, or modality that works for every dog. Supporting long-term health means looking at the individual dog and taking a multimodal, proactive approach. IN THIS EPISODE • Canine rehabilitation and healthy aging ABOUT DR. TEJINDER SODHI Learn more: SHORT LEASH #184 https://shortleash.co/issues/the-short-leash-184-september-1-3 ARTICLES DISCUSSED Effects of a structured rehabilitation program on joint range of motion and limb circumference in dogs Can an Active Lifestyle Help Keep Your Dog’s Mind Sharp? TCVM Food Therapy Can Open New Doors for Patient Care Subscribe to Short Leash: | |||
| Medicinal Mushrooms, Herbal Medicine & the Science Behind Natural Dog Health | 24 Aug 2026 | 00:52:54 | |
Medicinal mushrooms are everywhere right now...but what does the science actually say? In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart, RVT, CPCN are joined by medical herbalist and educator Lee Carroll to explore medicinal mushrooms, herbal medicine, and the science behind natural dog health. Lee breaks down lion’s mane and cognitive health, the gut-brain connection, mushrooms vs. mycelium, ergothioneine and longevity, and what to look for when choosing a mushroom product. Before the deep dive, Sue and Kay unpack three stories from the latest Short Leash: mushrooms and canine cognitive decline, inconsistencies in gut microbiome testing, and whether changes in human food regulation could eventually influence what goes into our dogs’ bowls. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 01:27 — This week in dog news 🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES Can Mushrooms Help Aging Dogs Stay Mentally Sharp? Same Sample, Different Results: The Problem with Gut Microbiome Tests Will the MAHA Movement Reach Your Dog’s Bowl? Read these stories + more in The Short Leash, Issue 183: Learn more about Lee Carroll: 🎙️ COMING UP NEXT Dr. Tejinder Sodhi joins us to explore how Ayurveda, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and other integrative approaches can work together to support the whole dog. Short Leash: Dog news, with real context. | |||
| Can Red Light Therapy Help Dogs Heal? | Healing With Light ft. Jackie Jolie (Animasol) | 10 Aug 2026 | 00:48:49 | |
Can red and near-infrared light therapy help dogs heal? In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart sit down with Jackie Jolie of AnimaSOL to explore photobiomodulation (PBM), current veterinary research, and what dog owners should know about light-based therapies. The episode begins with a review of three recent articles highlighting the growing interest in non-invasive therapies that support the body's natural healing processes. The conversation then explores how red and near-infrared light are being used alongside conventional veterinary care, what photobiomodulation is, and why interest in this technology continues to grow among veterinarians, rehabilitation professionals, and dog owners. In this episode, we discuss: Articles Discussed Healing With Light: Why Laser Therapy Is Gaining Momentum Healing Beyond the Prescription Pad: Integrative Approaches for Chronic Wound Management Beyond Medications: Natural Tools for Managing Chronic Inflammation Learn more about Jackie Jolie and AnimaSOL: Subscribe to Short Leash for evidence-informed conversations that cut through the noise surrounding canine health, nutrition, longevity, and integrative veterinary medicine. #DogHealth #RedLightTherapy #Photobiomodulation #CanineHealth #VeterinaryMedicine #DogWellness #IntegrativeVeterinaryMedicine #DogPodcast #PetHealth #Healing | |||
| Healthy Dog Aging: Why Everything in Your Dog's Body Is Connected | Dr. Madeline Yamate | 27 Jul 2026 | 00:55:35 | |
Is healthy aging just about joints...or is everything in your dog's body connected? In this episode of the Short Leash Podcast, Dr. Madeline Yamate explains how inflammation, the nervous system, mobility, nutrition, and whole-body health are connected—and why understanding these connections may help dogs live healthier, longer lives. We also discuss three recent headlines making waves in the dog health world, including a newly approved arthritis drug, why companionship is essential for dogs, and fascinating new research exploring the connection between nerves and cancer. In this episode:🐾 Why every system in the body influences the others 1. New Long-Acting Arthritis Drug Approved for Dogs 2. Dogs Need More Than Food and Walks: The Importance of Companionship 3. What Nerves Can Teach Us About Cancer—and Why Your Dog's Neck Matters Dr. Yamate will be speaking at the 2026 Feed Real Summit on October 10–11 in San Diego, California, alongside leading experts in canine nutrition, longevity, and integrative veterinary medicine. 🎟️ Learn more: 📬 Subscribe to the Short Leash Newsletter: 🌎 Learn more about Feed Real courses and events: 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with another dog lover. | |||
| Functional Foods for Dogs: Are We Asking Too Much From Dog Food? Gut Health, Supplements & Omega-3s | 13 Jul 2026 | 00:40:31 | |
Functional Foods: Are We Asking More From Our Dog's Food? Dog nutrition has evolved beyond simply providing calories. Today's dog owners want food that supports gut health, immunity, mobility, healthy aging, and more. But are we asking too much from our dogs' food? In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart discuss three major trends shaping canine nutrition: • Why digestive health is becoming the new baseline for pet food • What a new study on insect protein may (and may not) tell us about inflammation • Why the supplement industry is booming—and whether more supplements actually mean better health They're joined by Chef Scot Hill, Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist and founder of Woof Creek Wellness, for a conversation about functional foods, whole-food supplements, omega-3s, ingredient quality, and why building a strong nutritional foundation matters more than chasing the next miracle ingredient. If you've ever wondered whether nutrition influences more than just your dog's weight, this episode is for you. In This Episode• Digestive health and whole-body wellness • Functional foods vs. marketing claims • Insect protein research • Whole-food supplements • Bioavailability and nutrient absorption • Omega-3s and inflammation • Why variety matters • Building health from the foundation GuestChef Scot Hill is a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist, former executive chef, and founder of Woof Creek Wellness, where he develops whole-food supplements designed to support long-term canine health. Short Leash Listener OfferSave 25% at Woof Creek Wellness through January 31, 2027 with code SHORTLEASH: https://www.woofcreek.com/discount/SHORTLEASH SourcesDigestive Health Is Becoming the New Baseline for Pet Food Study Finds Insect Ingredient Shows Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Dogs NASC Conference Report: Trends Fueling Pet Supplement Growth Subscribe to the Short Leash newsletter for bite-sized dog news and new podcast episodes every other week: https://shortleash.co 🐾 Dog news, minus the nonsense. #DogNutrition #FunctionalFoods #DogHealth #FreshFeeding #GutHealth #Omega3 #DogSupplements #HolisticDogs #ShortLeash #FeedRealInstitute | |||
| Are We Treating Dog Anxiety or Building Resilience? | Rita Hogan on Holistic Dog Health | 29 Jun 2026 | 00:52:15 | |
Is dog anxiety becoming more common...or are we missing the bigger picture? | |||