Happy 2026! We're kicking off the new year with something special: your questions answered.
In this episode, I answer the most thoughtful questions you sent in about everything from helping a 9-year-old Pomeranian with hair loss navigate Cushing's vs. Alopecia X, to understanding how your own stress directly impacts your pet's health, to breaking down PEMF therapy and infrared heat for pain relief.
We also dive into why rotating your pet's food matters more than finding one "perfect" kibble, how to spot early arthritis before your pet starts limping, where to find integrative vets near you, and whether eggshell supplements are right for your pet.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting pet health advice or wondered if that supplement at the pet store is actually worth it, this episode will help you cut through the noise and make empowered decisions for your pet 💜
KEY INSIGHTS:
✨ How to tell the difference between Cushing's disease and Alopecia X in dogs with hair loss, and why borderline test results require looking at symptoms, trends over time, and urine cortisol testing.
✨ Why PHOVIA light therapy is helping Pomeranians with Alopecia X regrow their fur after multiple sessions.
✨ How your emotional and mental health directly affects your pet's wellbeing, including research showing pets and their people share similar microbiomes just from living together.
✨ Why energy and frequency medicine is becoming measurable through bioenergetic devices, and how your pet's cells respond to the electrical charge around them.
✨ Where to find holistic and integrative veterinarians near you: directories from AHVMA, Chi University, IVAS, CIVT, and O3 Vets.
✨ Why fecal transplants aren't the only option for dog allergies, and how herbal therapy, acupuncture, diet changes, bioenergetics, and ozone therapy (MAH/UVBI) can address the root cause.
✨ How to recognize early arthritis in dogs before they start limping: hesitation before jumping, less enthusiasm for walks, stiffness in the morning, and subtle changes like not playing with toys.
✨ 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.
✨ How PEMF therapy and infrared heat work for dog pain relief, circulation, and cellular repair, with comparable results to NSAIDs but without the side effects.
✨ Why no two pets should be on the same probiotic (even in the same household), and how bioenergetic testing can show which supplements match your pet's unique body.
✨ And the most important reminder: stop feeding the same food for life. Variety is the real insurance policy for nutrition, and your pet's body will tell you what works.
RESOURCES:
Find a Holistic Vet Near You:
AHVMA (American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association)
Chi University
IVAS (International Veterinary Acupuncture Society)
CIVT (International College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies)
Integrative Pet Wellness Center Resources:https://integrativepet.com/resources
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 🐶🐈⬛
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:
Gut health & chronic digestive issues
Holistic vs. conventional care
Nutrition confusion & label reading
Emotional wellness for pets & their people
Anything else you've been wondering!
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 🐶🐈⬛
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 🐶🐈⬛
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 🐶🐈⬛
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 🐶🐈⬛
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 🐶🐈⬛
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 🐶🐈⬛
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 🐶🐈⬛
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.
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
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
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
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
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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
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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
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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:
How silent health threats like toxins, mold, and nutrient deficiencies can be detected early through advanced functional testing
How our Baby Pearls Program helps puppies and kittens bypass common disease triggers and set the stage for lifelong health
How our NEW Crystal Tier brings this proactive care to both local and international pet parents, with virtual support, personalized guidance, and expert-led masterclasses
And you’ll hear Bella's story, a dog diagnosed with terminal cancer and given 3 months to live, who's now thriving, thanks to Dr. Lily’s care
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
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What if oxygen molecules held the power to shrink tumors, clear infections, and offer your pet a second chance at life? In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Jyl Rubin, veterinarian, educator, entrepreneur, and the visionary founder of Regen03one, the first veterinary-owned ozone therapy company. We dive into the fascinating (and often misunderstood) world of ozone therapy—what it is, how it works, and the remarkable healing stories Dr. Jyl has witnessed firsthand. From Carrot the Golden Retriever, who defied his cancer diagnosis, to a tortoise who received a fecal transplant with ozone! We also unpack the science, the skepticism, and the systemic blind spots that have kept ozone therapy on the sidelines for far too long. Whether you’re a curious pet parent or a vet seeking answers, this episode is for you.
KEY INSIGHTS:
✨ How a simple oxygen-based therapy is helping pets with cancer, chronic infections, and inflammation heal naturally.
✨ Why Dr. Jyl calls ozone therapy “God’s Breath”—a safe, gentle option used around the world for over 100 years.
✨ The moving story of Carrot the Golden Retriever, given just three months to live who went on to thrive for three more years.
✨ How rectal ozone and fecal transplants work together to clear gut biofilms and restore balance without sedation.
✨ How ozone therapy is so gentle it can be used on senior pets, fragile dogs, and cats with multiple health issues.
✨ The incredible case of a young dog with mammary cancer whose tumor shrank and softened after ozone injections and ozone glycerin therapy.
✨ How ozone can help with ear infections, skin wounds, and itchy hotspots, all without antibiotics.
✨ Why ozone therapy is one of the most compatible integrative treatments, working alongside chemotherapy, surgery, herbs, and more.
✨ How Dr. Jyl created the first ozone machine designed just for animals, making treatments safer and more effective than ever.
✨ And how more pet parents are now learning to use ozone at home (with veterinary guidance) to help with everyday issues like gut health, ear problems, and skin conditions.
RESOURCES:
Pre-order Dr. Jyl’s book👉 A Practical Guide to Veterinary Medical Ozone Therapy Text Book
Pet shower that turns regular water to ozone water 👉 https://www.regeno3onevet.com/product-page/household-water-purifier-wpi0-5-d-for-pet-shower-1
Ozone Shampoo 👉 https://www.regeno3onevet.com/product-page/ozonafoam-pet-shampoo
Natural Flea and Tick Repellent 👉
Pet Parent Ozone Training 👉 https://www.regeno3onevet.com/forpetparents
The Brinkley Package for Pet Parents 👉
https://www.regeno3onevet.com/product-page/the-brinkley-pet-guardian-medical-ozone-package
Ozone therapy training for veterinarians 👉 https://www.regeno3onevet.com/ozonetraining
FOLLOW:
Regen03one Vet: https://www.regeno3onevet.com/
Dr. Jyl Rubin on Instagram: @regeno3one
Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com
Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet
Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet
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What happens when “Dr. Google” meets ChatGPT in the vet’s office? In this episode, I sit down with veterinary leader and neuro-inclusive coach Ron Sosa to unpack how artificial intelligence is already reshaping the way pet parents seek answers about their pets’ health. Instead of fighting against it, what if vets helped pet parents to ask their Chat GPT better questions? Ron and I dive into what this shift means for pet parents: from how to prompt ChatGPT so you get helpful (not panic-inducing) answers, to why keeping simple notes on your AI tool at home can make all the difference, to how sharing what’s been “ruled out” can completely change the way you and your vet move forward together. This is a conversation about embracing technology without losing the human touch. If you’ve ever wondered how AI could help you become a more empowered, confident advocate for your pet’s health, this episode is for you.
KEY INSIGHTS:
✨ Why ChatGPT is quickly becoming the new “Dr. Google” for pet parents.
✨ How asking clear, detailed prompts (age, breed, sex, symptoms, timing) leads to more accurate answers.
✨ Why vague questions like “why is my dog vomiting?” often bring up scary, unhelpful results.
✨ How AI can save time in the exam room by preparing pet parents with background info.
✨ Why your vet may not know every answer in the moment and why that’s okay.
✨ How AI can lighten the education load so vets have more time for hands-on healing.
✨ How journaling with AI could one day help diagnose conditions like Addison’s more accurately.
✨ How misusing AI for DIY treatments or dosing can be risky, and why your vet must stay involved.
✨ Why future care may depend less on having every answer and more on asking better questions.
✨ And how embracing AI as part of the care team helps both pets and people.
RESOURCES:
🐾 Learn more about the Uncharted Veterinary Conference
🐾 Explore Synap Neuro-Inclusive Leadership
FOLLOW:
Ron Sosa on Instagram: @ron.sosa84
Ron Sosa on Linked In: Ronald Sosa, CVPM, CCFP, PgD-CLD
Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com/
Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet
Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen
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This week, we’re tackling one of the hardest—and most emotional—parts of being a pet parent: the money talk at the vet’s office. I’m joined by Ron Sosa, Executive Director of the Uncharted Veterinary Conference and founder of Synap Neuro-Inclusive Leadership, for a candid conversation about why vet bills feel so stressful and what you can actually do to feel more prepared. We talk about setting a clear budget, asking about follow-ups upfront, and preparing for emergencies—whether that’s with a dedicated credit card, a savings fund, or simply knowing your options. We also explore why choosing a vet who fits your values and communication style makes money talks feel easier. If you’ve ever panicked over an estimate, wondered how to afford care without cutting corners, or wished vet bills felt less overwhelming, this episode is for you.
KEY INSIGHTS:
Why money conversations at the vet are so emotionally charged for pet parents.
The hidden factors behind rising vet costs, from wages to overhead.
How setting a budget upfront helps your vet prioritize care within your means.
The importance of asking about follow-ups so you’re not blindsided later.
Simple ways to prepare for emergencies—like a pet savings fund or a dedicated credit card.
Why choosing a vet who aligns with your values can make all the difference.
How transparency and collaboration can transform stressful conversations into empowering ones.
RESOURCES:
🐾 Learn more about the Uncharted Veterinary Conference
🐾 Explore Synap Neuro-Inclusive Leadership
🐾 Listen to our podcast episode with Vet Billing to learn more about this payment plan option.
Ron Sosa on Instagram: @ron.sosa84
FOLLOW:
Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com/
Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet
Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen
Sign up for our newsletter to get more pet health tips and behind-the-scenes insights.
So many pet parents want to do the right thing and so they vaccinate on schedule, give monthly parasite prevention, and follow the “standard” advice from their vet. But what if those very routines are putting your dog (or cat) at risk?
In this episode, I’m joined by veterinarian Dr. Laurie Coger to unpack the hidden risks of routine care and what’s actually safe for your pup. We talk about vaccines, flea and tick medications, heartworm prevention, and how to make decisions that protect your dog’s long-term health.
This conversation is full of practical takeaways you can use right away, like the questions to ask your vet, when titer testing makes sense, how to know if parasite prevention is really necessary, and why building your dog’s microbiome may be the best defense of all.
If you’ve ever felt confused about what your dog really needs (and what they don’t), this episode will give you clarity and confidence to make the best choices for your pet.
KEY INSIGHTS:
✨ The crucial difference between vaccination (giving a shot) and immunization (achieving immunity), and why titer testing matters.
✨ Why protocols are designed for the weakest pets, and how that can mean overdosing the strongest.
✨ The hidden risks of long-acting parasite preventives (and why convenience can sometimes come at a cost).
✨ Safer, smarter ways to approach flea, tick, and heartworm prevention based on region, lifestyle, and your dog’s health history.
✨ How the microbiome is your dog’s first line of defense, and why antibiotics and kibble diets can undermine resilience.
✨ The environmental ripple effects of vaccines and parasite medications we rarely consider.
✨ Why building a veterinary dream team—integrative vets, conventional vets, specialists, and emergency care—is the best way to cover every stage of your dog’s life.
✨ How to approach conversations with your vet with respect, even when you disagree, and find practitioners who align with your values.
RESOURCES:
Vaccines Explained:The Wholistic Vet’s Guide to Vaccinationing Your Dog
FOLLOW:
Dr. Laurie Coger Website: https://healthydogworkshop.com/
Dr. Laurie Coger on Instagram: @healthydogworkshop
Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com/
Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepet
Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen
Sign up for our newsletter to get more pet health tips and behind-the-scenes insights.