My Dog Is Better Than Your Dog

• Find the Perfect Medicinal Mushroom for Your Pet

  In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Rob Silver an integrative vet to unpack one of the hottest topics in pet wellness right now: mushrooms. Dr. Rob is a true pioneer when it comes to using medicinal mushrooms to help pets heal and in this episode, we talk about how mushrooms can support pets facing cognitive decline, cancer (in particular hemangiosarcoma), allergies, Cushing’s, and boost overall immunity. We also dive into the red flags to watch out for when choosing a medicinal mushroom product, and what to look for if you want the real deal. If you’ve ever been curious about whether medicinal mushrooms could help your pet, this episode is definitely for you. KEY INSIGHTS:✨ Why you should never feed mushrooms raw and why chopping them small helps your pet absorb all their benefits. ✨ How the medicinal mushroom cordyceps is a beautiful support for kidney health and should be a part of every cat's preventative care. ✨ How lion’s mane mushroom supports both cognitive function and gut health.  ✨ How turkey tail can be a powerful ally for dogs with hemangiosarcoma. ✨ How reishi and chaga mushrooms act like natural antihistamines for pets with allergies.✨ How scientific research shows that button mushrooms (yes, the common kind!) have anti-cancer and brain boosting effects. ✨ Why shiitake mushrooms are so revered and how there are even injectable cancer treatments made from them in Asia.  ✨ Why lion’s mane might be the secret weapon for aging pets with signs of cognitive decline. ✨ How mycelium-based products may look the same on the outside but contain fewer active compounds—and can slow results. ✨ Why giving medicinal mushrooms a few weeks before your puppy or kitten’s titer test can strengthen their immune response. ✨ And we’ll Introduce you to Dr. Rob’s book: There’s A Mushroom For That—your go-to guide for using functional mushrooms to support your pet’s health. RESOURCES:Grab Dr. Rob Silver’s book: There's A Mushroom For That!Shop vet-quality mushroom supplements at Real MushroomsUse the code DRCHEN at checkout to get 20% off any Real Mushrooms products for pets FOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.comIntegrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepetDr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vet Dr. Rob Silver: @docrobsilverSign up to our newsletter to get more holistic pet care tips

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• Healing Pets with Vibration: Sound Therapy That Supports Physical Recovery w/ Dr. Meghan Barrett

  In this deeply inspiring episode, I’m joined by the brilliant and truly one-of-a-kind Dr. Meghan Barrett—a holistic veterinarian, sound healer, and musician based in Honolulu, Hawaii. We talk about everything from harp music for horses to how tuning forks can do more than calm the nervous system—they can actually help move fluid, soften tight fascia, and support physical healing when needles aren’t tolerated. Dr. Meghan shares how she uses sound therapy with zoo animals, cows, and anxious dogs alike—and how even small changes in sound and environment can create big shifts in an animal’s healing. We also explore why most vet clinics (though well-intentioned) are often too loud, chaotic, and clinical for true healing to occur—especially for pets dealing with chronic inflammation. Sound, she reminds us, is a nutrient for the nervous system—and when used intentionally, it can elevate every modality we already use, from acupuncture and rehab to simple daily care at home. Whether you’re a devoted pet parent or a fellow vet—this episode will expand how you think about sound as a healing modality. KEY INSIGHTS:How the environment in most vet clinics is noisy, smells like fear, and overwhelms sensitive animals.How pets cannot fully heal if their environment keeps them in fight-or-flight. How acupuncture and other therapies have a totally different level of effectiveness depending on whether the animal feels safe and relaxed or stressed and shut down—and how noise pollution in regular vet clinics can lead to less effective acupuncture sessions.How holistic care isn’t “woo”—it’s whole-body care, supporting both the physical and emotional side, and more pet parents than ever are seeking vets who truly understand that.How a simple “noise audit” in your home can reveal overstimulation you may have tuned out—and allow you to fix that for your pet.How consciously introducing nervous-system-regulating sounds (like ambient music, sound bowls, or gentle lullaby music) can create a healing field at home.The science behind sound as medicine: every cell in the body vibrates, and sound helps return the body to resonance and harmony.How tuning forks aren’t just a professional tool—pet parents can learn to use them at home. And how you can access Dr. Meghan’s calming music for pets on YouTube—designed specifically to soothe and regulate.RESOURCES:Find calming music for your pet on Dr. Meghan’s YouTube channel Learn more about Dr. Meghan’s healing work and upcoming course → www.drbarrettvet.comGet Dr. Meghan’s book From Basic To Bougie: A Blueprint To Upgrade Your Pet’s Diet Safely And Simply FOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com/On Instagram: @integrativepetDr. Lily Chen: @dr.lilychen @the.unicorn.vetDr. Meghan Barrett: @drbarrettvet

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• Can Acupuncture Work For Your Pet’s Health Issue? w/ Dr. Nell Ostermeier

  This week, I’m joined once again by the deeply wise and generous Dr. Nell—veterinarian, beloved teacher, and acupuncture wizard. In Part 2 of our conversation, we explore the magic of acupuncture for our animal patients. From kidney disease and seizures to tummy troubles, diabetes, and even Cushing’s... Dr. Nell gently walks us through how this ancient healing art can offer support when conventional medicine sometimes reaches its limits. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, Could acupuncture help my pet?—this conversation is such a beautiful place to begin. KEY INSIGHTS:How acupuncture isn’t just for pain—it is powerful medicine for chronic diseases like kidney issues, GI imbalances, seizures, pancreatitis, and hormonal dysregulation.How acupuncture improves circulation, balances the nervous system, and helps regulate complex conditions like diabetes and Cushing’s.Why idiopathic conditions (aka the ones with no clear Western cause) often respond wonderfully to acupuncture and herbal support.The beauty of working with patterns of imbalance instead of waiting on a definitive diagnosis.And how Chinese medicine and conventional care don’t have to compete—they actually work best together.RESOURCES:Finding a vet who does acupuncture: Ask your vet if they know of a vet who does acupuncture you could add to your team. Google.Check out these directories 👇American Academy of Veterinary AcupuncturistsChi University College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies  FOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center: ⁠https://integrativepet.com/⁠Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepetDr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychenDr. Nell Ostermeier: @people.and.pet

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• How to Raise a Puppy That Doesn’t End Up With Chronic Allergies, Itchy Skin, or GI Issues w/ Dr. Lily & Dianne, RVT

  What if I told you your puppy or kitten’s first year is the single most important window to shape their lifelong health—and that some of the most common vet protocols (though totally well-intentioned!) might actually be setting them up for chronic issues later on? This is your loving wake-up call. In this episode, I’m joined by our amazing vet tech (and proud new puppy mom!) Dianne. We’re unpacking how these “normal” choices like routine deworming, kibble, and standard vaccine schedules might be doing more harm than good, and we share what you can do instead to support a healthy gut and strong immune system. If you’ve got a young puppy or kitten or you’re thinking of bringing one home, this conversation could save you thousands in future vet bills and, more importantly, so much stress and heartache. And make sure to stick around until the end—we’re sharing something super exciting that we created just for you! KEY INSIGHTS:Why the period between 8 to 16 weeks is the most critical stage of puppy development and how it shapes their lifelong health, socialization, and behavior.How colostrum, the very first milk, sets up a puppy’s immune system for success, and why missing it in the first 24 hours can leave a crucial gap in their early immune protection. How weaning from mother’s milk to kibble shocks a puppy’s digestive system and how this early disruption can increase the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases in dogs later in life.Why it’s essential to slowly transition your puppy to fresh food instead of abruptly switching diets. Why protecting your puppy’s microbiome is vital and how using natural alternatives to antibiotics, like ozone therapy, can support immune development without harming gut health.How asking your vet for a PCR fecal test for puppies (rather than a standard fecal test) can catch more parasites and help avoid unnecessary chemical deworming.How some parasites can be safely treated without harsh medications and why exploring natural parasite treatment options for puppies and kittens can help avoid side effects and drug resistance.Why vaccine titer testing for puppies is a powerful tool—and how it helps prevent the dangers of over-vaccination while still ensuring proper disease protection. How investing in a titer test during the first year can save you thousands of dollars (and avoid major health issues) over your dog’s lifetime.What the latest research says about when to spay or neuter a dog—and how delaying sterilization or keeping certain breeds intact can protect against certain types of cancer.And we share an exciting announcement for puppy and kitten pet parents around the world!RESOURCES:Click here to learn more about the Baby Pearls Membership 💖🛎️👇🏻BABY PEARLS MEMBERSHIP And if your pet isn’t a baby anymore, but you’d love support staying on top of their preventative health care, check out the Silver, Gold, and Diamond Tiers in the Concierge Membership  🛎️FOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: ⁠@integrativepet⁠Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: ⁠@dr.lilychen⁠ @the.unicorn.vet Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com/Dianne on Instagram:@mywildthyme @diannemakesart Dianne’s puppy Mabel on Instagram: @withlovemabelroux 

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• Behind the Scenes: The Emotional Side of Being a Vet w/ Dr. Nell Ostermeier

  In this week’s episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Nell for a deeply human, heart-opening conversation that every pet parent and veterinarian needs to hear. We explore a topic that often gets overlooked—the emotional well-being of vets. Dr. Nell shares the mission behind the CALM Movement (Conscious Animal Lovers Movement) and how healing isn’t just about the medicine we use but also the energy, intention, and presence we bring into the room. We talk about burnout, the often unsustainable pace of conventional practice, and what begins to shift when vets slow down and offer each patient a little more of their time. This episode can help you and your vet navigate the challenges that come with helping a pet heal and find a way forward together as a team.KEY INSIGHTS:✨ How healing really is a shared journey between pet, pet parent, and their vet and how the energy each person brings matters.✨ How our emotional state, stress, and even unspoken tension between the team can directly impact our pet’s ability to heal.✨ How CALM (Conscious Animal Lovers Movement) was founded by Dr. Allen Schoen to raise awareness about how energy, presence, and frequency influence healing outcomes.✨ How choosing a different model and slowing down veterinary appointments allows for deeper care, stronger relationships, and better results.✨ How time stress is one of the biggest contributors to burnout for vets and also the reason so many pet parents leave the vet without their questions getting answered. ✨ How easy little practices like taking three deep breaths or stepping outside for one minute can shift your nervous system from fight-or-flight into calm presence.✨ How when pet parents share what matters most to them (like sleep, comfort, quality of life), it helps vets tailor care more effectively.✨ How slow, present, preventative care is often more effective (and more financially sustainable) than rushing to fit more patients into the day.✨ And Dr. Lily and Dr. Nell share their top tips for navigating uncomfortable conversations and moments where you and your vet don’t see eye to eye. RESOURCES:The Vetiverse is Dr. Nell’s online training platform for vetshttps://www.thevetiverse.com/en/latest/author/nell-ostermeier/FOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com/Dr. Nell Ostermeier: @people.and.petDr. Nell Ostermeier : https://www.peopleandpet.com/Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepetDr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @the.unicorn.vetSign up to our newsletter to get more pet health care tips 

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