My Dog Is Better Than Your Dog

• 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 

  --------  

  1:01:56
• The Human Wellness Tools Transforming Pet Health: Epigenetics, Fascia Decompression & More w/ Dr. Marlene Siegel

  Dr. Marlene Siegel, legendary integrative vet, is on the podcast this week! She shares the story that changed her life forever: a terrifying accident where her daughter’s life was saved by their beloved showhorse. When that same horse was later deemed untreatable by every equine vet, Marlene refused to accept it. That moment ignited a fire in her, a soul-deep commitment to find real solutions for any problem an animal had. That mission has led her to become a true pioneer in integrative veterinary medicine, bringing cutting-edge healing tools from the human world to devoted pet parents like you. In this episode, Marlene and I dive into so many exciting new modalities and explore why today’s pet parents must be fiercely proactive. Because, let’s be real, the modern world isn’t built for health. But there are still ways you can help your pet truly thrive. KEY INSIGHTS:Why detoxification is non-negotiable in modern pet health—and how 90% of the pets Dr. Lily and Dr. Marlene test have a compromised ability to detox.Dr. Marlene’s 6 Steps To Healing every pet parent should know. How fascia decompression helps pets release stress—and how pet parents can learn to do it at home, with no equipment.The difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system states—and why your pet might struggle to heal if you’re stuck in fight-or-flight.How we’re getting foods that aren’t ripened naturally, and how this is robbing us and our pets of nutrients that help prevent cancer. Why processed prescription diets don’t heal—and how a high-quality fresh food diet can change everything.How Dr. Marlene is bringing epigenetics from the human world into her work with animals. Why our pets are sicker now than ever and how current “normal” lab ranges don’t reflect true health (because they’re based on a sick population).How anecdotal evidence can be more trustworthy than scientific evidence at this point because often the data has been changed to benefit the company paying for the study. The power of home detox protocols and how Dr. Marlene’s new SPAWS centers (for people and pets) will make these therapies accessible to everyone.And how pets labeled “incurable” often experience full recoveries with integrative care. RESOURCES:🐾 Fascia Decompression For Pets Course 🐾 Dr. Marlene Segiel’s Empowered Pet Parent CourseFOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com/Dr. Marelen Siegel: @drmarlenesiegelDr. Marelen Siegel: https://drmarlenesiegel.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 

  --------  

  1:19:19
• Dog Dental Health Hacks That Can Prevent Serious Diseases w/ Dr. Katie Kangas

  This week, I'm joined once again by the brilliant Dr. Katie Kangas—veterinarian, educator, and true oral health guru. With decades of experience working alongside board-certified veterinary dentists, she brings such a deep well of insight. In this episode, we're diving into what every pet parent needs to know about preventing tooth pain, gum disease, and yes—even early death–from untreated dental issues. Dr. Katie breaks down why anesthesia-free cleanings aren't very effective, how your small dog is at greater risk than your big dog, and how to understand the difference between general practice and specialty dentistry. And here's the best part: she shares powerful (and easy!) daily hacks you can start using right now to protect your pet's dental health. This episode could literally save your dog's life. Let's get into it 🦷KEY INSIGHTS:How dental disease in dogs is a hidden source of chronic inflammation linked to heart disease, kidney disease, arthritis, and even a shortened lifespan. How pets can’t truly be in whole-body wellness while living with poor oral health—and why it’s a foundational part of your dog’s long-term health plan.How gingivitis is the first warning sign—if your pet’s gums bleed or look red, it’s important to catch it early and help them heal.How brushing your pet’s teeth is the gold standard, but even just gently rubbing the gums daily with coconut oil or natural dental products can make a real difference.How important it is to look inside your pet’s mouth regularly—so you can spot early signs of inflammation, dental pain, broken teeth, infections, or a mass starting to grow. How the supplement TEEF helps rebalance your pet’s oral microbiome by feeding the good bacteria and reducing the bad—improving breath and reducing harmful plaque.How kibble does not clean teeth—and can actually increase your pet’s risk of dental disease.How to choose safe dog chews that help support dental health without risking fractured teeth—and which popular chews to avoid.How broken teeth in dogs are a serious medical issue that can cause pain, infection, and systemic inflammation—and need immediate attention from your vet.How integrative whole-body care at home can still make a powerful impact—especially when anesthesia isn’t an option due to heart conditions, kidney disease, or budget constraints.And Dr. Katie tells us about her own natural dental product for dogs. RESOURCES:🦷 Dr. Katie’s Brand 👉 Share Your Bowl 🦷 Boost your pets oral microbiome with this supplement 👉 TEEFFOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center: ⁠https://integrativepet.com/⁠Dr. Katie Kangas: ⁠@drkatiekangas⁠Dr. Katie Kangas: ⁠https://intvetcare.com/#top⁠Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: ⁠@integrativepet⁠Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: ⁠@dr.lilychen⁠ and ⁠@the.unicorn.vet⁠⁠Sign up to our newsletter to get more pet health care tips ⁠

  --------  

  56:03
• Struggling to find an integrative vet? How to get natural, holistic pet care from anywhere in the world w/ Dr. Katie Kangas

  In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Katie Kangas, a trailblazing integrative veterinarian, to dive into how telemedicine is transforming pet care. With virtual consults, pet parents anywhere—yes, anywhere!—can now access expert holistic guidance, even if there isn’t a holistic vet nearby. Dr. Katie and I have both seen amazing results with our virtual pet patients, even though we’ve never met them in person. From resolving chronic illnesses to helping pet parents navigate the maze of conflicting opinions from different specialists, these virtual consults are truly life-changing. If you’ve ever been told, there are no more options for your pet, or if you don’t have access to an integrative or holistic vet in your area, or if you’ve felt overwhelmed trying to make sense of your pet’s care plan and all the different opinions you’re getting—this episode is for you. KEY INSIGHTS:How if a pet parent can’t find an integrative vet or a holistic vet nearby, they can now access expert holistic guidance from anywhere in the world.How a proactive, customized roadmap (the kind your telemedicine vet can help you create) helps keep pets thriving long-term.How when you have multiple specialists involved (primary vet, internist, oncologist, etc.), it’s essential to have one vet reviewing everything and making sure nothing falls through the cracks.How unlike rushed in-clinic visits, telemedicine allows for a focused, in-depth conversation where the vet is fully present and is able to answer all your questions. How contrary to what many pet parents are told, IBD (irritable bowel disease) is NOT always lifelong or untreatable. Many pets can fully heal with the right diet and holistic support.Why telemedicine can sometimes be even MORE effective than in-person care.The IBD case Dr. Katie helped turn around with just telephone consults (not even Zoom). And we explore how miracles happen all the time and how pets labeled as “hopeless” or “incurable” often make astonishing recoveries when given the right support.RESOURCES:🐾 Book A Telehealth Session With Dr. Katie Kangas🐾 Book A Telehealth Session With Dr. Lily Chen FOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center: https://integrativepet.com/Dr. Katie Kangas: @drkatiekangasDr. Katie Kangas: https://intvetcare.com/#topIntegrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @integrativepetDr. Lily Chen on Instagram: @dr.lilychen and @the.unicorn.vetSign up to our newsletter to get more pet health care tips

  --------  

  36:59
• The Modern Pet Health Crisis: Why Pets Are Sicker Than Ever—And How to Heal Them Naturally w/ Dr. Odette Suter

  In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Odette to get into some big questions. Why are pets getting sicker? How do environmental toxins and generational health play a role? And most importantly, what can we do to reverse these trends? We look at how our pets are like the canary in the coal mine, warning us that our modern, toxin-filled world isn't just affecting them—it's affecting us too. We also dive deep into Dr. Odette's 7 Pillars of Health—nutrition, gut health, detoxification, nervous system health, hormonal balance, fitness and exercise, and mental and emotional well-being and break it all down into simple, actionable steps. You'll walk away feeling informed, empowered, and ready to make changes that truly support your pet's health. Because healing is possible, and it starts with the simple lifestyle choices we make every day.KEY INSIGHTS:How our pets are getting sick at a younger age, and how environmental toxins are impacting generations of pets. How our pets are helping us realize how our modern lifestyle with WI-FI, EMFs, too little exercise, too much processed food, and an overload of pesticides and toxic chemicals is impacting not only our pets' health but our own.  How choosing organic regenerative, locally grown food makes a big difference.  How Odette’s 7 Pillars of Pet Health—nutrition, gut health, detoxification, nervous system health, hormonal balance, fitness, and emotional well-being—help pets heal by correcting foundational imbalances. How hormonal health is absolutely critical to your pet's overall health, and how you especially need to pay attention to this if your pet has been spayed or neutered. How getting outside and daily exercise is essential for our pets, and how going on long walks benefits their health as much as it benefits ours. How our animals point out our blind spots and invite us to make the changes we need to. How our stress levels impact our pets (and their microbiomes). How modern toxins—WiFi, EMFs, pesticides, glyphosate, and heavy metals—affect pet health. And Odette also shares more about her Pet Health Accelerator Program and making integrative pet health care accessible. FOLLOW:Integrative Pet Wellness Center: ⁠https://integrativepet.com/⁠Dr. Odette Suter: ⁠@odettesuterdvm⁠Dr. Odette Suter: ⁠https://odettesuterdvm.com/⁠Integrative Pet Wellness Center on Instagram: @⁠integrativepet⁠Dr. Lily Chen on Instagram: ⁠@dr.lilychen⁠ + ⁠theunicorn.vet⁠⁠Sign up⁠ to our newsletter to get more pet health care tips

  --------  

  55:15

More Kids & Family podcasts

Trending Kids & Family podcasts

About My Dog Is Better Than Your Dog