Listen as Christina Powell tells us the story of Special Needs Animal Rescue League (SNARL). This SNARL is bound to make you smile! What started as a personal rescue of one wobbly German Shepherd became a multi-organization, multi-state/province, two-country machine that takes "red list" dogs from other shelters and finds them their forever homes. In other words, SNARL says "yes" to those who have been overlooked and placed in high risk situations due to their special needs, primarily neurological disabilities. Lee Ridings of Furgiven Animal Sanctuary joins us to elaborate on the collaboration ..read more

Join us as we rewind to one of our most popular shows.   Should my pet get a ramp or steps to help him onto the bed? This a question that Cathy and Chris get asked all the time. Listen as they debate the pros and cons of each option to help you determine what is best for your pet. They cover what specifications to look for and offer some suggestions for making your own. In the end, they agreed that what is ideal for one pet or situation may not be for another. Listen to Chris and Cathy hash out the factors that every pet owner should consider when faced with this decision. Support t ..read more

A healthy pet starts with healthy nutrition, naturally! After all, “you are what you eat." That same adage applies to both us and our pets. Judy Morgan, DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT emphasizes that food is food - there should be no need to qualify what we eat as "people food,” nor what we feed our dogs and cats as “pet food.” Many commercial dog and cat foods contain the bare minimum to qualify as "complete and balanced" - a true misnomer. Further, food choices can impact chronic illnesses such as hearth disease and cancer. In addition to medcial issues, proper diet can influence behavior, resulting i ..read more

Losing a pet is hard. In fact, for Erika Sinner, it is the hardest thing she has ever experienced. Erika feels her shar-peis are family - her kids -  and should be treated as such even after death. What does this mean and what did Erika do about it? Struggling to deal with her own pain and finding little out there to aid her in coping and healing, Erika wrote a book called Pets Are Family: It's as Simple As That. A self-professed person of action, Erika wants to share her story to help others going through similar grief. Additionally, she provides tips, guides, and resources for family, f ..read more

Located in the knee, cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries are the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs. Yet there is little consistency or agreement about how to manage this condition. It goes well beyond surgery vs. no surgery.  Pet parents angst about what to do to help there dog's knee pain and function, then often second guess themselves once they decide. Rest assured that there is a multitude of options to choose from and there is no one right - or wrong - answer.  Along with describing the CCL's function and mechanism of injury, Christin Finn DVM, CVA, CVSMT, CCRT, discu ..read more

The ilio-so-what??? It may be hard to pronounce and even harder to spell, but every dog owner should know about this very important hip muscle. If you have a working or sporting dog, I bet you are very aware of how common and problematic it is to strain the iliopsoas muscle. Listen to Laurie Edge-Hughes, BScPT, MAnimSt, CAFCI, CCRT, tell us the iliopsoas's multiple functions, how it becomes injured (all it may take is a slip), how to differentially diagnose an iliopsoas problem, treatment options, and most importantly, prevention of injury. So if your dog is lame in the hind end, the iliopsoas ..read more

Feet of all creatures are amazing structures that serve multiple purposes. This episode focuses on canine feet: their intricate anatomy, things to watch for, the importance of proper care, including nail trims, and the foot's role in overall health and well-being. These extraordinary assets not only allow for locomotion, traction, and protection, but are so sensitive that they give our dogs remarkable insights about their surroundings that enhances balance, agility, and function. Paying close attention to our dogs paws is important for pain-free and efficient navigation of their world. Whether ..read more

This is a game changer! DogLeggs is a company that has provided innovative, quality products since the formal inception of small animal physical rehabilitation. One of Cathy and Chris's favorites is their Shoulder Stabilization System which offers a way to protect a healing shoulder joint to allow for safe rehabilitation and activity at home while mitigating reinjury. All of their 21 products are made in the U.S. with the vet community,  pet, and owner in mind. They are easy to put on and take off, durable, breathable, and so much more. The entire suite of products is designed to allow fo ..read more

Have you ever wondered what you pet would say if they could actually talk? Listen to Danielle MacKinnon, a luminary in the realm of animal communication. With a rare and innate gift, she bridges the gap between humans and the animal kingdom, and has dedicated her life to unraveling the mysteries of interspecies communication. Her deep connection with animals transcends the ordinary, allowing her to tap into the rich tapestry of their thoughts, emotions, and desires. As a trailblazer, Danielle has not only demonstrated the power of animal communication but has also become a sought-after teacher ..read more

Many every day movements using every day surroundings can become exercise that can profoundly impact your dog's performance, quality of life, and longevity. Bobbie Lyons, CCFT, KPA CTP, Cert CF, describes just how easy it can be. However, we need to first observe what our dog is doing repetitively - the patterns of posture and movement that may not be ideal and contribute to injury - and then know what to do to address these issues. Contrary to popular belief, increasing your pet's confidence, building their strength, enhancing their balance, and probably most importantly, cluing them into whe ..read more