Thinking about adding a dog to your family? Bringing a dog into a home with young children can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with important considerations. In this episode, we explore how to choose the right breed or temperament, prepare your home and kids for a new pet, and ensure a smooth introduction. Learn how to involve children in training and care, tackle common challenges, and know when to seek professional help. Plus, our expert guest, certified professional dog trainer, Tracey Costa, CPDT-KA, CNWI, NACSW, shares invaluable insights on strengthening the bond between kid ..read more

This episode offers a compassionate exploration of how regenerative medicine, particularly biologics, can bring relief to our beloved pets suffering from osteoarthritis (OA). With warmth and expertise, David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS, discusses treatment options like platelet-rich plasma, stem cell therapy, and joint injectables such as steroids, hyaluronic acid, and synthetics. Each approach is carefully explained, highlighting the factors that guide their use. Partnering with your veterinarian can help you make the best choices for your furry family member’s comfort and well-being. OA can ..read more

Imagine undergoing surgery without understanding why, and then returning home only to be confined to bed with no explanation. You're deprived of all activities and stimulation—no television, books, phone, computer, or any form of entertainment—for weeks or even months. It would drive you CRAZY! This is exactly how your dog feels after surgery. Lori Chamberland, Education Manager at Fear Free Pets, draws from her personal experience with her 1.5-year-old Border Collie, an agility competitor, to share valuable insights. She highlights a variety of proactive strategies to prepare for and navigate ..read more

Meet Naja Muller, the devoted "Mom" to a pack of incredible handi-capable rescued bullies and the heart behind the inspiring social media presence, Tonka's Journey. As a kindred spirit to PetAbility Podcast's mission, Naja shares our commitment to normalizing differently-abled pets by highlighting the journeys of her three current dogs' unparalleled resiliency, unabashed spirit, and unbridled zest for life. Naja discusses her dedication to Tonka, Summer, and Macy's physical and emotional health and well-being by employing assistive devices, utilizing a team of veterinary experts, creating a v ..read more

Buckle up as Caroline (Carrie) Adrian, PT, PhD, tCPT™, Fellow, IAVRPT, shares her story as a true pioneer in the discipline of small animal physical rehabilitation. In turn, get glimpses of how far this field has come in the past 25 years. Thanks to her grit, determination, and admittedly, even a little bit of luck, Carrie continues to pave the way for so many to fulfill dreams of working with pets. From her early days on Animal Planet's Emergency Vets to founding CanineIQ, the first educational program dedicated to physical therapists seeking to transition to treating dogs, it seems Carrie ha ..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

If your dog has ever had a seizure, you should listen to this. If your dog has never had a seizure, you should listen to this. The truth is that approximately one in ten dogs will experience a seizure in their lifetime. Listen as Gena Sliver, MS, DVM, DACVIM, explains everything from the various types of seizures to what can cause a seizure to what we can do both during a seizure and over time to manage a seizure disorder. As a veterinary neurologist, seizures are among the top three reasons pet owners seek Dr. Silver's expertise. Allay panic - be prepared. You can find Dr. Gena Silver at Mas ..read more

Let's dispel some misconceptions about rats! Rats are VERY smart, super snuggly, clean, social creatures. Historically, due in large part to media and negative idioms, rats have gotten a bad rap. 11 year-old Kylie Wilson is here to tell us about what it's like to live with four domestic pet rats, why she loves them and how she cares for them. This includes methods of enrichment, diet, bathroom training, and so much more! Open your mind - and perhaps your home - to rats. We think you will find them much more enchanting than you may have ever imagined. Click here for current information about r ..read more

Gratitude can be a wonderful healer after we experience the loss of a beloved pet. Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Mindy Meiering, created the Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Deck after she lost her own dog, Ellie, as a resource for others experiencing similar emotional pain. The Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Deck is a therapeutic tool designed to provide emotional support, guidance, and reflection. Each card in the deck is stunningly designed with a beautiful and meaningful message – a gift for any person in your life who has recently experienced heartbreaking loss or may be facing the imminent loss of th ..read more

In this episode, Cathy and Chris discuss the relatively common condition of bicipital tendinitis in the dog or inflammation of the biceps tendon at the shoulder joint. This comprehensive overview covers the following: Anatomy of the forelimb, specifically the shoulder and biceps muscle/tendon Causes from overuse/repetative stress to trauma Clinical signs such as lameness, tenderness, reluctance to exercise and atrophy Diagnosing via physical exam, imaging, and joint fluid analysis Treatment options from conservative rehab/modalities to injections to surgery Prognosis and potentially prolonged ..read more