Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino - Formerly It's A Dog's Life

110. No Dog Left Behind: Holistic Rescue in Action with Koco Garcia


Listen Later

In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, Angela is joined by Koco Garcia, founder of Handover Rover, a rescue organization dedicated to saving dogs most shelters overlook—those with behavior challenges, complex medical issues, and histories of neglect or abandonment. Koco shares the deeply personal journey that led her from dog lover to trainer to full-time rescuer, including how one misunderstood dog named Harrison changed the course of her life and became the foundation of her training philosophy. Together, Angela and Koco discuss the emotional resilience required to run a rescue, why behavioral euthanasia must be challenged, and how holistic care—including fresh food and plant-based medicine—has transformed the lives of dogs like Mary Katherine and Scarlett.

Episode Recap:

  • Koco’s unexpected journey from dog mom to behavior-focused rescue founder (1:03)
  • Why she refuses to give up on dogs with complex behavioral needs (4:52)
  • Koco’s life-changing bond with Harrison, the dog “experts” told her to euthanize (6:41)
  • Embracing accountability and emotional growth through rescue work (11:19)
  • You have to be your pet’s advocate, you have to read the labels (16:42)
  • Why it’s vital to question veterinary protocols and take ownership of your pet’s care (20:35)
  • The story of Mary Katherine, a senior street dog with a collapsed trachea (24:23)
  • How a mushroom extract blend for collapsed trachea helped Mary Katherine breathe again (38:47)
  • Why sourcing and formulation matter, when it comes to real results (47:08)
  • How full spectrum hemp extract gave senior rescue dog Scarlett a second chance at pain-free living (51:47)


Episode Resources:

  • What Helped Mary Katherine: Mushrooms & Adaptogens for Collapsed Trachea in Dogs
  • What Helped Scarlett: CBD with Turmeric and Frankincense for Dogs with Joint Pain
  • Check out Angela’s Essential Holistic Toolkit for Pets 
  • Diamond and Scarlett are still looking for their forever home, learn more or meet the other adoptables at Handover Rover. 
  • Visit Handover Rover to adopt, sponsor or donate. 
  • Follow Koco & Handover Rover on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
  • Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
  • For Angela’s Free Educational Downloads & Resources, visit: AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
  • Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.com


Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino - Formerly It's A Dog's LifeBy Angela Ardolino

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

35 ratings


More shows like Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino - Formerly It's A Dog's Life

View all
The Model Health Show by Shawn Stevenson

The Model Health Show

7,332 Listeners

The Life Stylist by Luke Storey

The Life Stylist

1,923 Listeners

Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast by Dr. Eric Berg

Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast

1,685 Listeners

The Genius Life by Max Lugavere

The Genius Life

4,813 Listeners

Dhru Purohit Show by Dhru Purohit

Dhru Purohit Show

3,532 Listeners

The Dr. Hyman Show by Dr. Mark Hyman

The Dr. Hyman Show

9,367 Listeners

Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow ™ by Everyday Wellness™

Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow ™

1,204 Listeners

Ancient Health Podcast by Ancient Health Podcast

Ancient Health Podcast

1,765 Listeners

The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy by Dr. Mindy Pelz

The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy

1,355 Listeners

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett by Susan Garrett

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

651 Listeners

The Pet Parenting Reset by Jessica L. Fisher

The Pet Parenting Reset

15 Listeners

The Alternative Dog Moms by Kimberly Gauthier (Keep the Tail Wagging) and Erin Scott (Believe in Dog)

The Alternative Dog Moms

19 Listeners

The BK Pets - Dog and Cat Tips by Bryce and Kenzie - The BK Pets

The BK Pets - Dog and Cat Tips

19 Listeners

Dogs Are Individuals by Rita Hogan

Dogs Are Individuals

51 Listeners

Naturally Healthy Pets Podcast by Dr. Judy Morgan

Naturally Healthy Pets Podcast

55 Listeners