In this episode of Your Natural Dog, Angela sits down with Kelly Bone, founder of Saving Pets One Pet at a Time, to talk about a topic a lot of pet parents are quietly struggling with: who can you actually trust with your pet’s health? Kelly shares the heartbreaking story of losing her dog, Duncan, to a recalled prescription pet food and how that grief turned her into a fierce advocate, lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit, and the creator of a 175,000-member Facebook community. Angela and Kelly dig into what “holistic” really means, why the word is now slapped on everything from vet clinics to online coaches, and how pet parents can spot red flags in veterinarians, nutrition courses, supplements, and online “experts.” You’ll hear real talk about pet food recalls, dangerous drugs still on the market, unregulated supplements, and the rise of under-trained “holistic” practitioners. Most importantly, Angela and Kelly share practical ways to vet potential vets and coaches, read labels, build a trustworthy holistic team, and step fully into your role as your pet’s primary advocate.

Episode Recap:

• Angela starts by defining what holistic truly means: treating the whole being, addressing root causes, and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal. (00:00)
• Kelly shares her dog Duncan’s story, how her healthy service dog suddenly became critically ill and died after eating contaminated Hill’s Science Diet dog food, and realizing how little these companies care about our pets, after Hill’s offered her $10 in coupons as recompense for killing her dog. (02:34)
• She explains how Duncan’s death led her to join a class action lawsuit against Hill’s and launch the Saving Pets One Pet at a Time Facebook group, which grew rapidly as thousands of grieving or worried pet parents reached out. (05:04)
• Angela and Kelly talk about the guilt of blindly following conventional vet advice, from prescription food, flea/tick meds, heartworm drugs, to constant vaccines, and why they now refuse to hand over full control again. (06:58)
• Angela calls out the explosion of inexperienced “certified” holistic pet coaches and pet nutritionists, many with less than 30 hours of training, yet charging hundreds of dollars per consult. (10:00)
• They outline red flags in “holistic” vet clinics, like pharma posters, prescription diets, annual vaccine postcards, and automatic chemical preventatives. Plus practical tips for vetting your vet: from visiting clinics in advance and asking the right questions, to being willing to drive or use telehealth to work with a truly holistic vet. (16:43)
• Angela and Kelly talk about the shocking lack of consequences when pet food companies harm or even kill thousands of pets, who are seen as merely property, and misleading pet food labels and supplements, warning about companies changing ingredients for profit, many with long lists of synthetic vitamins, fillers, and “other ingredients.” (22:21)
• Why long ingredient lists are a red flag and why nutrients should primarily come from real, whole foods rather than isolates sprinkled on top. (27:12)
• They discuss influencers who suddenly flip from promoting raw feeding to pushing kibble and prescription diets, and why pet parents should always follow the money and check for sponsorships. (30:10)
• Kelly shares about the 175,000 pet parents looking for help in her Facebook group, Saving Pets One Pet at a Time, many joining after their pets get sick because of commercial pet food, and why saving money by feeding your dog cheap kibble often leads to bigger vet bills later, plus ways to “freshen the bowl” on a budget. (36:19)

Episode Resources:

• Download Angela’s Do No Harm Holistic Vet Checklist & more at AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads 
• Finding a Holistic Vet: What Pet Parents Should Know by Angela Ardolino
• Find more resources on Kelly’s website Saving Pets One Pet at a Time
• Follow Kelly & Saving Pets One Pet at a Time on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Sign up for episode reminders and updates from Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino
• 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 or join our CBD & Holistic Pet Advice Facebook Group.