We often say pets are family, but does your budget reflect that? In this episode of Soda City Unleashed, host Emily White sits down with Margaret Ellen Pender of Anchor Investment Management to bridge the gap between emotional commitment and financial reality.

Margaret Ellen shares her deep roots in the Columbia community and her personal experiences with her beloved Boykin Spaniels to help pet parents prepare for the unexpected. From the rise of "petflation" and the evolution of pet insurance to advanced planning like pet trusts and health care powers of attorney, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to protect their pet's future. Plus, stay tuned for some classic Boykin Spaniel antics and a "stick of butter" hack every outdoorsy dog owner needs to hear!

Learn more about Anchor Investment and their services here: https://www.anchorinvestmentmanagement.com/

Soda City Unleashed is brought to you by CVETS. Learn more at cvets.net.

Owning a pet brings immeasurable joy, but is your wallet prepared for the unexpected? In this episode of Soda City Unleashed, Emily White sits down with Cathy James from Care Credit to pull back the curtain on veterinary financing.

Whether it's a routine wellness check or a late-night emergency room visit, the "sticker shock" of modern veterinary medicine can be a major barrier to care. Cathy shares why financial planning should start the moment you adopt, how to navigate "taboo" money conversations with your vet team, and how specialized health and wellness financing can offer peace of mind when your pet needs it most.

In this episode of Soda City Unleashed, host Emily White sits down with Dr. Shawn Bierman, owner and lead veterinarian at the historic Five Points Animal Clinic. As the clinic approaches its 100th anniversary in the heart of downtown Columbia, Dr. Bierman shares what it’s like to lead a locally owned practice with deep community roots. Whether you're a first-time pet parent or a lifelong animal lover, Dr. Bierman’s insights on proactive health and the evolving value of our furry family members are not to be missed.

Learn more about Dr. Bierman's practice at fivepointsanimalclinic.org

Soda City Unleashed is brought to you by CVETS; learn more at cvets.net.

What really happens behind the sliding glass doors of an emergency animal hospital when the rest of the city is asleep? In this episode of Soda City Unleashed, host Emily White sits down with Raven Angulo, a dedicated veterinary assistant at CVETS and Army veteran who has traded the traditional 9-to-5 for the fast-paced world of overnight emergency medicine.

Raven pulls back the curtain on the "skeleton crew" experience, from managing high-stakes cases to the essential teamwork and pranks that keep the staff alert at 3:00 a.m. She also shares touching insights into how her military background helps her connect with stressed pet owners and why "putting eyes on a patient" is the most critical part of the job. Tune in for a look at the grit, humor, and heart required to advocate for our furry friends in the middle of the night.

Soda City Unleashed is brought to you by CVETS; learn more at cvets.net.

What does it take to become a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care? Host Emily White sits down with CVETS' own Lauren Johnson to discuss her journey from Hawaii to Columbia, the grueling multi-year certification process, and the "rush" of handling life-saving cases. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on in the ICU after hours, this deep dive into high-stakes pet nursing is for you.

What does it truly mean to be a primary care veterinarian? In this episode of Soda City Unleashed, host Emily White sits down with Dr. Cheryl Sine from Shandonwood Animal Clinic. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Sine shares her journey from a pet-free childhood to becoming a leading voice for pet health in Columbia, SC.

We dive into the emotional bonds formed through lifelong patient care, the heartwarming recovery story of "Skinny Girl Margarita," and why Dr. Sine believes pet insurance is the single most important investment a pet owner can make. Whether you’re a new puppy parent or a seasoned cat lover, this episode offers a peek behind the curtain of full-service veterinary medicine.

To learn more about Shandonwood Animal Clinic, please visit their website at https://www.shandonwood.com/

Soda City Unleashed is brought to you by CVETS, learn more at cvets.net.

You won't believe who dialed into our call! We've snagged a very exclusive interview with the big man himself: Santa Claus!

Tune in as we get the inside scoop on what it's really like running the North Pole, how the doctors at CVETS ensure the reindeer are in tip-top shape, keeping Rudolph’s glowing nose shining, and Santa’s wishes for all of the fur babies this holiday season.

Most importantly, Santa shares the details of his special visit to CVETS to take photos with all of the Midlands' good boys and girls (and their owners!).

Soda City Unleashed is brought to you by CVETS, learn more at cvets.net.

Come with us inside the incredible world of Danny & Ron's Rescue! We are honored to feature co-founders Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta, who together have found forever homes for nearly 15,000 dogs. Their unique model allows all dogs to live in their home, a great environment for abused animals and former puppy mill dogs.

They share the humble beginnings of the rescue, which was founded out of a lifelong love for animals and fueled by their retirement money until Hurricane Katrina changed everything.

To learn more about Danny & Ron's and their mission, please visit their website at https://dannyronsrescue.org/

Soda City Unleashed is brought to you by CVETS, learn more at cvets.net.

Step into the incredible world of service animal training with Allie Duncan, Lead Instructor at Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS). These aren't just highly trained pets—they are life-changing medical partners. Allie breaks down the two-year journey that transforms a promising puppy into a certified assistant dog, ready to empower individuals across the community.

To learn more about PAALS and their mission, please visit their website at PAALS.org.

Soda City Unleashed is brought to you by CVETS, learn more at cvets.net.

This week, we were honored to host a very special guest from the Columbia Police Department (CPD) K-9 Unit: Lance Corporal Rares Ungureanu and his K9 partner, a three-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd named Hutch. Their conversation offered a rare glimpse into the intense training, deep bond, and critical work that Columbia’s police dogs perform every day.