Short Leash Podcast

What does it really mean to treat the whole dog?In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart, RVT, CPCN, look beyond isolated symptoms to explore factors that can influence health—from sleep and movement to stress, environment, lifestyle, and the human-animal relationship.They begin with three stories from the latest Short Leash newsletter: a study examining how women perceive sleeping with their dogs, shockwave therapy for canine osteoarthritis, and how nutrition, stress, environmental exposures, and lifestyle may influence healthy aging through epigenetics.Then, emergency and integrative veterinarian Dr. Barrie Sands joins the conversation to explore what whole-patient care can look like in practice.Dr. Sands shares her BioEPIC approach to integrative medicine and discusses connections between physical health, emotional state, environment, and the relationships animals share with people. The conversation moves into heart-brain coherence, nervous system regulation, stress, light and sound therapies, and her perspective on how human and animal physiology may influence one another.She also shares a powerful emergency-room story illustrating something central to her philosophy: integrative medicine doesn't have to mean choosing between conventional and complementary approaches. Sometimes the most meaningful care comes from understanding where each fits—and recognizing the individual animal and family in front of you.In this episode:Why sleeping beside a dog may feel different from sleeping beside another personWhat research says—and doesn't say—about dogs and human sleepHow shockwave therapy is used in canine rehabilitationWhy healthy aging begins long before the senior yearsHow epigenetics connects lifestyle and environment with gene expressionWhat Dr. Sands means by treating the “whole” patientThe BioEPIC framework for integrative veterinary careStress, the nervous system, and the human-animal relationshipWhat heart-brain coherence is and how Dr. Sands uses itWhere light, sound, and frequency-based therapies may fit alongside conventional veterinary medicineWhy integrative care should be individualizedWhat the future of veterinary medicine could look likeArticles discussed:Do Women Really Sleep Better with Their Dogs?https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/08927936.2018.1529354?needAccess=trueWhen Sound Becomes Medicine: Shockwave Therapy in Canine Arthritis Carehttps://ivcjournal.com/when-sound-becomes-medicine-shockwave-therapy-in-canine-arthritis-care/Healthy Aging Starts Long Before the Senior Yearshttps://ivcjournal.com/healthy-aging-in-dogs-and-cats-epigenetic-influences/About Dr. Barrie SandsDr. Barrie Sands is an emergency and integrative veterinarian who combines conventional veterinary medicine with complementary approaches. She is also an author, lecturer, certified HeartMath trainer, and researcher interested in heart-brain coherence and the human-animal relationship.Short Leash is dog news with real context. Each episode starts with stories shaping the dog world, then goes deeper with experts helping us understand what they mean for the dogs we care for.

Dog parents are being told to feed better...but what does “better” actually mean?With pet food marketing, social media advice, veterinary recommendations, homemade recipes, and supplements all competing for attention, making a better choice can quickly feel overwhelming.In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart, RVT, CPCN, are joined by Ruby Balaram, Director of Feed Real Institute and Founder & CEO of Real Dog Box, to talk about why dog parents get stuck; and how better context can make feeding feel a lot simpler.They discuss what pet food labels tell us (and what they don’t), the difference between real food and nutritionally thoughtful feeding, dietary variety, purposeful supplementation, and why fresh food is only part of the conversation.In This EpisodeDr. Sue and Kay also discuss a lawsuit involving The Farmer’s Dog, research comparing higher-carbohydrate and higher-fat diets in dogs, and the rapid growth of the fresh pet food category.Topics DiscussedWhy dog parents feel overwhelmed by nutrition adviceFresh food vs. complete nutritionPet food labels and transparencyFat, carbohydrates, and canine metabolismDietary variety and homemade dietsSupplementing with a purposeMaking fresh feeding simplerArticles MentionedFresh Dog Food Under Legal Scrutiny (The Farmer’s Dog Lawsuit)https://www.classaction.org/news/the-farmers-dog-foods-grossly-out-of-line-with-canine-nutritional-needs-class-action-lawsuit-allegesDogs May Process Fat Better Than Carbshttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023325001662?via%3Dihubhttps://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/dogs/canine-metabolism-responds-better-fat-carbs-research-suggestsThe Fresh Pet Food Movement Is Explodinghttps://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/fresh-pet-food-movement-trends-evidence/About Short LeashShort Leash is dog news with real context.Hosted by Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart, RVT, CPCN, each episode goes beyond the headlines to unpack what’s happening in canine health, nutrition, and wellness, and what it actually means for your dog.Get bite-sized dog news straight to your inbox at shortleash.co.

What does it really mean to care for the whole dog?In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart explore how movement, cognition, nutrition, pain, and healthy aging are connected.They first break down new research on canine rehabilitation, physical activity and cognitive health, and TCVM food therapy.Then, integrative veterinarian Dr. Tejinder Sodhi joins the conversation to discuss Ayurveda, acupuncture, chiropractic care, rehabilitation, nutrition, hydrotherapy, and how these approaches can work alongside conventional veterinary medicine.A major theme of the episode: there is rarely one treatment, food, or modality that works for every dog. Supporting long-term health means looking at the individual dog and taking a multimodal, proactive approach.IN THIS EPISODE• Canine rehabilitation and healthy aging• Movement and cognitive health• TCVM food therapy• Ayurveda and individualized nutrition• Acupuncture, chiropractic care, and hydrotherapy• Preserving mobility and muscle• Integrative + conventional veterinary care• Prevention and early interventionABOUT DR. TEJINDER SODHILearn more:https://ayushprofessional.com/pages/dr-tejinder-sodhiSHORT LEASH #184https://shortleash.co/issues/the-short-leash-184-september-1-3ARTICLES DISCUSSEDEffects of a structured rehabilitation program on joint range of motion and limb circumference in dogshttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2026.1836746/fullCan an Active Lifestyle Help Keep Your Dog’s Mind Sharp?https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2026.1833531/fullTCVM Food Therapy Can Open New Doors for Patient Carehttps://ivcjournal.com/tcvm-food-therapy-can-open-new-doors-for-patient-care/Subscribe to Short Leash:https://shortleash.co

Medicinal mushrooms are everywhere right now...but what does the science actually say?In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart, RVT, CPCN are joined by medical herbalist and educator Lee Carroll to explore medicinal mushrooms, herbal medicine, and the science behind natural dog health.Lee breaks down lion’s mane and cognitive health, the gut-brain connection, mushrooms vs. mycelium, ergothioneine and longevity, and what to look for when choosing a mushroom product.Before the deep dive, Sue and Kay unpack three stories from the latest Short Leash: mushrooms and canine cognitive decline, inconsistencies in gut microbiome testing, and whether changes in human food regulation could eventually influence what goes into our dogs’ bowls.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS01:27 — This week in dog news02:37 — Mushrooms & aging dogs08:32 — The problem with gut microbiome testing13:03 — Could MAHA influence pet food?17:53 — Meet Lee Carroll19:11 — Mushroom science or hype?20:20 — Ergothioneine & longevity22:06 — The growing interest in herbal medicine26:09 — Mushrooms & cognitive decline26:56 — Lion’s mane & the gut-brain axis32:06 — What makes lion’s mane different?35:42 — Mushroom vs. mycelium40:56 — Understanding mushroom chemistry43:24 — Is “What’s the best herb for ___?” the wrong question?45:20 — Herbs, mushrooms & pharmaceuticals49:24 — Natural medicine as a lifestyle50:19 — Mushrooms for everyday wellness51:26 — The future of mushroom research52:03 — Separating science from hype52:12 — Where to see Lee next52:44 — Lee’s Feed Real Summit workshop52:50 — What’s next on Short Leash🔗 LINKS & RESOURCESCan Mushrooms Help Aging Dogs Stay Mentally Sharp?https://athenaeumpub.com/evaluation-of-a-mushroom-derived-nutraceutical-for-canine-cognitive-decline/Same Sample, Different Results: The Problem with Gut Microbiome Testshttps://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-09301-3Will the MAHA Movement Reach Your Dog’s Bowl?https://www.petfoodprocessing.net/articles/20648-the-maha-effect-how-evolving-human-food-regulations-could-impact-pet-food-down-the-lineRead these stories + more in The Short Leash, Issue 183:https://shortleash.co/issues/the-short-leash-issue-183-aug-18-2026Learn more about Lee Carroll:https://realmushrooms.com/pages/science-medical-team/lee-carroll-medical-herbalist🎙️ COMING UP NEXTDr. Tejinder Sodhi joins us to explore how Ayurveda, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and other integrative approaches can work together to support the whole dog.Short Leash: Dog news, with real context.

Can red and near-infrared light therapy help dogs heal? In this episode of Short Leash, Dr. Sue Howell and Kay Stewart sit down with Jackie Jolie of AnimaSOL to explore photobiomodulation (PBM), current veterinary research, and what dog owners should know about light-based therapies.The episode begins with a review of three recent articles highlighting the growing interest in non-invasive therapies that support the body's natural healing processes. The conversation then explores how red and near-infrared light are being used alongside conventional veterinary care, what photobiomodulation is, and why interest in this technology continues to grow among veterinarians, rehabilitation professionals, and dog owners.In this episode, we discuss:• What photobiomodulation (PBM) is and how it differs from traditional laser therapy• Current evidence for red and near-infrared light in veterinary medicine• Supporting recovery from arthritis, soft tissue injuries, wound healing, and chronic inflammation• Why mitochondrial health and cellular energy are central to the discussion• How light therapy may complement, rather than replace…conventional veterinary care• The importance of nutrition, movement, circulation, and inflammation in the healing process• Practical considerations for dog owners interested in light-based therapiesArticles DiscussedHealing With Light: Why Laser Therapy Is Gaining Momentumhttps://animalwellnessmagazine.com/healing-with-light-laser-therapy-for-dogs-and-cats/Healing Beyond the Prescription Pad: Integrative Approaches for Chronic Wound Managementhttps://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/13/5/418Beyond Medications: Natural Tools for Managing Chronic Inflammationhttps://ivcjournal.com/natural-approaches-to-chronic-inflammation-in-dogs-and-cats/Learn more about Jackie Jolie and AnimaSOL:https://www.animasol.life/Subscribe to Short Leash for evidence-informed conversations that cut through the noise surrounding canine health, nutrition, longevity, and integrative veterinary medicine.#DogHealth #RedLightTherapy #Photobiomodulation #CanineHealth #VeterinaryMedicine #DogWellness #IntegrativeVeterinaryMedicine #DogPodcast #PetHealth #Healing