Your Family Dog Podcast

278: Veterinary First Responders with Dr. Leigh Mack

When we think of "first responders," our minds naturally go first to firefighters, police officers, and EMTs and the valuable work they do for people in emergencies. What we tend to overlook, however, is that animals are often involved in emergency situations as well- who cares for them?
Enter Dr. Leigh Mack- himself a firefighter and EMT- and founder of the First Responders' Veterinary Network. FRVN was established to address critical gaps in managing animal-centric emergencies. Drawing from his tenure at the South Carolina State Guard and two fire departments, Dr. Mack developed an scalable operational model for the field. The concept emerged from frontline encounters where animals hindered life-saving care, revealing a vital need for a network of volunteer veterinarians to treat injured animals and to help maintain scene safety. Dr. Mack joined the podcast today to talk about his work, and how you can get involved.
 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog. 

YFD 277: Canine Oncology with Dr. Erin Malone

"Cancer" isn't a word anybody wants to hear, either from their doctor or from their vet. For many of us, that word brings with it a host of worries, fears, and uncertainties. It can be hard to know where to look for answers, especially when it comes to our pets- general veterinarians often lack in depth knowledge of cancer, while veterinary oncologists are few and far between. Dr. Erin Malone, a board certified veterinary oncologist, is working to try to change that through her innovative new telehealth service, which aims to provide pet owners with information and guidance about cancer, wherever they are in the country. She joined the show today to talk about canine cancers, their treatments, and where the field of veterinary oncology is headed.
 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

YFD 276: Why Top Emergency Vets Are Pushing This Pet Safety Tool ReadyRESCUE™

ReadyRESCUE™, which is an emergency first-aid solution designed to help manage toxin ingestion in dogs and cats. It uses a high-concentration, veterinary-formulated activated carbon that works quickly to bind toxins and act as a first line of defense before getting to a vet. A word or two from Dr. Glassman, I want to share with people how common these types of emergencies actually are (they happen more than people think)! What pet parents should realistically do in those first few minutes. When it’s appropriate to intervene at home vs. go straight to a vet. And why not all “activated charcoal” products are created equal in terms of effectiveness, safety, and dosing. The goal isn’t to replace veterinary care—it’s to help people feel more prepared, less anxious, and able to act quickly and appropriately when something unexpected happens. Time Stamps - 0:00 Introduction 5:13 Which situations are emergencies - families vs vet staff 10:30 ReadyRESCUE is for pets who are intoxicated or poisoned and should be administered ASAP 13:50 It cannot make it worse - it’s inert 14:43 Why Tina needed ReadyRESCUE last week 16:10 Why ReadyRESCUE is a much better option (and why Tina has it now) 17:30 Why hydrogen peroxide is not a good option 19:30 ReadyRESCUE is safe and effective for toxins in the stomach and the intestine 20:00 Cat dose is half a vial. Has no taste. How to give it 21:45 Human medications are often a big issue for pets if ingested 23:00 Beware imitators 24:30 Please share this episode with your vet, groomer, breeder, shelter, rescue, trainer, friends and family 26:00 Why Techs love it 29:00 PetCo and Chewy currently carry it 31:50 A vet on Raw food 36:15 ReadyRESCUE won’t make anything worse, you are giving them a chance 36:35 Take the packaging with you to the vet 38:20 What’s next for “Dr. Cuddles” 41:00 What to have in your emergency kit 47:00 What ReadyRESCUE cannot absorb Stay in the Loop with the Your Family Dog Podcast Mailing Address: Tina M. Spring, 115 Pointers Ridge Drive, Athens, GA 30606-1490 YFDPod Merchandise: https://yfdpod-2.myshopify.com/ Our Favorite Things: Sidekick Leash - Affiliate Code: YOURFAMILYDOG Affiliate Link: www.heathersheroes.com/YOURFAMILYDOG for 10% off New Plymouth Farm Soap: DOG10 NewPlymouthFarm.com Tristan Publishing (The Next Place, El Proximo Lugar & Pawprints in the Stars use code YFDP15 for 15% off SwiftPaws: YFDP for a discount Pup O’Clock: YOURFAMILYDOGPOD10 for 10% off The Your Family Dog Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-family-dog-podcast/id1163178672 Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lgRkY6RO1FGsANPGVzqej Your Family Dog Podcast ON SOCIAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfamilydogpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourFamilyDogPodcast/ The Your Family Dog Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content provided on this podcast does not constitute professional veterinary, behavioral, or training advice. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian, a positive reinforcement-based professional dog trainer, or a qualified pet professional before making any decisions regarding your pet’s health, behavior, or training. While we strive to share accurate and helpful information, every dog is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The hosts and guests of The Your Family Dog Podcast disclaim all liability for any actions taken based on the content of this podcast. Listener discretion is advised when implementing any suggestions discussed. This podcast may feature guests with their own views, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the podcast hosts. ©2016-2026 Your Family Dog Podcast LLC

YFD 275: Spiders Make Amazing Pets with Shamekia Wray

Welcome back to Your Family...Tarantula? That's right- in today's Very Unusual Episode, we're joined by Shamekia Wray, a former arachnophobe who now shares her home with 50+ pet spiders (and some bearded dragons as well). Most of us feel a definite sense of ick when confronted with an eight-legged creepy crawly, but these low-maintenance (and suprisingly colorful!) animals can actually make ideal pets, particularly for kids who want an animal companion but aren't ready for the intensity of a dog. Tune in to learn about Shamekia's journey from arachnophobe to arachnofiend and find out how much there is to appreciate about these leggy little beasts.
For show notes and more (including our new merch!) please go to Your Family Dog.

YFD 274: The Perpetual Pet with John Crissy

As much as we might wish differently, we all know that our dogs, no matter how much we love them, can't live forever. But that doesn't mean we can't help them live as long as possible. When it comes to helping your dog live the longest, healthiest life they can, preventative care is a huge part of the equation- but one that's often overlooked in the world of mainstream veterinary medicine. Now, one company is out to change that. Perpetual offers a simple, innovative way to monitor your dog's health- one that relies on regular, thorough testing to determine where your pup is healthy and where they need some help, so that you can detect problems early, or even prevent them in the first place. The founder of Perpetual, health coach John Crissy, joined the podcast today to talk about his company, the issues currently facing veterinary medicine, and how he hopes Perpetual can change that.
 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

YFD 273: Beam Me Up, Scotty!: Cold Laser Therapy with Nancy Clark

It may sound like something out of science fiction, but laser therapy is a very real way to ease aches and pains and speed up healing from wounds and surgery. It isn't just for human either- as you've probably guessed by now, cold laser therapy can also work wonders for your dog. Today, registered vet technician and cold laser therapist Nancy Clark joins the show to talk about her work and the benefits of laser therapy for our furry friends.
 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog. 

YFD 272: Big Hearted Breeders with Heather Gibson

We talk a lot about "ethical breeding" on Your Family Dog, but what does that actually mean and what does it look like in practice? Here today to give us a look behind the curtain is mini golden retriever breeder Heather Gibson. Tune in to learn firsthand about ethical breeding practices, choosing a breeder, and the differences between cat and dog breeding (Heather's done both!).
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog. 

YFD 271: The Belgian Brigade with Aishlyn Garcia

In past episodes, dog trainer Aishlyn Garcia has shared her journey learning to manage dogs and babies simultaneously. Now she's back with a new addition to the family- a Belgian Malinois, a breed that often comes with a stigma attached. Join us today as she shares the ups and downs of living with a high-drive dog while also parenting a toddler and running a business.
 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.

YFD 270: Canine Cannabis with Angela Ardolino

There's been plenty of talk recently about the possible health benefits and therapeutic uses of hemp and mushrooms for people- but did you know that these alternative treatments could also benefit your dog? Holistic wellness advocate Angela Ardonlino's three favorite things are "hemp, mushrooms, and dogs," and she came on the podcast today to talk about all of those. Tune in for a fascinating conversation about the surprising ways these unconventional medicines can benefit your pup.
 
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog. 

YFD 269: Pup O'Clock with Brian Manni

There are subscription boxes for kids. There are subscription boxes for dogs. But there isn't a subscription box for kids *and* dogs- or at least, there hasn't been until now! Brian Manni is the founder and CEO of Pup O'Clock, a subscription box aimed at helping kids care for and develop a relationship with their dogs. With trading cards, activities, toys, and recipes, the boxes are designed to bring enrichment to both two- and four-legged children. Brian came on the show today to share the inspiration behind his company and how each box gives back to the community.
For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog. To check out the Pup O'Clock box, click here. Don't forget to use code YOURFAMILYDOGPOD10 at checkout to save 10% every month!