The Pet Care Report

Dog trainer and behaviorist Peter Campione, owner of Kindred Soul’s Canine Training Center, joins host Melissa Viera to discuss training all dogs—especially those with special needs such as deafness, blindness, fear, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma—through individualized communication rather than one-size-fits-all methods. He shares his path from rescue work and apprenticeships to becoming known for taking cases other trainers refuse, em...

In this Pet Care Report episode, Dr. Meghan interviews Jaime Nieves (“The Creature Preacher”), an ordained United Methodist pastor, author, and animal advocate, about grieving cats and how to cope, heal, and honor their memory. Jaime shares lessons cats teach—self-care through grooming and rest, savoring simple pleasures, curiosity, and focus—drawing from her experience with two blind cats. They discuss guiding children through pet...

In this episode, we have International Agility competitor Katherine Ostiguy, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, co-founder of Crossbones Dog Academy, discussing how to get started in dog agility training. Katherine emphasizes the importance of foundational training that applies to all dogs, whether for agility competition or general obedience. She explains how correct marker training can enhance dog behavior, shares insights into the specific skill...

In this episode of the Pet Care Report Podcast by Pet Summits, Dr. Megan Barrett hosts Jonathan Wainberg, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Pet and Co-brand Business at Synchrony. Together, they discuss the financial aspects of pet ownership, including the underestimated lifetime costs, rising veterinary expenses, and the importance of financial planning for pet care. Jonathan shares insights from Synchrony's 'Li...

In this episode of the Pet Care Report Podcast by Pet Summits, host Melissa Viera is joined by Max Seifert, a certified dog behavior consultant. Max shares his expertise on managing and reframing challenging dog behaviors, particularly aggression and reactivity, through emotionally-aware, relationship-based training. The discussion covers practical management strategies, the importance of addressing both human and animal emotional ...

In this episode of the Pet Care Report Podcast by Pet Summits, host Dr. Megan Barrett discusses herbal remedies for cats with clinical canine herbalist, Rita Hogan. Rita, with over 18 years of experience in herbal medicine, shares insights on the importance of herbs in feline health, debunking common myths about their use. She highlights cat-safe herbs such as catnip for nervous system support and nettles for kidney health, and str...

In this episode, we delve into the critical topic of dog nutrition with expert Josh Haygood, founder of Mia Nutrition. Josh discusses common nutritional gaps in commercial dog food and the science-backed benefits of proper supplementation for canine health and longevity. Sharing his personal story of dramatically improving his terminally ill dog's health through a specialized diet, Josh emphasizes the importance of micronutrien...

In this episode of the Pet Care Report podcast by Pet Summits, host Dr. Megan Barrett discusses how regular vet visits can help spot health issues in cats before they become critical. Special guest Dr. Zach Pilossoph, a nationally recognized fear-free integrated veterinarian, shares his insights on common health issues like periodontal disease, musculoskeletal pain, and cardiac disease that might go unnoticed without routine checku...

In this episode of the Pet Care Report Podcast by Pet Summits, host Melissa Viera welcomes Amanda VanTassel, owner of No Hassle Dog Training, to discuss leash walking. Amanda shares her personal experience with her dog, Mabel, and provides practical tips on handling dogs that pull on leashes, including using long lines and reducing distractions. Amanda also covers the importance of calmness, breaking down training into manageab...

In this episode of the Pet Care Report Podcast, host Melissa Viera engages in a detailed discussion with grooming expert Michelle Dixon. They delve into the relationship between grooming and canine behavior, offering valuable insights into how thorough grooming practices contribute to a dog's overall well-being. Michelle also shares tips for pet parents on handling their dogs during grooming and highlights the significance of c...

Join host Alora McKinley on the Pet Care Report podcast as she speaks with licensed professional counselor Mamie Jones about the emotional impact of pet loss. They discuss why grief over pets is often misunderstood, how to acknowledge and cope with these feelings, and the importance of workplace support for grieving pet owners. Mamie also shares useful rituals and resources for pet parents dealing with loss. 

(01:25) Why Pet Loss i...

In this episode of the Pet Care Report Podcast by Pet Summits, host Alora McKinley talks to Louise Griffey, founder of Life After Loss and an advanced grief recovery method specialist. They discuss the challenges of coping with pet loss the unique grief experienced by pet owners, and provide valuable advice on how to help children and adults navigate this difficult journey. Louise also shares her personal experience of loss and off...

In this episode of the Pet Care Report podcast by Pet Summits, host Alora McKinley talks to Yaz Porritt, a canine massage therapist and Applied Herbal Choices consultant, about the complexities of diagnosing and managing pain in dogs. Yaz shares insights on common signs of pain, the importance of early intervention, and natural remedies like fresh feeding and massage therapy to alleviate dog discomfort. Yaz also emphasizes the emot...

In this episode of the Pet Care Report Podcast by Pet Summits, host Dr. Megan Barrett discusses feline health and longevity tips with Shanti Zinzi, a renowned feline behavior consultant. They explore the impact of indoor air quality on cats, methods to reduce household chemicals, and practical ways to enrich an indoor cat's life. Shanti also shares insights on sacred palliative care and tips for holistic pet care to enhance the wel...

In this episode, Melissa Viera and grooming expert Kathy Firsch highlight the importance of regular dog grooming and its impact on behavior and comfort. Kathy shares tips on nail care, handling matted fur, and grooming senior dogs. Learn practical grooming techniques for maintaining your pet's health and creating positive experiences at home.

Show Notes:

(01:24) Recognizing Signs Your Dog Needs Grooming

(03:30) The Impact of Overdu...

Join host Alora Mckinley as she interviews Narelle Cooke, founder of CanineCeuticals, about the extensive benefits of PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) for pets. Discover how PEA acts as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antihistamine to support pets with allergies, skin conditions, and pain from conditions like osteoarthritis and nerve injuries. Learn about its compatibility with conventional medications and its superior bioavailabil...

In this episode of the Pet Care Report podcast, host Alora McKinley welcomes Dr. Marlene Siegel, a veteran veterinarian focusing on bioregulatory medicine. Dr. Siegel shares her insights on integrative veterinary medicine, emphasizing the importance of understanding the biology of pets and identifying root causes rather than just treating symptoms. She explains her six steps to healing, including stopping harmful practices, ensurin...

In this episode of the Pet Care Report Podcast, Dr. Meghan Barrett discusses cat behavior and stress management techniques with holistic cat therapist Pam Webster. They explore holistic methods like cat calming blankets, herbal therapies, and color therapy to ease feline stress. Pam emphasizes the importance of identifying stress triggers and provides tips on activities such as leash training, slow introductions for new pet arrival...

In this episode of the Pet Care Report podcast, host Alora McKinley speaks with Sharon Katzke, president and CEO of Phototonic Healing, LLC, about the benefits of light therapy for pets. They discuss how different wavelengths of light aid in wound healing, pain management, and overall health while highlighting the accessibility and effectiveness of at-home light therapy tools. Sharon also shares insights on the scientific support f...