Join as we chat with Heather Gibson of the Big Hearted Breeders for an honest conversation on the division in the dog world, and even more specifically, the dog breeder world.

Dog breeders wear many hats. From genetics, health testing, nutrition, and reproductive care to raising puppies, supporting owners, preserving breed characteristics, and making difficult decisions, responsible dog breeding requires knowledge, dedication, and a willingness to keep learning.

In this video, we're diving into the conversation surrounding holistic vs. conventional approaches to dog breeding, the different philosophies breeders bring to the table, and the hostility that can develop when those differences become a reason to criticize, judge, or attack one another.

There is so much to learn from different perspectives. Conventional veterinary care, evidence-based health practices, holistic wellness approaches, and thoughtful breeding decisions can all be part of a bigger conversation about canine health and welfare. Different approaches deserve thoughtful discussion, careful evaluation, and an open mind—not automatic rejection or personal attacks.

Does that mean we have to agree on everything? Absolutely not.

It means we can ask questions, share experiences, respectfully challenge ideas, learn from reliable evidence, and recognize that every breeder has something to learn. We can hold ourselves and one another to high standards without tearing each other down.

🐾 The bottom line? We should be building one another up, not attacking each other for our differences.

Our responsibility is to the dogs. Their health, welfare, quality of life, and future should remain at the center of every conversation.

Imagine how much more we could accomplish if we spent less time fighting one another and more time sharing knowledge, improving our practices, and working toward better outcomes for the animals in our care.

Let's open the conversation:

👉What do you think the dog breeding community needs to improve?
👉How can holistic and conventional perspectives contribute to better canine care?
👉How can breeders disagree respectfully while keeping animal welfare first?
👉Share your thoughts in the comments. Let's make this a space for meaningful discussion, learning, and constructive ideas.

If you believe we can do better for dogs by working together, please like this video, subscribe, and share it with someone who cares about giving pets the best life possible!


Different perspectives. Shared responsibility. Better outcomes for dogs. 🐶

👉🏼 RESOURCES 👈🏼

Big Hearted Breeders ( BHB )

Heather's Website

BHB Facebook

BHB Instagram

Is Titer Testing The Solution To Over-Vaccination? by Dogs Naturally

Don't miss future episodes!

Make sure to follow to catch more insight into the holistic approach for animals in an inviting, honest, and realistic way, right here on The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast.

Connect with Dr Levy & Melissa

Instagram | wellspring_haa

YouTube | Wellspring Holistic Animal Academy - YouTube

Website | wellspringhaa.com

Email | wellspringhaa@gmail.com

Could giving your dog a break from food actually support their health and wellbeing? Or is fasting something that should be approached with caution?

In this episode, we take a deeper look at fasting for dogs from a holistic perspective and explore why some holistic practitioners consider strategic fasting or periods between meals an important part of canine wellness.

We discuss:

🐾 What fasting means for dogs
🐾 Why dogs benefit from periods without food
🐾 Fasting, digestion, and the canine gut
🐾 How fasting fits into a holistic approach to canine wellness
🐾 The difference between fasting and simply allowing appropriate time between meals
🐾 Important considerations based on age

We're exploring the dog fasting debate and looking at how nutrition, digestion, lifestyle, and the individual dog can fit together within a holistic approach to health.

If you're interested in holistic dog health, natural dog care, canine nutrition, dog fasting, canine gut health, digestive health, or holistic canine wellness, you'll want to listen to this conversation.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Fasting is not appropriate for every dog, and prolonged food restriction can be dangerous in certain circumstances. Puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, underweight dogs, dogs with certain medical conditions, and dogs taking certain medications may require different feeding considerations. Always discuss significant changes to your dog's diet or feeding schedule with a holistic veterinarian who knows your dog's individual health history.

RESOURCES

📰Dogs Naturally Fasting Article: Fast Your Dog To Support Her Immune System
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/why-you-should-fast-your-dog/

🍖 Check out Wellspring's "Raise 'Em On Raw Guide" where you will find the gut reset protocol as well as learn the simple foundational principles of how to feed a raw diet
https://www.wellspringhaa.com/product-page/raise-em-on-raw-guide

Don't miss future episodes!

Make sure to follow to catch more insight into the holistic approach for animals in an inviting, honest, and realistic way, right here on The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast.

Connect with Dr Levy & Melissa

Instagram | wellspring_haa

YouTube | Wellspring Holistic Animal Academy - YouTube

Website | wellspringhaa.com

Email | wellspringhaa@gmail.com

What if the hardest part of taking a holistic approach to your animal isn’t changing their food, environment, or lifestyle—but learning to be patient while their body heals?

In this episode of Crunchy Carnivore, we’re talking about one of the biggest challenges in the holistic animal journey that often gets overlooked: patience.

When you move toward a more natural, species-appropriate approach to animal care, it’s easy to expect immediate results. You change the diet. You remove potential stressors. You support the body naturally. And then… you wait.

But healing isn’t always linear. Every animal is different, and the body may need time to adapt, recover, rebalance, and rebuild.

We’ll talk about the emotional side of this process, why constantly chasing quick results can make the journey harder, and what it means to give your animal the time and consistency needed to support their natural healing process.

Whether you're exploring holistic animal care options, species-appropriate diets, natural prevention, or alternative medicine, this conversation is for you.

🐾 In this episode:

👉Why patience is one of the hardest parts of holistic animal care

👉Why healing may not happen as quickly as you expect

👉The reality of non-linear healing

👉The emotional frustration that can come with waiting for results

👉Moving away from the “quick fix” mindset

👉Learning to observe your animal instead of constantly changing course

👉Why the holistic journey requires trust, patience, and perspective

If you're on a holistic healing journey with your animal, know that you are not alone.🌿🫶

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized veterinary advice or diagnosis. Always work with a qualified holistic veterinary professional when appropriate for your animal's specific needs.

Don't miss future episodes!

Make sure to follow to catch more insight into the holistic approach for animals in an inviting, honest, and realistic way, right here on The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast.

Connect with Dr Levy & Melissa

Instagram | wellspring_haa

YouTube | Wellspring Holistic Animal Academy - YouTube

Website | wellspringhaa.com

Email | wellspringhaa@gmail.com