When it comes to caring for our animals, many people are told to "follow the science." But what does that really mean?

In this video, we explore why scientific studies can be a helpful tool—but also, not all studies are created equal. Study design, funding, sample size, statistical significance, and real-world application all matter. We'll explain why it's important to evaluate research critically instead of accepting every published conclusion at face value.

You'll learn:

🔶 Why scientific studies have strengths and limitations.
🔶 How evidence-based medicine includes more than published research alone.
🔶 How to become a more informed pet owner by asking better questions and considering multiple sources of evidence.

Our goal isn't to dismiss science—it's to encourage thoughtful, balanced decision-making that combines high-quality research with practical experience and a whole-animal perspective.

If you're interested in holistic veterinary medicine, natural animal health, nutrition, and evidence-informed pet care, subscribe for more videos that bridge science with real-world experience.

Resources:

Why Most Scientific Publications Are WRONG (replicability crisis) - VIDEO

Homeopathy Research Institute - HRI is a UK-based charity dedicated to promoting high-quality research in homeopathy at an international level.

Raw Feeding Research

Feed Real - Canine Nutrition Research Articles

Dogs Naturally - Vaccine Research in regard to immunity longevity

Vital Animal Podcast Interview with Dr Will Falconer and Dr Todd Cooney - Includes Parvo Data linked in the show notes - AUDIO

Dr Isaac Golden's book on immunizing with homeopathy and includes research and data showing it's effectiveness

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

Dog obesity is reaching epidemic levels, with overweight dogs facing increased risk of diabetes, joint problems, inflammation, heart disease, and shorter lifespans. In this video, we explore the real causes behind canine obesity, why traditional feeding advice may be failing, and how a holistic approach to dog weight loss, natural dog nutrition, raw feeding, fresh food diets, and metabolic health can help your dog thrive. If you’ve been searching for answers about overweight dogs, healthy dog weight management, species-appropriate diets, or how to help your dog lose weight naturally, this is a must-watch.

More than 50% of dogs are now considered overweight or obese — and it’s not just about calories. From ultra-processed kibble and hidden sugars to chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalance, the root causes of weight gain go deeper than most pet owners realize.

In this video, we break down dog obesity from a holistic health perspective, looking at:

🐾 The hidden ingredients in commercial dog food that promote weight gain
🐾 How ultra-processed diets impact metabolism
🐾 The role of inflammation and gut health in fat storage
🐾 Why “calories in, calories out” is an oversimplified model
🐾 The connection between spay and neuter and weight gain
🐾 Natural strategies for sustainable, healthy weight loss
🐾 How fresh, whole foods can restore metabolic balance

We’ll also talk about practical steps you can start today — without starving your dog or relying on prescription “diet” foods.

Obesity doesn’t just affect how your dog looks. It affects how they feel, move, age, and live. The good news? With the right knowledge and a proactive, natural approach, you can dramatically improve your dog’s quality of life.

If you care about longevity, vitality, and giving your dog the healthiest life possible, this conversation matters.

👍 Like
💬 Comment your dog’s breed and current diet
🔔 Subscribe for more holistic dog health education

Because weight is not just about food — it’s about health at the cellular level.

👉🏼 RESOURCES 👈🏼

🥩 "Raise 'Em On Raw" Wellspring's guide to raw feeding including a protocol for healing leaky gut

🍖 "Give Your Dog a Bone" by Dr Ian Billinghurst

🐶 "Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats" by Kymythy Schultze

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 happens when over 50 years of dog training experience meets a holistic, whole-body approach to canine wellness?

In this episode of "The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast", we sit down with Minnesota-based trainer Katie of Katie’s K9 to explore how decades of hands-on experience have shaped her grounded, no-nonsense philosophy on training—and ultimately led her to embrace and educate others on more holistic practices for dogs.

Katie has seen it all. From old-school training methods to today’s modern trends, she brings a unique perspective on what actually works, what doesn’t, and why behavior can’t be separated from a dog’s overall health and environment.

This conversation goes far beyond obedience. We dive into the connection between nutrition, lifestyle, and behavior—and how supporting the whole dog can transform not just how they act, but how they feel.

In this episode, we cover:
• How 50+ years of dog training shaped Katie’s philosophy
• The evolution of training methods
• Why behavior issues are often rooted in more than just training
• How holistic practices support balanced, responsive dogs
• The importance of educating dog owners—not just training dogs
• Real-life insights from decades of working with dogs and families

Whether you’re struggling with behavior challenges or simply want to better understand your dog, this episode offers timeless wisdom, practical insight, and a refreshing perspective on raising truly healthy, balanced dogs.

Resources:

"Natural Immunity" by Pat McKay

Katie's K9- learn more about Katie K9!

Check out Katie's radio show!

"Basics Bundle"- Want to learn how to feed raw and keep the chemicals off of your dog? The "Basics Bundle" includes Wellspring's top two guides for raising a dog naturally and will help get you there!

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

Ever wondered if feeding fresh food to your pet is a good idea? In this episode, we dive into the world of kibble vs raw pet food from a veterinarian's perspective. Dr. Jessica Levy shares her initial skepticism and the surprising journey that changed her views on feeding pets beyond kibble and canned food.

🐾 What you'll learn:
- The initial perception of homemade pet food in veterinary practice
- Why vets traditionally recommend commercial pet food
- The turning point: when opinions started to shift
- The common myths about fresh food
- Key principles for a balanced fresh food diet
- How to get started with fresh food

👉🏼 RESOURCES 👈🏼

🥩 Get Wellspring's Raw Feeding Guide and learn the simple foundation!
https://stan.store/WellspringHAA/p/get-started-feeding-raw

🍖 Watch Pet Fooled and take a real look at the pet food industry
https://youtu.be/5XC1rUWWnxI?si=Z4K7TdxLr45fQhii

🐕 Check out our podcast episode "Raw Food Roulette" where we go deep about fresh food
https://youtu.be/HmS8SA7-Lik?si=j-M6_hY88nqFd1p5

📖"Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats: The Ultimate Diet" by Kymythy Schultze
https://a.co/d/0faNDEN5

🤓 Want an in-depth education about raw feeding, check out Feed Real!
https://www.feedreal.com/courses

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

Sit down with Dr. Jessica Levy, Melissa Weidenhamer, and Bre Drake from Tailswell to unpack two of the toughest truths in the holistic pet space: it takes courage and there is no “easy button.”

Together, we dive into the reality behind natural pet care—the time, intention, and emotional investment it takes to choose a holistic path for your animals. From nutrition and lifestyle to preventative care, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it really means to go “all in” on your pet’s wellness.

But perhaps even more importantly, we explore the hard truth that many pet parents aren’t prepared for: sometimes, despite doing everything “right”—feeding clean, avoiding toxins, supporting the body naturally—our pets can still get sick. And when that happens, it can bring guilt, confusion, and doubt.

This episode is a grounding reminder that holistic care isn’t about perfection—it’s about informed choices, resilience, and compassion for both our animals and ourselves.

If you’ve ever questioned your path, felt the weight of responsibility, or wondered if you’re doing enough, this honest and empowering conversation is for you.

Resources:

Tailswellhealth- follow Bre on Instagram

Love Your Dogs Podcast- check out her YouTube channel and amazing podcast!

Dogs Naturally- a great website where you can search thousands of articles.

The Vital Animal- a favorite for holistic animal education including the rabies topic.

Fleabusters RX- a non-toxic flea solution

The Forever Dog- by Rodney Habib and Dr Karen Shaw Becker(Bre's gateway book)

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

Curious about homeoprophylaxis for dogs and whether it really works? In this episode, we break down the truth behind this controversial approach to disease prevention.

We explore what homeoprophylaxis actually is, how nosodes are made and used, and how they compare to traditional vaccines. You’ll learn the key differences in how each approach supports (or challenges) your dog’s immune system, plus what holistic practitioners believe about long-term health and prevention.

But we don’t stop there—we also dig into the big questions pet parents are asking: Is homeoprophylaxis safe? Is it effective? And what does the current evidence (and real-world experience) actually say?

Whether you’re vaccine-hesitant, curious about natural health options, or just want to make more informed decisions for your dog, this is an episode you'll want to listen in on.

🎧 Tune in to hear:
• What homeoprophylaxis is (and isn’t)
• How nosodes work vs. vaccines
• Safety and effectiveness—what you need to know
• A holistic vet’s perspective on canine immunity

Resources:

"Vaccination & Homeoprophylaxis?: A Review of Risks and Alternatives" by Dr Isaac Golden

"The Homeopathic Alternative to Strengthen Your Immune System" an interview with Dr Isaac Golden

"Vaccinosis and It's Cure by Thuja" by J. Compton Burnett

Parvo Nosode Data Summation by Dr Todd Cooney

Dr. Todd Cooney: Parvo – Better, safer prevention + treatments on the Vital Animal Podcast

Wellspring's Guide to Homeoprophylaxis - how to build immunity with homeopathy

Wellpsring's Foundations Bundle - Learn about how to feed raw, chemical free prevention, and homeoprophylaxis

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

Lyme disease is one of the biggest health concerns for pet parents—but are we looking at it the right way?

In this episode of The Crunchy Carnivore Podcast, we take a deep dive into Lyme disease from a holistic veterinarian’s perspective, uncovering what’s often overlooked in conventional conversations. From tick exposure to immune resilience, this episode goes beyond fear-based messaging and into a more balanced, whole-body approach to prevention and care.

We explore what Lyme disease actually is, how it impacts dogs, and why some pets develop symptoms while others don’t. You’ll also learn how terrain, lifestyle, and overall health play a critical role in your pet’s susceptibility—and what you can do to support them naturally.

But this isn’t about perfection or panic. It’s about understanding your options, asking better questions, and making empowered choices for your pet’s long-term health.

In this episode, we cover:
• What Lyme disease really is and how it affects dogs
• Common symptoms (and why they’re often missed)
• The role of the immune system in disease expression
• Holistic prevention strategies beyond tick control
• Natural support options for dogs diagnosed with Lyme
• How to think differently about risk, resilience, and health

Whether you’re new to holistic pet care or deep into your journey, this episode will challenge what you thought you knew—and give you practical, grounded insight you can actually use.

Resources:

Lyme Prevention- A homeopathic Lyme prevention protocol by Dr Jessica Levy

TickCheck- Tick testing that can determine with 99.99% accuracy if the tick that bit you carries Lyme or 10 additional tick-borne diseases.

Standard Process- Immune supporting for Lyme are Canine Immune System Support and Echinacea C

Gussy Gut- Daily Boost is an incredible immune support option as it addresses the health of the gut microbiome. Save 10% with code GUSSY116431

Helios- A trusted homeopathic pharmacy where you can find thousands of remedies. Top choices for Lyme are:

Rhus tox 30c, Bryonia alba 30c, Hypericum perforatum 30c, or Ledum palustre 30c

Natural Flea and Tick Prevention- Check out Wellspring's guide to prevent and treat a wide variety of pests all done with natural and non-toxic options.

Foundations Bundle- Learn how to build immunity with homeopathy, feed a raw diet, as well as prevent and treat pests naturally. Get everything you need to learn the foundational pieces of raising your dog the way nature intended with Wellspring's Foundations Bundle!

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