The Plant-Powered Dog Podcast Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, MS

Did you know that SIX BILLION land animals could be spared and BILLIONS of aquatic animals if dogs worldwide ditched meat and went plant-based? That's right! And, there's more! I'm so pleased to welcome the amazing Professor Andrew Knight back to The Plant-Powered Dog Podcast. In today's episode, Professor Knight discusses the implications of his ground-breaking new study on the animal welfare, environmental and sustainability effects of meat-based vs. plant-based diets for dogs, cats and people. The peer-reviewed study, "The relative benefits for environmental sustainability of vegan diets for dogs, cats and people" was published October 4, 2023 in PLOS ONE. The results will astound you, and show why humans AND our companion animals need to go vegan - now.

Dr. Rob Silver has been a leader in the field of integrative veterinary medicine for more than 40 years. Dr. Silver began his journey as a graduate of Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1982. In 1993, Dr. Silver established one of the first holistic and integrative veterinary practices in the United States, known as Boulder’s Natural Animal. This practice still serves as a model that is followed by current integrative veterinary practices. In 1994, Dr. Silver was invited to become the Chief Medical Officer for the popular supplement brand, Rx Vitamins for Pets, for which he developed 40 unique and innovative veterinary nutraceutical formulations. After retiring from clinical practice in 2013, Dr. Silver established The Well-Pet Dispensary, which offers hard to find nutraceuticals, herbs and cannabinoid therapeutics for dogs and cats. He is also currently the Chief Veterinary Officer for Real Mushrooms, a medicinal mushroom company for people and companion animals. Dr. Silver travels extensively, providing continuing education and post-graduate classes in integrative medicine to veterinarians around the country. Check out his wellness products at https://www.wellpetdispensary.com/ and his medicinal mushroom formulations at https://www.realmushrooms.com/. Please be sure to read labels carefully, as not all of the products are vegan!

Interested in the newest in greatest in the commercial plant-based dog food industry? Then you won't want to miss this episode of The Plant-Powered Dog Podcast!

I recently had the pleasure of "sitting down" (virtually) with Caroline Buck, co-founder of Petaluma Dog Food. Petaluma is unique for many reasons, perhaps most notably because it is NOT an extruded dog food; it is baked! And, if your dog loves sweet potatoes and peanut butter (and what dog doesn't?), then they'll love Petaluma!

Not only is Petaluma charting new ground in the adult plant-based dog food space, they've also introduced a senior plant-based dog food, made with the special considerations of our more "mature" canine companions in mind.

Caroline possesses a wealth of knowledge about the plant-based dog food space, and she openly shares it with us in this interview. So grab your favorite beverage of choice, sit back, relax and get a glimpse into the current and future trends in plant-based pet food with Caroline Buck of Petaluma!

You can learn more about Petaluma plant-based dog food at https://www.feedpetaluma.com/.

In this episode of The Plant-Powered Dog Podcast, I have a real treat for you! Today, I am speaking with Dr Arielle Griffiths, a global veterinary pioneer in nutritiously sound vegan diets for dogs! "Dr Arielle" MRCVS has worked as a GP vet for 30 years and over the years, she grew increasingly concerned with the obesity epidemic facing our pets. After completing every nutrition course possible, she turned herself vegan and their family dog Ruff. This was her introduction into the fascinating world of sustainable pet foods. Dr Arielle is now a passionate advocate of a kinder, healthier way to feed our dogs that benefits our planet and our farmed animals too. The changes she sees in the health of dogs that transition to a plant-based diet astound her on a daily basis. See more at Just Be Kind Dog Food https://vegan-dogfood.co.uk/

Here is your chance to hear from a legend of the holistic veterinary industry, Dr. Richard Pitcairn, DVM, PhD. Dr. Pitcairn and his wife, Susan, wrote the first edition of the classic book, “Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats” in 1981. Sales exceeded 230,000 copies! In the book’s latest (4th) edition, he and Susan make a strong case that plant-based diets offer a far more humane, eco-friendly and less toxic way to feed companion animals, a courageous act in a field dominated by advocates of raw meat diets.

In this episode of The Plant-Powered Dog Podcast, Dr. Pitcairn and I dive deep into the topic of environmental and dietary toxins, and how these toxins bioaccumulate in food animals, eventually ending up in those at the top of the food chain who consume them - including our canine companions.

After earning his DVM from UC Davis (1965) and PhD from Washington State (veterinary immunology,1972), Dr. Pitcairn’s rich career has spanned decades of clinical practice, teaching and lecturing devoted to nutrition and homeopathy, as well as university research and teaching, SPCA work and even a college job at a factory farm. In 1990 he began teaching colleagues a careful and systematic approach to classical homeopathy and wise nutrition, with over 500 graduates, now continuing as The Pitcairn Institute of Veterinary Homeopathy. In 1995, Dr. Pitcairn co-founded The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy, the first professional organization of its kind in the U.S. In 2013, he published a major reference text, The New World Veterinary Repertory (2013), with Wendy Jensen, DVM. Now retired from clinical practice, he continues teaching and writing in nutrition, homeopathy and the ethical treatment of animals. An ethical vegetarian since 1976 and vegan since 2014, Dr. Pitcairn promotes treating all animals with the kindness we often reserve for just the few.

Sometimes, you just need to hear the truth. Other times, you need inspiration from someone wise who has been down the same path. In this interview with Light, founder of Gentle World, you will get both the Truth and Inspiration.

 

Please join me as I speak with this beautiful 53-year strong vegan and founder, with his wife Sun, of Gentle World (https://gentleworld.org/) . Gentle World is a 501(c)(3) educational organization whose core purpose is to help build a more peaceful society by educating the public about the reasons for being vegan, the benefits of vegan living, and how to go about making such a transition. Toward that end, Gentle World has served as a clearinghouse of information for over 50 years, helping people from all walks of life embrace a way of living that is in alignment with their values.

 

In this inspiring discussion, Light shares why he and his wife, Sun, decided to become vegan back in 1970, when most people didn't even know what the word meant. He also talks about why they founded Gentle World, what he has learned in the past 50+ years of being vegan, and how he feels about the current state of the world and the progress that's been made since he first became vegan.

 

Oh, and did I mention that Light is also the uncle of the late River and Joaquin Phoenix??? :-)