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In this episode of The Alternative Dog Moms, Erin and Kimberly sit down with Dr. Steve Marsden — renowned holistic veterinarian and founder of Gold Standard Herbs — to talk about what it really means to raise dogs naturally. Dr. Marsden blends Eastern and Western veterinary medicine, and his integrative approach has helped countless dogs thrive through herbs, nutrition, and a deeper understanding of how the body heals.

We dive into how herbs can support digestion, immunity, inflammation, skin health, and emotional balance — and why traditional formulas still have a place in modern pet care. Dr. Marsden also shares how Gold Standard Herbs came to be, why sourcing and energetics matter, and how pet parents can confidently use herbs alongside conventional care.

CHAPTERS:

• When did Dr. Marsden know he wanted to become a veterinarian? (2:00)
• The experiences that led Dr. Marden to learn homeopathy and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (4:23)
• What led Dr. Marsden to create the first direct-to-consumer line of Chinese pet herbal formulas? (17:13)
• Should Pet Parents be concerned about Chinese herbs interacting with medications or other treatments? (27:13)
• How long does it take for Chinese herbs to start working and make an improvement? (32:02)
• How important is our dog's diet compared to other treatments? (33:08)
• Why does the veterinary profession have such a bias against feeding fresh food? (38:14)
• What can Pet Parents incorporate from Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in caring for our dogs? (46:21)
• How to search the Ask Dr. Steve DVM Facebook Group (1:01:04)

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Ask Dr. Steve DVM Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1158575954706282

OUR BLOG/PODCASTS...

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com

INSTAGRAM...

• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast. You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com. And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com. And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.

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It’s our annual Thanksgiving Happy Hour on The Alternative Dog Moms! Erin and Kimberly pour a glass (or two) of Mamamango wine and go completely off-script — as friends do. Once a year, we put structure aside and let the conversation wander wherever our dog-mom brains take it.

This episode is full of laughs, real talk, and those “wait… how did we get here?” moments that only happen with your closest friends. And honestly? That’s the magic. It’s also wild to think that we’re wrapping up Season 4 of the podcast — and Season 5 is just around the corner.

In this cozy, slightly chaotic holiday hangout, we talk about:
• Life updates and dog mom confessions
• The random topics that come to mind when wine is poured
• What we’re grateful for this year
• Favorite moments from past seasons
• Excitement for what’s coming in Season 5

If you love relaxed, real-life dog mom energy, this is the perfect episode to unwind with — glass of Mamamango optional, but highly recommended.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom
• Instagram.com/RawFeederLife

Thanks for listening to our podcast. You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com. And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com. And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.

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In this episode of The Alternative Dog Moms, Erin and Kimberly explore the world of Ayurveda for dogs with Amanda Ree, founder of Sama Dog. Amanda introduces us to the Ayurvedic approach to understanding a dog’s unique personality, energy patterns, and overall wellness — and why this ancient system can be such a powerful tool for modern dog parents.

Before the interview, we took Sama Dog’s canine Ayurveda test with our own pups. In the episode, we share our results, what surprised us, and what made complete sense once we heard Amanda break down each dosha type.

Together, we talk about:
• The basics of Ayurveda and how it applies to dogs
• What your dog’s dosha says about their personality and needs
• How to support your dog’s energy type through food, environment & daily habits
• Practical lifestyle tips to help dogs feel more balanced
• Why small energetic shifts can lead to big improvements in behavior and wellbeing

If you’re curious about holistic healing, energy work, or simply want a deeper understanding of your dog’s unique nature, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to see your dog through a whole new lens.

CHAPTERS:

• How Amanda was introduced to Ayurvedic Medicine for people and for pets (it involves Deepak Chopra!) (0:54)
• The connection between ourselves and our pets - both physically and emotionally (7:36)
• The 3 Doshas and the characteristics of each - and where to take the quiz to determine your dog's dosha (15:27)
• Qualities in Erin & Kimberly see of their dogs' doshas and strategies for balancing these (23:49)
• Do doshas impact relationships between dogs? and balancing dosha personalities in a household (33:28)
• How to incorporate Ayurvedic principles in our dogs' daily lives (39:52)
• Qualities of each dosha commonly seen in people (50:16)
• Can doshas change throughout our dogs' lives? And can life experiences impact our doshas? (53:40)
• Amanda's experiences as an Animal Chaplain (1:00:14)

LINKS DISCUSSED:

• Sama Dog (https://www.samadog.com/)
• Quiz: Find Your Dog's Dosha (https://www.samadog.com/quiz)
• Animal Chaplaincy at the Compassion Consortium (https://www.compassionconsortium.org/act)
• Canadian government kills ostriches affected by Avian Flu (https://www.science.org/content/article/canadian-government-kills-ostriches-afflicted-h5n1-despite-appeal-rfk-jr)

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom
• Instagram.com/RawFeederLife

Thanks for listening to our podcast. You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com. And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com. And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.