In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni welcomes Geraldine Brouwer, co-founder of Big Country Raw, to discuss how a small family operation in Canada grows into one of the country's largest raw pet food brands. Geraldine shares how her own dogs inspire her raw feeding journey, from making food in her garage with her husband, Robert, to expanding into the United States.

Toni and Geraldine explore the evolution of Big Country Raw's recipes, the importance of complete and balanced nutrition, and the challenges of maintaining food safety and quality as the company grows. They discuss why the brand incorporates supplemental vitamins and minerals, how its packaging makes raw feeding more convenient, and the importance of transparency in pet food manufacturing.

The conversation also covers the benefits of introducing fresh food early in a pet's life, incorporating raw food into an existing diet, and adjusting feeding amounts to individual needs. With more raw feeding options becoming available, Geraldine shares her hopes for the industry's future and Big Country Raw's continued expansion across North America.

Returning guest Dr. Carmela Panza joins Toni once again to tackle some of the most common concerns pet parents bring into the vet's office. From recurring ear infections and itchy skin to digestive problems, Toni and Carmela discuss why simply treating symptoms may not address what's causing them in the first place.

Carmela shares her integrative approach to pet health, emphasizing nutrition, gut health, supplementation, exercise, environment, and lifestyle. They also dig into vaccines, flea and tick prevention, chronic medications, and the importance of considering each pet individually rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Throughout the conversation, Toni and Carmela encourage pet parents to ask questions, educate themselves, and advocate for their animals. Their message is simple: pay attention to what your pet's body is telling you, look beyond the immediate symptom, and don't be afraid to seek another perspective when something doesn't feel right.

In this episode, Toni is joined once again by Emily Taylor to recap their recent volunteer trip to Save a Friend Puerto Rico. From the moment they returned home, the rescue was faced with another heartbreaking reality—more abandoned puppies and a constant influx of dogs needing medical care and forever homes. Toni and Emily reflect on the emotional highs and lows of working alongside Marla and the rescue team, and why the need for support never stops.

The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what their days in Puerto Rico actually involve, from caring for dogs with medical needs and spending time with long-term shelter residents to taking adoptable dogs on adventures like rainforest hikes to build confidence and improve their chances of finding homes. Toni also shares updates on some of the individual dogs they met and the lasting impression they left.

Throughout the episode, Toni and Emily discuss the importance of rescue work, responsible adoption, and using their platform to shine a light on organizations making a difference. It's an honest reflection on the challenges of animal rescue, the resilience of the dogs, and the people who continue showing up to give them a better future.

In this episode, Toni is joined by Emily Taylor to preview their return trip to Puerto Rico, where they'll once again volunteer with Save a Friend Puerto Rico. Reflecting on last year's experience, they discuss what they learned from working with shelter and stray dogs and how this year's trip will allow them to make an even greater impact.

Toni and Emily talk about the changing needs of the rescue following the passing of its founder, Nelson, and the important work being led by Marla and the rescue team. From caring for puppies with medical needs to creating educational content and supporting daily shelter operations, they share what listeners can expect from this year's journey.

It's an honest behind-the-scenes look at animal rescue, the challenges facing organizations on the island, and why they remain committed to returning to Puerto Rico to support the dogs and the people working tirelessly on their behalf.

In this episode, Toni welcomes back Dr. Carmela Panza, DVM, CVA, for a wide-ranging conversation on holistic veterinary medicine and what it means to support a pet's health beyond treating symptoms. Drawing from decades of experience, Dr. Panza explains how nutrition, hormones, oral health, and lifestyle all work together to influence a dog's long-term well-being.

A large part of the discussion explores the effects of spaying and neutering, including the important role reproductive hormones play throughout the body. Dr. Panza also dives into dental health, the connection between inflammation and chronic disease, and why taking a proactive, whole-body approach can help prevent health issues before they start. Throughout the episode, she breaks down complex veterinary topics into practical information pet parents can understand and apply.

More than anything, this conversation is about empowering pet owners to ask questions, seek education, and become active participants in their pets' healthcare. Whether you're interested in holistic medicine, hormone health, or making more informed decisions alongside your veterinarian, this episode offers valuable insight into caring for the whole animal.

In this episode, Toni is joined by Jacqueline Lemieux Bokor, photographer and author of a beautifully illustrated book inspired by her beloved dog, Boris. Jacqueline shares the remarkable story of how Boris came into her life, the deep bond they formed, and the profound impact he had on her family over the years.

The conversation takes a heartbreaking turn as Jacqueline recounts the devastating house fire that claimed Boris's life while simultaneously saving her family's. Awakened in the middle of the night by Boris's urgent barking, Jacqueline, her husband, and their young daughter escaped a rapidly spreading fire that ultimately destroyed their home. Through grief, loss, and rebuilding, Jacqueline reflects on the unexpected signs, memories, and moments of grace that helped her find meaning in the tragedy.

Years later, those experiences became the foundation for a heartfelt book that combines photography, storytelling, and poetry to honor the bond between people and their dogs. Toni and Jacqueline explore themes of love, loss, gratitude, and the ways our pets continue to shape our lives long after they're gone. It's a moving conversation about resilience, remembrance, and the extraordinary gifts our dogs leave behind.

In this episode, Toni is joined by Maria from Doggone Positive Training for a casual and wide-ranging conversation about dogs, training, nutrition, and life as pet professionals. The two kick things off by sharing stories from Global Pet Expo, including the irony of both attending the event and somehow missing each other despite being only steps apart.

As the conversation unfolds, Toni and Maria compare notes on their own dogs, discussing everything from puppy energy and enrichment to multi-dog households and behavior management. They share real-life experiences with training challenges, mental stimulation, exercise needs, and the ongoing work that goes into raising happy, well-adjusted dogs. Toni also provides an update on Layla, Grayson, and Bo, reflecting on how each dog continues to teach her something different.

Throughout the episode, Toni and Maria emphasize the value of learning from one another, staying curious, and advocating for your pets. It's an honest, unscripted conversation between friends who are passionate about helping dogs and the people who love them.

This episode is an introduction to our podcast. We start off by introducing ourselves and the variety of topics we will be discussing. This first episode is also an introduction to the tone of this podcast, though we will talk about serious topics, and are very passionate about helping animals thrive, we bring a light humorous approach making it welcoming to any and all listeners.

Emily and Toni discuss how they wound up in the pet world and why they are so passionate about it.

History with vets, aliments and how we got to be so invested in pet health and wellness.

Topics we will cover and a sneak peak at some of the guests we will have on the show.

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