One of the things that drove me nuts when Leo and I found each other was feeling torn between all the conflicting advice.
Do this, do that. Feed him this, feed him that.
Everyone had the ONE answer. And it didn’t always make sense for my dogs.
It’s one of the reasons I started Soul Touched by Dogs - to share the work of experts who don’t just do “what we’ve always done”, who are willing to research, question established norms, and find holistic solutions that address the real root of an issue.
And today, I have two gems for you:
When your dog gets a serious diagnosis, the vet has about fifteen minutes to explain everything, and then you’re on your own. You leave with a printout, maybe a referral, and a tidal wave of questions you didn’t even know to ask.
That’s the gap Dr. Ruth Roberts saw in her thirty years as a veterinarian. And it’s why she now trains holistic pet health coaches - not to replace vets, but to walk alongside pet guardians through the overwhelming, confusing terrain of chronic illness, treatment decisions, and day-to-day care.
This episode explores what it means to have someone in your corner when your dog is facing kidney disease, cancer, or a cascade of symptoms no one seems able to untangle. Dr. Ruth shares how health coaching fills the space between diagnosis and daily life, offering education, support, and a sounding board when you’re trying to make sense of conflicting advice or figure out your next step.
She also talks about the pressure veterinarians are under, why they often can’t offer what they wish they could, and how collaboration, not competition, makes better outcomes possible. As she puts it: “If you’ve got somebody in your corner backing you up, helping you understand what to do if plan A didn’t work and you need to pivot slightly. That’s where health coaching has been so incredibly successful.”
What stayed with me most was Dr. Ruth’s story about Janet and Rosie, a fifteen-year-old Westie with kidney disease. After two years of working together, a specialist told Janet it was time to consider euthanasia. The creatinine value had gone up by 0.1 - an insignificant change. Janet found another internist with Dr. Ruth’s guidance, and Rosie lived another year.
The lesson: You don’t have to navigate your dog’s health alone. And having a knowledgeable guide who has time to listen, explain, and help you prepare can mean the difference between giving up too soon and finding a path forward you didn’t know existed.
Dr. Ruth Roberts: Bridging the gap between pet parents and vets
You can watch the full conversation here:
Dr. Ruth Roberts is an integrative veterinarian with over thirty years of experience and the creator of The Original CrockPet Diet.
She founded Holistic Pet Health Coach, an educational institution that trains and certifies professionals to support pet guardians through chronic illness and complex health decisions.
You can find her at drruthroberts.com and on Instagram @dr.ruthroberts.
She also offers a free guide on when not to go to the ER vet, available here.
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Upcoming Live Masterclass:
27th August, 8pm Europe (7pm UK, 2pm ET, 11am PT. HERE is what time that is for you)
We spend so much time asking “What’s the best food for my dog?” But nutrition is only one piece of the wellbeing puzzle.
In this conversation, we’ll explore why two dogs can eat exactly the same diet and have completely different outcomes, and why there is no single “perfect” way to feed every dog.
Drawing on modern canine nutrition alongside Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we’ll look at how food, nervous system health, environment, lifestyle, relationships and your dog’s unique energetic constitution all interact to influence wellbeing.
Rather than offering another set of feeding rules, this session is about helping you become a more confident observer of your own dog - learning to recognise what your individual dog is asking for and making informed decisions that support them as a whole being.
Whether your dog is thriving, struggling with chronic issues, or you’re simply curious about taking a more holistic approach, you’ll leave with a broader understanding of what true nourishment really means.
Click here to secure your free spot: https://soultouchedbydogs.com/masterclass
If you’re looking for an all-natural way to take the edge off for your dog, to handle stressful situations with more calm and less anxiety, check out Fetch Happy Store’s Completely Calm calming treats:
Found at https://www.facebook.com/dogsdisclosed
A trainer, coach, behaviorist, nutritionist, holistic vet, or other canine expert with a holistic, kindness-first approach?
Would you like to be a guest on the podcast? Do you know someone you think would make a great guest?
Are you looking for ways to get your work in front of more people online?
Go (or send them) to https://soultouchedbydogs.com/pros
And as always ..
If you know another Soul Touched by Dogs, please send them to
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Until next week,
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