Rooted in Joy: Storytelling, Identity, and Creative Community with Stephanie Garza
Toni Unleashed
In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni Shelaske chats with Stephanie Garza, founder of Pup Pup and Away, a dog training and enrichment company based in San Antonio, Texas. Stephanie is a certified dog trainer, behaviorist, and nutritionist with over 18 years of experience in the pet care industry. Stephanie specializes in approaching behavior modification from a holistic standpoint combining positive reinforcement training techniques and holistic pet care. But most importantly, Stephanie is the proud dog mom to Sully and Reishi, her two Miniature Schnauzers. Stephanie shares...
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Wheels of Hope: How Joey’s Paw Gives Mobility to Special-Needs Dogs
Toni Unleashed
In this episode of Toni Unleashed, host Toni Shelaske speaks with Tanya Diable, founder of Joey's Paw, an organization dedicated to helping special needs pets, particularly those requiring wheelchairs and prosthetics. Tanya shares the inspiring story of how Joey's Paw was founded, the challenges faced in securing funding, and the impact of their work on thousands of animals. The conversation covers the application process for pet owners seeking assistance, the importance of training pets to use wheelchairs, and heartwarming success stories of animals who have thrived with the help of...
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Food Safety First: How Lotus Pet Foods Tackles H5N1 and Prioritizes Pet Health
Toni Unleashed
In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni Shelaske welcomes Daron Matsuura, founder of Lotus Pet Foods, for a timely conversation on raw pet food safety in the wake of growing concerns over H5N1 (avian influenza). Daron outlines the extensive safety measures Lotus already has in place, including using human-grade ingredients, a validated High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP) process, and rigorous sanitation protocols. Daron shares how the company went a step further by partnering with a biosafety level 4 lab to test every batch of raw food for the H5N1 virus—an unprecedented move in the...
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Global Pet Expo 25'
Toni Unleashed
In this episode of Toni Unleashed, host Toni Shelaske and guest Emily Claire discuss their experiences at the Global Pet Expo, highlighting unique products, retailer insights, and the importance of networking within the pet industry. They explore innovative pet products, sustainability efforts, and the significance of building relationships in the industry. The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities faced by retailers and the role of trade shows in fostering community and collaboration among pet professionals. In this conversation, Toni and Emily explore various themes...
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The Izzie Fund
Toni Unleashed
In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni sits down with Victoria Chester, founder of The Izzie Fund, to discuss her journey in creating a nonprofit dedicated to helping pet owners afford specialized veterinary care. Inspired by her late dog, Izzie, Victoria shares how her experience navigating costly treatments led her to establish a fund that ensures other pet owners don’t have to make heartbreaking decisions based solely on finances. Victoria details the challenges and successes of running a small but impactful nonprofit, from fundraising and grant applications to building a strong...
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Women in Leadership & the Pet Industry
Toni Unleashed
In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni sits down with Rebecca Rose, owner of In Clover Supplements, for a conversation in honor of Women’s History Month. They explore the evolving role of women in the pet industry, from leadership challenges to the progress made over the years. Rebecca shares her journey from biotechnology to pet supplements, highlighting the gender disparities she encountered and how she overcame them. Toni and Rebecca discuss the importance of mentorship, amplifying women’s voices, and the unconscious biases that still exist in leadership. They also examine the broader...
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Practical Advice for Transitioning to Raw Food
Toni Unleashed
In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni welcomes her niece, Natalie, for a candid discussion on their journey with pet nutrition. They trace their shift from conventional kibble to raw feeding, spurred by the eye-opening documentary Pet Fooled. Natalie shares how raw food transformed her dogs' health, from digestion to coat quality, and addresses common concerns about cost, safety, and veterinary skepticism. They also explore the benefits of titer testing over routine vaccinations and offer practical advice for pet owners considering a diet change. With humor and personal anecdotes,...
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Understanding the Rising Costs of Veterinary Care
Toni Unleashed
In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni sits down with Dr. Caroline Simard - Swimmer and Howard Swimmer from Pets After Dark to discuss the complexities surrounding veterinary care, focusing on the rising costs, the influence of corporate practices, and the challenges faced by veterinary professionals. The conversation delves into the dichotomy between veterinary and human medicine, the importance of support staff, and the necessity of effective communication with pet owners. Potential solutions to improve affordability and accessibility in veterinary care are also explored, emphasizing the...
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Mika and Sammy's - Quality Pet Treats
Toni Unleashed
In this engaging conversation, Toni Shelaske and Erik Senders discuss the intricacies of running a small business, particularly in the pet treat industry. They delve into the and the complexities of sourcing quality ingredients, challenges of warehouse operations, and the importance of customer service. Erik shares insights on the growth of his business, the dynamics of his team, and the expectations of customers, especially during peak seasons. The conversation is filled with humor and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. In this conversation, Toni Shelaske and Erik Senders discuss...
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What's next for Toni?
Toni Unleashed
Emily Claire, Toni's former co-host and Cydnee Traversari her former producer join in house to talk about the sale of her company - Healthy Pet Products - and what's on the Horizon. Listen in to hear how Toni gradually built her mission driven business with the support of so many passionate and dedicated employees along the way, nudges from the Universe and flying by the seat of her pants. Stay tuned to see what the future holds because Toni truly has no idea right now - LOL - what she does know is the podcast will receive much more of the focus as well os her private label...
info_outlineIn this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni sits down with Victoria Chester, founder of The Izzie Fund, to discuss her journey in creating a nonprofit dedicated to helping pet owners afford specialized veterinary care. Inspired by her late dog, Izzie, Victoria shares how her experience navigating costly treatments led her to establish a fund that ensures other pet owners don’t have to make heartbreaking decisions based solely on finances.
Victoria details the challenges and successes of running a small but impactful nonprofit, from fundraising and grant applications to building a strong support network. She shares emotional stories of the pets The Izzie Fund has helped and highlights the growing need for financial assistance in veterinary care.
The conversation also covers the upcoming Izzie Fund Birthday Bash, the nonprofit’s participation in the Pittsburgh Marathon, and how listeners can get involved through donations, sponsorships, or volunteering. With passion and purpose, Victoria and Toni emphasize the importance of community support in keeping pets and their families together.
The Izabela Dior Bouvier Foundation (operating as The Izzie Fund) exists to provide financial support to responsible dog owners when there are still medical options recommended and available.
theizziefund.org