Did you know Starbucks didnāt actually start in America? ā
Howard Schultz, the founder, traveled to Italy and was completely captivated by their coffee culture. It wasnāt rushed or transactional. It was a ritual.
A way to slow down, savor, and connect. Tiny little luxuries throughout the day. And right then, he knew this wasnāt just about coffee. It was something we were missing here in the U.S.
The thing is, the answer he needed to turn his struggling little coffee shop in Seattle into a success already existed. He just had to go looking for it.
And thatās exactly what I see happening in pet health care right now.
It’s not that the solution for your pet doesn’t exist. It’s that veterinary medicine is still done in very much the same way as it was 20-30 years ago.
And honestly, weāre standing at the edge of something powerful in terms of where pet care is going.
Weāre at the point in vet med where chronic conditions that once felt unsolvable could become solvable for pets pretty much everywhere.
And no, itās not wishful thinking. Itās science.
I know this because Iāve seen it again and again with my own patients.
Like sweet Thor š

Thor, a soft-eyed rescue who looks like a little woodland creature, had been working with a dermatologist for years.
He was dealing with hypersensitivity dermatitis, suspected alopecia, and pododermatitis.
But it was the daily reality, constant itching, licking his paws raw, scooting, ear infections, and that red, angry skin near his rectum, that was wearing him down.
When he came to see me, I ran a full panel of preventative tests, plus allergy testing, to map out what was really happening inside his body.
At the time, he was on long-term Atopica (an immunosuppressive), ear drops, topical sprays, and occasional steroids (Methylprednisolone), along with a Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein Kibble.
Hereās what we uncovered: His microbiome was imbalanced, his glyphosate toxin level was high, and had a mild accumulation of mercury.
So we gently and intentionally began with microbiome restorative therapy (aka fecal transplants) š©
He had eight sessions of fecal transplants using my sedation-free BiomeBalance⢠method, paired with rectal ozone therapy.
We supported his healing with targeted supplements and essential oils, and ozone therapy. Phovia Light Therapy helped bring down the swelling and pain in his paws, ears, and perirectal skin.
We added in NanoLight Acupuncture to help calm inflammation and soothe his nervous system. And transitioned him onto a fresh food diet.
The itch calmed. The skin healed. There were no new lesions. And honestly I feel heās ready to be weaned off all that medication š
Thorās journey has been one of the most beautiful transformations Iāve witnessed šš¶šāā¬
I was taught in vet school that allergies cannot be cured, they can only be managed (meaning suppressed with drugs). But I have found time and time again that it is possible to reprogram the immune system so that the allergies can be healed.
If youāre walking this path with an itchy pet, we created a free guide to help you make a clear, empowered plan for what comes next š Download the Itchy Pet Action Plan
And if someone you love is struggling with a pet like Thor, feel free to pass this along. Thereās always enough hope to go around
š Forward this newsletter to a friend and have them sign up for our newsletter at our website to get future newsletters!
Your Unicorn Vet,
Dr. Lily š¦

CLOSED
We will be closed on July 4th in celebration of Independence Day!
Wishing you and your pets a safe and joyful holiday!
UNICORN OF THE WEEK
Akai

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination, and brings eternal joy to the soul.” ā Wyland
CONCIERGE MEMBERSHIP
Every week inside the Concierge Membership, we go deep into the little things that make a big difference in our pets’ wellnessāand this week was no exception!
Hereās a glimpse into what we explored together:
šøEmotional Healing with Flower Essences
Dr. Lily shared her recent certification in Bach Flower Remedies and how these gentle, energetic remedies are becoming powerful tools in supporting pets through emotional trauma, anxiety, grief, and more. These aren’t just for humansāour animals feel deeply too.
š½ļøThe Surprising Importance of Your Petās Bowl
We also got into the science (and energy) of how we feed. From the material of the bowl to its shape, it all matters. Did you know traditional bowls may cause whisker fatigue or disrupt natural eating posture? A flat plate or platter may be more aligned with how dogs and cats are designed to eatāand could help reduce food stress and even picky eating!
Here’s one company that makes a great option – (Thanks, Janet! for letting us know about this great product). Check it out: Mine Pet Platter.
š And we may have lovingly teased our beloved Dianne about starting a boutique Etsy shop of energetically blessed pet platters. (Sheās too busy being amazing to actually launch one, but we can dream!) š
š«Curious about the Concierge Membership and how it supports your pet and your peace of mind? ⨠We are relaunching the membership in July, and it will include new tiers and options. Stay tuned!
PODCAST HOUR

Could this be whatās been missing in your petās healing journey? Okay, pet parents⦠this might be the most unexpectedly fascinating episode weāve ever recorded. Yes, weāre talking about poop š©. But not just any poop. We’re talking about fecal microbiota transplants (FMT), a powerful healing therapy thatās helping pets recover from chronic disease, regulate their immune system, and even change their behavior. If your dog struggles with chronic vomiting, diarrhea, allergies, or itching and nothing seems to work this episode might open a whole new door. In this episode, I sit down with our incredible vet assistant Mickie for part two of our candid conversation on holistic healing. We dive deep into how I got started with fecal transplants and where we think this is going. Imagine a future where we can select specific strains of bacteria to target specific diseases. Where you can personalize a transplant like you would a supplement blend, mixing and matching strains to target a specific health challenge. Come along as we explore where the fascinating world of microbiome healing is heading, because this might just be the future of medicine, and your pet deserves to be at the forefront of it.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

š DO YOU WANNA BE PART OF OUR 50TH PODCAST EPISODE?
This little podcast baby of mine, My Dog Is Better Than Your Dog, has been quietly growing… and today Iām so excited (and honestly a bit emotional š) to share that weāre celebrating ONE YEAR and over 10,000 listens!! š«āØ
What started as a total passion project has turned into something thatās truly making a differenceāand Iām so grateful for every single one of you whoās tuned in, share it, and sent love along the way. š
In celebration of reaching 50 episodes (woooo hooo!!!) I’m putting together a special episode where I answer your questions. If there’s something you’re curious about whether itās got to do with your pet, integrative medicine or healing modalities, the concierge membership, my trips or adventures, thoughts on business and entrepreneurship, or anything else thatās been on your mind, just hit reply to this emailĀ Ā
RECOMMENDED BOOK OF THE MONTH
In this transformative read, youāll learn how to restore your petās health from the inside out, avoid the most common wellness mistakes, and create a clear plan for long-term vitality. Perfect for pet parents seeking deeper insight and true healing tools.
A must-read for anyone who wants to take charge of their animal companionās health and happiness š¾š
Starlight Stories

Hi friends! Dianne and Mabel here!
Summer is my favorite season, but hot sidewalks? Not so fun. Hereās how I keep Mabel’s paws happy on sunny days.
š”ļø If the pavement is too hot for my hand (try holding it down for 7 seconds), itās too hot for the pups. Walk early in the morning or after dinner when itās cooler.
š¦ Bring water for both you and your pup. Staying hydrated is key to a happy summer stroll.
Thatās all for now! Catch ya next time for more summer fun.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Meet Karen
Here are a few fun facts about her:
š¬Ā Favorite candy:Ā Nerds (a sweet-and-sour classic!)
š„Ā Junk food weakness:Ā Chips, all day
šØĀ Hobbies:Ā When sheās not caring for your pets, Karen loves reading, painting, and going on outdoor walks or hikes
šŗĀ Favorite show:Ā The Office (she quotes it oftenāextra points if you catch her references!)
Weāre so grateful to have Karen as part of our Unicorn Team. Say hi next time youāre in!
ESSENTIAL RESOURCES
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD
šš¦ Love and Gratitude from your unicorn team:
Dr. Lily, Dr. Trina, Dianne, Gina, Karen, Lindsey, Maria, Mickie, Noelle, Royce