Did you know Starbucks didn’t actually start in America? ā˜•

Howard Schultz, the founder, traveled to Italy and was completely captivated by their coffee culture. It wasn’t 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 wasn’t 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 that’s 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, we’re standing at the edge of something powerful in terms of where pet care is going.

We’re at the point in vet med where chronic conditions that once felt unsolvable could become solvable for pets pretty much everywhere.

And no, it’s not wishful thinking. It’s science.

I know this because I’ve seen it again and again with my own patients.

Like sweet Thor šŸ‘‡

A dog standing indoors

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.

Here’s 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) šŸ’©

He had eight sessions of fecal transplants using my sedation-free BiomeBalanceā„¢ 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 he’s ready to be weaned off all that medication šŸŽ‰

Thor’s journey has been one of the most beautiful transformations I’ve witnessed šŸ’›šŸ¶šŸˆā€ā¬›

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 you’re walking this path with an itchy pet, we created a free guide to help you make a clear, empowered plan for what comes next šŸ‘‰ Download the Itchy Pet Action Plan

And if someone you love is struggling with a pet like Thor, feel free to pass this along. There’s always enough hope to go around
šŸ‘‰ 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 šŸ¦„

Dr. Lily with a dog

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

A dog sitting on a couch
Want your pet to be featured next?

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination, and brings eternal joy to the soul.” – Wyland

CONCIERGE MEMBERSHIP

✨Concierge Peek: This Week’s Insights✨
Every week inside the Concierge Membership, we go deep into the little things that make a big difference in our pets’ wellness—and this week was no exception!

Here’s a glimpse into what we explored together:

🌸Emotional 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 humans—our animals feel deeply too.

šŸ½ļøThe Surprising Importance of Your Pet’s 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 eat—and 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.

šŸ‘€ And we may have lovingly teased our beloved Dianne about starting a boutique Etsy shop of energetically blessed pet platters. (She’s too busy being amazing to actually launch one, but we can dream!) šŸ˜„

Dr. Lily Chen smiling in a white coat at Integrative Pet

šŸ’«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

podcast episode 49 graphics

Could this be what’s been missing in your pet’s healing journey? Okay, pet parents… this might be the most unexpectedly fascinating episode we’ve ever recorded. Yes, we’re talking about poop šŸ’©. But not just any poop. We’re talking about fecal microbiota transplants (FMT), a powerful healing therapy that’s 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

Dr. Lily Chen

šŸŽ‰ 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 I’m so excited (and honestly a bit emotional 😭) to share that we’re celebrating ONE YEAR and over 10,000 listens!! šŸ’«āœØ

What started as a total passion project has turned into something that’s truly making a difference—and I’m so grateful for every single one of you who’s tuned in, share it, and sent love along the way. šŸ’–

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 it’s 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 that’s been on your mind, just hit reply to this emailĀ Ā :tada::feet::love_letter:

RECOMMENDED BOOK OF THE MONTH

What Your Vet Never Told You Book cover image
Feeling stuck in a cycle of vet visits with no real answers? Dr. Odette Suter offers a fresh, functional approach to animal healing that goes beyond treating symptoms.

In this transformative read, you’ll learn how to restore your pet’s 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 companion’s health and happiness šŸ¾šŸ’š

Starlight Stories

A lady holding a dog
✨ Starlight’s Weekly Sparkle!
Hi friends! Dianne and Mabel here!

Summer is my favorite season, but hot sidewalks? Not so fun. Here’s how I keep Mabel’s paws happy on sunny days.

šŸŒ”ļø If the pavement is too hot for my hand (try holding it down for 7 seconds), it’s too hot for the pups. Walk early in the morning or after dinner when it’s cooler.

šŸ’¦ Bring water for both you and your pup. Staying hydrated is key to a happy summer stroll.

That’s all for now! Catch ya next time for more summer fun.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

vet staff holding a dog

Meet Karen

Here are a few fun facts about her:
šŸ¬Ā Favorite candy:Ā Nerds (a sweet-and-sour classic!)
šŸ„”Ā Junk food weakness:Ā Chips, all day
šŸŽØĀ Hobbies:Ā When she’s not caring for your pets, Karen loves reading, painting, and going on outdoor walks or hikes
šŸ“ŗĀ Favorite show:Ā The Office (she quotes it often—extra points if you catch her references!)

We’re so grateful to have Karen as part of our Unicorn Team. Say hi next time you’re in!

ESSENTIAL RESOURCES

Itchy pet action plan graphics
Pet hidden toxins graphics

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD

The best compliment you can give our team is to help us spread the word so more pet parents know there are options available above and beyond the traditional veterinary care.

šŸ’–šŸ¦„ Love and Gratitude from your unicorn team:
Dr. Lily, Dr. Trina, Dianne, Gina, Karen, Lindsey, Maria, Mickie, Noelle, Royce