How a lifetime with animals became a mission to help them thrive

I’ve been rescuing dogs and cats for more than 25 years—and it’s still one of my greatest joys. Giving a frightened, forgotten animal a second chance never loses its magic. For a long time, I believed I was doing everything right: feeding quality food, keeping up with vet visits, and giving plenty of love. Then a few of my own pets taught me otherwise.

It started with our six-month-old American Staffordshire Terrier, who suddenly began eating mouthfuls of dirt. After countless tests, we learned he was anemic—rare in dogs—but the right supplements helped him recover. Today, he’s a lively two-and-a-half-year-old with no lingering issues.

Then came our Cane Corso. He tore both CCLs before turning four, beginning what would become a long and emotional journey of healing, learning, and reevaluating everything I thought I knew about canine health.

After that, we adopted a pair of bloodhound-lab siblings—big-hearted swimmers who brought so much joy into our lives. One day, after a dip in our pond, the male developed meningitis. We later discovered he had a ruptured eardrum from past abuse, which had made him vulnerable. It was touch and go for months, but with his incredible will to live—and a dedicated veterinary team—he pulled through, a little goofier but full of life.

Not long after, our Cane Corso developed a spinal lesion that left him paralyzed. Despite every effort, we eventually had to say goodbye. Losing him broke my heart—but it also solidified my purpose.

Soon after, our female bloodhound tore both of her CCLs, and I knew what was ahead: another long recovery, another reminder of how much our animals depend on us to understand them better.

Finding the “Why”

I was already certified in human fitness and nutrition, and it hit me—if food can transform our health, it can do the same for theirs. That realization sparked a new path.

I dove into holistic pet nutrition and wellness, determined to understand not just how to treat issues, but how to prevent them. The more I learned, the clearer it became: when we support the body as a whole, incredible things happen.

Now, my dogs and cat are living proof. A few smart shifts in diet, supplementation, and environment have made all the difference—less inflammation, more energy, calmer moods, and better overall vitality.

Real Life, Real Wellness

I know firsthand that time, budget, and chaos are real factors—especially when you share your home with three 75+-pound “lap dogs.” That’s why my approach is flexible and realistic.

Feeding better doesn’t have to mean spending more—it means feeding smarter. Healthy Tails grew out of this belief: that every pet deserves care grounded in science, compassion, and balance—and every pet parent deserves support that makes sense for their life.