The Nerd Behind The Nutrition

They say you don’t know what you don’t know until a "light bulb" goes off. For me, that light bulb was lit by a dog named Thor.

Thor was my heart. When he was diagnosed with a spinal lesion following two CCL replacements, I went into "warrior mode." I did everything. I bought the PEMF mats, the wheelchairs, the holistic supplements, and the cleanest food I could find. But even with all of that, Thor became paralyzed and eventually, I had to say goodbye.

That is my "why." I learned the hard way that holistic wellness isn't a "magic wand" or a foolproof cure—and I will never tell you that it is. But through Thor, I realized that the conventional path of just "masking symptoms" with a cabinet full of meds wasn't enough for the souls in my care. I wanted a better way to support their bodies and honor their comfort while they are here.

Living on my farm in Okeechobee, Florida, surrounded by my pack, I started asking the hard questions. That curiosity turned into a mission to nourish every individual constitution on this property:

Hercules

My dirt-eating Staffy whose anemia is now balanced through natural support rather than drugs.

Rhea

Who went from constant Cytopoint injections for severe allergies to being itch-free once I started cooking her real, natural food based on her TCVM constitutional element.

Zeus

Our meningitis survivor who might be a little "slow" from his journey, but is physically thriving.

Xena

My newest (as of March 2026) 95lb rescued Great Dane "senior" who we are currently nursing back to her 160lb glory.

And it doesn’t stop with the dogs—from Bitzie the cat to Spider my Appendix horse, and my donkey trio Milton, Storm, and Mia—every animal here is a testament to why I went back to school.

I stopped looking at the pretty pictures on the bags and started looking at the metabolic impact. I became "The Nerd" because my animals deserved a strategist who understands that while we can't always change the ending, we can absolutely change the journey.

The Mentors Who Shaped My Approach

I believe that to be the best, you must learn from the best. My framework and my approach at Healthy Tails are directly informed by the pioneers of the holistic movement.

These are the experts I have studied under, whose work I am constantly immersed in as I continue my advanced education:

DR. JUDY MORGAN

A world-renowned leader in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). My approach to using TCVM and the Five Elements to find a pet’s balance is heavily inspired by her groundbreaking work.

DR. RUTH ROBERTS

The creator of "The Original CrockPet Diet." I rely on her expertise in kidney health and chronic disease support through whole-food nutrition to help pets thrive through the aging process.

DR. MARLENE SIEGEL

A visionary in integrative medicine and detoxification. Her work taught me how to identify and remove the biological "red flags" and environmental toxins that stall a pet's healing.

SUSAN THIXTON

Known as "The Caped Crusader" of pet food. While not a veterinarian, she is the leading authority on pet food consumer advocacy. I utilize her rigorous transparency standards to navigate the "marketing traps" of the industry.

RODNEY HABIB

The founder of Planet Paws and co-author of The Forever Dog. His groundbreaking research into canine longevity and epigenetics is a cornerstone of how I help pet parents "protect" their pets' future through lifestyle and bowl-side choices.

Educated to Honor Their Life
I am currently immersed in advanced studies, pursuing further education to stay at the cutting edge of this movement. I don't just "suggest" food; I strategically analyze the science taught to me by these masters.

When you look at the "Nerd" behind the nutrition, you’re seeing decades of farm life combined with the teachings of the most renowned experts in the business. I am here to be the knowledgeable friend who did the homework, so you can feel confident that you are truly supporting your pet's life.