Nacho Average Dog Health Coach

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Nacho Average Dog Health Coach Give your gentle giant more precious years through holisitc care designed for big dogs.

From cancer-fighting nutrition to preventative care using herbs, mushrooms and energy work.🐾​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
🐾​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​🐾​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ As a holistic pet health coach, I help pet owners achieve optimal wellness for their furry companions through a comprehensive, natural approach. Rather than just treating symptoms, I look at the whole pet - their diet, exercise, environment, and lifestyle factors. My services include customized nutrition plans using fresh, high-quality foods, guidance on natural supplements and remedies, recommendations for gentle exercises and activities, and tips for reducing stress and improving their living space. By addressing all aspects of your pet's health in a holistic way, I can help them live a happier, healthier and longer life, free from chronic issues. No more just masking problems with medications - we get to the root causes and let your pet's body heal itself naturally. If you want to unlock your pet's full vitality potential, book a consultation today. Your furry friend deserves this integrative, prevention-focused approach to lifelong health.

This is Nacho, my soul dog, during one of his acupuncture sessions after his hemangiosarcoma diagnosis.We were given a s...
10/25/2026

This is Nacho, my soul dog, during one of his acupuncture sessions after his hemangiosarcoma diagnosis.

We were given a short timeline, but Nacho had other plans. With acupuncture and the Chinese herbal formulas prescribed for him, he lived 10 months past the date he was supposed to leave us.

He kept his big appetite, his strength and his joy through nearly all of it. He was happy, he was eating well, and he was still very much himself.

As Halloween gets closer (the day of his passing), I’m thinking about him even more. He’s the reason my practice exists, and he’s the reason I believe so deeply in this work.

I’ve seen what acupuncture and Chinese herbs can do when they’re used together, and that combination is what I recommend for the cancer patients in my practice. Each one supports the other.

Nacho was a good sport about the needles as long as the treats kept coming 😄 Not every dog is that accepting, though.

That’s why in the new year I’ll be diving into the study of acupressure.

Acupressure uses gentle finger pressure on the same points used in acupuncture, with no needles involved. It’s far less invasive, it suits sensitive or anxious dogs, and best of all, I can teach you how to do it at home.

A few minutes on the couch with your dog can become part of their healing and a beautiful way to connect.

If your dog is facing a cancer diagnosis, I’d love to show you what support looks like through Nacho’s Path, my 12-week cancer program.

Book a discovery session through the link in my bio.

I also recommend this approach for prevention. Roughly half of all dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer, and the best time to support their body is before a diagnosis ever comes.

🐾 In loving memory of Nacho 💜

🔴 Fall Ingredient No. 5: CranberriesI know the UTI cycle well. My senior Cane Corso, Tofu, struggled with urinary tract ...
10/24/2026

🔴 Fall Ingredient No. 5: Cranberries

I know the UTI cycle well.

My senior Cane Corso, Tofu, struggled with urinary tract infections in the past, and if you’ve lived through the infections, the vet visits, and the worry every time your dog strains to p*e, you know how draining it gets.

Today, urinary support is part of her daily routine, including D-mannose, which works in a similar way to the compounds in cranberries.

Cranberries contain PACs, which make it harder for E. coli bacteria to stick to the bladder wall.

E. coli causes most UTIs in dogs, so keeping it from latching on is a smart preventive strategy.

Giant breed note: spayed females of large and giant breeds are more prone to leaking urine as they age, which gives bacteria an easier path into the bladder.

Plenty of fresh water, frequent potty breaks, and keeping the hindquarters clean all help.

My warm cranberry mash: simmer 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries with a splash of water for about 5 minutes, until they pop and soften, then stir them into 1 cup of plain pumpkin puree.

Serve it lukewarm over dinner. Giant breeds get about 1/4 cup a day, and small dogs get 1 tablespoon.

Cranberry supports prevention, but it doesn’t treat an active infection.

Frequent p*eing, straining, accidents, or blood in the urine means a call to your vet.

Skip cranberries for dogs with a history of calcium oxalate stones, and pass on cranberry sauce, sweetened dried cranberries, and juice cocktail.

My full cranberry guide, including the daily routine I use for urinary support, is in this week’s newsletter.
Subscribe through the link in bio. 💌

Have you been through UTIs with your dog?
Share your story in the comments. 💛

10/22/2026

One squash might need an ax.

The other is probably on your neighbor’s porch.

In the Beyond Butternut finale, I’m cooking the farm stand giants, Blue Hubbard and Musquée de Provence, for your plate and your dog’s.

For you: plant-based Blue Hubbard «krydderkake» (Norwegian spice cake) and Musquée fondants with pistou.

For your dog: warm egg-white Hubbard mini cakes and a squash and cod brandade.

Holiday season is pancreatitis season. Plain squash is the safer holiday treat.

Questions about your dog’s kidneys, pancreas or winter meals?

Book a discovery session through the link in my bio.

Halloween has never been easy for me since Nacho died.He passed on October 31st, and every year when the decorations go ...
10/21/2026

Halloween has never been easy for me since Nacho died.
He passed on October 31st, and every year when the decorations go up and the candy aisles fill, my heart goes right back to that day.

Nacho was my soul dog.

He was my Cane Corso, my constant companion, and the reason my business carries his name.

Losing him to cancer was the hardest grief I’ve ever carried.

After he died, I went looking for people who would understand.

I I wanted a place where I could say his name out loud without anyone telling me he was “just a dog” or that it was time to move on.

I searched for a long time, and I couldn’t find it.

So I decided that if I couldn’t find that place, I’d create it myself.

I’m so lucky I didn’t have to do it alone.

My friend and colleague Melissa understood right away and she’s like my sister from another mister.

She’s so in tune with me and it felt so wonderful to partner up with her.

We host Sunny Gandara and Melissa Sherman podcast together and we built Compassionate Paws: A Grief Support Circle, a free FB community.

On Sunday, November 1st, Día de los Mu***os, we’re holding a live remembrance at 12 pm ET.

It’s one hour to remember the animals we’ve loved and lost, together.

We’ll say their names, share their stories, and talk about the signs and dreams that keep them close.

If you’re grieving a companion, whether it was last month or twenty years ago, this is for you.

If you simply want to honor your animal on such a special day, you’re welcome too.

I’ll be lighting a candle for Nacho. I’d love for you to bring yours.

🕯️ Sunday, November 1 | 12 pm ET

📍 Live on Substack and streaming in the Compassionate Paws Facebook group.

Link in bio 💜

10/17/2026

Apparently, my 170-pound Boerboel can move at lightning sp*ed, he just needs the right motivation. 😂

I love using to add quality raw proteins, organs and variety to Oslo and Tofu’s meals.

Use code NACHO for 10% off your order from

And a tag for our friends at 🐾

This is what my own dogs ate this morning.My practice is named Nacho Average Dog Health Coach, after my late Cane Corso....
10/16/2026

This is what my own dogs ate this morning.

My practice is named Nacho Average Dog Health Coach, after my late Cane Corso.

Today I cook for Oslo, my Boerboel who just turned 2 years old, and Tofu, my senior Cane Corso who is going on 11.

Their meals are weighed and planned, and Tofu's bowl looks different from Oslo's because a senior girl and a young giant need different things.

You don't need to cook from scratch to feed well.

Plenty of dogs do well on freeze-dried, canned or fresh commercial food, or a mix.

Small, deliberate changes to what's already in the bowl can make a visible difference in skin, coat, and stool.

That's the focus on Tuesday, October 20, my online nutrition workshop I'm hosting live on Zoom. Link in bio and use code FULLCIRCLE

What's in your dog's bowl today? Tell me below.

- Sunny (Full Circle's in-house pet nutritionist)

🍄 Fall Ingredient No. 4: Shiitake and Maitake MushroomsThis one is personal.My practice is named after my Cane Corso, Na...
10/16/2026

🍄 Fall Ingredient No. 4: Shiitake and Maitake Mushrooms

This one is personal.

My practice is named after my Cane Corso, Nacho, who died of
hemangiosarcoma.

When I learned that dogs with that same cancer lived longer than expected in a University of Pennsylvania pilot study using a turkey tail mushroom compound, I started paying close attention to mushrooms.

Culinary mushrooms like shiitake and maitake are rich in beta-glucans, compounds that help regulate and support the immune system. They won’t give you the concentrated dose of a medicinal extract, but cooked culinary mushrooms are an easy way to add immune support to everyday meals.

This week’s recipe is my Shiitake and Maitake Immune Broth.

Simmer chicken necks, backs, or feet with water and a splash of apple c***r vinegar for 6 to 24 hours, then add sliced shiitake, torn maitake, and a carrot for the last hour.

Strain out every bone, chop the mushrooms back in, chill, and skim the fat.

Giant breeds get about 1/2 cup over a meal.

Large and giant breeds carry a higher risk of cancers like osteosarcoma, so immune-supporting nutrition belongs in their plan.

For dogs already diagnosed, mushrooms work alongside your vet or oncologist’s treatment.

⚠️ Wild mushrooms are popping up in yards right now. Never let your dog eat them, and call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control.

My free guide, From Itchy Skin to Cancer, includes 5 cancer-prevention recipes.

Grab it through the link in bio. 💛

CanineCancerSupport

10/15/2026

In Japan, people eat kabocha on the winter solstice to stay well through the cold months.

In episode 3 of Beyond Butternut, I’m cooking kabocha and red kuri with a Japanese restaurant technique and a smoky spiced roast, plus a warm version of each for your dog.

🧑‍🍳 For you:

Kabocha simmered in shiitake-kombu broth with yuzu, and ancho-maple roasted red Kuri wedges.

🐕 For your dog:

Shiitake-simmered kabocha with its broth, and warm red Kuri and sardine dumplings.

If your dog takes fish oil, watch to the end of the dog section.

Want help building warm,fresh meals for your dog this winter?

Book a discovery session through the link in my bio.

🌿 Kitchen Herb No. 3: RosemaryGo grab your dog’s bag of kibble or treats and read the ingredient list. There’s a good ch...
10/13/2026

🌿 Kitchen Herb No. 3: Rosemary

Go grab your dog’s bag of kibble or treats and read the ingredient list.

There’s a good chance you’ll find rosemary extract near the bottom. Pet food makers use it to keep fats from going rancid, and the same antioxidants help protect your dog’s cells from oxidative stress.

While you’re at it, open your dog’s fish oil and smell it. Fresh oil smells like the ocean. If it smells sharply fishy or like paint, it has oxidized and should go in the trash.

For giant breeds taking large daily doses for their joints, fish oil freshness makes a big difference.

This week’s recipe is Rosemary Turkey Meatballs.

Mix 1 pound ground turkey, 1 egg, 1/2 cup mashed sweet potato, and 1 teaspoon very finely minced fresh rosemary.

Roll into 1-inch balls and bake at 375°F for 15 to 18 minutes. Big dogs get 3 to 4 a day, and they make a great high-value training reward.

⚠️ Skip rosemary for any dog with a seizure history. Irish Wolfhound families, take note, since the breed has a high rate of inherited epilepsy.

My full fish oil checklist and the meatball recipe are in today’s newsletter. Subscribe through the link in bio. 💌

Tell me in the comments: when did you last check your dog’s fish oil? 👇

Count the chicken before you reach slide 6.This story comes up in my consults all the time. A dog starts scratching, the...
10/10/2026

Count the chicken before you reach slide 6.

This story comes up in my consults all the time. A dog starts scratching, the owner switches foods, things look better for two weeks, and then the itch comes back. Four bags later, the dog has been eating the same proteins the whole time.

Treats and chews make it harder. A dog can be on a perfect duck diet and still get chicken every night from a jerky treat.

If this sounds familiar, go easy on yourself.

Most owners were never shown how to run a food change properly.

That's one of the main things we'll cover in my online nutrition workshop live on Tuesday, October 20.

Link in bio or comment below, and I will DM you the link to sign up!

How many did you count? Drop your number below!

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Beacon, NY
12508

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 3pm
5pm - 7pm
Wednesday 11am - 3pm
5pm - 7pm
Thursday 11am - 3pm
5pm - 6:30pm

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