Off Leash with Dr. Pete

In this episode of Off Leash, we sit down with Pam O’hara, a disabled service dog handler, advocate, and dog sport enthusiast who is redefining what accessibility looks like in the canine world. Recorded live at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, this heartfelt and inspiring conversation dives into Pam’s journey navigating colon cancer, epilepsy, vision loss, and life alongside her incredible Belgian Malinois service dog, Mazikeen. Pam shares how her rescue dog—once slated for euthanasia—became her teammate, confidence builder, and partner in advocacy. Together, they’ve entered the world of protection sports, service dog work, and public education while pushing for greater inclusivity in dog sports for disabled handlers. From bite work and dock diving to the realities of traveling with a service dog, this episode explores the barriers disabled handlers face and Pam’s ambitious vision for creating adaptive, Paralympic-style dog sport events that welcome everyone. It’s a powerful conversation about resilience, teamwork, accessibility, and the extraordinary bond between humans and dogs. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!

In this episode of Off Leash, recorded live from Orlando, the host sits down with renowned dog enrichment designer Nina Ottosson of Outward Hound to talk about the growing world of dog puzzle games and interactive feeders. Nina shares how her puzzle products help dogs stay mentally stimulated, reduce boredom, and improve overall behavior through problem-solving and enrichment activities. She explains the science behind dog puzzles, slow feeders, and interactive feeding systems, while discussing how different breeds respond to mental challenges and why “all dogs need a job.” The conversation also explores the evolution of the pet industry, the increasing demand for enrichment products, and how Nina turned a simple idea inspired by her own dogs into a globally recognized business after more than 35 years of innovation. Along the way, they discuss hunting instincts, pet wellness, puzzle games for cats and even zoo animals, and how mental stimulation can aid injured or recovering dogs. Whether you’re a dog owner curious about enrichment or simply interested in modern pet care trends, this episode offers a fun and insightful look into the world of canine puzzles and behavior. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!

On this episode of Off Leash with Dr. Pete, Molly and Dr. Pete talk about why microchipping could be the difference between losing and finding your pet. What would you do if your dog or cat went missing? In this episode, we dive into one of the simplest — yet most important — tools pet owners have to protect their animals: microchipping. Using real-world stories, personal experiences, and eye-opening stats, we break down why microchipping matters more than most people realize. From natural disasters to everyday accidents, we explore how quickly pets can go missing — and what actually helps bring them home. Dr. Pete shares memorable cases from his years in practice, including unbelievable mix-ups and situations where identification made all the difference. We also talk through the real benefits of microchipping, how it works, and why it’s such a critical piece of responsible pet ownership. If you’ve ever wondered whether microchipping is worth it — or just want peace of mind knowing your pet is protected — this episode is a must-listen. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!

In this episode of Off-Leash with Dr. Pete, we dive into the intense and fascinating world of canine search and rescue with special guest Beth, an experienced handler working on the front lines. From tracking lost hikers to locating critical evidence, these highly trained dogs are doing work most people never see—and the stories behind it are as gripping as they are eye-opening. We explore how search and rescue dogs are trained, the different types of tracking they perform, and the unique signals they give when they make a find. This episode takes some unexpected turns as we get into the realities of training—including the use of human remains—and what it truly takes to prepare dogs for these high-stakes situations. It’s shocking, fascinating, and gives a whole new appreciation for the work these teams do. We also cover practical, real-world advice: What search and rescue teams want you to do if you get lost How weather impacts scent tracking Tips to stay safe when you’re out in the field Whether you're a dog owner, outdoor enthusiast, or just someone who loves hearing incredible real-life stories, this episode will pull you in from start to finish. Tune in to hear how these dogs are saving lives—and why, if you ever find yourself lost, they’re your best chance of being found. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!

In this episode, we kick things off with some lighthearted banter before diving into a series of real-life stories from Dr. Pete’s years in veterinary medicine. From a childhood memory involving a broken finger to a recent unusual case with a cat’s jaw, the conversation flows naturally into some of the more interesting and unexpected moments you only get from life in the exam room. We also touch on a case involving whipworms in dogs and explore some of the questions pet owners might not always think to ask. This episode leans into a more relaxed, storytelling style—pulling back the curtain on the kinds of cases, experiences, and moments that make veterinary medicine so unpredictable. If you enjoy real stories, honest conversation, and a behind-the-scenes look at the vet world, this is one you won’t want to miss. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Laurie McCauley to explore the world of canine rehabilitation, mobility, and overall wellness. From underwater treadmills to chiropractic care, Dr. McCauley shares her experience working with dogs across a wide range of conditions and lifestyles. We dive into the differences between rehab techniques like swimming vs. underwater treadmills, and when each approach makes the most sense. The conversation also gets into everyday challenges dog owners face - like nail trimming and helping anxious dogs relax — with practical insights you can actually use at home. Along the way, Dr. McCauley breaks down how different therapies can impact a dog’s quality of life, why some treatments work better for certain dogs than others, and what she’s learned from years of hands-on experience in the field. If you’re looking to better understand how to support your dog’s movement, reduce stress, and improve their overall well-being, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

This week on Off Leash, Molly is joined by Josh Lambo who was a professional soccer player, the 9th most accurate NFL kicker of all time, and now animal performance enthusiast. Josh is doing some exciting work with his time, working on performance supplements for dogs and working on another venture involving horses. We talk with Josh about his crazy journey in professional sports and how it led him to his newfound passion in animal performance. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!

This week Dr. Pete is with Molly at VMX in Orlando answering some more of the questions we received from our podcast listeners. These questions pertain to lots of dog owners who may be asking themselves the same questions or in the very least as useful knowledge for dog care going forward. We discuss overweight dogs and how to help your dog find a healthier version of themselves, as well as probiotics and their benefits as well as what your dog actually needs. Then, has your lab had a lipoma? Does your dog have loose stool? We talk about it all while answering your questions on this episode. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!

This week we sit down at the VMX in Orlando with Dr. Pete to answer some listener questions that you guys have emailed us! We go through a bunch of different topics including diet, paw licking and yeasty paws, as well as some complex situations involving some of our listeners dogs and how Dr. Pete would best take care of them going forward. If you have a question for us you can email it to us through our website and we will do our best to get to it! Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!

Been doing any late night scrolling on the internet? We have! And we’ve come across countless videos of people giving advice about what is or isn’t going on with your dogs. Everything from food toppers to holistic herbal teas. So we decided it would be good to save a few of these and get Dr. Pete to sit down and listen in to debunk the fakes and provide support for the folks out there giving real solid advice. Please listen along to learn what you should actually be watching while you scroll through your favorite dog videos and pages. Thanks so much for joining us! We hope you’ll subscribe and leave us a review!

Happy Holidays to all of our listeners! This week we wanted to discuss a topic that impacts almost every pet and pet owner and that is pain that your animals may be dealing with at some point in their lives. If you’ve had a pet go through difficult struggles with pain it can be terrible to watch them struggle. In this times we wanted to give them something to make it feel better and often times people think they can simply give human drugs to their pets. It is important that you don’t! We talk about the different types of medication and pain management options available for animals. Always consult your vet before giving anything to your dogs and cats! Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!

This week we wanted to touch on a topic that’s becoming increasingly popular in the US for people’s pets: Nutraceuticals! Dr. Pete joins Molly to discuss there these non traditional methods of treatment may actually be a huge benefit to your dogs and cats and their overall wellbeing. Have you tried any at home management that has been super successful? We’d love to hear from you! Send us a message on the Voyager Instagram and let us know what you’ve done and what worked vs what didn’t. In this podcast we cover a range of different treatments and mostly cover some of the most common ones. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!

This week we’re in studio with some awesome topics surrounding dog breeds. After putting out a clip on social channels talking about which dog breeds are the worst to own, we got a lot of comments challenging our takes and also asking questions about other breeds. We thought it would be a great chance to go through a few of those things with Dr. Pete. We talk about golden retrievers, chihuahuas, labradoodles and some other very common breeds and discuss their pros and cons. We also talk about where these breeds actually came from quickly and wrap up with the ultimate questions when adopting a dog. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!