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#187 - Dogtor Andy: Compassionate Veterinary Care
Because "normal" isn't the same for every pet
October 7, 2026
TLDL (Too Long, Didn’t Listen):
✅ “Normal” isn’t the same for every animal – Ranges may tell you what’s “normal” for the population, but we need to know what’s typical for this individual. We need to look at trends rather than snapshots.
✅ Your observations are data, not paranoia – Bringing in your own notes isn’t being extra; it’s advocacy. The “small” details often provide big insight to practitioners.
✅ A second opinion isn’t a betrayal of your regular vet – It’s just adding someone else to the care team.
Episode Overview:
In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Andrzej (Andy) Ogrodny, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), also known online as Dogtor Andy. Dr. Andy is a board-certified small animal internal medicine specialist, with a knack for making complex medical topics approachable, digestible (pun intended), and accessible.
Dr. Andy and Emily dig into how “normal” lab work can still mean something’s wrong for that particular animal, why trends matter more than snapshots, and why owner observations (even the ones that feel silly or unscientific) are some of the most valuable data a vet (or a behavior consultant) can get.
Links & Resources from the Episode
🧾 For full episode transcripts: Arial l OpenDyslexic
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Meet the Hosts
Allie Bender, CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA
Allie Bender is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed, and a Shelter Behavior Affiliate. She has been in the animal welfare industry since 2006 and professionally training since 2012. She is the founder and co-owner of Pet Harmony, co-author of Canine Enrichment for the Real World, and a national speaker.
While in the animal sheltering industry, Allie realized that her passion lied in helping pets with maladaptive behaviors. Today she spends most of her time teaching other trainers and behavior professionals the skills they need to have their most fulfilling, sustainable careers.
EMIly strong
Emily Strong has been in the animal welfare industry since 1990 and has been a behavior consultant since 2008. She is the co-owner of Pet Harmony, co-author of Canine Enrichment for the Real World, and a national speaker.
Emily started working with animals at a young age and struggled with the notion that you have to hurt, scare, or intimidate animals to help them. Emily loves helping current and prospective behavior professionals and working with pet parents through our in-depth services. She enjoys working with all species.
About Dogtor Andy
Dr. Andrzej (Andy) Ogrodny, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), he/him
Dr. Andrzej (Andy) Ogrodny, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), is a board-certified small animal internal medicine specialist with clinical interests in chronic enteropathies, hepatobiliary disease, pancreatic disorders, nephrology, endocrinology, clinical nutrition, and diagnostic stewardship. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Colorado Mesa University in 2014, his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Midwestern University in 2020, and completed a residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine at Michigan State University before becoming board-certified in 2024. Passionate about making complex medicine approachable, Dr. Ogrodny enjoys helping veterinarians strengthen their clinical reasoning and confidence when managing challenging internal medicine cases. His educational philosophy emphasizes asking the right questions, thoughtful diagnostic testing, and applying evidence-based medicine in everyday practice. Although teaching had always been one of his favorite parts of medicine, it was his spouse who encouraged him to share that passion beyond the exam room through social media. What began as a creative outlet has grown into an educational platform reaching thousands of veterinary professionals and pet owners, where he breaks down complex topics into practical, engaging lessons. Through lectures, podcasts, writing, and digital education, his goal is simple: to make internal medicine less intimidating and help clinicians think through cases with confidence rather than memorize diseases.
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