In this episode of One Health Heroes, Dr. Hannah Varnell, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and specialist in veterinary preventive medicine, explains the rapidly growing world of solar sheep grazing. This innovative practice integrates livestock production with renewable energy infrastructure, creating measurable benefits for animal welfare, soil health, pollinators, and local communities. Dr. Varnell explains how managed intensive grazing under solar panels improves carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity — while also opening new opportunities for veterinarians in preventive medicine and livestock consulting. It's a hopeful, data-driven look at One Health in action, where agriculture, environmental stewardship, and public health truly intersect.

• Gray's LAMBscaping https://grayslambscaping.com

• American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) https://solargrazing.org/

• Three Trails Livestock Institute https://threetrailslivestock.org/

• Contact Dr. Hannah Varnell: dr.varnell@heritage.vet

Pet owners and veterinary professionals, sign up for our newsletter here: https://www.yourvetwantsyoutoknow.com/newsletter

Veterinarians are invited to join the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians.

Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet

Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.

By doing so, we strive for:
1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,
2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,
3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and
4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.

Connect with Your Vet!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow

In this final Mission RENAL episode, veterinary nutritionist and  scientific communications nutritionist at Royal Canin, Dr. Megan Shepherd, explains how nutrition supports pets with chronic kidney disease. They discuss why kidney diets are formulated differently, the importance of phosphorus restriction, protein quality, hydration, GI health, and omega-3 fatty acids. The episode also addresses common myths about toppers and home-cooked diets while offering practical strategies for managing picky eaters. Dr. Shepherd emphasizes that early dietary intervention can improve both quality of life and longevity for pets with CKD. Sponsored by Royal Canin, this guide empowers pet owners with Real Education for Navigating Advanced Longevity in dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease.

• Hydration is a crucial component of managing CKD

• Phosphorus, protein and omega-3 levels and their impact on the kidneys are explained

• Appetite support requires both medical and nutritional assessment

• Feeding tubes are a valid, compassionate option for some pets

• Toppers and home cooking should be closely supervised, but may not be needed with the wide variety of options for CKD available

Resources & Links:

• Episode page with pictures and video: Mission RENAL Part 6: Nutrition and Diet for Chronic Kidney Disease in Pets

• Royal Canin Academy for Veterinary Professionals
• Royal Canin for Pet Owners
• Virginia Organizing, the community activism group discussed by Dr. Shepherd

• Find a veterinary internal medicine specialist near you: Specialist Search Here

Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.

By doing so, we strive for:
1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,
2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,
3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and
4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.

Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet

Connect with Your Vet!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow

In this episode, Dr. Mandy Sorensen reviews major One Health updates, including a sharp rise in avian influenza cases, ongoing concerns about New World Screwworm, and important winter safety risks for pets. The conversation highlights the scale of recent poultry losses and spillover risks to mammals, including pets. New conditional treatment options for screwworm in dogs are approved, but early recognition and reporting are crucial. The episode closes with reflections on global disease surveillance through the WHO, collaboration, and encouraging developments in public health leadership from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Avian influenza activity has surged, with millions of birds affected and increased risk to wildlife and domestic animals.

• Outdoor pets, especially cats, face exposure risks through contact with infected birds.

• New World Screwworm continues to move north, making awareness and rapid reporting essential for veterinarians.

• Cold weather hazards such as de-icers and antifreeze pose preventable risks to pets.

• Strong global collaboration remains critical for effective disease surveillance and response.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics has released evidence-based vaccine recommendations.

Pet owners and veterinary professionals, sign up for our newsletter here: https://www.yourvetwantsyoutoknow.com/newsletter

Veterinarians are invited to join the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians.

Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet

Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.

By doing so, we strive for:
1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,
2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,
3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and
4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.

Connect with Your Vet!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow