Public Q&A Session - September 2026 Sep 3, 2026

WOOF NUTRITION

Holistic Pet Health Coaching  •  Pennye Jones-Napier, CHPHC

Q&A Summary

Fall Wellness & Senior Cognitive Support Session

KEY OUTCOMES

Pennye led a small group wellness session covering two main topics: seasonal schedule disruptions and their physiological effects on pets, and targeted supplement recommendations for senior dogs experiencing cognitive decline. Brenda's Shiba Inu Penny showed meaningful improvement on her first night of a combined Chinese herb and melatonin protocol. Andra's 15-year-old coonhound mix Plato was identified as a candidate for cognitive support supplements, with Pennye committing to review his full medication list for contraindications before recommending a specific formula. A follow-up action was established: Andra will email Plato's medication list to Pennye for a safe supplement match.

MEETING CONTEXT

• Attendees: Pennye (host, pet nutritionist/coach), Brenda (client, Shiba Inu owner), Andra (client, senior coonhound mix owner).

• Platform: Zoom.

• Format: Brief educational presentation (approximately 8–10 minutes) followed by open Q&A.

SEASONAL DISRUPTIONS AND PET STRESS PHYSIOLOGY

Pennye opened with a focused presentation on how fall seasonal changes affect pets at a biological level.

• Light Change is the Primary Trigger: As daylight shortens, both pets and humans begin to shift physiologically; pets detect this change quickly, and it can generate subtle but real stress responses.

• Common Human Schedule Disruptions: Teachers returning to work after summer, owners beginning to travel, or any change in household routine that alters when pets are fed, walked, or given attention.

• Cortisol Parallel: Just as stress raises cortisol in humans, causing digestive upset and sleep disruption, the same biological cascade occurs in pets.

• Dog-Specific Stress Signs:

  • Increased clinginess or “Velcro behavior” when the owner is home

  • Indoor accidents

  • Destructive chewing or restlessness

  • Vocalization when left alone (can occur in as little as a 10-minute window after departure)

• Cat-Specific Stress Signs:

  • Litter box avoidance or increased frequency outside the box

  • Eating more or less than usual

  • Overgrooming with hair-loss patches — flagged as a major red flag and classic stress indicator

  • Withdrawal or hiding more than normal

• Timeline for Adjustment: Pets typically take 2–3 weeks to adapt to a disruption in routine.

• Recommended Management Strategies:

  • Meal timing consistency: pets trained to expect feeding at a precise time become stressed when it shifts; Pennye recommends establishing a feeding window rather than a rigid minute-by-minute schedule to build flexibility

  • Departure rituals: build a calm, consistent routine when leaving; avoid high-energy greetings upon return to prevent reinforcing anxiety

• When to Escalate: If restlessness or distress does not settle within a few weeks, involve a veterinarian, behaviorist, or coach.

BRENDA'S SHIBA INU PENNY — CURRENT PROTOCOL AND FIRST RESULTS

Penny is a 19.3-pound Shiba Inu presenting with nighttime restlessness: carpet digging, pushing the bedroom door against the wall, and barking at 1 a.m. with no apparent cause. Brenda has been working with holistic vet Dr. Medcroft.

Current Protocol as of the Session

• Chinese Herb Formula: Brand shown via chat, described as containing blue parum, dragon bone, and oyster shell; prescribed at ¼ teaspoon twice daily. Dr. Medcroft's rationale was that Penny needs to “pull in Yang energy”; a prior suggestion that Penny was missing a certain type of chi was corrected by Dr. Medcroft.

• Pure Encapsulations Melatonin 0.5 mg: Two tablets given at 7 p.m. (total 1 mg dose). Brenda initially tried a single 0.5 mg dose, which produced minimal effect; the full 1 mg dose combined with the herb showed a clear improvement.

First-Night Results (Night One of Full Combined Protocol)

• Penny did not scratch at the bedroom door

• Carpet digging lasted only a couple of minutes

• Penny climbed into bed, rearranged blankets to her preference, and slept soundly — growling when Brenda attempted to move her

• Brenda described the improvement as “really encouraging” and also reported sleeping better herself

• Pennye's Clinical Interpretation: Penny's nighttime behavior is more likely poor sleep quality than true cognitive decline; if rest improves, the disruptive behavior should calm down. Pennye noted this is distinct from cases where cognitive decline is the primary driver.

• Upcoming: Dr. Medcroft ran a vitamin panel on Tuesday; results will determine whether Penny is low on B12, in which case Brenda may give B12 to both Penny and her other dog TJ.

ANDRA'S SENIOR DOG PLATO — COGNITIVE DECLINE ASSESSMENT AND SUPPLEMENT PLANNING

Plato is a 15-year-old coonhound mix (approximately half pit bull, quarter coonhound, quarter other hound breeds per DNA testing). He was originally around 90 pounds but has lost significant muscle mass and now weighs approximately 60 pounds.

Observed Cognitive Symptoms

• Stops in the middle of the street and appears disoriented, unsure of direction

• Loses his bearings during walks

• Barks at nothing outside for approximately 5 minutes at night, then returns inside — Pennye noted this is likely a hound behavior trait rather than a dementia symptom, as it has been present for some time but not since puppyhood

• Has improved nighttime routine since starting his current medication regimen (fewer late-night trips outside)

Current Known Conditions

• Kidney Disease: On Denamarin — Pennye noted Denamarin is primarily a liver supplement and should not present a contraindication with cognitive herbs.

• Atypical Cushing's Disease: Suspected, based on extensive testing.

• Melatonin: 6 mg twice daily every 12 hours, sourced from CVS (generic, not pharmaceutical-grade).

• Lignans: Flaxseed lignans for Cushing's support, sourced via Chewy or PetMeds.

• Additional Medications: Two human-grade medications obtained from a drugstore (specifics not named).

• No Heart Disease: Pennye noted this is significant because hawthorn, a common cardiac herbal, is contraindicated with certain heart medications.

• Care Team: Consulting with both Dr. Leanne Lipton and Dr. Wendy Knight (City Paws).

Cognitive Supplement Options Reviewed by Pennye

• Herbsmith Wisdom: Based on a classical Chinese formula; available in powder form; carried in Pennye's store (Big Bad Wolf).

• Thorne Vet Geriatric & Cognitive Support: Also available as powder/chew; listed in Pennye's Fullscript dispensary under “Geriatric and Cognitive Support.” Thorne Vet is transitioning its brand name to Pet Domain after the sale of Thorne to Procter & Gamble, but Thorne Vet was retained as a separate entity operating from its own facility.

• Animal Essentials Brain Awake: Liquid herbal extract; Pennye noted it is expensive for a dog Plato's size, and the powder or chew formats from Herbsmith or Thorne Vet are more practical and cost-effective for a large dog.

• Critical Constraint — Contraindication Screening Required: Plato is on multiple medications, and Pennye cannot recommend a specific formula without reviewing the full list. Pennye committed to running each candidate supplement against Plato's medication list to identify any interactions before advising.

SUPPLEMENT QUALITY AND SOURCING STANDARDS

A significant portion of the Q&A addressed why supplement source and brand quality matter, particularly for animals on complex medication regimens.

• Third-Party Certification: Pennye emphasized that many widely sold supplements are not independently tested; she prioritizes NASC-certified (National Association of Supplement Counseling) products for animal supplements, which require third-party testing and auditing.

• Pure Encapsulations: Highlighted as a high-quality, reliable brand for melatonin; it is not typically found in physical retail stores (Walmart and Target list it online but do not stock it in-store).

• Fullscript Dispensary: Woof Nutrition's dispensary, introduced as the recommended ordering platform. Carries both human and animal supplements, including Pure Encapsulations, Thorne Vet, and some Chinese herbals; Pennye also uses it personally. A sale was noted as upcoming within 3 days of the session.

• Amazon Caution: Brenda raised the issue of widespread supplement counterfeiting on Amazon; Pennye agreed and recommended avoiding Amazon for supplements unless absolutely necessary.

• CVS/Generic Melatonin: Pennye suggested Andra may get better results by switching from generic CVS melatonin to Pure Encapsulations, citing uncertainty about CVS's sourcing.

• Hawthorn + Heart Medication: Used as an illustrative example of why medication review is essential before recommending any herbal — hawthorn is a primary cardiac herbal but is contraindicated with certain pharmaceutical heart medications.

• Lignans Clarification: Lignans are a plant-derived compound found in flax; Pennye recommends flax oil (e.g., Barley & S brand or similar) as an easy administration method mixed into food. Lignans are specifically beneficial for Cushing's disease management and are available through Fullscript.

PENNYE'S FOSTER DOG OREO — END-OF-LIFE CONTEXT

Pennye shared the story of her 14-year-old foster pit bull Oreo to provide context for cognitive decline in senior dogs and illustrate her integrative care approach.

• Oreo was surrendered to a shelter after his owners lost their home and faced breed-ban restrictions in Prince George's County; a neighbor rescued him from the shelter when he was declining rapidly.

• Pennye took him as a medical foster, committing to stabilize him for adoption; the neighbor's father, who had cared for Oreo and formed a deep bond with him despite not being the owner, died within a month of Pennye taking him.

• On arrival, Oreo had a severe yeast infection and two bacterial infections; Pennye worked with her vet using an integrative approach (holistic and conventional).

• A Cytopoint injection was used to control itching; Oreo slept for two straight days afterward, indicating how long he had been in chronic discomfort.

• Oreo had never been to a vet and had never been walked (only allowed in the front yard) prior to coming to Pennye.

• After joining Pennye's household, he walked 2-mile routes in Rock Creek Park and improved significantly.

• Current Status: Oreo has splenic tumors; his abdomen is severely distended (described as resembling a dog carrying 8–10 puppies). He is scheduled for euthanasia the weekend of the session. Pennye noted he experiences some pain at times and receives anti-inflammatory support, but splenic disease limits what can be achieved biologically.

• Cognitive Note: Oreo is deaf, making it difficult to assess cognitive decline; he sometimes goes to the front door rather than the back door to go outside despite living in the home for over a year.

DIET, LONGEVITY, AND INTEGRATIVE PHILOSOPHY

The session closed with a broader discussion on why some senior pets live exceptionally long lives.

• Andra credited Plato's longevity largely to diet; Dr. Leanne Lipton originally referred her exclusively to Pennye's store (Big Bad Wolf) for food, which has been a cornerstone of Plato's care.

• Pennye noted that large-breed dogs historically lived 15–17 years but now often live only 6–7 years; she attributed the decline to diet quality, environmental pollutants, flame retardants, and cumulative household toxin exposure — factors that affect pets and humans equally.

• Pennye drew a parallel to her 91-year-old mother, who grew up on a Texas farm with a dairy operation, eating unprocessed, farm-sourced food (eggs, milk, chicken, orchard produce); Pennye linked this upbringing to her mother's cognitive sharpness and longevity, and cited it as a guiding influence in her nutritional philosophy for both humans and animals.

• For Cushing's disease specifically, Pennye referenced a separate client whose dog became stable and active after approximately 6 months on a diet-and-supplement protocol that included lignans and a home-cooked diet.

ACTION ITEMS

• Andra → Pennye: Email Plato's complete medication list to WoofPenny@WoofNutrition.com so Pennye can screen Herbsmith Wisdom, Thorne Vet Cognitive Support, and Animal Essentials Brain Awake for contraindications, and recommend the safest cognitive formula.

• Pennye → Andra: Once the medication list is received, advise on the safest cognitive supplement formula for Plato given his kidney disease, atypical Cushing's, and current medication regimen.

• Brenda: Create a Fullscript account via Woof Nutrition's dispensary link to access Pure Encapsulations melatonin (0.5 mg, $12.99) and other geriatric/cognitive support products.

• Brenda: Monitor Penny's response over the coming nights on the full combined protocol (Chinese herb + 1 mg melatonin at 7 p.m.); report updates to Pennye's nutrition circle forum.

• Brenda: Await B12 panel results from Dr. Medcroft's Tuesday visit; if Penny is deficient, begin B12 supplementation for both Penny and TJ.

• Andra (optional): Consider switching from CVS generic melatonin to Pure Encapsulations melatonin for potentially improved efficacy, given quality sourcing standards.

OPEN QUESTIONS

• Whether Penny's nighttime restlessness will fully resolve with the current protocol, or whether true cognitive decline is a contributing factor, is to be assessed over the next several weeks.

• Whether Plato's atypical Cushing's diagnosis is confirmed (described as suspected based on extensive testing, not definitively confirmed).

• Reliability of Plato's DNA test results — Andra noted the test indicated half pit bull, quarter coonhound, quarter mixed hound, but expressed skepticism about DNA test accuracy.