How Breakaway Collars Could Save Your Dog’s Life with Hilda Castillo-Landrum
When it comes to keeping our dogs safe, collars are often the last thing pet parents question — but they can pose hidden dangers. This week on Your Natural Dog, Angela Ardolino is joined by Hilda Castillo-Landrum, founder of Fauna in the Foothills, pet boutique owner, blogger, and passionate advocate for dog breakaway collars. After a terrifying incident with her own Rottweiler, Cooper, Hilda discovered just how common collar strangulation accidents are — and why breakaway collars can truly be lifesaving. In this conversation, Angela and Hilda share their personal stories, explore the risks of traditional collars, and discuss how pet parents can protect their dogs with safer options.
Episode Recap:
- Hilda shares how her Rottweiler Cooper nearly lost his life when his heavy-duty collar got caught on a fence. (00:37)
- Why collar strangulation incidents happen more often than most pet parents realize, and how they can be fatal without warning. (05:12)
- How breakaway collars work, why they’re different from cat collars, and how Hilda designed hers for both safety and style. (08:48)
- The pros and cons of harnesses, martingale collars, and what pet parents should know about pressure on a dog’s neck. (12:55)
- 26,000 cases per year – The staggering number of collar strangulation incidents reported annually in the U.S., and why many more likely go unreported. (16:16)
- Common causes of collar strangulation in dogs, from catching on kennels, fences, and furniture to playing with other dogs, (19:36)
- How Hilda turned her painful experience into a mission to educate others and create safer, customizable breakaway collars. (21:19)
Episode Resources:
- Sign up for Angela’s tips & downloads at AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
- Learn more about Hilda & her breakaway collars at Fauna in the Foothills
- Follow Hilda, and Fauna in the Foothills on Instagram
- Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at Carter@yournaturaldog.com
- Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.com
Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook
About Angela Ardolino
Angela Ardolino, a certified cannabis and fungi clinician, brings over 20 years of expertise to the field of holistic pet wellness. As a graduate of the inaugural Medical Cannabis for Therapeutic Use program at the University of Vermont School of Medicine, she is a passionate advocate for safe, natural, and ethically-grown whole plant and fungi medicine tailored for pets.
Committed to the highest standards, Angela continues to educate and inspire pet parents through her popular podcast, Your Natural Dog, where she hosts experts to discuss holistic pet care, natural remedies, nutrition, and training. Follow Angela Ardolino on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated on her mission to educate and empower pet parents everywhere.
About Hilda Castillo-Landrum
Hilda Castillo-Landrum is a certified pet nutrition coach, pet massage therapist, and passionate animal advocate. She is the founder of Fauna in the Foothills, a heart-led hub for pet parents seeking safer, healthier products and resources. Inspired by her own dog Cooper’s traumatic collar accident, Hilda made it her mission to raise awareness about pet safety and now offers custom breakaway biothane collars designed to be both beautiful and life-saving. Backed by her expertise in holistic pet wellness and dedication to transparency, Hilda helps pet parents navigate a confusing marketplace with truth, trust, and integrity.