A Better Mushroom Extract for Pets
I’m Angela Ardolino, I’m a certified cannabis and fungi formulator, practitioner and educator and graduate of the UVM inaugural class of Medical Cannabis for Therapeutic Use.
My education and experience with fungi began in 2016 when I started using them as medicine, mostly on my rescue farm where I rescued dogs and farm animals. I helped them holistically using food, cannabis, fungi and other herbs to heal them from everything from anxiety and allergies to seizures to cancer.
At the time I got my knowledge from books on holistic medicine, as well as some of my favorite holistics like Ihor Basko, and Barbara Fougere. At the time I was using the best mushroom product for pets on the market, which was Real Mushroom powdered extracts.
But then my own dog Nina was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, and I needed to start giving her a therapeutic dose of mushrooms from Real Mushrooms. I quickly realized I had to use 5-6 capsules, or up to a third of a bag of powdered mushroom extracts in her food. All that powder in her food every day just turned her meal into mud, and oftentimes she refused it. I couldn’t afford to have my sick dog refusing her food because of her mushroom supplement.
The more I investigated, the more I knew there could be a better mushroom extract for my dogs.
What I wanted in a Mushroom Extract for Dogs:
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NO POWDERS – Mushrooms are 85% water and that a liquid tonic would be much more bioavailable than the powder.
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SOURCING – I wanted mushrooms grown in the U.S., instead of overseas. I wanted them to be grown and sourced in nature, and wild harvested at their peak time.
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MANUFACTURING – I wanted a myco-alchemist who understands botany and ancient extraction methods to create the most powerful, pure, synergistic formulas.
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INGREDIENTS – I wanted NO fillers, flavors, or any ingredients that could cause harm to animals.
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SYNERGY – I knew that combining several medicinal mushrooms and adaptogens make it more powerful and synergistic.
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DOSING – I wanted to be able to deliver a therapeutic dose that was found to work in research, in a manageable dropper dosage.
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PRESERVATION – Powders can begin to clump or oxidize the moment you open them. Oftentimes my powders and capsules would turn into hard blocks in the Florida humidity. I wanted an extract preserved in organic vegetable glycerin.
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SUBSTRATE – Most importantly I wanted fungi grown in their natural environment, grown on the natural wood, logs, and decaying matter they’re found on in nature.
SO that’s what I found!
And now I’m using the most potent fungi tonics! What I didn’t realize is that when you make it your mission to find the very best natural medicine on the market, you’re going to also make a lot of enemies. I never thought I’d receive the push back I have, but that’s what happens when you find better mushroom products for dogs, and not for profit.
Angela, behind the scenes, learning about mushroom extractions
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 her website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated on her mission to educate and empower pet parents everywhere.