Episode 12

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Published on:

12th Sep 2025

12: How to Choose the Right Vet or Animal Hospital for Your Dog

In this episode of Tails and Tones, host Mariska Nell discusses the essential steps in choosing the right veterinarian for your dog. She shares her personal experiences and insights on what to consider, including the dog's specific needs, location, vet costs, emergency preparedness, and the importance of effective communication with your vet. The episode emphasizes the significance of trust and partnership in ensuring your pet's health and happiness.

Takeaways:

  • Choosing the right vet is crucial for your dog's health.
  • Research and recommendations are key in finding a vet.
  • Consider your dog's specific needs when selecting a vet.
  • Location and accessibility can impact your choice of vet.
  • Vet care can be expensive; know the costs upfront.
  • Emergency preparedness is vital for pet owners.
  • A good vet should communicate clearly and listen to concerns.
  • Trust and partnership with your vet are essential.
  • Always ask for estimates on veterinary services.
  • Your dog relies on you to be their voice.

Relevant links mentioned in the episode:

How to choose your vet - checklist

Where Tails meet hearts - 1510 Foundation (Meemaw's story)

Paw-lebrity of the Week - Leo (Dad Charles Leclerc, Mom Alexandra Malena Saint Mleux)

Timestamps to relevant points within the episode:

[00:00]- Choosing the Right Vet for Your Dog

[10:23]- Understanding Vet Costs and Insurance

[13:49]- Emergency Preparedness and Specialist Care

[17:44]- Where Tails meet hearts - 1510 Foundation (Meemaw's story)

[19:12]- Paw-lebrity of the Week - Leo (Dad Charles Leclerc, Mom Alexandra Malena Saint Mleux)

[23:16]- Recap and Key Takeaways

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About the Podcast

Tails and Tones
Helpful tips, heartwarming tails, and honest reviews for the busy pet parent.
Helpful tips, heart-warming tails, and honest reviews for the busy dog parent.



Being a dog mom is the best—but let’s be real, it can also be confusing, messy, and a little lonely sometimes. That’s why Tails & Tones exists.



Every Friday, host Mariska (fellow dog parent and dog-obsessed human) delivers short, soulful episodes filled with practical dog care tips, honest product reviews, heart-warming stories, and real-life advice for intentional, busy dog parents like you.



Listen on your favorite podcast app—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, or anywhere you tune in. You can also subscribe at https://tailsandtones.com/listen



If something in the show speaks to you—or you know a fellow dog parent who’d love it—please share it and leave a review on https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/tails-and-tones-6086657



Got questions or just want to say hi? I’m always around on Instagram @tailsandtones



Where every tail tells a story, and every tone speaks from the heart.



Podcast launch date 4 July



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About your host

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Mariska Nell

Mariska Nell is a podcast host, pet advocate, sustainability expert, and proud dog mom to her rescue French Bulldog, Piper—also known as the real boss of the house. With a background in design and environmental science, and a Master’s in Sustainable Design focused on the pet industry, Mariska brings heart, humor, and purpose to everything she creates.

She’s the founder and host of Tails and Tones, a soulful podcast for intentional pet parents, where she shares insights, stories, and reviews that help make pet care a little easier and a lot more joyful. She also hosts Mama Earth Talk, where she dives into sustainability topics with changemakers from around the world.

Whether she’s recording episodes, consulting on pet-focused sustainability projects, or out on a walk with Piper, Mariska is passionate about creating a better world—for pets, their people, and the planet.