115. Hope for CCD: Findings from the Senior Dog Study with Dr. Joel Ehrenzweig

In this episode of Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino, Angela and Carter sit down with Dr. Joel Ehrenzweig, veterinarian, researcher, and founder of Veterinary Health Research Centers — to talk about the groundbreaking Senior Dog Study they’ve been running together for the past year. Dr. Ehrenzweig shares why he shifted from a strictly pharmaceutical approach to fully embracing natural medicine late in his career. Angela, Carter and Dr. Ehrenzweig discuss how the Senior Dog Study is helping to validate what holistic practitioners have known for years: that functional mushrooms and natural adaptogens can potentially make a real difference in cognitive health, quality of life, and emotional connection for senior dogs.If you have an aging pup and have ever been told “there’s nothing we can do,” this episode will give you hope, real data, and real-life stories showing that there are options. Learn more about the Senior Dog Study. Episode RecapLaunching the Senior Dog Study – Carter shares how they recruited a diverse group of senior dogs experiencing cognitive decline—many from families who believed they had no options left—then tracked behavior, activity, and sleep to build a data-backed picture of progress over the course of the study. (00:31)Validating Centuries of Natural Medicine – Angela shares how rescuing senior dogs inspired her to prove that natural approaches—real food, hemp, mushrooms, and adaptogens—can help aging pets thrive without relying on pharmaceutical “longevity drugs.” Dr. Ehrenzweig reflects on his shift from a strictly pharmaceutical mindset, describing how client feedback opened his eyes to alternative options and why he was intrigued to join this groundbreaking study. (02:46)Rethinking Canine Cognitive Decline – Dr. Ehrenzweig explains why a CCD diagnosis shouldn’t be seen as “the end” for senior dogs, noting that it develops gradually and shares many similarities with human dementia and Alzheimer’s. He describes the challenge of studying such a complex condition and the promise of finding better options beyond pharmaceuticals. Dr. Joel expresses hope that demonstrating improvement in dogs could pave the way for better, more natural options for humans facing cognitive decline in the future. (08:10)The Power of Whole-Plant Medicine & Synergy – Angela shares why her mission is to create pure, whole-plant and mushroom formulas rather than isolated compounds, emphasizing that nature’s ingredients work best together. Combining adaptogens like Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Ashwagandha, and Bacopa Monnieri creates a synergistic effect—targeting multiple aspects of cognitive decline and delivering the results seen in the Senior Dog Study. (11:55)Measuring the Impact of Mushrooms & Adaptogens on CCD – Carter explains how the synergistic blend of Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Ashwagandha, and Bacopa Monnieri for dogs was designed to address multiple aspects of cognitive decline, from calming the nervous system to supporting neuroprotection and brain oxygenation. To capture these effects, the team used detailed questionnaires and scoring systems to track behaviors like nighttime waking, disorientation, and social engagement—finding that while every dog’s response is different, the combination consistently improved quality of life across a wide range of cases.(14:44)Recognizing the First Signs of CCD – Dr. Joel explains that one of the earliest and most telling signs of canine cognitive decline is a shift in sleep patterns—dogs sleeping more during the day, then pacing or appearing restless at night. With wearable collars, pet parents, and researchers, can now track movement and sleep 24/7, giving an objective view of these changes. (20:01)Real-Life Transformations from Mushrooms & Adaptogens – Angela shares moving stories of senior dogs who were scheduled for euthanasia but experienced dramatic turnarounds after starting on these mushrooms & adaptogens—regaining mobility, focus, and connection with their families in just days. Dr. Joel, a seasoned veterinary researcher with over 15 years of experience, admits he had never seen natural ingredients work this quickly and effectively, reinforcing just how extraordinary these study results have been. (26:22)Beyond Anecdotes, Real Evidence from the Senior Dog Study – Carter and Dr. Joel emphasize that the Senior Dog Study is more than just testimonials. By combining real-time collar data that tracks sleep, wake cycles, and activity with caregiver questionnaires and even blood biomarkers like BDNF and CRP, they’ve created an objective, data-backed picture of how dogs are responding. Dr. Joel notes that even when improvements vary, simply slowing decline can be a meaningful win for families — and in many cases, the results are dramatic, with dogs showing better engagement, calmer behavior, and restored quality of life. (32:42)Episode Resources:The Study: Prospective Evaluation of a Mushroom Derived Nutraceutical in Dogs with Cognitive DeclineLearn more about the Senior Dog StudyWant to be a part of the Senior Dog Study? More on Mushrooms & Adaptogens for Canine Cognitive DysfunctionVeterinary Health Research CentersDownload Angela’s Resources at AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloadsHave a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.comFollow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook or join our CBD & Holistic Pet Advice Facebook Group.