Module 1

Course Overview

We start with a general overview on how to think about your pet’s health. Having a bird’s eye view of the big picture is important in understanding how to think about pet health. It’s about lifestyle, diet, exercise, and many other factors that are similar to how we thrive as humans.

Module 2

Feeding and Gut Health

We can quickly see the effects of foods on our pets. They have a short digestive tract compared to us and, as they get into foods they shouldn’t be eating, we see the aftermath. How and when to feed them becomes a key concern along with what we feed them. Dr. Franklin gets into the optimal diets for our pets in this module.

I’m finding a more meaningful purpose to my life. I’m healthier. I’m happier. I have more energy and clarity. The Urban Monk makes it simple enough so anyone can do it. Thank you!

Ana Avramovska
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Urban Monk

I’ve lost 22 pounds. I feel more alert, think clearer, and sleep better.

Rick Plourde
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Urban Monk

The Urban Monk helped me become more energetic, more engaged with life. This program is helping me grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually in ways I never thought I was capable of.

Carleen Rowan
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Urban Monk

I lost 40 pounds and have a better relationship with my wife. Thank you so much!

Ben Gregoire
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Urban Monk

I had just broken from a long term relationship and wanted to sew myself back together. The Urban Monk provided me with the tools and inspiration to gather my strength back and reclaim my dignity and happiness.

Pamela Wasabi
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Urban Monk

I used to struggle with motivation and sticking to my goals. The Urban Monk gave me the tools I needed to fix that. It’s been so valuable.

Donna Swanson
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Urban Monk

Module 3

Pet Immunization

Not all shots are created equal and some may save your pet’s life. In this module, Dr. Franklin talks about his personal experience with vaccines and how we may want to think about risk vs reward in our pets. Some bugs can kill our pets and other vaccines seem excessive. This is where we dive into that subject.

Module 4

Exercise, Inflammation and Joint Health

“Still water breeds poison” so our pets need to move to stay healthy. That said, with inflammatory foods and sedentary lifestyles, we’re seeing more inflammation and joint disease nowadays. Here, we discuss supplementation, exercise, and how to go about getting our pets the movement they need without the heavy toll on their joints.

Module 5

Blood Tests and Fecal Screenings

In this module, we take a deep dive into what labs are important and what we need to be wary of. Sure, you can test for lots of things and spend thousands of dollars, but here are the core tests that’ll get you there for the most part. Once you know what’s the baseline, you’ll have a better idea of what to ask your Vet when they’re recommending all sorts of other things.

Module 6

Senior Pet Care

Things change as our pets slow down and we need to adjust our approach in their latter years. You can still get lots of quality of life if you temper your approach with them. This includes diet, exercise, supplements, and other care. Shifting your approach is a key strategy in the later years. These animals can live much longer if we do our part.

Module 7

Oral Health

It turns out oral health is equally important in our pets- especially since with diets we now feed them are so different than their ancestral counterparts. With the lack of fiber, bone, gut bacteria, and a whole host of other ingredients they were getting, the softer foods and kibble we now provide stay on the teeth and rot. In this module, we dive into what to do about oral health in our pets.

Module 8

Skin Issues

Skin issues are becoming far too common in our pets. With food allergies and chemical sensitivities plaguing our world, our pets are not immune to this. We delve into how we can approach these issues and what to look for. More importantly, we discuss what to take out of their diets to help alleviate these conditions. The itching leads to biting and scratching which leads to sores and infections which bring lots of drama and cost. It’s best to avoid it altogether.

Module 9

Socializing Dogs and Cats

A healthy pet needs a healthy social life- dogs more than cats...but still. We need to understand how to socialize them so they live rich and happy lives. A depressed animal is not healthy. In this module, Dr. Franklin helps us navigate these waters. If we don’t address their social needs, we end up having behavioral problems that persist.

Module 10

Ticks and Fleas

Ticks and Fleas can be a big deal and bring nasty infections into our homes. Dogs and cats are susceptible to them so we need to know how to screen, prevent, and treat these invaders if they make it onto our pets. Once in the house, it’s a mess and hard to handle without toxic chemicals. Who wants that? Let’s avoid this issue altogether with a proactive approach.

Module 11

Overview and Review

In this module, Dr. Franklin does a tour of what we’ve learned and helps give us a rounded big picture of overall care. We wanted to reinforce the key learnings before jumping into the specifics of the remaining modules. There’s a lot of wisdom to glean from his sage advice.

Module 12

Sterilization

Spaying and neutering our pets is an essential part of being a pet owner in the modern world. There are too many animals in shelters and they get euthanized when nobody takes them. That’s uncool. We have a responsibility to control their populations and keep them healthy. Here, we discuss these challenges.

Module 13

Raw Food

Lots of people are feeding raw food to their pets but are messing up. Why? Because in nature, these predators would have eaten the whole animal- blood, guts, bones, fur, brains and all. It was a balanced diet with various types of tissue. That’s not the same as a side of beef which is only muscle tissue. In this module, we get into the pros and cons of this strategy and how to round out the food sources if we choose to go raw.

Module 14

Transmittable Diseases

Dogs and cats get sick and transmit diseases too. Here’s how to protect your pet from getting sick and what to do if they do get a nasty disease. From gut bugs to respiratory ailments and worms, there are lots of things to be mindful of. The better we are at avoiding these bugs, the more longevity and vitality we can assure our furry friends.

Module 15

Cleaning Dog Teeth

This module is great. My wife is a dentist and she’s been cleaning our dog’s teeth since they were pups. They simply relax and allow her to brush their teeth and even scale them. Dr. Franklin and my wife demonstrate how to do this on my dog Buster and they show what to look for in their mouths.

Module 16

A Dog Physical Exam

Dr. Franklin shows his typical exam of a dog in this module. It’s nice to have a seasoned Vet explain what he’s looking for and why he’s doing certain things. This way, you can do these routine exams here and there and watch for signs of disease, tumors, and other things. It’s not hard to do and can save you lots of grief if you find something early.

Module 17

Microchips

Microchips are helping us track lost dogs and getting them to their owners. We discuss the pros and cons of this new strategy and go over the list of uses they bring to the table. They are safe and painless for the most part and add a layer of comfort knowing that your pet can be found and traced back to you.

Module 18

A Veterinary Wish List

Here’s a list of the things Dr. Franklin wished his patients knew about their dog or cat. This includes oral care, examining the ears, skin issues and much more. If you want to be a good pet owner, these are the things you really need to be aware of so your pet isn’t suffering needlessly. In fact, you can save a life with this knowledge.

Module 19

Taking Dogs to the Park

It’s important for our pets to socialize but taking them to the park has a downside. They can get sick from other animals and bring home worms, coughs, ticks, fleas, and other things. Here’s some sage advice on how to go to the dog park and what to be mindful of when there.

Module 20

A Cat Physical Exam

In this module, Dr. Franklin examines “Pumpkin” - a big orange Tabby Cat. Here’s a brief exam of a cat that’ll help you know what to look for. When you’re cuddling with your cat, here’s a quick nose to tail exam that’ll help you find issues that can effectively save your pet’s life. Again, the key is to detect problems early. Here’s how.