By Lindsey Oechsle
TVMA member and Plano veterinarian, Dr. Shawn Messonnier, has been writing for Martha Stewart’s publication Body+Soul for several years. About three years ago, Stewart decided to begin a talk radio show on Sirius satellite radio, and producers asked Body+Soul contributors to extend their column to an on-air segment. This is how Messonnier’s column, “The Natural Vet,” which talks about using an integrative natural holistic approach to pet care became a multi-media success. The radio show is an award-winning triumph, named last year as “Best Pet Radio Show,”—a triumph which he humbly describes as “pretty neat.”
Stewart recently invited Messonnier, along with the four other pet show radio hosts on the network, to join her for two spots on her TV show. Taped in January, the hosts took questions from an audience of about 200 people who were given free copies of Dr. Messonnier’s award-winning book, The Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats. This broadcast was a chance for Stewart—described by Messonnier as “very much of a pet lover,”—to introduce the people who are behind the scenes on her radio show, specifically the different pet hosts on her Sirius satellite channel.
Messonnier’s hour-long radio show, “Dr. Shawn, The Natural Vet ” airs live every Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. central time. It’s a call-in show, driven by the callers, who Dr. Shawn attempts to help solve their pet problems. He occasionally has other guests on the show and has had other TVMA members on the show who have specialties in areas such as surgery or dermatology. Dr. Darryl McDonald, Dr. Reid Garfield and Dr. Kevin Hahn are three such guests.
“Dr. Shawn The Natural Vet” focuses on pet care as well as people care, because it talks about keeping everyone in the family healthy by using a more preventive and natural approach to disease. Topics of discussion often include diet, supplements, and when drugs are necessary, how to properly integrate those conventional therapies into an entire holistic health care approach.
“It’s really fun, it’s really popular, we get a lot of callers and it’s one of only a couple shows on the radio that are focused on a natural approach to pet care.”
I was able to chat with Dr. Messonnier recently about his upcoming television debut and all of his award-winning endeavors. He’s a kind, compassionate conversationalist, with a great media presence. I may not have been his typical caller with questions about pet care, but I had my own agenda for Dr. Shawn The Natural Vet.
TVMA: Public relations efforts and media involvement are big initiatives that we’re trying to work on. How would you describe the impact and importance of working with the media in promoting responsible pet ownership?
Dr. Messonnier: Well, I think it’s really important because pet owners need to get good information, and the media can be a great way to provide that, especially if the media will focus on and interview veterinarians who have a degree with credibility behind their names. There is so much that you see and hear on television and the radio, and of course the internet now, that’s just a lot of garbage. There are people that may have the best intentions, but don’t have the training that veterinarians do. I think it’s important that veterinarians take a lead in promoting proper health care.
TVMA: With your radio show, and regular column, we—as a representative of the veterinary profession in Texas—very much appreciate what you are doing. What advice do you have for other veterinarians as far as a media presence and a public message?
Dr. Messonnier: Keep a positive message and talk about the importance of going to the doctor. I look at everything that’s brought up as a starting point to discuss things with your doctor. A good veterinarian will be open-minded to talking about things—even things they don’t understand or do. Now, I can’t do everything, and I refer people to other specialists in town, but at least we have a discussion point. I tell callers to visit their doctors and talk about these things to get more information. I think that’s a very positive way to look at the media opportunity.
Visit www.MarthaStewart.com to get information about TV shows, radio shows and publications. Dr. Messonnier’s column, “The Natural Vet,” can be found every month in Body+Soul. Tune in to channel 112 on Sirius Radio every Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. central time to hear “Dr. Shawn The Natural Vet.” Check your local listings to see Dr. Messonnier on the Martha Stewart Show April 15.
