Helping You Get to The Root of Your Dog's Behavior or Health Concerns Through Biologically Appropriate Nutrition

There are many different types of diets out there - and the pet food industry is a multi-billion dollar industry!  So how do you navigate the endless barrage of options and decide which is an appropriate diet for your dog?  And when might you want to consider a change from what you are currently feeding to something that has the potential to alleviate behavioral issues such as anxiety or reactivity, or health issues such as allergies, arthritis, obesity, even the dreaded "c-word" cancer?

​First, I'd like to share a very personal story...
I began my journey into studying nutrition in 2018.  While I was not a stranger to good nutrition or how it works (my husband is a healthcare provider who discusses nutrition with his patients, and as a canine behaviorist I understood that nutrition affects behavior), but what really prompted me to dive deeper was when my then 8-year-old corgi, Scout, developed a lipoma that grew to the size of my palm.  He was active - we walked daily, frequently went on hikes and outings around town - and was not overweight.  I had been feeding him what I thought was a decent quality kibble for his entire life - I even switched brands every few years - and I paid attention to what kind of treats I gave to him.  ​Yet all these mutated cells started building up in his body, creating this lump that grew so big it was affecting his range of motion (since it was right behind his armpit). 
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My smiley boy, Scout!
I eventually decided to have the lipoma surgically removed, since it wasn't going to get smaller.  After the surgery, Scout's incision healed but he started developing skin issues (which he had never had before).  Frequent overflows of yeast and bacteria created red splotches and resulted in frequent itching and hair loss.  We went through the requisite treatment options from our wonderful vet - cycles of antibiotics and steroids, antifungal shampoos, even a prescription for Apoquel, but nothing worked to keep the infections at bay.  This is when I started reading and taking classes on more natural remedies and I kept coming across the role that nutrition played on the gut microbiome and, therefore, the immune system.
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Recovering from surgery
I was willing to try anything to help my boy.  I played around with some different food options and decided to make his food from scratch so I could completely control the ingredients and supplementation.  This is when I started pursuing my certification as a canine nutritionist.  At that point, it was unfortunately already too late.  Sadly, in January 2022, Scout was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, an incurable cancer of the blood vessels, after finding a large mass on his spleen.  I took a hiatus from my studies for a little while, as my free time was spent to take care of him and give him the best quality of life for whatever time we had left together.  After he passed away a few months later, I was beyond heartbroken.  But Scout did something before he passed away... on one of his last days, he laid down in my office with his chin on my nutrition textbook, which he had never done before.  I knew he was trying to tell me something!  He wanted me to pursue becoming a nutritionist so I could help other dogs live their happiest and healthiest lives.  So in early 2024, I finally earned my CPCN as a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist in his honor.
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My precious boy on his last day here on Earth
It is my passionate goal to educate dog parents and to help them select the kind of diet that will be most supportive of their loving companion, so that their friends can live long, happy and healthier lives and spend as much quality time here with us as they can.   I always thought I would have plenty of time left with Scout, until I didn't.  If I knew back then when he was younger, what I know now about nutrition and supporting his microbiome and immune system, I would have made some different choices for him.  So if your dog is dealing with a health or behavior issue and you want to help support him from the inside out - or, better yet, if you'd like to try to get ahead of a potential issue before it develops - please contact me.  Let's work together to help your dog be at his best.
Picking healthier food and treats for your dog does not mean it has to be super expensive or take up as many hours as a part-time job.  It just means making smarter choices, figuring out how to feed the best quality you can with what you can afford, and understanding the basics of how nutrition works (I've already done most of that legwork for you!).  There can be a lot to know about nutrition, so I want to make it as simple as possible for my clients to feel comfortable selecting a diet that will work for their dog and their dog's particular needs.
IF you want to feed your dog a healthier, less processed diet from those in all the big box stores but don't know where to start...

IF you feel frustrated and stuck because your dog has been suffering with environmental allergies, food allergies, hotspots or other skin issues, and you are tired of the cycle of allergy shots and medications because the issue just keeps coming back...

IF your dog is hyper or anxious all the time and you can't seem to get him/her to relax...

IF your dog is having a reactivity issue, showing aggression towards people or other dogs, or always seems "on edge"...

IF your dog is a picky eater and you have tried bag upon bag of dog food that s/he refuses to eat...

IF your dog is carrying a few extra pounds and isn't losing weight, even on a prescribed "diet food"...

IF arthritis has reared its ugly head and your dog has a hard time getting around or seems depressed...

IF you've been making your dog's food on your own but are concerned about it containing all the necessary nutritional components to be complete and balanced...

I AM HERE TO HELP!!