Dog Food (Canine Diet and Nutrition)/Expert Profile

Expertise

I offer qualified and comprehensive expertise, based on both extensive experience as a professional canine nutrition consultant to local veterinary clinics, breeders, natural food stores and individual dog lovers, as well as formal training (I currently hold a diploma in canine nutrition and am pursuing a Master's degree at this time). My background in dogs spans fifty years and my approach to nutrition emphasizes a reasonable balance between cutting-edge, holistic science, and conventional research and wisdom. I'm happy to discuss anything related to canine nutrition, including commercial diet, formulating a home prepared raw or cooked diet, diet for health conditions and life stages, pros and cons of raw feeding, performance nutrition, behaviour, supplementation,using herbs safely/ effectively, nutrient requirements, food sources and safety. Please check my website www.thepossiblecanine.com for a full biography and much more information on my training, experience, and results.

Experience in the area

I've worked with dogs in various capacities since the 1970's, when I was a veterinary assistant for my father's practise and involved in conformation with various breeds. Since then I have studied nutrition informally and formally with an emphasis on canine studies.I have been working as a canine nutrition consultant for eight years professionally; I take referrals from several local veterinary clinics, working mainly with health conditions such as IBD, cancer, kidney disease and uroliths. I also present seminars,have guested on a local radio show, appeared on local television,and I teach certificate programmes in nutrition, dietary formulation and herbalism.

Organizations

Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Eastern Canada

Publications

The Bark, September 2007 forthcoming DogFancy, March 2008 Regular columnist for local periodicals The Ridgeback Roster and Ottawa Natural Pets newsletter

Education/Credentials

Recently completed a three year Diploma in Canine Nutrition from a local online college. Currently enrolled in prerequisite program for Masters in Human Nutrition at an accredited university, and completing a two year program in Herbalism at Dominion College. Certificate in Herbalism from Australasian College of Natural Health

Past/Present Clients

caseload is in the high hundreds, far too numerous to list

What do you like about this subject?

This topic utterly fascinates me. But what I enjoy the most is helping to educate others, who can pass on what they've learned to their own dogs. I love seeing positive changes and watching dogs improve as their diets are upgraded - definitely my favorite part of the job.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I intend to keep on learning and studying for as long as I can.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Formal training and experience in this field - not in breeding or training - is what you need to consider when looking for an "expert". Cheap "chows" are responsible for more canine health problems than you may realize, and nutrition is both complex, evolving, and individual. Consultants should possess both formal nutrition credentials and extensive, documented experience in the field.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

There is no such thing as one optimal diet for all dogs. All foods and methods of feeding have strengths and weaknesses. The trick is to always supply appropriate nutrition for the individual dog, and use the type of foods that best suit his or her needs. Dogs do well or badly according to the correctness of the formula for the physiology of the individual.