The Farmer's Dog, known for its human-grade dog food, has partnered with the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine to advance veterinary nutrition training. This initiative includes a financial commitment to fund a Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Residency Position, marking the company's second sponsorship of a university residency program.
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Jonathan Regev, co-founder and CEO of The Farmer's Dog, emphasized the importance of veterinarians in their mission. He stated, "We believe advancing canine health starts with investing in the people and research that moves the field forward. By sponsoring this residency program with a top-tier institution like the University of Georgia, we're investing in the next generation of veterinary nutrition specialists while advancing our understanding of how real food can help dogs live longer, healthier lives."
The residency is a three-year program focused on small animal clinical nutrition, led by seasoned faculty including Dr. Jackie Parr and Dr. Joseph Bartges. It offers graduate veterinarians advanced education and research experience, equipping them to achieve board certification as a Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM).
Dr. Parr remarked on the critical need for such residencies, noting, "Veterinary clinical nutrition residencies remain critically scarce, which makes philanthropic support like this essential to growing the next generation of Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists®." She highlighted that this program will achieve the milestone of having three residents training simultaneously for the first time.
This initiative aligns with The Farmer's Dog's broader investment in veterinary education and nutrition science. The company has collaborated with various institutions to support residency programs and research in areas concerning canine health, including healthy aging and metabolism. Previous research indicated that dogs fed with The Farmer's Dog products exhibited improvements in metabolic health markers, supporting the idea that minimally processed food enhances overall health.
Dr. Lisa K. Nolan, Dean of the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine, praised the partnership, stating, "The Farmer's Dog's sponsorship of a three-year Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Residency Program represents a meaningful investment in the future of veterinary medicine and the development of highly trained specialists who will advance evidence-based nutritional care for companion animals."
The Farmer's Dog has served over 1 billion meals and continues to invest in research and training to promote nutrition's role in supporting canine health and well-being.