Speakers-Pet Professional Symposium

Time SlotTopicSpeakerDescription of Program
09:00-10:30Emerging Ingredients – Health and Sustainability Panel

Dr. Ben Bohrer
BS, MS, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Canada



Dr. Anna-Kate Shoveller
BSc, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Canada



Dr. Tammy Owens
BA, DVM, Dip. ACVN
Assistant Professor
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary University of Saskatchewan, Canada
This panel consists of three experts in the field who will each present 20 minutes of their focus on pet food sustainability and its relation to sustainable human food supply. Audience will be invited to participate with Q&A.
10:30-11:00 BREAK
11:00-11:45Nutrition 101: The nuts and bolts of feline and canine nutrition

Dr. Anna Kate Shoveller
BSc, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Canada
This talk will summarize foundational nutrition principles to better understand pet food formulations. Shoveller will focus on energy, fat, protein and carbohydrates and review concepts such as digestibility and nutrient density of the food.
11:45-12:30Alternative Diets



Dr. Caitlin Grant
DVM, DVSc Cand., Res. ECVCN
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada
Alternative diets are more than just raw food diets. What are the perceived benefits of alternative diets and what are the risks that you should know about? This talk will review the various alternative diet options that owners may choose to feed their pets and will provide tips on how to have a conversation with pet owners about their choices to feed these diets.
12:30-1:30BREAK
1:30-3:00Pet Food Labels Workshop

Kelly Gredner, RVT, VTS (Nutrition)
Roncy Village Veterinary Clinic
Toronto, Ontario, Canada



Robin Saar, RVT, VTS (Nutrition)
RAS 4 Pets
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
This workshop will be providing a hands-on approach to understanding pet food labels found on commercially available dog and cat foods. From the front of a bag, to the sides of a can, they will cover all you need to know to understand what you are reading. Topics covered will include ingredient lists, ingredient definitions, legal requirements, feeding guidelines, and more! Be prepared with your pet’s food so we can dissect the labels and answer all your very important questions.
3:00-3:30BREAK
3:30-4:15The Art of Making Pet Food

Vicky Ograin,
MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition)
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Topeka, KS, USA
This virtual tour will show how pet food is formulated and manufactured. There are multiple steps in formulating and producing a complete and balanced food. Quality, safety and sustainability are important considerations in manufacturing dog and cat food.