AGeiger Companion Animal Nutrition

My passion for animals has been a lifelong journey that began at the age of 14, working at a dog boarding kennel and a veterinary clinic as a vet tech, despite not being formally certified at the time. These early experiences fueled my desire to pursue a career centered around animal care, leading me to enroll in the Animal Bioscience program at the University of Saskatchewan.

As I approached the end of my undergraduate studies, I started to question my initial plan of becoming a veterinarian. After some deep reflection and valuable conversations with my professors, I discovered my true passion: feeding animals and understanding the science behind their nutrition. This revelation led me to pursue a master’s degree in Toxicology and Companion Animal Nutrition at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

Upon graduating in 2019, I joined a small pet food startup at the time with just three employees and two fledgling diets. Over the span of 5 years, I played a key role in expanding and enhancing their line of fresh-cooked dog food, guiding it from initial concept, through formulation and manufacturing to successful launch. I also spearheaded their product expansion to treats, health supplements, doggy “protein bars”, prescription diets and holistic kibble.

Presently, I work as an independent pet nutrition consultant, collaborating one-on-one with industry leaders and pet owners to create new products and healthy solutions for cats and dogs. I am also currently partnered with another Canadian pet food company as their Director of Nutrition, where I spearhead the product development team. Through my work, I strive to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical, nutritious feeding options that promote the health and happiness of companion animals.