Over the summer, I had the exciting opportunity to intern at Petcurean Pet Nutrition through the Mitacs Accelerate program, and I would like to briefly share the invaluable experiences and insights I gained during this journey.
The internship kicked off with training sessions led by Petcurean’s nutrition team which covered a wide range of topics, including pet food manufacturing, formulation, labelling, and quality assurance. During these sessions, we engaged in discussions that shed light on the behind-the-scenes processes necessary to develop pet food. The session on product formulation was especially captivating, as it exposed me to the challenges and real-world considerations of creating commercial pet food. To complement the training, we also toured the Elmira Pet Products plant, where I witnessed kibble production in action. These experiences helped me develop a deeper appreciation of the complexities linked to pet food manufacturing and underscored the extensive teamwork needed across various departments and disciplines to bring pet food to the market.
The highlight of this internship was visiting the head office in Chilliwack, BC, where I was invited to join in on the celebration of their 25th anniversary. Our trip began with an interview featuring the nutrition manager, Natalie Williams, about National Dog Month. Natalie shared various ideas on how pet parents can prepare and celebrate with their dogs, whether by spending time outdoors or crafting homemade toys for playtime. The visit was also a great chance to connect with members of other departments and get a sneak peek into the day-to-day activities of the nutrition team.
On the day of the celebration, we started with a volunteering event to support local First Nations communities in restoring salmon habitats along the Chilliwack riverbank. The construction of a roadway near the river disrupted its ecosystem, causing a decline in the salmon population. Our task was to help revive biodiversity by planting trees, installing birdhouses, and preparing the soil to support new plant life. This activity gave me the opportunity to think about the importance of promoting sustainable practices and community-driven environmental restoration efforts, as well as how pet food manufacturers can contribute to these initiatives. The day wrapped up with lunch at the office, where the team reflected on their progress and accomplishments since their inception.
Overall, this internship has been a remarkable learning journey that significantly advanced my knowledge in the pet food industry. I would like to thank Petcurean Pet Nutrition for the warm welcome to their office, and the nutrition team for their time and effort in guiding me through those learning experiences. As I conclude my reflection, I also want to give a special shoutout to Murphy, Petcurean’s office dog. His energetic and playful personality was a constant source of joy to those around him!
Written by: Panagiotis (Panos) Balousis, MSc Student
Reviewed by: Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, DVM, PhD, Dip ECVCN, Associate Professor and Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Endowed Chair in Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition