Introduction
Nutrition is a fundamental component of veterinary medicine, and has a profound impact on how animals grow, heal, and thrive. That is why I feel incredibly fortunate to be pursuing advanced training as a Doctor of Veterinary Sciences (DVSc) student and Resident for the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN) at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). This program integrates research, clinical work, patient care, and teaching opportunities, all of which allow me to expand my knowledge while contributing to the improved well-being of animals through evidence-based nutrition. I have learned so much throughout my first year in this program, and am continually impressed by how the right dietary changes can meaningfully improve a patient’s health and quality of life.
From General Practice to Nutrition Specialty
During my time in general practice, nutrition did not always receive the same level of attention as surgery or medical interventions. However, I witnessed time and time again how nutritional adjustments could dramatically change a patient’s health, whether it be supporting a dog’s weight loss journey, helping a cat with bladder stones, managing chronic enteropathies or restoring strength after illness.
For me, these moments reaffirmed that nutrition isn’t just an adjunct to treatment; it’s a cornerstone of care. This curiosity eventually led me back to OVC to pursue advanced training through the DVSc program and Veterinary Nutrition Residency. In this program, I am now able to focus on combining nutrition with clinical work, research, and teaching to deepen my understanding of how nutrition supports the health of pets across a range of conditions.
Life as a Nutrition Resident
The DVSc and Veterinary Nutrition Residency is a dynamic, interdisciplinary program that bridges clinical training with academic research. My time is divided between:
- Clinical nutrition consultations: We work with referred patients who have complex dietary needs. This involves evaluating medical histories, reviewing current diets, and developing practical feeding plans; sometimes we must formulate a home-cooked recipe specifically tailored to that individual patient or assist in making individualized plans for patients with feeding tubes.
- Teaching and mentorship: I also get to guide and support student veterinarians in applying nutrition concepts in both hospitalized and outpatient cases. It’s rewarding to see their confidence grow as they connect theory with real-world outcomes. Ido my best to create an environment where questions and curiosity are encouraged, helping students build both knowledge and clinical judgment.
- Research and writing: My research primarily focuses on supporting the health of overweight cats during weight loss. However I also engage in case-based research and various writing projects related to clinical nutrition. Through this work, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for critical analysis and its role in interpreting data, challenging assumptions, and refining clinical decision-making.
Challenges, Growth, and Lessons
Balancing the demands of clinical consultations, research projects, and teaching responsibilities is no small task. Some weeks are especially busy, filled with consults, deadlines, and new learning curves. Yet, these challenges have taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of teamwork. I also get to regularly collaborate with the rest of the team and colleagues to decide on the best next steps for each patient, and hearing everyone’s opinions is extremely valuable. I’ve also learned that progress in research and clinical care isn’t always straightforward and sometimes unexpected results lead to the most valuable insights.
Another challenge is that as more pet parents recognize nutrition’s role in their pets’ health, the need for providing accessible and reliable information is a growing priority. With so much content available online, it can be difficult for pet owners to separate evidence-based guidance from misinformation.
Looking Ahead
As I work toward becoming a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, my goal is to help bridge the gap between scientific research and everyday clinical practice as well as to make trustworthy, evidence-based nutrition advice more accessible to both veterinarians and pet owners.
Dr. Laura Teeger is the recipient of an OVC DVSc scholarship generously supported by Royal Canin Canada.
Dr. Laura Teeger, DVM, CVA
DVSc student (Clinical Studies) and ECVCN Resident at OVC (supported by Royal Canin)