Smart Pet Nutrition
A BLOG ABOUT PET NUTRITION FROM A BOARD CERTIFIED VETERINARY NUTRITIONIST
Angela Witzel, DVM, PhD, DACVN
Pet nutrition is a passion I developed after finishing veterinary school at the University of Tennessee. After spending time in private practice, I soon realized I wanted to return to academics to pursue my love of teaching and research. While working on my PhD in feline diabetes and obesity, I discovered just how fascinating nutrition and its effects on health and disease were. I then combined a small animal nutrition residency program with my PhD studies. I am now Chief of the Clinical Nutrition Service at the University of Tennesee College of Veterinary Medicine and in addition to treating dogs and cats with nutrition-related disease, I also train veterinary students, interns, residents, and continue an active research program in pet obesity. I am also the proud mother of two human children, a formerly obese beagle named Mabel, and a geriatric diabetic cat named Millie.
Raj Naik, DVM
Originally from Maryland, I headed north for my undergraduate work at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. After graduation, I came back to warmer weather in Blacksburg, VA for veterinary school. I knew early on during my time at Virginia Tech that I wanted to pursue advanced training in nutrition and focused my efforts toward that goal. Following graduation from veterinary school, I completed an internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey to help hone my veterinary skills. My love of nutrition then brought me down to Knoxville to pursue specialty training in small animal nutrition. When I'm not studying, you will find me in my kitchen or hiking down one of Tennessee’s beautiful trails with my dog, Aspen.
Ashley Cox, BS, LVMT
I have always had a love of animals and nutrition. After graduating from Murray State with my bachelor's degree in Agriculture, I then became licensed as a veterinary medical technologist. I came to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine to work with their Veterinary Nutrition Service. While I may be young, my friends and family would describe me as an old soul. My hobbies include knitting, sewing, and spinning my own yarn. I also love being out in the country and hope to have my own farm someday.