, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Christopher Pinard, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM (Oncology), to chat about all things artificial intelligence (AI) in veterinary medicine. Throughout the episode, Pinard and Christman explore the benefits of AI in the veterinary industry, including how it can revolutionize veterinary practices for patients and staff, Pinard's journey into the world of AI, and more on his life as the CEO and cofounder of ANI.ML Health Inc. 

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity.

: So, you're a veterinary oncologist; tell us and the listeners a little bit about your background and how you got into...veterinary oncology, and then how that translated a little bit over into the AI space.

Christopher Pinard, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM (Oncology): 

I'm a [professor at the] University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College—born and bred right from the beginning. I actually did my undergrad there, my DVM there, and then I went to Colorado State University for a clinical trial specialty internship and did a lot of work with the team there, working with some of the human hospitals as well, looking at a lot of translational oncology, which was super fun. 

Honestly, what got me into oncology in the first place is really my wife and I. Our own dog developed cancer, and that really piqued my interest during my second year of veterinary school... I've been full tilt ever since. So I went back to the University of Guelph for my residency [and] worked with Dr Sam Hawker as my adviser, and Dr Paul Woods. We...all worked on this idea of immuno-oncology, or how the immune system interacts with tumors. 

Then I had this great opportunity after meeting a few colleagues in the area, here in Toronto, which has really become a big AI hot spot, at least in the Canadian realm, at Sunnybrook Research Institute, which is a human hospital and a subsidiary of the University of Toronto. I got to do a postdoctoral fellowship looking at AI and women with breast cancer, and we wrote a paper on some translational approaches back into the veterinary space and vice versa. So again, how veterinary medicine can be this innovative space to iterate [and] develop not only drugs but [also] now AI technologies and translate back to humans, and how we're going to be able to do that in the future. That really started everything in terms of my entire research program, as well as the projects that we're working on. And then now the company that we've started as well, which is heavily focused on research as well in the AI space, the veterinary AI space specifically.

Podcasts

Do you have AI literacy? If not, Christopher Pinard, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM (Oncology), and Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, are here to educate you on the power of AI in veterinary medicine.

AI literacy for veterinarians: Why staying informed matters

Royal Canin is expanding its manufacturing capacity with a new, $450-million factory in Lewisburg, Ohio. The 450,000 sq ft facility is expected to produce dry pet food that can feed 4 million cats and dogs annually.

According to Daryn Brown, regional president at Royal Canin North America, the new factory reflects pet nutrition industry growth as well as evolving needs for pets and their owners. "We're proud to expand and scale our capabilities to provide tailored nutrition to our North American market and continue expanding our presence within Lewisburg and Preble County,” Brown said in a news release.

Using standardized systems and process designs, the new facility is able to replicate the precise nutrition in Royal Canin’s products. As the largest dry pet food manufacturing facility for Royal Canin, the site has the capability to fully produce the brand’s regional dry kibble portfolio.

“Over the last 5 years, we invested over $6 billion in the US, and we plan to continue to grow our ability to supply the domestic market. The Royal Canin facility in Lewisburg provides an important opportunity to further Mars science-based innovation while supporting a community of people and pets that has long been a part of the Mars family," Poul Weihrauch, CEO of Mars, Incorporated, Royal Canin's parent company, said in a news release.

The facility has also earned a Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, according to Mars.

 The achievement reflects the company’s global sustainability initiative, which includes the use of renewable electricity through a company-funded wind farm in Illinois.

“We have been able to source renewable electricity for our 2000 pet hospitals across the US, and that's including Banfield, BluePearl, and VCA [networks]. They are all now sourcing clean, renewable electricity, and that's helped to reduce a good portion of our greenhouse gas emissions. We've brought online all of our Linnaeus clinics in the UK with renewable electricity as well,” Margo Mosher, global head of sustainability for Mars Veterinary Health, said in a 

 interview at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida.

Mars currently employs more than 70,000 associates in factories, veterinary clinics, laboratories, and offices across the US. The new manufacturing facility in Ohio is expected to create up to 270 more full-time jobs over a 5-year period. According to Weihrauch, the investment represents a milestone for Mars in its commitment to US-based manufacturing.

"The decision by Royal Canin and parent company Mars to locate in Ohio represents a significant vote of confidence in Ohio's business environment, our talented, highly trained workforce, and our outstanding quality of life," Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said in a news release.

 "We are pleased that Royal Canin is locating in Lewisburg, and we look forward to partnering with them as they succeed in Ohio, the heart of it all."

Mars builds on long-term US investment with the opening of new $450 million Royal Canin facility in Ohio. News release. Mars, Incorporated. May 14, 2025. Accessed May 14, 2025. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mars-builds-on-long-term-us-investment-with-the-opening-of-new-450-million-royal-canin-facility-in-ohio-302454689.html

Coppock K, Mosher M. Powering veterinary medicine with renewable electricity. 

. April 18, 2025. Accessed May 14, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/powering-veterinary-medicine-with-renewable-energy

Articles

The facility is a $450-million investment for parent company Mars, Incorporated.

New factory expands pet food manufacturing for Royal Canin 

Randy and Giselle Winters of Deerfield Beach, Florida, obtained some reef fish from the Bahamas and decided to grill it for their family. The duo feeds Love Bug, their 6-lb Chihuahua, and Honey Bear, their older Pekingese, a mostly fresh-food diet, such as chicken, rice, and potatoes. To them, the fish scraps were a special treat for the 2 dogs. However, the fish that the Winters prepared was contaminated with ciguatoxin, which causes ciguatera poisoning.

According to a release from Pet Poison Helpline, ciguatoxin is a neurotoxin that alters nervous system function. The toxin is produced by dinoflagellates, marine algae that grow in and around coral reefs. Smaller fish ingest these algae, which are then eaten by larger, commercially important species such as grouper and snapper. Ciguatoxin is harmless to fish but poisonous to people and their pets.

Love Bug in the oxygen box after ingesting reef fish contaminated with ciguatoxin (image courtesy of Pet Poison Helpline)

"Pets are severely impacted by ingesting ciguatoxin," Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior veterinary toxicologist and director of veterinary medicine at Pet Poison Helpline, said in the organizational release. "If humans eat fish contaminated with ciguatoxin, it can affect their digestive and nervous systems and, in severe cases, their cardiovascular system."

Ashley Brown, PharmD, CSPI, senior clinical toxicologist and manager of clinical toxicology for SafetyCall (human side), explained that it is impossible to determine whether a fish is contaminated because ciguatoxin does not change the fish’s appearance, odor, or taste. It can affect people whether the fish is fresh or previously frozen, and it is heat-stable, meaning cooking does not destroy the toxin.

Once everyone ate the contaminated fish, they began exhibiting symptoms including loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. The human family members went to the emergency department for treatment, and the dogs were taken to BluePearl Pet Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after they continued to show symptoms.

"Although ciguatera poisoning isn't typically fatal in humans, anyone who has ingested the toxin should seek emergency care immediately to prevent serious complications," Schmid said. "Because of their small size, Love Bug and Honey Bear were impacted far more severely. In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, they became lethargic; Love Bug was unable to stand, [was] disoriented, and exhibited labored breathing."

Love Bug and Honey Bear both received intravenous fluids and antibiotics and were kept overnight for observation. Because of her smaller size, Love Bug’s reaction was more severe, so she was placed in an oxygen chamber and given specific medications to address neurologic signs. She remained hospitalized for several additional days. When both pets returned home, they required continued nursing care until their symptoms fully resolved.

"Their loss of appetite was so severe that we had to feed them with syringes," Randy Winters said. "Fortunately, the dogs’ symptoms cleared up after a few weeks. My wife and I, however, experienced lingering neurological effects for 6 months—continued body aches and temperature reversals (cold feeling hot). We were placed on a strict diet, including no alcohol."

Patients may also present with muscle and joint pain, temperature reversal, and unique sensations such as a metallic taste, loose or painful teeth, or skin paresthesias. These symptoms can last for weeks to months and may reappear if patients consume certain foods or drinks, such as nuts, fish oils, or alcohol.

According to Schmid, cats are even more sensitive to ciguatera poisoning and can serve as sentinel species for human risk, often becoming ill more quickly and after ingesting smaller amounts of toxins.

"My heart goes out to our furry girls, Love Bug and Honey Bear, who endured this pain without the ability to express it," Giselle Winters said. "I feared we would lose Love Bug—she dropped to just 3.2 lb after the oxygen chamber, losing nearly half her body weight. Thankfully, both dogs have fully recovered and are enjoying life as usual, thanks to the incredible medical care they received."

Entire family, dogs included, poisoned by reef fish. News release. Pet Poison Helpline. May 14, 2025. Accessed May 14, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/entire-family-dogs-included-poisoned-by-reef-fish-302454493.html

Pet Poison Helpline's recent installment of Toxin Tails shared the story of the Winters family, who all—including their 2 dogs—were diagnosed with ciguatera poisoning.

Toxin for one, toxin for all

Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS, shares 2 simple movements to support physical alignment, nervous system activation, and mental focus during busy clinic days.

Wellness Tip of the Week: Quick exercises for mobility and posture

In last week’s Wellness Tip of the Week, Shaw shared quick snacks that help maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day. The full video is available to watch 

For this Wellness Tip of the Week, Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS, healthspan coach and host of the 

 podcast, shares 2 quick exercises: one to boost mobility and activate the nervous system and another to help correct slouched posture. He also discusses the mental and emotional benefits of body movement.

Below is the video transcript, lightly edited for clarity:

 Hey everyone, Aaron Shaw here with another Wellness Tip of the Week. Before you reach for caffeine and more sugar on those busy, chaotic days, try this instead: body movement. Get your body to move a little bit, and it will actually help get your mind right. Our body loves to move, and there's...2 quick things you can do to help get your body focused, get your mind right, and even decrease a little bit of stress.

So, it turns out that movement lowers cortisol, our stress hormone. What it'll also do is give you some dopamine and serotonin, which are the chemicals that'll boost our mood and improve our focus—something that we can definitely do during busy clinic days, [or] really any day.

So, here are the 2 quick things you can do, [which take] a minute or less. [The] first step is [to] do some high knees. You can be standing up in a clinic. You can be in the grocery line. You can be at home in your home office. Think about bringing your knees up nice and high. Do about 10 or 15 times [on] each side, nice and easy. You can do this in between documenting, in between doing things. [It's] great for mobility [and] great for your nervous system—gets it activated just a little bit.

[Here's the] second quick tip you can do: I think about opening a big book, nice and wide, because what we tend to do [is] have this all-American slouch where we're on our computers [and] smartphones. We're watching Netflix, watching TV in the evening, and we all tend to get hunched over. Working with our clients, we're always hunched over. That can lead to a whole list of problems.

We want to correct that. We want to reverse that. And to reverse that...instead of being bent forward, think about sitting up tall, or standing up tall and opening up this big imaginary book, where you're opening [it] up cover to cover. And it gets you to squeeze your shoulder blades back a little bit, get your chest up, get your head up. Hold that for 2 or 3 seconds, bring it back down, bring it back up. You can do these anywhere. It's simple. It's quick. Two quick movements you can do that will really improve your posture, but it's really a brain exercise, a nervous system exercise, and a mood enhancer in disguise—and you get better posture. It's like [a] win, win, win. Give those a try, and I'll see you next week for another tip of the week.

Videos

 by PetSmart Charities and Gallup found that many pet owners in the United States cannot afford veterinary care. The survey found that the cost of care affects pet owners across a range of income levels, leading just over half of surveyed pet owners to skip or decline necessary treatment for their pets.

 Among those who declined care, many reported not being offered more affordable or alternative options that better suited their needs.

In response to the findings from PetSmart Charities and Gallup's

State of Pet Care Study: Pet Parents’ Assessment of American Veterinary Care," 

 reached out to PetSmart Charities for insight on how the veterinary profession can better support pet owners facing financial barriers to care. In the Q&A-style interview below, Robyn Jaynes, DVM, director of veterinary affairs at PetSmart Charities, discusses ways veterinary professionals can address the various issues highlighted in the survey and shares resources veterinary teams can use to offer more flexible options to clients.

How can the veterinary profession address the growing challenge of veterinary care becoming increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible for many pet owners?

 Veterinary teams should embrace the Spectrum of Care model, offering pet owners a range of diagnostic and treatment solutions tailored to their individual circumstances, and work with them to understand what solution best fits their needs.

Presenting diagnostics and treatments in a stepwise fashion—if possible—can help minimize unnecessary procedures and costs, ensuring care remains accessible without compromising outcomes.

Evaluate and optimize practice efficiencies:

 Constantly evaluate for efficiencies within the practice operations, such as full utilization of support staff or technologies available to help decrease workload [eg text appt reminders/confirmations, medical note transcribing software, etc].

Providing flexible wellness plans that spread the cost of preventive care over time can make ongoing care more manageable and predictable for clients. Tailor these plans to meet the unique needs of each pet owner by offering options that focus on essential services, with the flexibility to add additional wellness items as needed. This approach helps keep the initial cost affordable while ensuring comprehensive care.

Continually explore lower-cost alternatives: 

Veterinarians must continually seek out lower-cost alternatives, such as sourcing generic medications or utilizing lower-cost diagnostic options when clinically appropriate, always critically assessing what information is truly necessary for quality care."

 What support or resources would help veterinarians feel more equipped to offer compassionate, flexible solutions to clients when cost is a barrier?

"Veterinarians need access to evidence-based resources to feel confident offering compassionate, flexible solutions when cost is a barrier. Staying current with research that validates lower-cost treatment models is essential; resources such as the Veterinary Innovation Council’s vet access hub

 and low-cost care diagnostic textbooks provide valuable, credible information to guide clinical decisions. Continuing education is another critical support; many organizations, including the Open Door Veterinary Collective,

now offer specialized trainings in Spectrum-of-Care practices and financial triage strategies to help veterinary teams deliver accessible, high-quality care.

Many veterinarians are concerned about the legal ramifications associated with offering flexible solutions. To practice with confidence, veterinary teams must be well versed in their state's veterinary practice acts and understand the legal boundaries within which they can offer a range of care options. Strong client communication is equally critical, as many complaints in veterinary medicine stem from misunderstandings rather than clinical outcomes. Clearly presenting and documenting all care options, along with their risks and benefits, not only protects the veterinary team but also strengthens client trust. New technologies, such as medical record transcription software, can help streamline documentation processes, making it easier for teams to maintain thorough records."

 How can veterinary teams approach a situation where a pet owner cannot afford necessary treatment for their pet?

"When a pet owner cannot afford necessary treatment, veterinary teams should be prepared with practical, compassionate strategies to support them. First, clinics should build relationships with community low-cost providers and be ready to refer clients early in the process. Early referral allows pet owners to stretch their resources across both diagnosis and treatment, rather than depleting funds before a full course of care can be pursued. Some nonprofit clinics may also have grant programs available to help offset costs.

Veterinary teams should also be knowledgeable about the range of payment options available and understand the pros and cons of each. Offering financing solutions that do not require hard credit checks or carry high interest rates—such as VetBilling or Varidi—can help make care more attainable for a broader range of clients.

Finally, clinics should be prepared to guide pet owners on legitimate fundraising options. Being familiar with organizations like Furlanthropy

 can ensure that funds raised for a pet’s care are managed responsibly, providing owners with a trustworthy path to secure the help they need."

Bautista-Alejandre A. Many pet owners cannot afford veterinary care, survey finds. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/many-pet-owners-cannot-afford-veterinary-care-survey-finds

Introducing the Access to Care Resource Hub. Veterinary Innovation Council. 

Open Door Certification. Open Door School. 

https://opendoorschool.thinkific.com/collections

Furlanthropy: Paws for a Cause. Furlanthropy Inc. 

In this Q&A article, Robyn Jaynes, DVM, director of veterinary affairs at PetSmart Charities, shares expert advice on how the veterinary profession can better support pet owners facing financial barriers to care.

When cost is a barrier for clients: Navigating financial challenges

Pet owners are seeking the same level of care for their reptiles as they would for a dog or cat, explains Jb Minter, DVM, MS, DACZM, in this video.

Demand for reptile care in veterinary practice is rising

Reptile ownership is on the rise, prompting an increasing demand for reptile veterinary care, Jb Minter, DVM, MS, DACZM, director of animal health and chief veterinarian at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, explains in this video interview. As Minter notes, veterinarians are now expected to provide the same level of medical and surgical care for reptiles as for dogs and cats. With this growing expectation comes a need to understand common reptile surgeries—procedures that small-animal surgeons can perform with the right resources, Minter explains.

Below is the video transcript, which has been lightly edited for clarity:

What I want people to understand is there is a growing demand for reptile care in veterinary practice. So as ownership rises, this increase in the amount of reptiles that are being owned by people, and as this younger generation is coming on, that number has grown exponentially. Veterinarians need to recognize that...there's an increased demand for this advanced veterinary care for their patients. It’s no longer the thing where [veterinarians can say], “Well, it's a lizard. It's not doing well. I'm going to euthanize it.”

So, pet owners are seeking the same level of medical and surgical care for the reptiles as they would [for] a dog or cat. This includes understanding some basic and common surgeries, such as egg binding, shell fractures, and orthopedic procedures, as well as managing the complexity involved in some of the anesthesia and postsurgical care.

Again, with this human-animal bond that people are developing with reptiles, it is really important that we understand some of these basic things. Now, while it does require some specialized care and...some expertise, most small-animal surgeons—most people that are [at] small-animal practices—can do most of this stuff by themselves. They may need a few smaller implementations or instruments...but they can get by with a lot of different things that they may not realize they can do.

Pet owners are now seeking the same level of care for their reptiles as they would for a dog or cat, Jb Minter, DVM, MS, DACZM, explains in this video.