Ep 9. Dog Food Chef

Innovation Nation is back with an all-new episode, and this time we're diving into the world of gourmet dog food. In season 3 episode 9, titled "Dog Food Chef," host Mo Rocca introduces us to a group of innovators who are revolutionizing the way we feed our furry friends.

First up, we meet Chef Kevyn Matthews, the founder of My Dogs' Breakfast. Chef Matthews is a professionally trained chef who turned his skills to creating high-quality, homemade meals for dogs. He believes that dogs are members of the family and deserve to eat just as well as their human counterparts. My Dogs' Breakfast offers a range of fresh, high-protein meals for dogs, which are delivered right to your door. Rocca gets a behind-the-scenes look at Chef Matthews' kitchen and learns how he sources his ingredients and creates balanced meals for even the most finicky eaters.

Next, we head to Austin, Texas, to meet Dr. Robert Mueller, the founder of BARF World. BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, and this company is dedicated to providing dogs with the healthiest and most natural diet possible. Dr. Mueller is a veterinarian and a pioneer in the raw food movement for pets. He believes that dogs were designed to eat a diet of raw meat, bones, and organs, and that this is the key to optimal health and longevity for our four-legged friends. Rocca visits the BARF World factory and learns how the company creates balanced and nutrient-dense meals from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

But not all dogs have access to fresh, high-quality dog food. For many dogs living in poverty, their only source of nutrition comes from low-quality kibble or even scraps from their owners' plates. That's where Anna Lai comes in. Lai is the co-founder of The Packaged Good, a nonprofit that provides food and supplies to dogs living in shelters and on the streets. Lai and her team collect donations of dog food and other essentials and package them into care packages that are distributed to dogs in need. Rocca meets some of the dogs who have benefited from The Packaged Good's work and learns about their efforts to improve the lives of dogs in need.

Finally, we meet Donna Raditic, a veterinary nutritionist and professor at the University of Tennessee. Raditic is on a mission to educate pet owners and veterinarians about the importance of nutrition in pets' health. She believes that good nutrition can help prevent and even treat a range of health conditions, from obesity to cancer. Rocca joins Raditic in the classroom as she teaches a group of veterinary students about the science of pet nutrition and the role it plays in keeping our pets healthy.

"Dog Food Chef" is an eye-opening look at the world of high-quality dog food and the innovative minds behind it. From homemade meals to raw food diets to charitable organizations, these experts are changing the way we think about feeding our furry friends. Tune in to Innovation Nation to learn more and see what's next in the world of pet food innovation.