Are Get Joy's dog food formulas developed by veterinarians?

Yes. Get Joy's formulas are developed with the direct input of board-certified veterinarians and PhD-level animal nutritionists. The advisory board includes Dr. Brett Levitzke DVM (emergency medicine, VERG), Dr. George C. Fahey Jr. PhD (Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois — one of the world's foremost authorities on canine digestive health), three board-certified veterinary oncologists, and a critical care veterinarian. Every recipe meets AAFCO standards for complete and balanced nutrition.

What credentials do Get Joy's experts hold?

Get Joy's expert team includes a PhD in Animal Nutrition (Dr. George C. Fahey Jr., Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), three board-certified veterinary oncologists (Dr. Kendra Pope DVM, Dr. Lindsay Thalheim DVM at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, Dr. Renee Alsarraf DVM and author of Sit Stay Heal), a critical care veterinarian (Dr. Jamie L. Peyton DVM, Chancellor's Innovation Award recipient), and an emergency medicine specialist who founded Brooklyn's first 24/7 animal hospital (Dr. Brett Levitzke DVM).

How do Get Joy's veterinary experts influence the recipes?

Get Joy's expert advisors provide guidance on ingredient selection, formulation balance, and the gut health philosophy behind every product. Dr. Fahey's decades of research on digestive health and prebiotic fiber directly informs how the Belly Biotics™ blend is structured — a patented combination of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics built into every bag of Freeze Dried Raw Meals. The veterinary team reviews formulas for clinical appropriateness and contributes to ongoing product and content guidance.

Is Get Joy recommended for dogs with sensitive stomachs or health conditions?

Get Joy Freeze Dried Raw Meals are formulated for dogs at all life stages, including those with sensitive stomachs. The Belly Biotics™ blend — prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics — was specifically designed to support gut microbiome balance and digestive comfort. Dogs with specific medical conditions or those undergoing treatment should always have dietary choices reviewed by their personal veterinarian.

Why does gut health matter for dogs?

A dog's gut microbiome influences immunity, digestion, coat health, energy levels, mood, and disease resistance. Approximately 70% of the canine immune system is located in the gut. When the microbiome is balanced, dogs absorb nutrients more effectively, maintain consistent energy, and show visible signs like shinier coats and firmer stools. Get Joy was built gut-first — with every recipe incorporating Belly Biotics™, a patented pre, pro, and postbiotic blend — because gut health is whole-body health.

Meet our Veterinary & Nutrition Experts

Fueled by a shared love and obsession with good dog health, Get Joy is guided by a team of seasoned veterinarians and PhD animal nutritionists. Meet some of our trusted pack members.

Get Joy's recipes are formulated and reviewed by a board of veterinarians and PhD animal nutritionists — including a Professor Emeritus of Animal Nutrition and board-certified specialists in gut health, oncology, and integrative medicine.

Licensed VeterinariansCertified Pet NutritionistsScience-Backed FormulasReal Clinical ExperienceOngoing Product & Content Review

Tom Arrix

Founder & CEO

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Dr. Brett Levitzke

Co-Chief Veterinarian

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Dr. George C. Fahey, Jr.

PhD Animal Nutritionist

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Dr. Jamie L. Peyton

Co-Chief Veterinarian

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Dr. Kendra Pope

Veterinary Oncologist

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Dan Buettner

Longevity Researcher and Best Selling Author

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Dr. Renee Alsarraf

Veterinary Oncologist & Author

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Dr. Lindsay Thalheim

Veterinary Oncologist

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Expert-Backed Nutrition You Can Trust

Our experts don't just advise — they help shape the meals your dog eats every day. Every Get Joy recipe is crafted with veterinary oversight to support digestion, energy, and long-term health.

Explore Vet-Backed Meals

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the nutrition experts behind Get Joy?

Get Joy's formulations are guided by a team of veterinarians and animal nutrition scientists with decades of combined clinical and research experience — including board-certified veterinarians, a professor emeritus of animal nutrition from a leading research university, and clinicians specializing in gut health, integrative medicine, and canine wellness. They are active contributors to how our products are formulated.

Why does Get Joy work with veterinary experts?

Because we're making health claims, not just food. Gut health is a complex, science-backed domain, and our decisions about ingredients, formulation, and education need to be grounded in real expertise. Our experts ensure what we say about Belly Biotics™, the gut microbiome, and canine nutrition reflects current science — not marketing trends.

What is Dr. Brett Levitzke's role at Get Joy?

Dr. Brett Levitzke, DVM, serves as Co-Chief Veterinarian at Get Joy. He brings extensive clinical experience in companion animal medicine and integrative wellness, and plays a central role in shaping Get Joy's nutritional standards and veterinary guidance.

What is Dr. George Fahey's role at Get Joy?

Dr. George C. Fahey, Jr., PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Animal Nutrition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and one of the world's leading researchers on dietary fiber, prebiotics, and the canine gut microbiome. As a Scientific Advisor to Get Joy, he provides research oversight for our Belly Biotics™ formulation.

How do your experts influence Get Joy products?

Our expert team is involved at the formulation level — reviewing ingredient selection, validating gut-health claims, and ensuring Belly Biotics™ functions as intended across ingredient combinations and life stages. They also help translate complex nutrition science into practical guidance for dog parents.

Does Get Joy work with registered veterinary nutritionists?

Yes. Get Joy works with credentialed nutrition professionals as part of our product development and review process, so every formulation decision is grounded in evidence and reviewed by qualified experts — not just flavor-tested or trend-chased.

From The Experts

Evidence-Backed Guides for Dog Parents

Our veterinary advisors and nutrition scientists inform every article in the Word Around The Park blog. Here are some of their most-referenced guides: