Meet Our Experts
The veterinary professionals and pet nutrition experts behind every
Get Joy recipe.
Licensed Veterinarians
Certified Pet Nutritionists
Science-Backed Formulas
Real Clinical Experience
Ongoing Product & Content Review
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.
Dr. Brett Levitzke
Co-Chief Veterinarian at VERG
Dr. Brett Levitzke is an experienced emergency veterinarian and founder of Brooklyn’s first 24/7 animal hospital, bringing decades of clinical experience to Get Joy’s preventative wellness.
Dr. George C Fahey, Jr.
PhD Animal Nutritionist
Dr. George Fahey is a PhD animal nutritionist and Professor Emeritus whose career has focused on optimizing digestive health to improve overall animal wellbeing.
Dr. Kendra Pope, DVM
Veterinary Oncologist
Dr. Kendra Pope is a veterinary oncologist who blends advanced cancer care with holistic therapies to support the whole dog—not just the diagnosis.
Dr. Lindsay Thalheim, DVM
Veterinary Oncologist
Dr. Lindsay Thalheim is a veterinary oncologist focused on improving both the length and quality of life for dogs facing cancer, bringing deep clinical expertise and a collaborative, patient-first approach to every treatment plan.
Dr. Jamie L. Peyton, DV
Co-Chief Veterinarian
Dr. Jamie Peyton is a critical care veterinarian and animal wellness advocate, pioneering innovations in pain relief and wound healing, bringing years of hands-on experience and clinical expertise to Get Joy’s approach to canine health.
Dr. Renee Alsarraf, DVm
Veterinary Oncologist & Author
Dr. Renee Alsarraf is a board-certified veterinary oncologist and author whose work integrates clinical expertise with real-world insights on healing, bringing her decades of experience to guide Get Joy’s commitment to pet wellness.
Product title
View collection
Dr. Brett Levitzke
Co-Chief Veterinarian at VERG
Dr. Brett Levitzke is an experienced emergency veterinarian and founder of Brooklyn’s first 24/7 animal hospital, bringing decades of clinical experience to Get Joy’s preventative wellness.
Dr. George C Fahey, Jr.
PhD Animal Nutritionist
Dr. George Fahey is a PhD animal nutritionist and Professor Emeritus whose career has focused on optimizing digestive health to improve overall animal wellbeing.
Dr. Kendra Pope, DVM
Veterinary Oncologist
Dr. Kendra Pope is a veterinary oncologist who blends advanced cancer care with holistic therapies to support the whole dog—not just the diagnosis.
Dr. Lindsay Thalheim, DVM
Veterinary Oncologist
Dr. Lindsay Thalheim is a veterinary oncologist focused on improving both the length and quality of life for dogs facing cancer, bringing deep clinical expertise and a collaborative, patient-first approach to every treatment plan.
Dr. Jamie L. Peyton, DV
Co-Chief Veterinarian
Dr. Jamie Peyton is a critical care veterinarian and animal wellness advocate, pioneering innovations in pain relief and wound healing, bringing years of hands-on experience and clinical expertise to Get Joy’s approach to canine health.
Dr. Renee Alsarraf, DVm
Veterinary Oncologist & Author
Dr. Renee Alsarraf is a board-certified veterinary oncologist and author whose work integrates clinical expertise with real-world insights on healing, bringing her decades of experience to guide Get Joy’s commitment to pet wellness.
Dr. Brett Levitzke
Co-Chief Veterinarian at VERG
Dr. Brett Levitzke earned his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Cornell University before completing his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia. In 2005, he founded the Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group (VERG), establishing Brooklyn’s first 24/7 emergency and specialty veterinary hospital.
With deep expertise in emergency medicine, Dr. Levitzke has spent his career caring for critically ill animals while also advocating for preventative approaches that reduce the need for emergency intervention.
In his advisory role at Get Joy, Dr. Levitzke collaborates closely with the team to integrate holistic, preventative dog wellness into everyday routines. His work focuses on the powerful role nutrition plays in long-term canine health—particularly the benefits of fresh, gut-supportive foods in reducing chronic illness and supporting overall wellbeing.
Areas of Expertise
Emergency & critical care
Preventative canine wellness
Nutrition-driven health strategies
Credentials
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Dr. George C. Fahey, Jr., PhD
Animal Nutritionist
Growing up on a farm surrounded by animals, Dr. George Fahey developed an early passion for animal health that shaped his lifelong career. Over decades in the field, he discovered that digestive health is the foundation of overall wellness.
Dr. Fahey served as Professor Emeritus of Animal Sciences and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he became a leading authority on animal digestion and nutritional needs.
His deep understanding of the digestive tract allows him to evaluate how ingredients, fiber, and nutrients impact long-term health. At Get Joy, Dr. Fahey brings this expertise to ensure our nutritional philosophy supports optimal digestion from the inside out.
Areas of Expertise
Digestive health & gut function
Animal nutrition science
Ingredient evaluation
Credentials
PhD in Animal Nutrition
Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois
Dr. Kendra Pope, DVM
Veterinary Oncologist
Dr. Kendra Pope combines her veterinary training with extensive education in holistic medicine to deliver compassionate, whole-body cancer care for dogs. Her approach prioritizes both treatment outcomes and quality of life.
She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Florida and went on to complete certifications in holistic therapies, including veterinary food therapy, through the Chi Institute for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.
As a board-certified oncologist and practice owner in New Jersey, Dr. Pope integrates acupuncture, herbal medicine, and intravenous nutrient therapies into cancer treatment plans. At Get Joy, her perspective reinforces the importance of nutrition and supportive care alongside medical treatment.
Areas of Expertise
Veterinary oncology
Holistic & integrative medicine
Nutritional support during treatment
Credentials
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Board-Certified Veterinary Oncologist
Certified in holistic veterinary therapies
Dr. Lindsay Thalheim, DVM
Veterinary Oncologist
Dr. Lindsay Thalheim’s work centers on providing personalized, compassionate cancer care while fostering close relationships with pets and their families. She believes collaboration is key to achieving the best possible outcomes.
After earning her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Thalheim became board-certified in oncology and joined Cornell University Veterinary Specialists in Stamford, Connecticut.
In addition to clinical care, she conducts research aimed at improving cancer outcomes in dogs—and, in some cases, humans. Her work at Get Joy supports evidence-based wellness strategies that complement medical treatment.
Areas of Expertise
Veterinary oncology
Collaborative treatment planning
Clinical cancer research
Credentials
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Board-Certified Veterinary Oncologist
Dr. Jamie L. Peyton, DVM
Co-Chief Veterinarian
Dr. Jamie Peyton is widely recognized for her groundbreaking work in veterinary critical care and animal wellness. In 2019, she received the Chancellor’s Innovation Award for pioneering the use of sterilized tilapia skin to treat severe burns—an approach now used globally.
Beyond her clinical achievements, Dr. Peyton is a passionate advocate for improving animal comfort, recovery, and quality of life. She lives in Northern California with her husband and several rescued animals.
At Get Joy, Dr. Peyton’s perspective reinforces the role of proactive care, nutrition, and daily wellness habits in keeping dogs healthy and resilient.
Areas of Expertise
Critical care medicine
Pain management & wound healing
Animal wellness advocacy
Credentials
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Chancellor’s Innovation Award Recipient
Dr. Renee Alsarraf, DVm
Veterinary Oncologist & Author
Dr. Renee Alsarraf earned her veterinary degree at Michigan State University and went on to become a board-certified oncologist, treating dogs with cancer for over twenty years.
Her perspective on healing deepened after her own cancer diagnosis, an experience that transformed how she connects with both patients and pet parents. She shares these insights in her bestselling book, Sit, Stay, Heal, which weaves together stories from her life and the dogs she’s treated.
At Get Joy, Dr. Alsarraf brings a deeply human—and canine—understanding of wellness, emphasizing nutrition, resilience, and the emotional bond between pets and their families.
Areas of Expertise
Veterinary oncology
Long-term wellness & quality of life
Client education & storytelling
Credentials
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Board-Certified Veterinary Oncologist
Author, Sit, Stay, Heal
Expert-Backed Nutrition
You Can Trust
Our experts don’t just advise — they help shape the meals your pet eats every day.
Every Get Joy recipe is crafted with veterinary oversight to support digestion, energy, and long-term health.
What to Expect in 90 Days
Follow our vet-formulated freeze-dried meals and see real improvements in your dog’s health over time.
7 Days
Less digestive upset, more mealtime excitement
2–3 Weeks
Firmer, healthier stools
Noticeable boost in energy
1 Month
Shinier coat & healthier skin
Reduced itching or scratching
3 Months+
Better digestion boosts energy and joy during meals.
Sniffing Around for More?
Freeze Dried Raw Meals
from $XX.XX
shop now
Freeze Dried Raw Meals
from $XX.XX
shop now
Feeding Guide
Freeze Dried Raw Starter Plan
Get Free Treats For a Year
Shop now
Pause of Cancel Anytime
