Kansas State and Hill’s partner on Veterinary Health Center to combat obesity

Kansas State University and Hill’s Pet Nutrition are partnering on a major renovation of the university’s Veterinary Health Center. Officials say one of the top priorities of the new facility will be ending pet obesity.

The Hill’s Pet Health and Nutrition Center will open for patient care in January, according to Elizabeth Davis, head of the university’s clinical sciences department and interim director of the Veterinary Health Center.

“An important long-term goal of the Veterinary Health Obesity Clinic, a vital service of the center, is to end pet obesity,” Davis said.

The new health center will provide service for routine primary care patients, walk-in urgent patient needs and triage to appropriate services as needed, Davis said. Additional services include animal behavior with Fear Free pet care, young pet care for puppies and kittens, annual visits with preventive care, senior pet care and nutrition for all ages.

Taryn Pestalozzi was recently appointed as the Hill’s clinical nutrition and primary care intern and consults at least weekly with two American College of Veterinary Nutrition board-certified clinical nutritionists from Hill’s, who are also adjunct faculty at Kansas State.

The goal is to ensure each patient receives a customized nutrition plan, Davis said.