137. The Future of Veterinary Care, AI & Turning Food Waste Into Better Pet Food

In this episode of the Pets Add Life Podcast, hosts Chris Bonifati and Kristen Levine explore how innovation is changing the way we care for animals—from artificial intelligence in the veterinary exam room to sustainable new approaches to pet food. Plus, they look at a major commitment to animal welfare, practical ways to make veterinary visits less stressful, and products designed to support healthier, more enriched pets.

Story Time features:
Chris highlights Raising Cane’s 30th anniversary and the company’s commitment of $30 million over the next 10 years to animal welfare organizations supporting pets and the communities that love them.

Kristen explores new research from North Carolina State University testing an AI-enabled digital stethoscope against veterinary students and experienced veterinary clinicians. The study offers an important reminder that while AI may become a valuable tool in veterinary medicine, technology needs to be properly validated for the species it is being used to evaluate—and experienced veterinary expertise remains essential.

Special Guests:
Dr. Natalie Marks, Veterinarian, CEO of Veterinary Angel Network for Entrepreneurs (VANE) & Chief Veterinary Officer of OpenVet

Dr. Natalie Marks joins the show to discuss how veterinary medicine has evolved over the past two decades, including major advances in pain management, emotional health, Fear Free care and personalized preventive screening. She shares practical advice for reducing the stress of veterinary visits—especially for cats—and explores the opportunities and limitations of artificial intelligence in veterinary medicine, including why responsible AI requires reliable data, proper validation and continued human oversight.

Eric Adams, Founder & CEO, Dog & Whistle

Eric Adams shares how his background in culinary arts and restaurant management inspired him to tackle food waste in an entirely new way. Through Dog & Whistle, Eric gives nutritious ingredients that might otherwise go unused a second life in pet food and treats. He also discusses his work in the upcycled food movement and introduces DOGTV’s Can My Dog Eat This?, where he joins veterinarian Dr. Azza Diasti-Kennedy to answer one of the questions pet parents ask most: Can my dog safely eat this?

Pet Product Recommendations:
AnimalBiome S. boulardii + FOS Powder for Cats and Dogs – https://www.animalbiome.com/products/animalbiome-s-boulardii-fos-powder

Beaktivity Sustainable Bird Toys – https://beaktivity.com

Q&A Topics:
My dog is wonderful at home, but the second someone rings the doorbell, he completely loses it—barking, jumping and running to the door. Is this excitement, fear or protective behavior? And how can I teach him to react more calmly when people come over? (Submitted by Megan from Minneapolis, MN)

We have a small freshwater aquarium, and I’ve always wondered how you can actually tell if a fish is happy and healthy. Since fish can show discomfort differently than dogs or cats, what changes in swimming, eating, appearance or behavior should fish owners be watching for? (Submitted by Brian from San Diego, CA)

Related Links:
Dr. Natalie Marks / VANE – https://vane.vet

OpenVet – https://www.openvet.ai

Fear Free Happy Homes – https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com

North Carolina State University – AI-Enabled Stethoscope Study – https://news.ncsu.edu/2026/08/ai-enabled-stethoscope-can-miss-the-beat-in-pets/

Dog & Whistle – https://dogandwhistle.com

Can My Dog Eat This? on DOGTV – https://watch.dogtv.com/can-my-dog-eat-this

Can My Dog Eat This? / Dog & Whistle – https://dogandwhistle.com/pages/can-my-dog-eat-this

Upcycled Food Association – https://www.upcycledfood.org

AnimalBiome – https://www.animalbiome.com

Beaktivity – https://beaktivity.com

Raising Cane’s – https://www.raisingcanes.com

American Pet Products Association (APPA) – https://www.americanpetproducts.org