What role can nutrition and probiotics play in addressing behavior problems? Probably more than you think. Dr. Ragen McGowan, Ph.D. joins Dr. Andy Roark to discuss the link between the gut and the mind, how Purina's new Calming Care supplement has been shown to help dogs and cats, and what expectations veterinarians can have (and set for clients) for working with these products.

LINKS:

Purina Pet Expertise:

https://www.purina.com/articles

Purina Pro Plan Vet Direct:

https://www.proplanvetdirect.com/pro-plan-veterinary-diets/cat-dog-supplements

Dr. Andy Roark Exam Room Communication Tool Box Course:

https://drandyroark.com/store/

What’s on my Scrubs?! Card Game: https://drandyroark.com/training-tools/

Dr. Andy Roark Swag: drandyroark.com/shop

All Links: linktr.ee/DrAndyRoark

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Ragen is the Senior Manager of the Global Pet IoT, AI and Digital Solutions Group at Nestlé Purina leading work to generate pet behavior and wellbeing insights. She has over 20 years of experience in animal behavior research, the last 13 of which have been with Nestlé Purina using a holistic approach incorporating behavior, physiology and endocrinology to quantify affective states and temperament in dogs and cats. With this knowledge she aims to create products that cater to different behavioral needs of pets and to better understand and quantify the human-animal bond from the pet’s perspective. Ragen earned B.S. in Zoology, a B.A. in Foreign Language and Literature and a PhD in Applied Ethology from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. Her PhD research focused on Contrafreeloading behavior, a phenomenon whereby animals choose to work for food even when the same food is freely available, in grizzly bears, laying hens and laboratory mice. In addition, Ragen worked on other projects examining play behavior in piglets and children and means to reduce problem behaviors such as cannibalism in laying hens. Prior to joining Nestlé Purina Ragen held a post-doctoral research position in the Section for Ethology and Animal Welfare at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden. Her post-doctoral research focused on the study of emotionality in dogs. Specifically, she explored new methodology to objectively evaluate positive emotions in animals. This included using Cognitive Bias and Contrast to measure emotional states and studying the ‘Eureka Effect’ (emotional reactions to learning) in dogs. She is now bringing this knowledge of animal behavior and emotions into the digital space to better connect owners with their pets. Ragen has a passion for sharing her vast knowledge of pet behavior and the human-animal bond. In addition to speaking at a variety of events for Purina, she serves as a reviewer for several scientific journals and is a contributing scientific expert for scientific congresses, roundtables and podcasts. In addition to her passion for animals, Ragen is also an avid dancer and has been an instructor of ballroom dance for many years. Ragen is based in Saint Joseph, Missouri where she lives with her husband, two children and two giant rescue dogs, Luna and Perry.