In this episode of the Barking Mad, Dr. Stephanie Clark and Jordan Tyler interview Dr. Mahsa Vazin, founder of Pawco Foods, a company pioneering plant-based dog food. Mahsa discusses her unique journey from a Persian upbringing that emphasized meat and fear of animals to becoming a vegetarian and a pet food innovator with the mission to create sustainable, nutritious, and cruelty-free food for dogs.

The conversation covers:

• Challenges of developing “Green Meat”
• Leveraging AI for product optimization
• Importance of sustainability in pet welfare

Tune in to learn more about the burgeoning plant-based pet food market and Mahsa's passion for positively impacting the environment and pet health.

Links:

PawCo Website: https://www.mypawco.com/

Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction to Vegan Dog Diets and Dr. Mahsa Vazin

01:33 - Mahsa's Journey to Plant-Based Diets

02:57 - The Birth of PawCo and Its Mission

03:44 - Understanding Vegan vs. Healthy Pet Food

05:41 - PawCo's Target Audience and Market Demand

07:15 - Pioneering Plant-Based Meat for Dogs

08:30 - Core Values and the Future of Sustainable Food

09:22 - Winning Over the Rally In-Prize Pitch Competition Judges

10:51 - Big Funding = Big Plans for Expansion

11:31 - Leveraging AI for Innovation

12:45 - Perfecting the Palatability of Plant-Based Meat for Dogs

15:06 - The Secret to Mahsa and PawCo's Success

15:54 - Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles

17:08 - Mahsa's Dream of a Cruelty-Free World

17:46 - Unwinding from PawCo (The Job) with Paco (The Dog)

18:51 - Mahsa's Greatest Achievement So Far

19:17 - Conclusion and Farewell