Rediscovering the Power of Healthy Animals - Animal X-Factor

A healthier planet and people starts with healthy animals and collaboration. Elanco CEO Jeff Simmons joins Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited, to discuss how animal agriculture can be a solution to sustainability challenges and bold leadership that will help us create a healthier future. Elanco recently announced a partnership with Ducks Unlimited to help restore working grasslands, further exemplifying the connection between environmental sustainability and healthy animals.

More than 20 veterans die from suicide every day in the U.S. This is as wrong as it is shocking – that the men and women who will give their lives for this country come back and take their own. Jeff Simmons sat down last week with the CEO of K9s For Warriors, Rory Diamond, and Greg Wells to talk about the power of Service Dogs and the program that has led them to be the #1 Service Dog provider in the country for veterans living with PTSD, MST and/or TBI. 92% of their veteran graduates reduce or completely eliminate prescription medication when they have their prescription on four legs.

In today’s episode, we’re going to discuss the role we play in shaping our family’s view on food. We will talk about trending topics around food like plant-based proteins to marketing labels and fad diet plans. But most importantly, we will find out if beef can actually be part of a healthy diet and healthy earth plan. And maybe see if butter can too.

https://www.elanco.com/responsibility/animals-rediscovered

In the past year, COVID-19 tested our food supply chain like never before. Despite shortages and disruptions, demand for meat in particular remained high as consumers relied on food that provides nutrition and comfort. In this episode, Dr. Phil Rincker, Cattle Technical Consultant at Elanco, and Dr. Jeff Savell, Distinguished Professor in Meat Science at Texas A&M University, discuss the role meat scientists play in the food industry, how COVID-19 has impacted the food supply chain and the accessibility of animal protein.

From malnutrition to social isolation and climate change, healthy animals can unlock solutions to the greatest physical, mental and environmental health challenges facing our global community. In this episode, Elanco leaders, including Jeff Simmons, CEO and President, Sara Place, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Tony Rumschlag, Senior Director of Consulting Veterinarians, US Companion Animal, come together to discuss the role of healthy animals in creating a sustainable future along with Elanco’s recently announced 2030 Healthy Purpose Pledges, outlining the company’s vision for achieving healthier animals, healthier people and a healthier planet in the next 10 years.

During the best of times and in challenging moments alike, our pets offer emotional companionship and encourage us to lead an active lifestyle that keeps us healthy and happy. A recent study conducted by Elanco shows that people are spending more time with their pets during COVID-19, have benefitted from this human-animal bond and plan to take their pets to more places after the pandemic. In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark explores the purposeful role companion animals play in helping us lead meaningful lives.

Our pets play an important role in our lives, encouraging us to be more active and providing emotional companionship to combat loneliness and social isolation. There’s one more benefit to uncover – pets can help us improve our literary skills. As many children are attending school virtually, reading to pets is an effective way to continue learning at home. In this episode, we join Pet Partners in a discussion about the benefits of reading to our pets and why our furry friends are great listeners.

Veterinary medicine is evolving, and COVID-19 has been a catalyst in changing the way animals, from cats to cows, receive care. Most notably, the rise in telemedicine during the pandemic has provided opportunities to strengthen the bond between veterinarians and animal owners. In this episode, Dr. Aaron Smiley, President of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, and Dr. Apryle Horbal, President and Founder of VetNOW, will discuss telemedicine’s impact on maintaining animal health and the future of virtual veterinary care.

In the midst of COVID-19 and concerns about food security, animal-based proteins such as meat, milk and eggs are flying off grocery store shelves while manufacturing plants have been shut down to limit the spread of the virus among employees. Food banks are also experiencing a surge in demand as the ability to access affordable, nutritious food becomes a challenge for many families. In this episode, Dr. Adegbola Adesogan, Director of Feed The Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems, explains how COVID-19 is impacting global food security and what it means for the future of our protein/food supply chain. This episode also features a conversation with Elanco Foundation grant recipients, Harvesters Community Food Network Chief Operating Officer Steve Davis and European Food Banks Federation President Jacques Vandenschrik, as they discuss the issues they’re facing to meet food security needs during COVID-19.

As people pay more attention to their environmental impact and aim to create a more sustainable world, it’s important for them to know what’s fact vs. fiction. Food animals are often cited as a major part of the environmental problem; however, healthy animals should be viewed as part of the solution. In this episode, Dr. Frank Mitloehner, a Professor and Air Quality Extension Specialist at the University of California-Davis explains common misconceptions about animals’ impact on the environment and research to reduce methane emissions. Visit elanco.com/rediscover for more information.