Learning Beyond the Clinic
May 7, 2025
Recently, a group of Vetcor team members, both clinical and non-clinical, had the unique opportunity to tour Hill’s Pet Nutrition facilities. The experience deepened their appreciation for the science, technology, and care that goes into producing high-quality prescription pet food. More importantly, it left them feeling better equipped to answer client questions with confidence and clarity.
From state-of-the-art machinery to the thoughtful treatment of animals involved in product development, every aspect of the tour enriched our team’s understanding of Hill’s commitment to delivering high-quality nutrition.
Science, Sustainability, and Compassion
Attendees were impressed by Hill’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. Brittany, Hospital Manager at Finger Lakes Animal Hospital, shared:
“We had good mix of speakers and topics. Hills was such a great host, from the people at the plant, the people at the Pet Nutrition Center, and the team members that were on the tour with us. Also learning what Hill’s does to make a consistent effort to cut down on waste was interesting. They refer to all the animals there as employees and co-workers since they are there doing an important job. All the animals there get routine vet care, at a certain age they all start getting yearly dentals and ultrasounds. Their living spaces were clean, and they all had so much enrichment.”
Precision in Every Bite
April, Hospital Manager at Belltowne Veterinary Center, Belfair, WA was struck by the level of detail in Hill’s process of evaluating how appealing a particular food is to pets:
“I was blown away by the science and machinery they used for the palatability testing. Every little detail was covered to make sure that pets get the food they need and eliminate the possibility of human error. The pets seemed to be very happy and well taken care of.”
Empowered to Educate
Chelsea, Veterinary Assistant at The Veterinary Clinics, Berlin, WI reflected on how the tour changed her perspective:
"I absolutely have a better appreciation and understanding for how prescription diets are formulated and trialed behind the scenes. There is a tremendous amount of time, brainpower, and manpower that goes into not only creating new diets but continuing to manage current diets. From nutritional balance to palatability to kibble size and crunchiness! Every variable is as important as the next for our pets! I'm not only feeling more prepared to field questions, but I'm also excited to share what I've learned! Often particular ingredients are targeted as either good or bad by mainstream media and being able to decode the "noise" for our clients will be invaluable."
Walking the Talk
Dr. Koenig, one of our veterinary leaders, offered this takeaway from the Hill’s tour that speaks to the passion behind pet nutrition:
“The Hill's Tour was an incredible opportunity to witness firsthand the exceptional quality and precision that goes into their products. Every part of the visit showed Hill’s commitment to excellence from the immaculate and highly automated production facility to the happy, well-looked-after pets at the Nutrition Center and the excellent care at their AAHA-accredited clinic. The Hill's team showed genuine compassion and joy for every pet partner. One standout moment was Blackberry, a cat on a personalized health plan, enjoying her daily hallway walks filled with extra pets and head rubs. Many Vetcor team members noted how enriched the Hill’s pets seemed, often more than their own! Hill's provides real patient insights and data-driven science when it comes to their product. They truly are an exceptional company with a world-class product.”
This tour was more than just a visit, it was an educational experience that gave our team the knowledge and confidence to better serve pets and their families. A big thank you to Hill’s for their hospitality and for giving us a closer look at the heart of pet nutrition.
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