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ZuPreem Introduces New Director of Pet Health and Nutrition

Pet Age Staff//July 12, 2017//

ZuPreem Introduces New Director of Pet Health and Nutrition

Pet Age Staff //July 12, 2017//

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ZuPreem has welcomed Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) as its full time, on-staff Director of Pet Health and Nutrition. Dr. Hess will be responsible for leading the company’s mission of improving the health and vitality of pets through proper nutrition in pet communities around the world. She will join the company on July 11, 2017.

Dr. Hess is board-certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in avian medicine and past President of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV).  She is also an active member of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) and the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV).

After graduating summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University, Dr. Hess received her veterinary medical degree from Tufts. She then completed a one-year internship and a two-year residency in avian and exotic pet medicine and surgery at the world-renowned Animal Medical Center in New York City. Most recently, Dr. Hess is the owner and medical director of the Veterinary Center for Avian and Exotics in Bedford Hills, New York.

Dr. Hess has been credited as being the country’s go-to exotic pet doctor and has appeared on “Inside Edition,” “Animal Planet,” “The Martha Stewart Show” and “The Doctors.” Dr. Hess and her practice have been featured in the “New York Times,” “The NY Daily News,” “USA Today,” “Martha Stewart Living,” “Parade” and “People Magazine.”

“The ZuPreem corporate mission is to always provide the best nutritional products that support a pet’s health and vitality. This matches my professional goals as well,” Dr. Hess said. “ZuPreem launched a new and innovative education program 18 months ago called Feed Smart which helps bird owners understand the need to feed more pellets for healthier nutrition. No other brand in the category is using resources to educate bird owners and help them convert their pets from seed-based diets to healthier pelleted foods. I am excited to help deliver this goal which will improve the health and longevity of these incredible pets.”

“We welcome Dr. Hess to ZuPreem and are excited to work with her to help us carry out our company mission. We are completely dedicated as an organization to deliver the very best nutrition and education to support pet birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, ferrets and the people that care for them,” said Mark Zander, chief operating officer for ZuPreem.  “Her experience and advice are clearly recognized by the pet community. Working together will allow Dr. Hess to share her expertise and insights with our professional customers worldwide as we strive to build up the knowledge and awareness of better pet nutrition for the animals in the specialty category,” Zander continued.

ZuPreem manufactures and distributes diets and treats for companion birds, breeding birds, small mammals and animals in zoological collections. For almost 50 years, the company has been committed to nutrition research and the development of proven effective diets and treats. The company, whose parent name is Premium Nutritional Products, Inc., is located in Shawnee, Kansas, and distributes products worldwide.