About
I’ve Come Full Circle
The long way around to one simple idea
It started in Port Moresby
My family started feeding raw when I was just six years old. All the ingredients came from our kitchen. We didn’t have spreadsheet programs, and we didn’t even have computers back then.
I lived in Papua New Guinea, in the capital, Port Moresby. A very small town, with one general store and a wet market where we got our food. At six, watching my dad make food for our dogs, it was simple. Minced meat mixed with whatever leftovers we didn’t finish from that night’s dinner.
That was normal. That was just how you fed dogs.
The Walmart aisle that changed everything
When we immigrated to the United States, I remember going to Walmart with my dad. We both stood in front of the aisle labeled dog food. I was a teenager then, and it was just bags and bags and bags of food.
My dad looked at me and said, “this is how the Americans feed their dogs. I’m going to do the rest of the groceries while you pick the food we’re going to feed our dog.”
I went up and down that aisle. The most colorful bag appealed to me, which was Kibbles ‘n Bits with gravy. It amuses me to recall this, because the bag was so bright. Maybe it reminded me of a cartoon. And everyone loves gravy, so why not.
The years I forgot
When I moved out and got my own dogs, I kept feeding kibble. It seemed like what you did in America.
But something just wasn’t right.
I eventually went back to fresh food, starting with raw. Raw was familiar, so I started there. Everything was fine for years, until in my forties, the universe connected me to Maggie.
She had allergies at eight or nine months old. Looking back, I think it was a reaction to vaccines. Either way, I took her to the vet. They prescribed Apoquel. I consented to the treatment, but when I got home I researched it. I saw all the side effects and decided this was not the solution for my dog.
I didn’t know how to help her, but I tried every natural remedy I could get my hands on. Hours on the internet, reading books, trying everything.
When I added Orbit to our family, I was glad she had been weaned onto raw. But even then, she came to me with issues at twelve weeks old. A hint of what grew into full-blown yeast.
I was adamant about helping them both naturally. Maybe because I don’t have my own children, a strong mother instinct came out.
The question that changed everything
One day I was in the kitchen, overwhelmed and exhausted. My partner in life, my boyfriend, said very quietly:
Are you ready to seek help now?
He said it in a way that made me realize I wasn’t failing. The next day I made an appointment with a local integrative vet. We switched to cooked food.
And my dogs healed.
Sharing what I learned
From relief to a calling
I was delighted with the results, and I started sharing their story. It’s my nature to help, which is probably why I detoured into human medicine too. But that’s a story for another day.
I dove deep into learning. First, a Certificate in Canine Nutrition from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute. But I wanted more than the mechanics of what went into the bowl. I wanted to understand food as medicine. Now I’m pursuing a Doctorate in Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Herbalism.
Years later, I take great honor in helping others when they feel stuck, lost, overwhelmed, and afraid of doing the wrong thing. I don’t have a crystal ball, and I don’t know all the answers.
But I do know I will stay in the trenches with you.
What hundreds of dogs taught me
Not in theory. In real dogs.
The benefit of being a nutritionist in this role is you get to see what works and what doesn’t. Not in theory, but in real dogs, living real lives.
Since I come at food from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, I’m not always someone’s first choice. By the time people find me, they’ve often already seen dermatologists, tried multiple diets, and worked with other nutritionists.
I’ve seen dogs heal when we stopped following dogma and released our expectations. When we had the courage to take a new perspective and started listening to what their bodies were telling us.
Why I don’t feed raw anymore, and why that’s okay
The fire in the kitchen
When I said full circle, this is what I meant. The same food that feeds my family is what nourishes my dogs. I no longer feed my dogs raw. And if you do, I respect that completely. Because of my years feeding raw, I can formulate raw recipes as easily as cooked ones.
My approach is all-inclusive. From the dog show community, I’ve seen firsthand that there are many ways to feed a dog well. I support your feeding style, even if it’s kibble.
Whatever is in your bowl, I support it.
My perspective for my own dogs has changed, shaped by my path into Chinese medicine. I’m heavily influenced by the Fire School, rooted in Classical Chinese Medicine. We hold that in the balance of yin and yang, it is yang that leads. So when I step into my kitchen, which I see as a sacred domain in my home, I always use the element of fire.
That means I cook it.
Inherent in every ingredient is a life force, and it’s my job to extract it. Through both the chemical and the esoteric in cooking, because there is still some sacred geometry in the calculations happening behind the scenes. Each recipe is crafted to be in harmony with nature. Or rather, to be an aspect of nature that brings harmony back to your dog.
What working together looks like
Built for your dog, not a tribe
I formulate meals from whole foods, balanced to AAFCO standards when needed. But I go beyond hitting nutritional minimums.
I look at your dog’s constitution. Their patterns. What their body is showing us. I blend modern nutritional science with Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine food therapy to make something suited to your dog alone.
This isn’t about joining a feeding tribe or pledging allegiance to raw versus cooked versus kibble. It’s about finding what serves your dog’s healing.
A little about my life now
San Diego, and three good teachers
My teachers, my inspiration, and the reason I do this work.
I hope my recipes and articles become a real resource for you in feeding your own dog fresh. Come find me on Instagram, or follow along with the dogs.
Let’s connect
If what I share resonates
I think it matters that we connect on a deeper level before we work together. If what I share here feels like your kind of thinking, we will most likely work well together. When you’re ready, I formulate recipes built around your dog’s needs and what they will actually eat.
Book a nutrition consult →
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I’d love to have you help me with meal plans for my girls. 1 -Jolene 8 years old Treeing walker coonhound mix rescue severe allergies especially the months of November and December. I feed commercial bought complete meals -small batch -bones & co but she cannot survive with out apoquel and I’d love to be able to get her stable enough to stop. Used to feed answers but figuring out fermented wasn’t the way to go for her with allergies
2. Norma Jeane 6 years old. English foxhound rescue that had a mast cell tumor removed last September. Now we are figuring out why her ALT value remains high. I’ve changed proteins from duck pork and beef to chicken and turkey. Adding in fresh veggies cilantro etc and homecooking intermittently. Otherwise raw fed small batch and bones& co and Darwin’s.
I don’t feel confident to make the leap on making my own raw foods so that’s where you come in ! Hope you can help. I can purchase online but which pup do you want to start with ?
Thank you for your time
Hello Bekki I would be honored to help you.
I’ll reach out to you via email.
Kind Regards,
Hannah
Hello Hanna,
I’m amazed by your story and passion for canine (And human!) natural feeding idea.
My Jess, almost 7 year old terrier mix is having a terrible allergies since 4 years and to be perfectly honest with you – it’s a struggle to keep her well and far away from drugs you mentioned in your bio…. as she’s adopted she has also this “I’ll eat all from the pavement” syndrome, which also does not help.
I’d love to pick your brain and chat more, as I feel it’s not a coincidence Your profile just magically popped out on my instagram wall 🙂
Thanks for sharing your story and be well and healthy.
All the best,
Wera & Jess
Hello Wera and Jess,
Medication has it’s place and the first priority is the health and wellness of the dog. When they need it – it’s a godsend to them. Food as medicine can help strengthen their immune system. I will write you directly to connect. Kind Regards,
Hannah
I’m so impressed. Thank you. Hope to contact you in future. Love the yin yang aporoach
Raising four children, a dog and cats, the labrador mixed named Kemosabe, best friend:) ate all the food that we had and lived to be 18 years old. Of course no grapes or raisins.
Absolutely LOVE to hear that!!! Thank you for sharing.
Studying all this and listening to the wonderful conference, I’m confused..which is better: raw or cooked
Hello Dee – it all depends on the dog. Dogs that need their digestive system supported – is really going to do well with warm/cooked food. Dogs that run hot, can do great on raw. Hope that helps to answer your question.
Hi Hannah
your name was given to me, as I am struggling with my girl, Payton, she’s almost 4, a mini golden doodle. Super sensitive tummy, I just did a fecal sample and discovered she is missing a majority of good bacteria in her gut. I understand you do consultations. I would love to schedule a time so I can let you know what is going on with her (I have a long list) and any guidance would be appreciated. My vet is evaluating now, but I would love a second opinion..let me know how we can set things up.
Hello Kelly, Happy to help. You can find all the packages here: https://dailydogfoodrecipes.com/your-dogs-food-coach/ and I shall be on the lookout for your booking. Blessings.
Hi Hannah! I am really interested in working with you, but I’m having trouble selecting which consultation call would be best for what I’m looking for? I am interested in preparing home cooked diets for my pup (he is currently on commercial fresh food, so it won’t be a complete 180 transition for him), but my head is spinning trying to figure out what to cook, how to cook it, how much to prepare…all while making sure it’s nutritionally balanced!
I believe the ‘Home Cooking Fundamentals’ call would be the best option? I’m looking to learn more about the basics of home cooking, as well as work with you to develop a few recipes for my pup specifically. Also want to understand more of how to properly balance my pup’s meals to make sure he’s getting the nutrients he needs.
Thank you!
Hello Lindsay. Yes the home cooking fundamental includes several zoom meetings, 3 recipes and allows us enough time so I can help you get started in home cooking. All the meals I formulated for you are based on whole foods and I only turn to supplements as needed. And it’s formulated to AAFCO. Thank you so much hope we can work together.
Hiii!!! So I want, need to purchase a session but I’m not sure which one. Is there an email so I can explain? I’m ready to purchase !!! Thank you so much!!!
Hi Hannah, I enjoyed watching you on Dr. Judy Morgan’s recent Gut Health Summit for dogs. You make feeding raw look easy. It was very helpful to see the short video of you preparing a bowl. My dog has some health issues. Vets have not been helpful. Following feeding advice from a resource from another Pet Summit caused my dog to go from 20.8 pounds to 14.2. I have run into a lot of frustrations since I adopted my dog in March 2021. He was an abandoned street dog from South America. I’d like to schedule a consult with you. I don’t eat meat products, so this is going to be a challenge. Looking at raw meat makes me squeamish! I have many questions. Thank you!
Hello Laurie. So glad you found the presentation I shared of value. I’d love to help you. You can book a call with me here: https://dailydogfoodrecipes.com/your-dogs-food-coach/ I do lean on AAFCO balanced meals + TCVM Food Energetics to personalize the recipes to your dog. Be well!
Hello,
I am looking for someone to help me create an appropriate, varied nutrition plan for a Biewer terrier puppy using Dr. Harvey’s Raw Vibrance to make it balanced and complete. I would like to explore plans using sardines, salmon, beef, chicken, lamb and possibly pork. I would like to discuss raw as well as lightly cooked. Thank you so much!
Hello. I learned something new today with your breed. Very cute dogs! Dr. Harvey’s raw vibrance and the rest of their base mixes are great options. I fed that way for years. To save you money – you really don’t need me to “make it balanced” because you can just follow their feeding instructions. That “base mix” is what makes it balanced and all you have to do is add the protein and the oil.
That said – what I do is take it a step beyond and offer lessons in food enegetics and personalizing the food to your dog’s constitution. The best package for you is the 21 Day Harmony Challenge and the next lesson starts March 11. Hope to see you in the class.
Hi Hannah,
I just started with your holistic vet, Dr. Dennis Thomas, and have a question for you regarding my kidney disease pup. Would you be able to email me?
Thank you so much!!!
Melissa
Hi Melissa. Email sent =)
Hi Hannah,
I have an 11 year old male miniature poodle mix (Teddy) he has environmental/food allergies and sensitivities, and also gets chronic ear infections. He also suffers with chronic inflammation in his joints.
Last year he was diagnosed with a large liver tumor which we were successful in removing without and complication or chance or recurrence. His gallbladder had to be removed in the surgery due to the tumor encroaching on it as well. He is currently on Hills Z/D Prescription diet and I know it’s not doing his body and good. He regularly has loose runny stools ever since the surgery and I know its time to give him a real food diet plan.
Thats where I need help. I’m not sure where to begin with this and I’m hoping you can help me curate a new diet for him that will give him a better overall quality of life. Due to his many health concerns I want to make sure he gets the right plan for his body.
Please let me know if this is something you are able to help me with. I look forward to your response.
Hello Michelle,
I am happy to help you. I formulate diets based on whole foods, balanced to AAFCO’s standards. I will send you an email as well.
Blessings.