Nom Nom's Veterinary Nutritionist, Justin Shmalberg DVM

Mission

Dr. Shmalberg’s professional mission is to help owners find the best integrative health solutions for their pets. Client education, veterinary teaching, product development, research, and an integrative medicine practice are all part of that. He’s seen countless animals helped by a combination of the latest medical treatments and technologies and natural approaches to disease and wellness—but, to him, nutrition is always fundamental. In his view, feeding our pets well is the best strategy for preventing chronic diseases.

History

Dr. Shmalberg’s veterinary journey began nearly two decades ago when he adopted a dog, a young Rhodesian Ridgeback mix named Liberty, who suffered from intractable seizures. He tried conventional medicine, but it didn’t reduce the frequency of her seizures—she was having multiple violent episodes daily, for days at a time. In a frustrated and hurried search for treatment, he found integrative veterinary medicine (though it wasn’t called that at the time). Through a combination of conventional care and complementary treatments, which in Liberty’s case included a natural diet and supplements, as well as lifestyle changes, her health improved. For the last 10 years of her life, she only experienced two seizures, after hundreds in that first year.

Dr. Shmalberg’s experience with Liberty inspired him to launch a natural pet food delivery service which became a retail store, Natural Pet Outfitters, in his hometown of Lawrence, Kansas. At the time, he was working on a BA in African Studies at the University of Kansas. The goal was to offer natural diets, which weren’t really popular at the time, supplements, and other innovative pet products. One day, while working in the store, a group of executives from a large commercial dog food company approached him.

At the time, a store dedicated to natural pet diets was a novelty and they’d stopped by for a visit. When they mentioned that much of the advice he’d been giving owners was probably incorrect and that if he really wanted to know more about pet nutrition, he should pursue veterinary nutrition certification, something clicked. Dr. Shmalberg took their advice to heart and enrolled in the undergraduate courses that were prerequisites for veterinary school.

He went on to earn his DVM from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, followed by advanced training in veterinary nutrition and integrative medicine.  Dr. Shmalberg now lives in Florida with Matatu, his rescue Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Qualifications

Academic History
DVM, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2008
BA, African Studies, Highest Distinction and Honors, University of Kansas, 2004

Clinical Training and Employment
Clinical Associate Professor, University of Florida, 2016-Present
Medical Director, Small Animal Hospital, University of Florida, 2015-2017
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Florida, 2012-2016
Resident, Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, University of Florida, 2010-2012
Associate Veterinarian, Haile Plantation Animal Clinic, Gainesville, Florida, 2009-2010
Intern, Veterinary Acupuncture (canine and equine), University of Florida, 2008-2009

Specialty Certifications
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, 2015
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Nutrition, 2012

Organizational Certifications
Certification in Veterinary Food Therapy, Chi Institute/China National Society of TCVM
Certification in Veterinary Chinese Herbology, Chi Institute/China National Society of TCVM
Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture, Chi Institute/China National Society of TCVM

Awards
Superior Accomplishment Award, Health Science Center, University of Florida, 2016
Elective Clinician of the Year, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2016
Bloomberg Lecturer, International Sports Medicine Symposium, 2015