Hill's Pet Nutrition Expanded Veterinary Residency Support
The initiative aims to train more specialists to address the shortage of board-certified veterinary nutritionists.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Veterinary Medicine
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Hill's Pet Nutrition has committed to sponsoring three-year clinical nutrition residency programs at four major universities. These programs are designed to train veterinarians to become board-eligible specialists in animal diet and health.
Why it matters
The investment seeks to alleviate the national shortage of board-certified veterinary nutritionists. By increasing the number of specialists, more pet owners will have access to professional diet-based treatment plans for their animals.
Hill's Pet Nutrition is funding these programs across four universities for a three-year duration. Additionally, the company sponsors a separate clinical nutrition internship program at Kansas State University.
The players
Hill's Pet Nutrition
A global pet food manufacturer that produces therapeutic diets and frequently partners with veterinary schools to support clinical research and specialist training.
The Ohio State University
A major public research institution that hosts one of the veterinary clinical nutrition residency programs sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition.
University of California, Davis
A prominent veterinary teaching hospital and university that is one of the four sites for the new clinical nutrition residency training.
University of Georgia
A research university hosting a clinical nutrition residency program to help increase the supply of board-certified specialists.
University of Tennessee
A university participating in the sponsored residency program to support advanced training for veterinary nutritionists.
The details
The residency programs provide veterinarians with specialized training to become board-eligible clinical nutritionists. Residents work directly alongside university specialists to assess individual patient needs and develop tailored, diet-based treatment plans for pets. This immersive training structure ensures participants gain clinical experience in managing animal health through nutritional intervention.
Timeline
Residency programs are scheduled for the upcoming year.
The Home Front
This development follows the standardized professional training requirements set by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition for board certification. By funding these residency slots, the industry is addressing a long-standing supply gap in specialized veterinary care.
If your pet requires complex dietary management due to a chronic health condition, ask your veterinarian if they consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. These specialists can provide detailed guidance that goes beyond standard pet store food recommendations.
The takeaway
Increasing the pipeline of veterinary nutritionists is a vital step toward better long-term health outcomes for pets with dietary needs. Owners should keep a detailed log of their pets diet and health symptoms to share with their veterinarian during annual wellness exams.
Further reading
For more information on pet health and clinical standards, browse our Veterinary Medicine archives.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Petage.
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