Friday, October 17, 2014

Purina #BetterWithPets Summit 2014

Early this week we took a quick trip up to NYC for the Purina Better With Pets Summit, where scientists, visionaries, and innovators gathered to share stories how innovation is helping create a brighter future for people and pets.

There were 15 amazing speakers -- from rocket scientist Mark Deadrick who printed prosthetics for a Chihuahua to 14-year-old inventor Brooke Martin who invented the ICPooch so you can video chat and treat your dog remotely. 

Every speaker and presenter was fascinating, on such a wide variety of topics. We're looking forward to posting some of the videos on our favorite topics in the next few weeks.

In the meantime, here's a quick look at just some of the highlights.





Mark Deadrick spoke about how he used a 3D printer to make a prosthetic device to help TurboRoo -- a Chihuahua born without front legs -- regain his mobility.


Once again, John Hockenberry, host of public radio's The Takeaway, was brilliant as emcee of the event. Here he has some fun with TurboRoo, showing him how to do some wheelies!

Just a few more highlights included:
  • Rita Garza of the Urban Resource Institute in New York, taking about the URI Pals program which allows survivors of abuse to live alongside their pets in shelters
  • Dan Smith, a Purina researcher, talked about imagining a better future with pets, including helping them live longer lives by reducing the amount they eat to keep them lean and healthy
  • Joshua Leeds and Lisa Spector, the creators of Through a Dog's and Cat's Ear sound therapy to help pets with anxiety
  • Janet Jackson, a Purina researcher who talked about advancements in canine cognitive health through the discovery of MCTs (medium chain triglycerides) that help dogs that are showing signs of confusion similar to dementia
There were lots more amazing and entertaining speakers including poets, a comedian and rappers! We'll share more with you in coming posts!

We also had a terrific time seeing old pals. Here's our fun group selfie!

Clockwise from bottom: Dan from Purina, Roxanne from Champion of My Heart,  Rosalyn from Sugar the Golden Retriever,  Jen from DOGthusiast; Pam from Simply Southern Mom, Felissa from Two Little Cavaliers and me!

The fun and games continue every Friday with FitDog Friday, the weekly Blog Hop brought to you by To Dog With LoveSlimDoggy and My GBGV Life to promote a healthy active lifestyle for pets (and their people, too!). Join in every Friday by linking up your FitDog story or visiting the blogs in the Hop.





13 comments:

  1. Wow poets and rappers too. Gosh sounds like a fun event and glad you got to meet old pals. Have a fabulous Friday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  2. Cool event- sounds like there were great resources and ideas! There's nothing better than hanging out with old pals, too. That TurboRoo? That looks so cool. Have a great Friday!

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  3. What a cool event. We should get Dan to post on this HOP as Fit Dog Fridays are all about keeping healthy and fit. Thanks for sharing X Susie & Kilo

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  4. We've read several posts about it and it sounds like it was a great event!

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  5. What a great group of bloggers! Sounds like a wonderful event

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  6. So much fun! I adore the group selfie - who is that creeper at the top?! ;)
    I just posted a video of Roo barking at the wheelchair - that was one of my favorite highlights!

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  7. That looks like it was a great event, with a very interesting variety of topics and speakers. It must have been fun to meet up with the other bloggers as well!

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  8. Sounds like a lot of fun topics and speakers! Roo is too cute.

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  9. Thanks so much for posting! I HATE that I wasn't able to make it this year, missed seeing you again! Hopefully next year! LOVED the video!

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