MEET DR. ERNIE WARD
"The most important reasons for living are the relationships we cultivate with ourselves, each other,
our planet, and the animals we share our lives with."
Dr. Ernie Ward
Often referred to as “America’s Pet Advocate,” Dr. Ernie Ward has devoted his career to improving the lives of animals through clinical practice, education, writing, and innovation. Whether addressing pet obesity, guiding veterinary teams through best practices, supporting pet owners with trusted advice, or reimagining care for aging animals, his work is united by a single goal: to elevate the standard of care for animals everywhere by bridging science, compassion, and innovation.
“For over two decades, I’ve been on a mission to elevate quality of life, not just for myself and my family, but for the pets and people I serve. I’ve never believed that veterinary medicine should stop at diagnosing and treating disease. True care means preventing illness, optimizing health, and rethinking what ‘wellness’ really means. To me, wellness isn’t the absence of illness; it’s the presence of vitality.
This passion has fueled my ongoing study of human and veterinary physiology, nutrition, preventive care, and longevity. Healing and well-being require more than prescriptions—they demand a thoughtful blend of medicine, nutrition, emotional support, and holistic insight. I live by a simple philosophy: be it, do it, share it.
The most important reasons for living are the relationships we build and cultivate with ourselves, each other, our animals, and our planet.
About Dr. Ernie Ward
Dr. Ernie Ward is a veterinarian, educator, and advocate whose work has helped shape the modern veterinary profession and medicine. From pioneering senior pet care to reshaping how veterinarians approach nutrition, surgery, and preventive care, his work has influenced veterinary teams and pet owners worldwide.
In the mid- to late-1990s, Dr. Ward introduced groundbreaking long-term drug monitoring protocols and was among the first in general veterinary practice in the US to adopt CO₂ laser surgery. He became a national voice for senior care programs and protocols, and created improved standards for routine surgical care, promoting pre-anesthetic blood testing, IV fluid therapy, and proactive pain management for spays and neuters. His advocacy for extended-duration vaccination protocols, beginning in 1999, led to lectures across North America and Europe and a widely used training video and guidebook on veterinary immunology.
Dr. Ward is the founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), established in 2005 to confront the growing epidemic of overweight pets through research, education, and industry change. He also founded the World Pet Obesity Association (WPOA), an international organization dedicated to improving the standards of care for companion animals with clinical obesity. His foundational work in veterinary clinical obesity has helped ignite a global conversation about companion animal nutrition and the importance of a healthy body condition in animals.
As an author, he has written or co-authored:
Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Obesity textbook (2016)
Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) (2014)
Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs Are Getting Fatter (2010)
Creating the Veterinary Appointment (2003)
Creating the Veterinary Experience (1999)
Dr. Ward’s influence extends far beyond the exam room. He is a certified personal trainer and USA Triathlon coach, a multiple Ironman triathlon finisher, and a passionate proponent of veterinary wellness for pets, clients, and clinic teams. In 2016, he was awarded a U.S. patent for the first IoT smart bowl feeding system, blending technology and nutrition to help pets live healthier, longer lives.
Through his award-winning podcast, The Veterinary Viewfinder, national media appearances, and ongoing speaking engagements, Dr. Ward continues to advocate for a smarter, more sustainable, and more compassionate future for veterinary medicine.
Professional Highlights –
Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM, CVFT
Early Career and Education
(1989–1992)
Winner, Snickers New Music Search – Southeast U.S. Region, with The Violets (1989)
Named one of the “100 Best Unsigned Bands in the U.S.” by College Music Journal (1990)
Reached #19 on the College Music Journal charts with “I Hate the Grateful Dead” (1991)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia (1992)
Practice Development
(1993–2000)
Founded Seaside Animal Care, a small animal practice (1993)
First national publication in Veterinary Economics (1999)
First international veterinary publications (UK and Japan, 1999)
National Practice of Excellence Award – Outstanding Small Animal Clinic (1999)
Developed and published long-term drug monitoring guidelines for dogs and cats (1999)
Published veterinary staff training textbook and video, Creating the Veterinary Experience (1999)
Contributed to the development of the National Senior Pet Care Guidelines (2000)
Appointed to the Veterinary Economics Editorial Advisory Board (2000)
Founding member, VetPartners (formerly AVPMCA) (2000)
Public Engagement and Education
(2001–2010)
Launched national campaign on long-term drug monitoring (2001)
Authored over 200 client education handouts for LifeLearn’s veterinary library (2002)
Appeared on King of the Jungle, Animal Planet (2003–2004)
Speaker of the Year – North American Veterinary Conference (2004–2005)
Featured in the first national Iams commercial (2005)
Founded the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) (2005)
Released additional veterinary staff training resources (2006)
Completed multiple triathlons, including Ironman and Escape from Alcatraz (2007–2008)
First veterinary articles published in Chinese and Taiwanese journals (2009–2010)
Author, Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs Are Getting Fatter (2010)
Featured Pet Expert, AVMA WebMD (2010)
Leadership and Innovation
(2011–2020)
Featured expert contributor for Vetstreet and Veterinary Practice News (2011)
Founder and board member, International Veterinary Senior Care Society (2011)
Wellness Editor, dvm360 and Veterinary Economics (2011)
Continuing Educator of the Year – Western Veterinary Conference (2012)
Chair, Program Committee – Southern European Veterinary Conference (SEVC) (2013- Present)
Senior Veterinary Editor, Pet Health Network (2013)
Certified Veterinary Food Therapist (2013)
CATalysta Award – Recognized for feline advocacy (2013)
Advisory roles with The Grey Muzzle Organization and Cat-Friendly Practice Council (2014–2015)
Co-author, AAHA Weight Management Guidelines (2014)
Adjunct Professor, Beijing University (2015)
Founder, Project 25: Pet Life Extension Initiative (2015)
U.S. patent holder – Smart Bowl Feeding System (2016)
Co-author, Veterinary Clinics of North America: Obesity in Small Animals (2016)
Host and founder, The Veterinary Viewfinder podcast (2016–present)
Columnist, Dogster Magazine – The Vet Is In (2017–2023)
Board roles with Mission Rabies and Veterinary Sports Medicine Institute (2017)
Co-founder, Wild Earth Pets and VerticalVet (2017–2018)
Veterinary Journalist of the Year (2018)
Co-author of Better Dog, Better You and The Clean Pet Food Revolution (2019)
Scientific Advisory Board, Morris Animal Foundation (2022-2024)
Current Roles and Appointments
(2020–Present)
Founder and President of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) (2007 to Present)
Scientific Chair and Program Committee – Southern European Veterinary Conference (SEVC) (2013- Present)
Chief Veterinary Officer, Vertical Vet (2018-Present)
Board of Directors, Mission Rabies (2017-Present)
Board of Directors, Grey Muzzle Organization (2014-Present)
Advisory Board Member, Wedgewood / Blue Rabbit (2023–Present)
Board of Directors, Morris Animal Foundation, Animal Welfare Committee (2024-Present)
Vetty Award winner – Podcast, Veterinary Viewfinder (NAVC/VMX, 2021)
Animal Welfare Advisory Board, Morris Animal Foundation (2022–Present)
Board of Directors, CATalyst Council (2024–Present)
Member, World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Financial Advisory Committee (2024–Present)
Chair, WSAVA Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC) (2025-Present)
