MEET DR. ERNIE WARD

"The most important reasons for living are the relationships we cultivate with ourselves, each other,
our planet, and pet loved ones."

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 wellbeing 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, with each other, with our animals and with our planet.

Veterinary Industry Leader

Dr. Ernie Ward has built a career on challenging the status quo in veterinary 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 across the globe.

In 1999, Dr. Ward was instrumental in bringing senior pet care guidelines to general veterinary practices. Two years later, he developed and published widely adopted drug monitoring protocols for pets receiving long term medications such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Previcox, Metacam, Enacard, thyroid hormone, prednisone and more. His chart for drug monitoring guidelines is found in most small animal veterinary hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.

An early advocate for surgical reform, Dr. Ward championed the routine use of pre-surgical blood testing, intravenous fluid therapy during surgery, and comprehensive pre- and post-operative pain management for routine surgeries such as spay (OHE) and neuter (orchiectomy).

Dr. Ward was an outspoken advocate for extended vaccination protocols as early as 1999. He was an early adopter of C02 laser surgery, beginning to use surgical lasers in his practice in 1999. He gave over fifty lectures in the US, Canada, and Europe on the importance of reducing the frequency of pet vaccinations by using extended duration vaccines. His 2004 veterinary training video and guidebook on vaccinology became a key resource for practice teams for extended duration vaccine protocols.

In 2005, Dr. Ward founded the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), a nonprofit dedicated to educating pet owners and veterinary professionals about the rising threat of pet obesity in dogs and cats.

As an author, he has written or co-authored:

He became a certified personal trainer (certified 2005) and USA Triathlon certified coach (certified 2007) and multiple Ironman Triathlon finisher (11:45 PB). He also holds a US patent for the first “smart bowl feeding system,” filed in 2016 - bringing together technology and nutrition to help pets live healthier, longer lives.

Professional Highlights – Dr. Ernie Ward

1989 - 2000

  • Winner, Snickers New Music Search – Southeast U.S. Region, with The Violets (1989)

  • Named One of “100 Best Unsigned Bands in the U.S.”, College Music Journal, with The Violets (1990)

  • #19 Hit, “I Hate the Grateful Dead”, College Music Journal (1991)

  • Graduated, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine (1992)

  • Founded Seaside Animal Care – Small Animal Veterinary Practice (1993)

  • First National Veterinary Publication, Veterinary Economics (1999)

  • First International Veterinary Publications – U.K. and Japan (1999)

  • National Practice of Excellence Award – Outstanding Small Animal Clinic, U.S. (1999)

  • Created and Published Long-Term Drug Monitoring Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (1999)

  • Published First Veterinary Staff Training Textbook and Video, Creating the Veterinary Experience (1999)

  • Team Member, National Senior Pet Care Guidelines Development (2000)

  • Appointed to Editorial Advisory Board, Veterinary Economics (2000)

  • Founding Member, VetPartners (formerly AVPMCA – Association of Veterinary Practice Management Consultants and Advisors) (2000)

2000 - 2010

  • Launched National Campaign on Long-Term Drug Monitoring in Pets (2001)

  • Client Education Handouts Published, LifeLearn (Dog & Cat) (2002)

  • Television Appearance, King of the Jungle – Animal Planet Series (2003–2004)

  • Speaker of the Year Award, North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) (2004–2005)

  • Featured in National TV Commercial for Iams Weight Loss Diet (2005)

  • Certified Personal Trainer (2005)

  • Founder, Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) (2005)

  • First Veterinary Article Published in Canada (2005)

  • Released Creating the Veterinary Appointment – Staff Training Video (2006)

  • Certified USA Triathlon Coach (2007)

  • Completed First Full Ironman Triathlon (2007)
    (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run)

  • First Appearance on The Rachael Ray Show (2007)

  • Completed Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon – San Francisco, CA (2008)

  • First Publication in Chinese Veterinary Journal (2009)

  • First Publication in Taiwanese Veterinary Journal (2010)

  • Author, Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs Are Getting Fatter (2010)

  • Featured Pet Expert, AVMA WebMD (2010)

2010 - 2020

  • Featured Veterinary Expert, Vetstreet (2011)

  • Profiles in Medicine Award, Veterinary Practice News (2011)

  • Founder and Board Member, International Veterinary Senior Care Society (2011)

  • Personal Wellness Editor, dvm360 and Veterinary Economics (January 2011)

  • Continuing Educator of the Year Award, Western Veterinary Conference – Las Vegas, NV (2012)

  • Program Committee Chairperson, Southern European Veterinary Conference (2013)

  • Senior Veterinary Editor, Pet Health Network (Appointed 2013)

  • Certified Veterinary Food Therapist (CVFT) (2013)

  • CATalysta Award, CATalyst Council – Recognized as “a champion for cats” (2013)

  • Advisory Board Member, The Grey Muzzle Organization (Appointed 2014)

  • Candidate, North Carolina State Senate – District 8 (2014)

  • Co-Author, AAHA Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (2014)

  • Board Member, Australian Veterinary Owners’ League (2015)

  • Adjunct Professor, Beijing University Veterinary School (Visiting Professorship, 2015)

  • Council Member, Cat-Friendly Practice Advisory Council (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: Small Animal Obesity Textbook (2016)

  • Founder and Host, Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast (Launched December 2016)

  • Regular Columnist, Dogster Magazine – “The Vet Is In” (January 2017–2023)

  • Board Member, Mission Rabies (Appointed March 2017)

  • Board Member, Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute (Appointed August 2017)

  • Co-Founder and Chief Veterinary Officer, Wild Earth Pets (2017–2021)

  • Co-Founder and Executive Director of Education / Chief Veterinary Officer, VerticalVet (2018)

  • Veterinary Journalist of the Year, New York Pet Fashion Show (2018)

  • Keynote Speaker, SAVMA National Convention – University of Georgia (2019)

  • Co-Author, Better Dog, Better You (September 2019)

  • Co-Author, The Clean Pet Food Revolution  (December 2019)

  • Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Owner, Affordable Pet Labs (2020)

2020 - Present

Dr. Ernie Ward Has Been Featured in: