I’m a Veterinary Assistant. This Is Why I Switched My Dog to Ollie.

This is my loving girl, Aaliyah. Isn’t she cute? I know it’s not the first word people use when they describe a Doberman, but it’s because they haven’t gotten to know her yet.

I’m a veterinary assistant, and I work with every animal under the sun. I get attached to all the dogs that come through as patients, but my Aaliyah and I have a bond like mother and daughter. She’s my first female dog, and she’s teaching me new things every day.

Our adventures kick off early in the morning when Aaliyah wakes me up with her little whines, telling me it’s time to get moving. We start our day with a walk around the block. She loves to hit up Fiesta Island, a dog-friendly beach here in sunny San Diego. After our morning workout, we usually head to a dog store for some socialization and training. Aaliyah’s playful vibes make everyone smile, and I love when it catches people off guard. She’s not exactly a little fluff ball, and her breed in general can come off as a little intense, so I love when she surprises people with how goofy she is! She has this adorable habit of sitting on my lap like she’s a tiny lap dog, even though she’s 62 pounds. Her wiggles when she’s excited are the cutest.

When it’s mealtime, Aaliyah has her own routine. She’s smart and knows exactly where her food is. She’ll visit all her usual spots, whether it’s her kennel, her spot by the table for ASMR videos, or right by her water bowl. She is not shy about her love of food.

At work, and I see a lot of dogs across a spectrum of health. It’s made me incredibly sensitive and careful with Aaliyah, and most importantly taught me how truly sensitive dogs can be to their diet. My work has given me a good intuitive sense of what works for the majority of dogs, and what just doesn’t (that said, every dog is different). Finding the best for Aaliyah is my number one priority. That’s why I decided to switch her to Ollie.

Switching to Ollie was all about giving Aaliyah slow-cooked, nutritious meals. Having taken care of countless dogs at the vet and having listened to so many dog owners’ stories and experiences with their dogs’ diets, there was no question in my mind that slow-cooked food had more nutritional value than kibble. The science shows it: slow-cooked meals keep more nutrients, because the dehydrating and high temperatures of kibble production basically blast the nutrients out of the food. They are also easier to digest, and obviously taste fresher. For a human, think of the difference like choosing between beef-jerky or filet mignon: which would you prefer?

We picked the lamb, beef, and turkey recipes, skipping chicken because of Aaliyah’s allergies. She’s all about the beef with sweet potatoes! Watching her enjoy her meals so much has been a joy. I noticed big improvements in her health too. Her coat is shiny and smooth, her flatulence is less smelly, and her bowel movements are healthier and less frequent.

Aaliyah eats fast, so I use slow feeders or lick mats for her meals. She loves it! One of my favorite things to do is making special plates for her. It’s become a bit of a tradition. I put a lot of effort into her meals, arranging them with care and creativity. Whether it’s adding a touch of peanut butter, some green beans, or a sprinkle of coconut oil, each plate is a little masterpiece, and I love splurging on new lickmats with different divider shapes that make a beautiful plate. I’ll sometimes even get a little crazy and put dehydrated frog legs (I know so crazy, but she loves it!) Her plates have become quite famous among my friends and followers, and I love sharing pictures of them. It’s another way for me to bond with her, express my own creativity, and at the end of the day, show her my love.

Still, Aaliyah has a way of letting me know when she’s not feeling well. She gets quiet, pants or sleeps all day, and isn’t as clingy. Thanks to my job, I’m super sensitive to her health. I’ve dealt with her diet challenges, especially her chicken allergy, which made her coat rough and flaky. I saw her suffering, and there was nothing worse as her mom. Switching her to Ollie was a game-changer. Her coat is smooth now, and her overall health has improved a lot. Aaliyah’s vet (and my boss!) has noted her healthy weight and smooth coat, and told us to definitely keep up her current diet.

Unboxing our first Ollie delivery was so fun. Aaliyah, always hyped about packages, sniffed the box and couldn’t wait to get a taste. It’s been great for me too in that the ordering was easy. Delivery was quick, and the whole experience has been great. Ollie’s online process was fast and smooth, tailored to Aaliyah’s needs. Before ordering, I filled out a survey all about her, to ensure that the food we’d be getting would take into account her size, weight, breed and lifestyle, all to ensure her meals were tailor-made for her. This has been a huge peace of mind for me over kibble, where I have to measure the proportions, and am not always sure that I am giving her the right amount since there is little to no transparency into kibble ingredients. She is a massive dog, so my biggest fear is not giving her enough food, or worse, giving her food that satiates her but lacks healthy nutrients, the equivalent of feeding her potato chips all the time. Ollie’s meals are easy to store, and made with natural ingredients I can see and read. When I get out a pack of Ollie and defrost it, I am confident that what I am giving her is what she needs to be as healthy as possible.

If you’re looking for a way to make your pup’s meals more nutritious and delicious, I cannot recommend Ollie enough. Aaliyah’s playful antics, her smart and goofy personality, and her love for Ollie have made our lives richer and Aaliyah healthier, hands down.