Dr. Anne Ward is a Scientific Services Veterinarian for Royal Canin US. Anne is a resident of Issaquah, WA and serves as a scientific liaison between the veterinary community and Royal Canin throughout the Northwest. After graduating with honors from Cornell University in 2008, Anne completed a rotating internship followed by a specialty internship. She has since devoted her career to small animal practice, most recently focusing on emergency medicine in the Puget Sound region. She is passionate about the role of nutrition in preventing and managing disease and enjoys being a resource for nutrition information in the veterinary community. Anne shares her home with her husband and sons, as well her two cats, Rambo and Jojo, dogs, Tewks and Charlie, and her thoroughbred rescue, Chopper.

Dr. John Rossi is a Scientific Services Veterinarian with Royal Canin and a 2005 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to joining Royal Canin in 2018, he spent a number of years in small-animal general practice, followed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and most recently, the Drexel University School of Public Health. In addition to his veterinary degree, Dr. Rossi has also completed a master’s degree in bioethics as well as two postdoctoral fellowships in public health science and ethics.

Dr. Avi Deshmukh received his DVM and MS from College of Veterinary medicine, Bombay, India and Ph.D. in nutrition from Univ. of Minnesota. After receiving his Ph.D. he worked in Biochemistry Dept. in Univ. of Minnesota for 7 years, 4 years in Minnesota Agric. Dept. as a feed regulatory officer. Then he worked in Nestle Purina Company in St. Louis as a Sr. Scientist for about 12 years in R&D. For the past 15 years, he has been working for the Royal Canin as a Scientific Communication Manager.

It was a childhood dream come true when Beverly received her DVM from Washington State University. Early in her 20-year career as a small animal practitioner, she developed an intense passion for nutrition and for incorporating diet into her medical protocols. Every patient she had, whether it was healthy or sick, received a personalized nutritional recommendation. She became known as the “Grub Guru” among her clinic staff. About 10 years ago, her adulthood dream came true when she became part of the Royal Canin family, where she could combine her two passions, medicine and nutrition, into a career. She currently is the Scientific Services Veterinarian for Southern California, Arizona, and Hawaii regions.

Dr. Doug Yanik is a 1980 graduate from Iowa State Veterinary School, and currently serves as Regional Scientific Services Veterinarian for Royal Canin. Dr. Yanik also has an MBA in Management from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. Dr. Yanik has served as a primary care companion animal veterinarian on a full- time basis or in relief throughout his career. In addition, Doug has extensive experience in serving in industry as a Technical Services Veterinarian with Pet Food and Pharma companies. Dr. Yanik has also served as Assistant Dean at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Doug and his family including an amazing Golden Retriever, currently call Cary, NC home.

Veronica Whiteside is a Scientific Services Veterinarian with Royal Canin US serving OH, MI and PA. Veronica earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology/Pre-med from Hampton University in Virginia before completing her DVM at Michigan State University in 1996. Veronica spent 14 years in veterinary practice, including private, corporate and shelter practice, and 2.5 years as an Area Veterinarian with Pfizer Animal Health (now Zoetis). She was excited to land her dream job with Royal Canin in 2014 which allows her to focus on a special interest in nutrition. Veronica resides in Columbus, OH where she enjoys spending time with friends, good food, movies and reading in her spare time. Luckily, she also enjoys walking/hiking and occasional biking.

Knowledge is power and helping others obtain a better understanding of nutrition so they can speak confidently to others is the goal. Originally from North Carolina, Dr. Bautista moved to California to pursue her doctoral degree in physiology. After completing her PhD, she went on to obtain her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis. Following her DVM, Dr. Bautista practiced small animal general and emergency medicine in Sacramento and served as the campus veterinarian for a local veterinary technology program. She returned to the University of California to complete a residency in veterinary toxicology, becoming board certified in 2015 (American Board of Veterinary Toxicology). Dr. Bautista then returned to general practice before landing in her current position with Royal Canin as a Scientific Services Veterinarian. She is excited to share her knowledge with all.

Dr. Doraica Aponte

Doraica Aponte is from San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. She obtained a Bachelor of Science from the University of Puerto Rico in 2008. She completed her veterinary medicine degree at the University of Sydney in Australia, graduating with honors in 2012.  After graduation, she worked at a mixed animal practice in Melbourne, Australia for three years. In 2015 the Caribbean weather, family, and friends brought her back to Puerto Rico, where she worked briefly in a small animal practice before joining Royal Canin in November 2015. She relocated to Atlanta in 2018 where she continues working with Royal Canin as a Scientific Services Veterinarian working with veterinary schools and specialists in the South East, U.S. Doraica has a strong interest in diversity, inclusion, best practices and mentorship in the veterinary profession. Dora is an aficionado of good food and enjoys traveling, cycling, running, and scuba diving.

Dr. Patricia Burbano grew up in Carrollton, Texas. She graduated with her DVM and Undergraduate degrees from Texas A&M University. Following graduation, she joined a mixed-animal practice in Lockhart, Texas where she practiced for 5 years. In 2011 she followed her family to Denver, Colorado. There she joined Banfield Pet Hospital and served in multiple capacities as a practitioner and a people leader both at the hospital and market levels. Dr. Burbano has done an extensive amount of relief work and has experience in high volume spay/neuter. She joined Royal Canin in September of 2017. Royal Canin is an amazing fit! Dr. Burbano has always prioritized nutritional recommendations for her patients because of the vital role nutrition plays in the overall health of dogs and cats.

Dr. Jenny Grither is a University Scientific Services Veterinarian with Royal Canin. Her role at the company is now dedicated to building relationships with administration, faculty, staff and students at universities. Her number one goal at Royal Canin is to provide all students with tools and knowledge they need to provide nutritional recommendations for all cats and dogs. Dr. Grither is from St. Louis where she currently resides with her husband and two cats, Link and Bleu. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Truman State University in 2007 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from University of Missouri, Columbia in 2011. Prior to joining Royal Canin as a Scientific Services Veterinarian in June of 2014, she was in private practice for three years. Dr. Grither also does relief work locally when she isn’t spending time with her pets, family, and friends.

Marina, originally from Belarus and raised in Brooklyn, has been working in the veterinary field for over 15 years.  In 2009, she graduated from Mercy College with a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology. Shortly after she began working with small animals as a Licensed Veterinary Technologist and showed special interest in dentistry, anesthesia, emergency, and critical care. Most recently, she has moved to the industry side of veterinary medicine.

Marina is enrolled in a Veterinary Technician Specialty program for Nutrition while working as a District Manager for Royal Canin Veterinary Diets in NYC. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband Alex and geriatric chihuahua, Chico. She enjoys international travel, outdoor recreational activities, and yoga.  

Lisa, a Pennsylvania native, has been working in the Veterinary field for over 20 years. A Certified Veterinary Technician and graduate of Mt. Ida College with a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology in 2003. Her experience ranges from small animal, ruminants, research, emergency and critical care, and for the past 8 years has been on the industry side of veterinary medicine.

In addition to being a Royal Canin associate, she works as a CVT part-time to keep up with her skills. Lisa lives in Delaware County, PA with her husband Jeff, son Liam, daughter Paige and two ginger fur-babies Jelly and Fuzz. She enjoys spending time in the Poconos and the Delaware beaches with her family.

Aimee Graves has a lifetime love of animals and over 25 years of professional veterinary industry experience. A Registered Veterinary Technician and graduate of Purdue University, Aimee has had a variety of experiences in her professional journey, including small animal medicine, emergency/ critical care, and working for an equine hospital in the heart of horse country, Lexington, KY. She has been a supporter of the next generation of veterinary technicians as an instructor and department chair for a veterinary technology program.

Aimee has been involved with the Indiana Veterinary Technician Association as a state representative and has been published in Veterinary Technician Journal. Earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University, Aimee has over 15 years of veterinary sales experience including 8 years dedicated to pet nutrition. Most recently, she earned her Nutritional Coaching Certification from NAVC. She is a passionate and enthusiastic ambassador for pet health and nutrition.

Aimee resides in Northern Indiana with her husband Ryan and blended family that includes 2 sons, 2 daughters, 4 grandsons and cat Pixie. Attending basketball games and being involved with 4-H keeps her busy in her off hours. However, in her down time she enjoys being at the family cottage on Lake Tippecanoe, boating and swimming.

Brittney Lechner, originally from Indiana, has been a part of the veterinary industry for over 12 years now. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 2012 (Boiler up!) and has been a licensed veterinary technologist since 2011. She moved to San Diego back in 2014 and began her journey with Royal Canin at that time.

In addition to working for Royal Canin, she still works as an RVT part-time and is currently working to obtain her specialty in nutrition. She has experience in small and large animal medicine, research, and shelter medicine. Outside of work, she spends her time hiking, baking, and at the dog beach with her best mate, Ruben.

Maxine Curley is a Certified Veterinary Technician, who resides in Southern Minnesota. She has been a Royal Canin Veterinary District Manager since 2017. Her education includes degrees from Rochester Community and Technical College with an Associates in Veterinary Technology, graduating in 2007,  a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Equine Science and Animal Science from the University of Minnesota-Crookston, graduating in 2009.  Both during and after college, Maxine spent time working as a Veterinary Technician in practice, before moving into the animal nutrition industry. Prior to coming to Royal Canin, she held a position as a Livestock Production Specialist, which allowed her to work with national level show stock, young dairy, horses and small ruminant animal nutrition.

When not working, Maxine enjoys being with her family, which includes her husband Jared and two young sons, Beau and Bill. Also, she enjoys time with her own animals, showing and training Appaloosa horses as an independent amateur and tending to the family flock of sheep