ATLANA, GA.— On Jan. 25, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) awarded George Fahey, Ph.D., and Dennis Jewell, Ph.D., the 2022 Friend of Pet Food Award at its Pet Food Conference in conjunction with the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). The award recognizes individuals who made significant contributions towards the growth of the pet food industry.

The 2022 Friend of Pet Food Award was presented by Juan Gomez, global director of Alltech, Inc.

“Drs. Fahey and Jewell have both made tremendous advances to pet health and we are thrilled to recognize them today,” said Louise Calderwood, director of regulatory affairs at AFIA.

George Fahey, PhD, of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (Source: AFIA)

Fahey is currently professor emeritus of Animal Sciences in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has studied carbohydrate and protein nutrition, including dietary fibers, poly- and oligosaccharides, starches, amino acids, protein quality, protein ingredient selection and more. Fahey has also mentored nearly 100 postdoctoral researchers, doctorate and master’s students throughout the college’s programs.

“For over 40 years, Dr. Fahey has conducted impactful research in pet nutrition and pet food science to enhance nutritional programs for the betterment of pet animal health and wellbeing,” Calderwood said. “As a result of his research, new dietary formulations for pets at various physiological states and for those experiencing certain health problems are being recommended by animal health care professionals and pet food manufacturers.”

Dennis Jewell, PhD, formerly of Hill's Pet Nutrition. (Source: AFIA) 

A former senior fellow of nutrition innovation at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Jewell is currently retired but serves as an industry nutrition consultant. In 2010 he was selected by the US Food and Drug Administration to be a member of the Nutrition Expert Committee, in which he helped establish nutrition requirements for cats and dogs. Jewell has knowledge in research, development, legal and regulatory issues within the pet food industry. He also has published more than 250 book chapters, patents, peer-reviewed articles and abstracts.

“During Dr. Jewell’s over 30 years in the pet food industry, he has relentlessly focused on pet nutrition to improve the lives of companion animals,” Calderwood said. “His most recent research has led to further novel nutritional interventions, including those that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and provide protection to kidney health to improve pet longevity and quality of life.”

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