Christie Willett is the visionary behind Waggin Meals Pet Nutrition Co. As a Integrative Animal Nutritionist specializing in Canines, she is a passionate advocate for pet wellness, Christie has built a brand rooted in compassion, science, and a deep love for animals. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to improve the lives of dogs through real, nutritious food.

Christie’s journey is as inspiring as it is diverse. Raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina, she grew up traveling with her parents—her father, a minister, and her mother, a gospel singer—performing in a family gospel group. That early foundation of faith, resilience, and service shaped her into the dynamic leader she is today.

Before founding Waggin Meals, Christie explored a wide range of fields, including human services, criminal case law management, and architectural design. But her path took a deeply personal turn after the loss of her mother to non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver—a condition that also unexpectedly claimed the life of her oldest dog, Jack. Fueled by grief and determination, Christie dove into the world of nutrition, determined to make a difference.

What began in her kitchen quickly grew into a full-fledged business. Christie opened a farm shop on her property, followed by a second location in Key West, Florida. Today, Waggin Meals ships nationwide, delivering handcrafted, nutrient-rich meals to dogs across the country.

Christie works closely with local rescues and adoption agencies, and she’s known for her hands-on approach with customers—developing personalized meal plans tailored to each dog’s unique needs. She also consults one-on-one with pet owners in clinical animal nutrition, helping address complex health concerns through targeted, science-based dietary strategies.

She teaches animal nutrition both nationally and internationally, with a focus on canine health. Her research centers on critical topics such as animal feed, obesity, stress, and gestation.

Christie earned her Master’s degree in Animal Science with a focus in nutrition from the University of Tennessee, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Animal Science, further deepening her expertise and commitment to improving pet health through nutrition.

On her days off, you’ll find her enjoying time with her husband Tres, their three beloved pups—Jax, Lil’ J, and Jasmine—and her newest pride and joy: her grandbaby Jovi, lovingly known as “Yaya’s girl.”

Christie’s Philosophy:
“The emphasis on nutrition is often overlooked in today’s veterinary health-care system. At Waggin Meals, I’m committed to giving pet owners the full spectrum of options to maintain—or restore—their pet’s health through integrative, science-based nutrition. What would happen if the world of integrative nutrition collided with Western veterinary medicine? We need to be the future—not the past—where pet food in the United States is still classified as ‘feed.’ That’s like eating fast food every day instead of preparing fresh meals at home. With the rise in cancer, obesity, liver disease, and gastritis in pets, it’s time to use food as the first step toward healing—before pharmaceuticals and supplements.”