By Rebecca Shipman
Photos provided by Dr. Emily Dohrman & Hill’s Pet Nutrition
eaching has always been a passion of mine,” recounts Dr. Emily Dohrman, DVM and manager of professional veterinary strategic initiatives at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “So I knew that even if I pursued veterinary medicine, I wanted to incorporate education into my career.”
After earning her DVM from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Dr. Dohrman spent nearly four years in private practice in Kansas City, Missouri. During that time, she discovered how much she loved communicating with pet parents and forming relationships in the exam room.
“I found so much joy in collaborating with clients to improve their pets’ health—particularly through nutrition—and quickly knew that’s where I wanted to make a difference,” she shares.
Dr. Dohrman’s passion for teaching and nutrition eventually led her to her current role with Hill’s, where she could make an even broader impact by supporting veterinarians and advancing education.
“Nutrition is such a powerful tool; it can truly transform the lives of pets,” she states. “Early in my career, I saw firsthand how impactful nutrition conversations could be, and that has always stood out for me and really shaped my career path. The transition to Hill’s Pet Nutrition from there was a no-brainer with their scientific leadership in the field.”
With a focus on three key areas—advancing mental health and well-being, fostering leadership development, and bridging critical gaps in nutrition education—Dr. Dohrman’s role at Hill’s centers around supporting veterinary students and early-career veterinarians by driving a national strategy that makes a real difference.
“What I love most about it is being able to support the next generation of veterinary professionals, not just as students and in their early careers, but as people,” she says.
Through Hill’s student and early-career professional initiatives, they provide education and resources such as mental health support in partnership with Veterinary Hope Foundation (VHF).
“Seeing students grow in confidence, both personally and professionally, is incredibly rewarding,” Dr. Dohrman expresses. “Knowing that I’m helping prepare them to lead meaningful nutrition conversations and make a difference in their patients’ lives is what drives me every day.
Dr. Dohrman primarily works out of the Hill’s Pet Nutrition global headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas, and every day brings something new. From hosting workshops to brainstorming new ways to support students and young professionals, she is constantly inspired by the opportunity to help shape the future of veterinary medicine.
Photo by John Burns Productions
When veterinarians feel confident in discussing nutrition with clients, everyone benefits. Pets receive better care, owners feel more empowered to make informed decisions, and the veterinarian-client relationship becomes even stronger. 
– Dr. Emily Dohrman
Despite it being foundational to pet health and playing a key role in both preventative care and disease management, one area in which students often lack confidence, Dr. Dohrman says, is in nutrition.
“At Hill’s, we’re helping to build that confidence through the Student Representative program,” she explains. “What excites me most about this approach is how it equips future veterinarians with the tools and expertise to integrate nutrition into their care from day one of their careers.”
The program provides veterinary students with immersive, hands-on training that complements their education, introducing them to leading-edge research, real-world applications and case studies that highlight the importance of nutrition in clinical practice.
“By continuing to invest in nutrition education and fostering a culture where nutrition is seen as a cornerstone of veterinary medicine,” she continues, “we have an incredible opportunity to improve patient outcomes and advance the profession as a whole.”
Veterinary medicine can be a demanding career, and as a busy mom to one-year-old twins and two Golden Retrievers, Dr. Dohrman says balancing work and family life can be a challenge, but also incredibly rewarding.
“I’m so glad my children get to see their mom be passionate about her work,” she adds.
Dr. Dohrman concludes with her advice to students and early-career veterinarians:
“Prioritize self-care and lean on the resources available to you,” she suggests. “Remember, you’re not alone, and there’s a whole community rooting for your success—both personally and professionally.”