Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Clinical Nutrition Service, Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Clinical Assistant Professor of Nutrition
Dr. Jackie Parr, a 2009 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, is a Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® and Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Nutrition)—one of fewer than 100 specialists in the field. She joined the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020 as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Nutrition, where she leads the Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Service, providing specialized nutritional consultations for cats and dogs while training the next generation of veterinary nutritionists. Since 2021, the service has expanded to include three ACVIM (Nutrition) residents and a licensed veterinary technician.
Before joining academia, Dr. Parr spent five years in the pet nutrition industry, adding valuable industry experience to her background in private practice and specialty medicine. This diverse perspective enriches her teaching and allows her to bridge evidence-based science with practical clinical application. Her contributions earned her a Canadian Best in Show Award in 2018 and recognition as a regional winner and global finalist for the Make the Difference Awards in 2019.
A passionate advocate for evidence-based nutrition education, Dr. Parr became a Founding Member and Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Veterinary Nutrition in 2018, an organization dedicated to advancing veterinary nutrition education and promoting sound nutritional practices across Canada. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant, known for her expertise in complex nutritional cases and her commitment to making nutrition accessible to veterinarians and pet owners alike.
Known affectionately online as “The Kibble Queen™”—a nickname given to her by classmates during veterinary school—Dr. Parr is also an enthusiastic science communicator who enjoys educating audiences through social media and public outreach. Originally from Canada, she now lives in Athens, Georgia, with her beloved Boston Terriers, Miss Maple Mae and Miss Molly Moose.
Education
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Veterinary Nutrition, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 2013-2015
- MSc in Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, 2011-2013
- Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Residency Program, Angell Animal Medical Center, Boston, MA, 2010-2013
- Small Animal Rotating Internship in Emergency, Medicine, and Surgery, Angell Animal Medical Center, Boston, MA, 2009-2010
- DVM, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 2009
- BScH in Animal Biology, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 2005
Professional Certifications
- Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Nutrition), 2021
- Diplomate American College of Veterinary Nutrition, 2015
Experience
Dr. Parr completed a rotating small animal internship and a residency in clinical nutrition at Angell Animal Medical Centre in Boston, MA. During her internship, Dr. Parr was awarded the Dr. Sharon Drellich Memorial Award for professionalism, collegiality, and compassion. During her four years in Boston, she also completed a Masters in biochemical and molecular nutrition at Tufts University.
Dr. Parr returned to Ontario Veterinary College in 2013 to complete a post-doctoral fellowship and focus on development of the first Clinical Nutrition Service in Canada for the OVC Health Sciences Centre. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition in 2015. She was awarded the OVC Young Alumnus Award in 2016.
Teaching
Nutrition is taught by Dr. Parr in the following courses as part of the DVM curriculum:
- Clinical Skills – Year 1-2
- Professional Skills – Year 1-2
- Foundations – Year 1
- Gastrointestinal System – Year 1-2
- Musculoskeletal System – Year 2
- Endocrine System – Year 2
- Core Medicine and Surgery – Year 3
Clinical Interest
Dr. Parr leads the UGA Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Service at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Research Interest
Spectrum of Malnutrition
Over-nutrition:
- Communication (focus on obesity- and nutrition-related conversations)
- Weight loss (focus on nutrition support plans and digital gram scales)
- Body composition analysis (focus on dual energy x-ray absorptiometry or DXA)
Under-nutrition:
- Critical care nutrition (focus on nutrition support for hospitalized patients)
- Weight gain (including novel structured lipids for weight gain in dogs and cats)
- Refeeding syndrome (including past research on thiamine/vitamin B1)
- Body composition analysis (focus on dual energy x-ray absorptiometry or DXA)
Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in health and disease
