WALTHAM® is the scientific authority that unifies the research and development expertise of the Mars Pet Care Companies worldwide.
WALTHAM® has been a major influence in the rapidly developing field of companion animal nutrition for over 60 years. Every year, millions of pounds are invested in WALTHAM® research programmes. These programmes are aimed at determining the nutritional and behavioural needs of companion animals; and then developing products that meet these needs in a practical way. It is WALTHAM® that provides the science behind world-leading brands such as PEDIGREE® and WHISKAS®, as well as SPILLERS®, WINERGY®, CESAR®, SHEBA®, TRILL®, AQUARIAN® and EXCELPET®. WALTHAM® has a leading reputation amongst pet owners, breeders, veterinarians and academics alike. As a cumulative source of expertise and influence which is pre-eminent in its field, WALTHAM® is, undoubtedly, the World's Leading Authority on Pet Care and Nutrition.
The WALTHAM® Centre for pet nutrition
Set in the heart of the English countryside, the WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition is a state of the art facility that welcomes more than 1,000 visitors a year. The spacious pet accommodation at WALTHAM® has been designed and built with the animal’s needs first, and our highly trained staff provide regular physical and mental stimulation - as well as lots of loving care. These conditions are vital to our research: relaxed animals help WALTHAM® scientists understand pets in the domestic environment. This means that our high quality data can be directly applied to pets in the home, benefiting millions of pets world-wide.
The WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition has been developed over the years to provide state-of-the art facilities, incorporating the latest developments in modern technology. The centre provides the central resource for WALTHAM® research worldwide. It is here that fundamental studies in the nutrition and behaviour of dogs, cats and birds are carried out. The WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition is located in rural Leicestershire about 100 miles north of London.
The Equine studies group
The Equine Studies Group research team was established at WALTHAM® nearly 15 years ago. They are dedicated to advancing the science of nutrition as it impacts on the health, welfare, behaviour and performance of all horses and providing the science behind the SPILLERS® and WINERGY® brands. In addition, they are committed to sharing our work with veterinarians, scientists and horse owners around the world. They strongly believe that with veterinarians and owners/feeders working together (and with nutritionists as and when appropriate) they can help to optimise the diets of the various horses under our care.
Pat Harris – SPILLERS® Director of science
After qualifying as a Veterinary Surgeon from Cambridge Veterinary School in 1983, Pat worked as a House Physician for a year before undertaking a PhD at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket into 'Some aspects of the Equine Rhabdomyolysis Syndrome' In 1988 Pat became the Head of the Clinical Chemistry and Haematology Laboratories as well as her own Metabolic Lameness Research group. She joined the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition as their Horse Nutritionist in 1995 and is currently responsible for the research carried out at the Equine Studies group at WALTHAM®, which provides the science behind the SPILLERS® and WINERGY® brands. Pat is also currently Director of Science at Effem Equine Ltd, as well as an Adjunct Professor of Equine Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and an European Specialist in Veterinary Clinical and Comparative Nutrition.
Pat has been heavily involved with the British Equine Veterinary Association for many years serving initially as the Honorary Secretary and in 1999 became the President. Pat also serves on the executive board of the ILPH (International league for the Protection of Horses) as well as until recently the Farriers Registration Council and the executive board of the Equine Veterinary Journal. Pat lectures all over the world on Nutrition as it affects the health, welfare, behaviour and performance of the horse. She is the author or co-author of numerous lay as well as over 300 scientific papers, abstracts and book chapters. Pat also is a member of several national and international conference organising committees, for example in 2005 she co-organised 3 major international symposia and gave over 30 talks in more than 6 countries.
- 1st WALTHAM® International Breeding Symposium, ‘New Insights into Growing the Young Horse Successfully’, held in Newmarket in June 2005
- 1st BEVA & WALTHAM® Nutrition Symposium, ‘Equine Nutrition for All’, held in Harrogate over two days in September 2005
- WALTHAM - Virginia Tech - Countermeasures to Laminitis Symposium, held in the USA in September 2005
Pat has been interested in horses from an early age and currently has 4 of her own. She has represented the Pony Club in various activities and the UK in a number of student riding competitions throughout Europe. She also obtained her half blue for riding whilst at University. Since qualifying as a Veterinary Surgeon, Pat has also been involved in the Veterinary care of horses at several three-day events.
Heather Gee – Equine research support scientist
After her A'levels, Heather took a year out and gained her BHS Stage III Riding and Stable Management examinations. She then chose to study for a B.Sc. (Hon's) in Equine Studies (Science) at Writtle College, Chelmsford. Since graduating in 1998, Heather has worked for Masterfoods in a number of roles supporting both equine research and related brands. Her current role as Equine Research Support Scientist (WCPN, Equine Studies Group) is essential to the smooth running of the equine research programme.
Further information
For information on WALTHAM®, please visit their website www.waltham.com.