Hi, I’m Sasha—a dog lover, canine nutritionist, and the person behind Sasha & Zen.
My journey started with Zen, my Border Collie and soul dog. He came into my life during a difficult period and changed my life completely. He became my best friend, travel partner, and eventually the inspiration behind everything I do today.
We traveled together, explored new places, and created countless memories. Like every dog owner, I wanted Zen to stay healthy and be by my side forever, and that desire eventually led me to discover my passion for dog nutrition.
Wanting to give Zen the healthiest life possible led me to start questioning what was actually in his food and what dogs truly need nutritionally. What started as curiosity became a serious passion.
For the past five years, I have dedicated myself to studying canine nutrition, from understanding nutrients and ingredients to commercial dog food, raw feeding, and home-cooked diets.
My education includes formal study and NAVC certification as a Pet Nutrition Coach, as well as extensive independent learning through books and research from leading veterinarians.
The more I learned, the more I realized how confusing dog nutrition can be for owners. That’s why I started creating practical resources to make it easier.
I also created the FREE Healthy Dog Nutrition Academy, I share my courses, answer questions, and provide the sources and references behind the information I teach.
My goal is simple: help dog owners make informed nutrition choices and give their dogs the best opportunity to live a long, healthy life.
Then everything changed.
In May 2025 I lost Zen to cancer at only 5 years old.
Losing my soul dog so young was devastating, but it also gave everything I had been building a much deeper purpose. My Healthy Dog Nutrition Academy, calculators, and the information I share today have become part of Zen’s legacy.
I can’t change what happened to Zen, but I can use everything he inspired me to learn to help other dog owners.
And then came Neo.
Neo, my Australian Shepherd, didn’t replace Zen—he started a completely different chapter.
He’s my new adventure partner and, as a very picky eater, frequently gives this canine nutritionist some real-world challenges of her own!
Zen started this journey with me, and Neo is helping me continue it.
Today, Sasha & Zen is about helping dog owners better understand nutrition and make informed choices that support a healthy dog.
I know nutrition is not the only factor that influences a dog’s health or the development of chronic disease. But diet is still very important factor we can influence every single day through what we put in our dogs’ bowls.
Zen inspired me to start this journey, and everything I learned because of him became part of his legacy.
Neo is now by my side, continuing the journey that Zen started, and we’d be happy to have you join us along the way.
