Living with Crohn's disease, Jason Knight found inspiration, purpose, and unconditional love in his Doberman, Bella
This International Dog Day, we sat down with Jason Knight, co-founder of NutriCanine and a member of the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) community, to talk about the powerful connection between gut health, nutrition, and the special bond he shares with his Doberman, Bella.
"I live with Crohn's disease, so I know firsthand how much the gut affects everything. Your energy, your mood, your whole quality of life. Once you learn that about your own body, you cannot ignore it in your dog's, and that is really where NutriCanine started."
That understanding became even more personal when Bella began experiencing health challenges of her own.
Bella struggled with skin issues, allergies, and digestive problems that seemed to worsen with traditional kibble. Looking for a solution, he decided to switch her to fresh food made with real ingredients and quickly saw a dramatic improvement.
"In just a few weeks, the scratching stopped, her healthy coat returned, and her digestion completely stabilized. Food was the only variable we changed. That one simple shift is the entire reason NutriCanine exists, and it's why every single recipe we create starts with gut health."
What began as a journey to help one dog feel better ultimately grew into a company focused on supporting the health and well-being of dogs across Canada.
But for Jason, Bella's impact extends far beyond business.
"Bella didn't just brighten my day. She changed my entire world, and NutriCanine is simply my way of saying thank you to her"
As many people living with IBD know, support can come from unexpected places. Dogs offer companionship, comfort, and consistency through life's challenges, often becoming important members of our support systems.
For Jason, Bella has been a constant source of loyalty and inspiration.
"Every single day of her life, Bella has been completely loyal to me, never asking for a single thing in return. Dogs literally protect our health just by being by our side. In fact, research shows that having a dog can actually reduce your chances of developing Crohn’s."
"The least I can do is return the favor. Dogs are family, and I want to give Bella the longest, healthiest life I possibly can. Today, I'm incredibly grateful to say I get to do that for over 25,000 dogs across Canada. It’s amazing to think all of this started with just one dog."
This International Dog Day, we're celebrating the dogs who stand by us through every high and low, and the incredible impact they can have on our lives.
For Jason Knight, it all started with Bella!