Please join us in congratulating Scarlett Burron, the 2025 winner of the Pet Food Association of Canada's Martha "Marty" Wilder Honorary Scholarship! Scarlett takes home the $5,000 prize to support her work as a PhD student at the University of Guelph. The Pet Food Association of Canada (PFAC) is happy to congratulate Scarlett! Now, let's learn a bit about her background and her work.

Choosing Companion Animal Nutrition at the University of Guelph

"I'm currently pursuing a PhD in Companion Animal Nutrition and Behaviour at the University of Guelph," Scarlett said. "I chose Guelph because it's one of the leading institutions in animal biosciences, with a strong emphasis on both nutrition and welfare research." Not only does the U of G offer a wide array of animal health programs, it's also on the front lines of research into our beloved companion animals.

"Working in Dr. Shoveller's lab has given me a unique opportunity to combine my interests in nutrition, physiology, and behaviour in dogs, which is quite rare in Canada," Scarlett explained. To quote the U of G website, the focus of the "Shoveller lab is optimizing nutrition across mammalian species for health and longevity without compromising the future of our food chain." That's a tall order that talented students like Scarlett are working to achieve!

Planning for the future

"I'm keeping an open mind as I learn more about [academia or working in the pet food industry]," Scarlett admits. "What's most important to me is continuing to do research that helps improve the lives of dogs and their owners." Scarlett's area of focus, "where nutrition intersects with behaviour, is still developing, which means there are many directions it could grow and contribute to both science and animal welfare."

(In this humble author's opinion, the more you can do on behalf of animal welfare, the better! ❤️)

Applying for the Martha "Marty" Wilder scholarship from PFAC

Each year, PFAC offers the $5,000 Martha "Marty" Wilder scholarship to students interested in animal sciences. "The application process was thorough but straightforward," Scarlett said. "I liked that they asked questions that extended beyond my academic record or publications and allowed students to show who they are and what drives them on a more personal level." Other scholarships might not dig into who applicants are 'behind the scenes,' so the PFAC scholarship "was unique in comparison to many other scholarship applications," Scarlett said.

When she submitted her app, Scarlett "was a bit nervous, but mostly proud. It can be hard to talk about yourself in applications," she said, but in the end, she felt she "had captured what drives [her] and why [her] work matters."

Receiving the scholarship and looking to the future

When Scarlett learned she was chosen as the 2025 PFAC scholarship recipient, she "was both excited and grateful. It means a lot," she added, "to have my work and goals recognized in this way, and it gives me even more motivation to keep pushing my research forward."

Having received the PFAC scholarship, Scarlett said, "I can focus more fully on my research and worry less about financial pressures." The community at large stands to benefit, too. "For my community, both within academia and among dog owners, I can continue advancing research that helps improve the well-being of dogs experiencing fear or anxiety, and give owners better tools to support them." Our furry friends salute you, no doubt!

For the next generation of students looking to build a life in animal care and nutrition, Scarlett shared this advice: "Don't be afraid to share your story honestly. You don't need to have everything figured out, because what stands out most is passion, dedication, and a genuine desire to make a difference." Wise words.

"I feel very fortunate to have the support of both my mentors and the scholarship committee," Scarlett said. "Opportunities like this make a big difference for students and open doors to research that might not otherwise be possible."

Scarlett, thank you for all your hard work on behalf of the animals. Our beloved pets need our kindness and support, so kudos! Thank you for applying for the PFAC Martha "Marty" Wilder Honorary Scholarship, and we can't wait to see where your research takes you.