As a vet, I heal individuals; as RetNat’s founder, I exist to end the source of harm. ————Emily Rodriguez

Dr. Emily Rodriguez, DVM, PhD in Toxicology, is the Founder & Chief Scientific Officer of RetNat.

  • Professional Background:

  • Honors graduate from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, specializing in environmental toxicology.

    • Former advisor to the EPA’s Pet Chemical Exposure Program, contributing to the Pet Product Safety Guidelines.

  • As a Founder:
    In 2023, driven by clinical data and toxicology research, Dr. Emily founded RetNat as CEO, leading the development of the world’s first Pet Chemical Exposure Risk Assessment Model. Her dual identity – both a veterinarian and a scientific entrepreneur – defines RetNat’s ethos of “activism through science.”

Brand Origin Story: Dr. Emily’s Awakening – When Rescue Became Futile

2022, Santa Clara Animal Medical Center, California
Over 10 months, Dr. Emily diagnosed and tracked 417 chronic pet cases, revealing through lab tests:

  • 62% of cases were strongly linked to industrial chemical exposure, with the top conditions as follows:

Condition Prevalence Symptoms Associated Chemicals & Sources
Allergic Dermatitis 38% Skin ulcers, hair loss Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) in grooming products
Chronic Digestive Disorders 24% Vomiting, diarrhea, gut dysbiosis Bisphenol A (BPA) leaching from plastic products
Respiratory Inflammation 10% Coughing, nasal discharge Formaldehyde (HCHO) emitted from pet beds and toys

A Harsher Reality:
Even after recovery, 53% of pets relapsed within 6 months due to continued chemical exposure (data from Dr. Emily’s clinical reports).

Turning Point: A Failed Rescue

Case #2047: The Death of Border Collie Buddy (January 2023)

  • Medical History: A 3-year-old male euthanized due to liver failure. Necropsy revealed:

    • 6 types of industrial residues in the liver, including phthalates and formaldehyde, sourced from pet toys, bowls, and cleaners.

    • Mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocytes (energy metabolism collapse), with detox enzyme activity at 12% of healthy levels.

  • Dr. Emily’s Epiphany:
    “We cured Buddy’s symptoms, but not his poisoned environment. When store shelves are filled with toxins, a vet’s syringe is just a placebo.”

Action: From Veterinarian to Changemaker

Scientific Validation:
Dr. Emily partnered with MIT’s Environmental Engineering Department to develop the Pet Chemical Exposure Risk Index (PCERI), analyzing 214 common pet product ingredients.

  • Key Findings:

    • 38% of daily-use pet products failed chronic low-dose toxicity tests, including:

      • Diethyl phthalate (DEP) from plastic toys (endocrine disruptor)

      • Styrene in synthetic fragrances (Group 1 carcinogen)

    • Pets’ chemical exposure levels reached 3x those of human children due to lower body weight and grooming habits.

The Birth of RetNat: Rebuilding Nature’s Pact

  • Mission:

    1. Provide persistent chemical-free pet products to eliminate root causes of disease.

    2. Advocate for awareness of industrial chemical threats to pets.

  • Product Standards:

    • Banned List: All Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs), and microplastics.

    • Natural Alternatives: Replace industrial chemicals with plant-based formulations.

  • Vision:
    Return To Nature – All pets descend from the wild. Our duty is to let them thrive in a pollution-free world, reclaiming nature’s gifts: breathing clean air, touching real soil, and awakening their ancestral instincts.

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