Who We Are: The Story of Dr. Phytos
At Dr. Phytos, we believe pets deserve the same level of care that we give ourselves. Our story begins with two doctors from very different backgrounds—one a pioneer in human nutrition, the other a trusted veterinarian—who came together with a shared passion: helping pets live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
Meet Dr. Douglas Howard
Dr. Howard’s* journey into medicine started young. At just 14 years old, he wasn’t in the ER as a patient—he was working there as a volunteer, learning everything he could. That early spark grew into a lifelong pursuit of healing and discovery.
After earning his chiropractic degree, Dr. Howard went on to study medicine at Pavlov First Medical Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of poor nutrition. He noticed a simple but powerful truth: people who had access to fruits and vegetables were healthier than those who didn’t. This realization shaped the rest of his career.
In 1997, Dr. Howard developed Balance of Nature, a whole-food supplement line designed to make it easier for people to eat more ingredients of fruits, vegetables, spices, and fibers. Today, he is recognized as a leading researcher in phytonutrition and continues to teach, lecture, and inspire around the world.
Meet Dr. Jake Van Dyke
Born and raised on a dairy farm in rural Utah, Dr. Jake Van Dyke’s love for animals started early. From milking cows to caring for calves, he learned the value of hard work and compassion. His path eventually led him to veterinary school at Utah State University and Washington State University, where he balanced his studies with firefighting, construction work, and hands-on veterinary experience.
In 2017, Dr. Jake opened the Fremont River Veterinary Clinic, later expanding with Mt. Pleasant Animal Hospital. Known throughout rural Utah as a dedicated and trusted veterinarian, Dr. Jake has built a reputation for his commitment to both large and small animals. He and his wife—along with their five children, pets, and even a herd of horses—live the very lifestyle they promote: one of health, connection, and care.
The Creation of Dr. Phytos
The idea for Dr. Phytos was born when Dr. Howard noticed improvements in his own pets’ vitality after incorporating ingredients of whole fruits, vegetables, spices, and fibers into their diets. Inspired by these results, he envisioned a way to bring the same benefits to animals through a product made just for them.
To bring this vision to life, Dr. Howard partnered with Dr. Jake, whose expertise in veterinary medicine and passion for pet health made him the perfect collaborator. Together, they developed Dr. Phytos Phytonutrients, a plant-based topper designed to support dogs’ overall well-being with high quality phytonutrients.
The partnership combined Dr. Howard’s groundbreaking work in phytonutrition with Dr. Jake’s hands-on veterinary care. The result? A product built on science, compassion, and a shared mission: to transform pet health and help animals.
Our Mission
At Dr. Phytos, our mission is to revolutionize the variety of ingredients of fruits, vegetables, and fibers that pets are given and promote the well-being of pets worldwide. By blending decades of research with real-world veterinary expertise, we’re creating a future where pets get the same advantages as the people who love them.
Because when our pets thrive, so do we.
*Dr. Douglas Howard is a Chiropractic Physician and was a Professor of Medical Science and Research at Pavlov Medical University. While earning his medical degree from the Pavlov Medical University, he served as Dean of Foreign Student Affairs.
