Following seven successful seminars, the DogRisk Evidence-Based Raw Food Seminar returns to Helsinki this autumn for two days of expert lectures and a hands-on workshop—bringing together leading researchers to share the latest evidence on how diet truly matters for canine (and feline and human) health.
More information will be published here during spring. You can read more about our previous seminars
Registration is required to participate.
Last updated 17th March 2026.
08.00-09.00 (60 min) Registration, coffee: Lecture Hall “Pieni Juhlasali”, University of Helsinki main building, Fabianinkatu 33, 4th floor
09.00-09.15 (15 min) Program, welcome – Anna Hielm-Björkman, DVM, PhD, Docent, PI, Leader of the DogRisk research group; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
09.15-10.00 (45 min) Innovations in Canine Nutrition Science: Research Insights from Australia – Dr. Matthew Muir, BVSc/BVetBiol (Hons) MRCVS, Integrative Veterinarian, Lyka / Pet Longevity Institute.
10.00-10.30 (30 min) Same calories, different outcomes: how diet type shapes metabolic weight loss in dogs: Raw versus kibble assessed by metabolomics in a crossover design – Robin Moore, Post Doc, DogRisk group
10.30-11.00 (30 min) Coffee and interaction.
11.00-11.45 (45 min) The impact of diet processing on apparent nutrient digestibility and the gut microbiome of dogs – Professor David Thomas, BSc, PhD, Professor in Companion Animal Science.
11.45-12.15 (30 min) The speakers panel will discuss and answer questions on this morning’s topics
12.15-13.15 (60 min) Lunch (find your own lunch place nearby or bring your own)
13.15-14.00 (45 min) What are the mechanisms by which cats and dogs utilize natural versus synthetic vitamins, and what distinctions exist between the two? – Mikael Lassén, PhD Animal Nutrition, Consulting
14.00-14.45 (45 min) Carnivore Antioxidants - taurine versus polyphenols in plants – Dr. Conor Brady, BSc. PhD. Anim. Behav.
14.45-15.15 (30 min) Coffee and interaction
15.15-15.45 (30 min) Treating Dogs with Nutrition: A Case Series – Johanna Anturaniemi, DVM, PhD (animal breeding, genetics, animal nutrition) DogRisk Group, UH.
15.45-16.15 (30 min) The speakers panel will discuss and answer questions on this afternoon’s topics
19.00à Dinner at restaurant for all interested (Not included in the price, everyone pays for themselves at the restaurant. Registration at the latest 1st of Aug. as we will have to book already now).
08.00-09.00 (60 min) Registration, coffee: Lecture Hall “Pieni Juhlasali”, University of Helsinki main building, Fabianinkatu 33, 4th floor
09.00-09.15 (15 min) Program, Welcome, etc. – Anna Hielm-Björkman, DVM, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, DogRisk
09.15-10.00 (45 min) From Bowl to Brain: The Emerging Science of Nutrient-Based Psychiatry in Dogs – Dr. Matthew Muir, BVSc/BVetBiol (Hons) MRCVS, Integrative Veterinarian, Lyka / Pet Longevity Institute
10.00-10.45 (45 min) How Dogs and Cats Can Use Plant Proteins – Mikael Lassén, PhD in Animal Nutrition, Lassén Feed Consult ApS, Nutrition Consulting
10.45-11.15 (30 min) Coffee and interaction
11.15-12.00 (45 min) Carbohydrate restriction and ketogenic diets: Implications for intestinal health and disease in humans – Dr. Lotta Toivio, PhD, holds a BSc in Molecular Biosciences and an MSc in Human Nutrition
12.00-12.30 (30 min) The panel will discuss and answer questions on this morning’s topics
12.30-13.30 (60 min) Lunch (find your own lunch place nearby or bring your own)
13.30-14.15 (45 min) Practical 1: Feeding the Sick Dog: Practical Raw Feeding Strategies from the Field – Malin Ekblom, Nutrition Consultant, Author, Laboratory Technician, founder of Natural Feeding Ltd
14.15-15.00 (45 min) Practical 2: Pros and cons of kibble vs. raw diets. Navigating the term “complete and balanced” at different life stages – Heidi Rubin, M.Sci (genetics, microbiology), giant breed dog breeder with > 20 years of raw feeding experience, raw feeding consultant, Finland
15.00–15.30 (30 min) Coffee and interaction
15.30-16.15 (45 min) Practical 3: Topic TBD – Katie Kangas
16.15-16.45 (30 min) The panel will discuss and answer questions on this afternoon´s topics
16.45-16.55 (10min) Raffle: Chance to win some books and tickets to next year’s Dogrisk seminar!
16.55-17.00 (5 min) Thank you and see you soon – or see you tomorrow! – Anna Hiem-Björkman
19.00à Dinner at Anna’s for all interested (50€, not included in the registration price)
10.00-16.00 Scent Dogs in Society (same location as the seminar) Join us for an inspiring day to discover the incredible world of scent dogs! During the day you will hear, see, and experience how scent dogs work and the important role they play in different tasks in our society.
Lectures (Fri & Sat, 11–12 Sept) and
Scent Dogs in Society (Sun 13 Sept):
Pieni juhlasali
University of Helsinki Main Building (Päärakennus)
Fabianinkatu 33, 00100 Helsinki
Veterinary and human health practitioners and nutritionists, nurses, students, dog owners - anybody with an interest in multidisciplinary research on the relationships between diet and disease, in dogs, pets, humans. The course is part of the Veterinary study curriculum course “Eläinten pidon perusteet, etologia ja eläinsuojelu II” and for PhDs at the Clinical Veterinary Medicine doctoral school.
All sessions will be held in English.
The registration fee includes the lectures, the coffees, and access to the recorded lectures (please be advised we might not be allowed to record all lectures, this is up to individual lecturers). The seminar fees do not cover travel or accommodation.
Prices are for the two lecture days (Scent Dogs in Society day/lectures are free - register separately, link TBA).
Please select the dinners you'd like to attend in the registration form, so we know how many will be coming.
If payment is required, it will be made at the same time as the registration, using the university's e-payment system. All fees go directly toward covering seminar costs (lecturers, venue, coffee, etc.). We never make a profit, but in case we someday would, all extra revenue would go to sponsoring the nutrition research done by the DogRisk research group.
Yes. All the lecture recordings that we are allowed to share afterwards (this is up to individual lecturers), we will share to those who registered and paid (where applicable) for the seminar. Once we get the lecture recordings ready, you will get a link to access them. This will take some time, as we have to edit them, so please be patient.
Unfortunately, not. But you can just register as usual and we will send everybody that has registered and that has paid (where applicable) a link to access the materials as soon as we have the materials (lecture recordings, etc.) ready.
The seminar will not be available to view for free, at least not immediately for quite some time. We've released previous seminars about 2 months before the next in part to let people see what the seminar is like. It would also not be fair to the people who paid to attend the seminar to give it for free for everyone immediately afterwards.
You can attend the lectures either in person or remotely via Zoom.
This year, registration and payment (if applicable) are handled together through the university’s e-payment system. All participants must register and pay for their ticket themselves, even if a company or individual is covering the cost. This ensures we collect accurate information (such as dietary needs, name tags, and dinner headcount). If your ticket is being paid for by someone else, you can request reimbursement from your company or sponsor after completing your registration.
For more info please contact: Amanda Hielm –
Did you know that Finns have been voted as the happiest people on earth for at least 4 times in a row now? That Helsinki is one of the most secure and clean capitals to live in? That we Finns are curious and love nature? And that more than every second family has a dog… or many? So, it’s a great place to visit and the DogRisk seminar is even a better reason!
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For cheap hostels close to the lecture hall try:
These can also be found on
We are happy if you can spread the link as much as possible so that all those that are interested in a healthy diet can take part!
See you in September in Helsinki!