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NHV: Women Leading the Way in Wellness with Compassion and Care

NHV Behind The Scenes 3 min read

From our Founder and CEO Patra De Silva.

“My love for animals has always been in my blood, but 5-year-old me would have never thought she would one day own a holistic pet company and have the chance to help pets worldwide alongside other talented and accomplished women.”

Origin Story: Path to Patra’s Holistic Pet Business

Ever since I was a little girl, I could never turn a blind eye to animals in need. I would feed stray dogs, save squirrels, and rescue birds near my home back in Sri Lanka. I believe I have always had a special bond with animals. Helping them slowly but surely became my full-time job (funnily enough, it is still my full-time job).

Life eventually led me to Lady, a rescue from Sri Lanka. Lady, being a beagle, had a relentless curiosity for getting into anything and everything she could, especially garbage. Because of this quirky trait, she suffered from severe gastrointestinal issues.

Like most people, I immediately turned to vet-prescribed medicines, which was the only option available back then. But soon, I realized that long-term reliance on pharmaceuticals could have detrimental effects on her overall well-being. This realization drove me to seek other ways to support her condition and the potential harm conventional treatment may cause. With assistance from veterinarians and herbalists, we successfully formulated a supplement to aid Lady.

During this process, I realized the lack of natural support for pets in the market. Our beloved furkiddos deserved holistic support too! Therefore, with a team of pet experts and herbalists, we embarked on a mission 25 years ago to create our product line today. We become pioneers in the herbal and holistic pet supplement industry.

As women, I think we possess a nurturing nature. We lead with empathy and understanding. I can confidently tell you that all of us in the office feel and care deeply for every single pet parent we interact with and, most importantly, their little ones.

Empowering Women At NHV and Globally: A Bit About Our Founder and CEO

Patra is all about championing women’s empowerment and leadership. Whether she’s cheering on her team’s career growth or teaming up with awesome women-owned businesses worldwide, she’s here to lift other strong female entrepreneurs up. You’ll often find her rubbing elbows at cool places like the International Women’s Forum, where she’s leading the BC Chapter, or hanging out with the amazing ladies at the Women’s President’s Organization.

NHV Natural Pet Products proudly upholds a diverse and inclusive workforce, with a significant majority of employees—approximately 80-90%—comprising women immigrants hailing from countries such as Brazil, the UK, India, and beyond. This rich tapestry also embraces members of the LGBTQ+ community. NHV is wholeheartedly committed to nurturing and propelling these remarkable women into leadership roles across a spectrum of domains, encompassing social media, research and development, e-commerce, and business development. To ensure their continuous growth and advancement, the company actively enrolls them in specialized development programs, exemplified by the Engaged Leadership Program and Trade Accelerator Program offered by the Vancouver Board of Trade.

Moreover, NHV’s support extends to its Chief Medical Officer, facilitating her participation in prominent conferences like the Congress of Immunology in Beijing and NIH’s 2019 symposium in Washington D.C., where groundbreaking findings on NHV Products were presented. Notably, NHV has also fostered collaboration with prestigious organizations such as MITACS, a renowned Canadian non-profit dedicated to research and innovation.

On a global scale, Patra’s commitment to emerging women entrepreneurs shines brightly through influential joint ventures and distribution partnerships established in countries ranging from the U.K. to South Korea, Japan, and the United States, among other international destinations. NHV has proactively participated in these entrepreneurial journeys, providing mentorship and collaborative support to enhance marketing strategies and craft compelling brand identities while promoting their businesses.

Patra’s dedication to the cause of Canadian women in business is evidenced by her prominent feature on the ShopAtCanada website, a groundbreaking initiative supported by the Trade Commissioner’s Office in Singapore. NHV was showcased at the Korea Pet Fair in 2019 and enjoyed a spotlight at a prestigious event held at the Canadian Embassy. Her commitment to international trade missions has made a significant impact, with women-led trade missions to Taiwan and Europe.

Final Words to My Fellow Women in the Pet Industry

As the minority in a male-dominated industry, we may face many more obstacles, especially those we impose on ourselves. As the saying goes, “We are each our own worst critic,” self-doubt and overthinking can sometimes keep us up all night.

But ladies, take a moment and really look at yourself. You are strong, smart, and completely capable of what you do. Never lose sight of why you entered this industry and your determination to help pets. Set a goal and stick to it. Know that what you’re doing right now is making a difference in our furkiddos’ lives.

And with these thoughts in mind, everything will fall in line.

NHV Pet Experts

NHV Pet Experts

We have a dedicated group of pet expert professionals, including veterinarians, vet techs, and other pet professionals to guide you through any questions. We’re committed to your pet’s wellness and can offer additional tips, resources, nutritional advice, and more.

Published: March 8, 2024

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