The catalyst of Neoterric is Dr. Shannon Kesl, a classically trained research scientist whose life’s work sits at the intersection of rigorous science, non-toxic therapies, and an unconditional love for animals. For Shannon, science has always been personal. And the path that led her from the lab bench to the creation of Neoterric is marked by one unwavering belief: Our Pets Deserve Better.

Her journey began in traditional academic research, where she earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology from the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida. She spent years decoding the intricate relationships between metabolism, inflammation, wound healing, and cancer.

That path led her to KetoPet Sanctuary, where she stepped into a role that changed everything. There, Shannon translated cutting-edge metabolic science into real-world hope for dogs battling cancer. It was in this work that she realized she could finally combine her passion for science with her love for dogs. Witnessing firsthand how nutrition, cellular health, and non-toxic therapies could change—and save—lives, she knew she had found her calling.

“I knew I could use what I’d learned in the lab to help dogs,” she recalls. “And once I saw the impact, I couldn’t look back.”

During this time, Shannon also met Dr. Loren Nations, who was integrating metabolic therapies into his own veterinary practice—earning her nickname for him: “KetoPet East.” Their collaborations showed her that true change in veterinary care was possible. Shannon has been at the forefront of developing ketogenic and metabolically therapeutic diets for dogs, translating science into protocols that have improved lives across the globe.

Her path next took her into human-focused biotechnology, designing cancer diagnostics and researching additional therapeutics. Even then, she partnered with Dr. Nations whenever possible on canine research, reminding colleagues that she was “here for the dogs.” The deeper she went, the clearer it became: the system was focused on symptoms, not solutions, overlooking therapies that could enhance standard care and heal without harm.

A chance reunion with Dr. Nations years later sparked something more: a shared vision for a new standard of care. What began as scientific collaboration became a calling, to build a company that could honor the love between people and their pets with real science, real integrity, and care without compromise.

By 2024, that vision became Neoterric. A company built not for shelves, but for the dogs still at our feet.

As Chief Scientific Officer, Shannon brings a rare blend of:

1. Scientific rigor grounded in peer-reviewed research.
2. Translational expertise that bridges human biotech and veterinary health; bringing discoveries from the lab bench into real-world clinical adoption with impact.
3. Operational mastery sharpened through years of running a biotech company, marked by master-level logistics, legendary color-coding, and a systems mindset that drives precision, efficiency, and progress.
4. A conviction that non-toxic, nature-based therapies can complement and enhance standard of care, offering solutions that improve outcomes while reducing harm.
   
   

For Shannon, this is more than science.
It’s about the bond between animals and their people.

It’s about standing beside those navigating the hardest journeys.

It’s about building a future where pets, people, and the planet are cared for without compromise.

Her guiding truth is simple:
“The facts don’t lie. The data doesn’t lie. Science doesn’t lie. And when we bring it forward with integrity, we can’t be ignored.”

This is science that honors the bond between animals and people.

With you, for them.

This is Neoterric.