For dog lovers, one of life's happiest times is welcoming a furry family member. But for Brett Podolsky '11, that joy turned into concern when his young Rottweiler, Jada, developed food sensitivities. Determined to help her, he turned to his veterinarian, who recommended cooking fresh, whole ingredients at home. "I had tried every food on the market," said Podolsky. "Finally, my vet recommended that I try home cooking for her, and when I did, all of her symptoms disappeared."
How it started
Podolsky grew up in Long Island, New York, and transferred to Lynn University from Penn State in search of warmer weather and smaller classes. Unsure of his career path, he explored a variety of interests as a liberal arts major, interned with financial firms and even performed stand-up comedy. It was his love for his dog that inspired the business venture that would define his future.
When Jada became ill, Podolsky delved deeper into the pet food industry and was alarmed by its lack of transparency, oversight and quality standards. Unable to find a brand he trusted, he set out to create the one he wished existed for his own dog: a company built on integrity, uncompromising quality and a commitment to doing what's right.
Inspired by Jada's remarkable transformation on a home-cooked diet, Podolsky and his then-roommate, fellow dog owner Jonathan Regev, decided to develop a healthier, balanced approach to canine nutrition. After two years of development, Podolsky and Regev launched The Farmer's Dog in 2014.
What started in the kitchen quickly grew into a worldwide movement. The Farmer's Dog disrupted the pet food industry by redefining what pet owners should expect from a dog food company. To date, the company has served well over a billion meals for dogs of all shapes and sizes. The company's recipes are well-balanced, guided by science and contain real human-grade food. Subscribers receive preportioned food packs and timed deliveries, so owners never have to worry about running out of food.
The Farmer's Dog has received recognition from USA Today for Best Pet Subscription Box of 2025, was named the Readers' Favorite Pet Food during the 2026 PureWow Readers' Favorite Awards, and earned an Emmy nomination for its "Forever" commercial, which debuted during Super Bowl LVII.
Paying it forward
Brett Podolsky returned to Lynn's campus as the keynote speaker for Lynn's annual "Be Your Own Boss" event. The two-day event provides students with a series of workshops presented by the College of Business and Management—empowering and educating students to become successful entrepreneurs.
Sharing the story of launching his company, he encouraged students to embrace hard work, perseverance and calculated risk-taking. During a lively Q&A session, he answered questions about entrepreneurship, business models and how to determine whether a business idea is worth pursuing.
Serving his community
In 2025, Lynn honored Podolsky with the Gregory J. Malfitano Distinguished Alumni Award.
Podolsky's advice to graduates: "The right path is never the easiest one. You will face resistance, setbacks and moments of doubt. But if you stay true to your mission, hold yourself to the highest standards and always do what's right— especially when no one is watching—you won't just build something successful; you'll build something that truly matters. Something that can change the lives of many."
What's next?
Podolsky's impact continues to grow. Last year, he expanded The Farmer's Dog's footprint by opening a new location in Boca Raton, Florida. The 20,000-square-foot space is creating 150 local jobs in customer service, operations and corporate support. True to the company's mission, the workplace is also dog-friendly, a daily reminder of the four-legged inspiration behind it all.
