Unsung Hero #313

Patricia McMahon writes:

“I go religiously go to the Westport Farmers’ Market. It’s now at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center, for the winter season.

“I’ve been buying from Paul’s Custom Pet Food for my dog Levon for 2 years. Levon has heart and kidney disease, but his health has improved.

“The other day, I was chatting with Paul. He told me that he developed a recipe for his 3-year-old golden Hunter, who had cancer of the jaw. It was amazing.”

Paul Gallant, his wife Lynn Felici-Gallant, and Hunter.

A practitioner of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine — who Paul Gallant turned to after a veterinary oncologist gave a grim diagnosis of 6 months — said that as a young dog, he would need cool or neutral foods and herbs to fight the cancer. She asked if Paul and his wife Lynn were willing to cook for Hunter. “Of course,” they said.

Learning about differences between “cool” and “hot” foods; the importance of whole, chemical- and processed-free pet food, and the fundamental way that food interacts with each pet’s unique body, Paul did what he could

Hunter ate a whole-foods diet, and lived for over 10 more years. He died at home, in Paul and his wife’s arms, in 2019.

Paul Gallant and Hunter.

Today, he continues his commitment to making fresh, wholesome food for pets — including his own dog, Herbie — in Hunter’s name.

Paul prepares made-to-order therapeutic diets, 6 varieties of veterinary nutritionist-developed complete and balanced food for healthy adult dogs, 1 fresh cat food topper, 2 bone broths and 5 single-ingredient dehydrated treats.

Since 2014 he’s done it all by hand in small batches, overseeing every aspect of production. He does not use co-packers or 3rd-party manufacturers.

Recipes are prepared with ingredients sourced from local farms and businesses, and/or businesses committed to ethical practices. He uses both novel and traditional proteins from animals that were humanely raised.

Many Westporters are grateful customers of Paul’s — and grateful that he travels to Westport every week for the Farmers’ Market, from an hour away in New Milford.

“There’s usually a line of people at the Farmers’ Market, because Paul will talk to everyone,” Patricia says. “He is a lovely, lovely man.”

Thanks, Patricia. Paul sounds like a true hero to many local pet owners. For more information, email paul@paulscustompetfood.com, or call 860-912-2910.

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