10 Years of Head to Tail: A Journey Rooted in Healing, Learning, and Love

Ten years ago, Donna Middleton took a leap of faith.

She left her job in the restaurant industry and walked into the unknown — not because it was easy, not because it made sense to everyone around her, but because something in her heart said there had to be a better way to care for our animals. Despite the doubts and

That belief took root after witnessing her own dog Sadie struggle through conventional treatment after conventional treatment, with no relief in sight. When a spoonful of pumpkin near instantly made more of a difference than two rounds of antibiotics and dysbiosis (microbial imbalance), Donna knew she was onto something.

So Donna thought, “If a tablespoon of pumpkin can make a difference, how much more might fresh food benefit Sadie?” 

What started as a simple question — Could fresh food really help Sadie? — became two and a half years of study, research, training and exams  in advanced canine nutrition. It became countless hours spent learning from herbalists, mycologists, veterinarians, and fellow nutritionists. It became a quiet, steady revolution in how dogs were being fed — and healed — in Manitoba and beyond.

In 2015, Donna became an Advanced Certified Canine Nutritionist, graduating with honors. And with that, Head to Tail Canine Nutrition was officially born.

But her journey has never been about titles or certificates. It's always been about the animals — and the people who love them.

Over the past decade, Donna has helped hundreds of families discover the power of fresh, species-appropriate food. From raw diets to whole food toppers, from endocrine imbalances to cancer support, she has always believed that healing starts from the inside out — and that food, when used wisely, can truly be medicine.

Feeding Raw, Healing Deeply

We’ve seen dogs with chronic health issues turn a corner after switching to fresh food. Dogs who couldn’t tolerate kibble suddenly thriving on balanced raw diets. Guardians who came in overwhelmed and unsure, now empowered advocates for their pet’s health.

Time and time again, we’ve witnessed what can happen when you stop chasing symptoms and start supporting the whole animal.

Feeding raw isn’t always easy. It takes learning, commitment, and a little bit of bravery to go against the grain. But it’s worth it. And Donna has walked beside so many of you on that journey — through the doubts, the discoveries, and the joyful victories.

A Community Like No Other

This anniversary isn’t just about Donna.

It’s about every client who asked, “What else is possible?”
Every dog whose story changed because someone dared to feed differently.
Every consultation, every late-night message, every Sunday training session with beloved mentors.
Every friendship that started with a tail wag and a hopeful question.

It’s also about the ones we’ve lost.

To every beloved companion who is no longer with us — we see you, we remember you, and we honor you. Thank you for letting us be part of your story, no matter how long or short it was. You are deeply missed, always loved, and never forgotten.

A Heartfelt Thank You

Donna often says she couldn’t have made it this far without the people.

The mentors who never stopped teaching.
The herbalists and mushroom growers who opened new doors.
The clients who turned into friends.
The skeptics who asked the hard questions.
The families who trusted her with their dog’s wellness journey, again and again.

You are the reason Head to Tail exists. And this 10-year milestone? It belongs to all of you, too.

– The Head to Tail Team