About Us
The Story of Waggin Meals
Christie started Waggin Meals after her 14-year-old best friend Jack (Dachshund) was diagnosed with liver disease. The family veterinarian said they needed to either start feeding him a prescription diet plan or make his meals from scratch. Unfortunately, Jack only lasted one night before they had to say goodbye. After many tears and a trip to the farmers market, Christie sought to create a simple yet wholesome alternative to store-bought dog food and treats for her other two precious dogs.
Christie started making healthy meals with the wholesome ingredients that dogs need to be healthy and thrive. She began giving them out to her friends and delivering the meals. Waggin Meals was formed, and it has been a journey of joy for her and her family. It’s simple, humans love their animals and want the best for them. Christie has a passion to provide the best, balanced nutrition for dogs everywhere around the nation.
Christie is an Animal Nutritionist and has launched a new faucet of the business, WGM Pet Nutrition Group which offers in-person Pet Nutrition Consultations and cooking classes across the nation. She is an advocate for change in the Pet Industry. Christie resides in North Carolina with her husband and three precious pups and is actively involved in ministry at her church and community. She has a non-profit called Gods Paws for a Cause, where surprise boxes are shipped to people in need all over the United States. Showing the Love of God through dogs.
-Christie Willett, Owner
Meet Just a Few of our Team!
Christie Willett
Owner / Animal Nutritionist
Christie is the creator and owner of Waggin Meals. She is an advocate for pet nutrition and a Animal Nutritionist. Christie has a passion not only for dogs but for people as well. She is active in her community and works with rescues and adoption agencies. You can find her on days off with her husband and playing with her three pups, Jax, Lil' J and Jasmine. Christie works closely with her customers to create meal plans that meet each dog(s) needs. She is an educator and teaches animal nutrition.
Paula Stechman
Operations Manager
Paula is the Operations Manager for Waggin Meals. She is a lover of all animals and will always have their best interest at the heart of all she does. She is involved in various community programs in the Asheville area. Her love for people and their pets is the driving force for her eagerness to help your pet live its best life.
In her spare time, she spends quality time with her daughters and their array of animals, their home being many times a revolving door for pets ranging from dogs, cats, rats, and bunnies to snakes, lizards, pet spiders, and fish!
Mitzi Kesterson
Chief Operating Officer
Mitzi is the COO of Waggin Meals, Inc. She has over a decade of experience in education and business consulting both in the US and internationally. She has earned her Master of Science degree at UTK and an advanced degree in Administration from LMU. Additionally, she has worked with animal rescue groups to foster, train, and find fur-ever homes for high-risk animals. She is excited to bring these passions together to create better lives for dogs and their human companions. In her spare time, you can find her cuddling her dog babies, creating art or culinary delights, and exploring the world.
Gage Van Etten
Customer Service, Treat Giver & Reliable Key West Dogfood Delivery Driver
Gage is always up for the task to help in anyway possible, whether it is working with the customers, running errands, setting up at the markets and completing all the deliveries to our valued customers. You can often find him at the dog parks passing out healthy treats and telling our Key West community how important Waggin Meals is to him. Gage loves to play basketball and enjoys all the water activities that Key West has to offer. Oh….and he loves some Kermit’s Key Lime Pie on a stick.
“I get up everyday knowing that our food makes a difference in every dog we serve ”
— Christie Stewart