On June 29, Vitaltier's first year was crowned by an extraordinary event: a unique, interactive professional roundtable discussion , hosted by the cozy, downtown venue of The Dog Bakery Budapest.
Four renowned experts from different fields sat down at a table to speak honestly and without taboos about the challenges and opportunities of responsible dog ownership – with a special focus on musculoskeletal health, mental well-being, prevention, and sports. The event was not only informative but also inspiring – a real exchange of knowledge with valuable insights.
What did we talk about?
During the discussion, questions were raised that affect most dog owners, yet rarely receive thoughtful, professional answers:
- When and how should musculoskeletal prevention be started? What can be expected if it's not done?
- What types of exercises should be avoided for dogs?
- How does mental stress affect the body – and vice versa? Things we might not even think about…
- What does our dog's body language reveal about hidden problems?
- How has the definition of responsible dog ownership changed today?
- What differences lie within urban and rural dog ownership cultures? Opportunities and limitations.
- The financial side of dog ownership – no taboos.
The two-hour, active discussion was a meeting of deep professional knowledge, practical experience, and different perspectives – during which the participants not only illuminated the complexity of canine life with examples from their own fields but also with complementary thoughts.
Who was at the table?
Katinka Tóth: Head of SciDog School, instructor, biologist, cognitive neuroscientist:
Katinka has been involved in dog training, rehabilitation, and the scientific study of their behavior for over a decade. As a trained biologist and cognitive neuroscientist, she joined the research of the ELTE Department of Ethology in 2014, and since 2017, she has been a researcher at the Institute of Cognitive Psychology of the Research Centre for Natural Sciences. She has been gaining practical experience in the world of dog training since 2010 – first as an owner, then as an instructor. She has taught in several domestic schools, participated in numerous international seminars, and gained valuable experience in Switzerland not only in research but also in learning training methods.
Her main areas of expertise are behavior therapy, course-based and advanced training, puppy training, and the development of online learning formats. The EtoFuti program, the dog daycare, and her five dogs – Füles, Rasid, Pocak, Manó, and Kesu – all contribute to her ability to understand and teach the world of dogs from ever new perspectives. Her passion is to uncover the causes of problematic behaviors and to rehabilitate dogs – based on scientific principles, but always tailored to the individual story of the owner and the dog.
Krisztina Fedák: Habilitation dog trainer, Therapy dog handler, Head of TordasZoo Animal Rescue Farm
Krisztina Fedák is one of the leading figures in animal-assisted therapy in Hungary, who has been committed for over two decades to ensuring that assistance dogs truly build bridges between humans and animals. Her experience as a habilitation dog trainer, guide and signal dog trainer, and therapy dog handler provides unparalleled in-depth knowledge of the work of assistance animals.
She is the head of training at MEOE-OMSE, and also a riding instructor and the founder and head of the TordasZoo animal rescue farm – a complex place where animal rescue, education, and rehabilitation go hand in hand.
Krisztina has completed versatile studies in humanities, economics, marketing, habilitation, and animal-assisted therapy, so her work is characterized not only by professional depth but also by systemic thinking. For her, dog training is not just technical knowledge, but a long-term relationship built on trust – whether it is therapeutic work, education, or supporting vulnerable people.
Laura Sterck: Nine-time Hungarian champion and World Cup bronze medalist in karate, Founder of Petplex dog complex, dog physio and manual therapist:
Laura welcomes owners to Petplex – the dog complex every day who want to contribute to their dog's health and well-being. She deals with post-surgical rehabilitation, supplementary training for sports dogs, prevention, and owner education.
She also plays an active role in the development of targeted nutritional supplements complementing movement therapy – this is how the unique Vitaltier product line was created. These nutritional supplements were previously scarce on the Hungarian market, and Laura traveled all the way to Belgium to find a manufacturer that represents the forefront of innovation in both raw materials and manufacturing technology.
Éva Janotyik: Dog dancing competitor and trainer, instructor at Népszigeti Kutyasuli (Beginner group leader instructor, intermediate assistant instructor, puller instructor)
She began her teaching career with the Mirror Method Puppy Program, which laid the foundation for her commitment to conscious and consistent dog training. Her main area of expertise is puppy training and agility sports, in which she successfully completed the Ü9 exam with her own Border Collie, Rufus. Her teaching approach is characterized by consciousness, consistency, and teamwork.
In recent months, she has achieved outstanding successes in domestic dog dancing competitions, which further strengthened Éva's professional credibility and recognition.
Exclusive, in-person presence – and soon available on video
The event was attended by a limited number of 20 guests in person, who were able to ask questions of the speakers during and after the discussion – thus creating a real, two-way dialogue.
Watch the summary video of the event, and if you would like to watch the entire discussion, subscribe to our newsletter and we will notify you first when it's released!
Would you like this to be a series? So would we!
Vitaltier's goal is to provide authentic, professional knowledge to members of the dog community – in the form of real conversations, not cliché answers. Thank you for joining us at the end of our first year – and join us for the next!
Photos and videos by: Máté Lefler
