From decades in practice to Elita Genetics. Meet Dr Caitlin Blake-Lane.

Some vet's are simply born for it

and Dr Caitlin Blake-Lane is one of them. With 20 years in the industry, she’s seen it all, from routine check-ups to complex surgeries and emergency cases. She’s worked around the globe, always focused on delivering the best possible care for pets and their owners.

Now, she’s bringing that expertise to Elita Genetics as our Head Veterinarian. With a deep understanding of what pets need at every stage of life, Caitlin is ensuring our stem cell banking is built with vets in mind: practical, effective, and always patient-first.

We sat down with Caitlin to talk about her journey, the lessons learnt from life in practice, and what excites her most about the future of pet healthcare.

What first inspired you to become a veterinarian?

I’ve always been drawn to animals, even as a little girl. In fact, I was only three years old when I first told my parents I wanted to be an “animal doctor” and never grew out of it! While I don’t remember making a conscious decision back then, I've explored other careers along the way, and every time I've found myself  drawn back to veterinary medicine  and my love for animals.

You’ve started in veterinary practice nearly 20 years ago, what has been the biggest shift you've seen in veterinary care during that time?

The most remarkable shift has been seeing pets truly become family members. When I started, many pets were still considered 'just animals,' but now they're sleeping in our beds, eating home-cooked meals, and even have their own social media accounts! This status update has transformed everything from the level of care clients expect to the advanced treatments we can offer. We've gone from providing basic care to utilising sophisticated diagnostics, referring to specialists for complex cases, and making massive strides in regenerative and personalised medicine. Much like human healthcare, veterinary medicine is increasingly focusing on improving healthspan, not just lifespan. It's been wonderful seeing how much more we can now do for our patients today.

For those unfamiliar, what is stem cell therapy mostly used for in veterinary medicine globally, and how does it work?

‍In simple terms, stem cell therapy helps pets heal by harnessing their own body's natural repair cells. Right now, it's most commonly used for arthritis and joint injuries, where conventional treatments like pain medications might only mask symptoms. We typically collect stem cells from the pet's own fat tissue in a minor procedure, process these cells, and then inject them where needed. These remarkable cells then reduce inflammation, promote healing, and can significantly improve mobility and quality of life without many of the side effects of long-term medications or requirement for invasive surgery.

What do you think is the most exciting development in stem cell therapy for pets happening overseas right now?

‍Probably the potential to tackle diseases like Type 1 diabetes and even neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. While most research is still in early stages, we’ve already seen promising advancements in human medicine, like stem cell-derived insulin-producing cells for diabetes. If similar breakthroughs translate to veterinary care, we could be looking at entirely new ways to manage chronic disease in pets, improving both lifespan and quality of life. It’s an area full of potential, and I’m eager to see where the next few years take us.

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Stem cell therapy is already being used globally for conditions like arthritis—what other applications do you think could become mainstream in the coming years?

I'm excited to see this type of therapy used for conditions where current treatment options are limited or poorly tolerated, such as immune-mediated diseases, kidney disease, and canine cognitive dysfunction (doggie dementia). There are some really promising advances in these areas in human medicine, and I'm eager to see their veterinary applications.

What’s one misconception about stem cell therapy for pets that you often come across?

‍Many pet owners think stem cell therapy is experimental or unproven, when actually we have over a decade of clinical use and research supporting its safety and benefits from overseas, predominantly in the US and UK.

I also think people imagine we can grow a whole new joint or organ from their pet’s stem cells, which is not the case. A major benefit of stem cell therapy is pain management, when we inject a patient with their own stem cells, the anti-inflammatory properties they emit help reduce discomfort and support healing.

Once people understand it's about harnessing their pet's natural healing abilities rather than something artificial, they see the potential for fewer side effects and, in some cases, the possibility of avoiding invasive surgeries down the line. This understanding makes them much more comfortable with the concept.

Pet owners are taking a more proactive approach to their pet’s long-term health. How does stem cell banking fit into that shift?

Today's pet parents are thinking well beyond annual vaccines and heartworm prevention. They're considering their pet's health over a lifetime, from puppyhood through to their senior years. Stem cell banking fits perfectly with this proactive approach – it's essentially saving your pet's youngest, most powerful regenerative cells for when they might need them later in life. Just like people are planning financially for their future, banking stem cells is planning biologically for your pet's health future.

If you had to explain the value of storing a pet’s stem cells to an owner in one sentence, what would you say?

You're preserving your pet’s youngest, most potent healing cells today, giving them a powerful health resource for the future, like a biological insurance policy for their wellbeing.

How do you see proactive measures like stem cell storage influencing veterinary practice in the next decade?

‍I believe we're moving toward truly personalised veterinary medicine, where treatment plans are customised not just to the condition but to the individual patient. Stem cell storage will become part of the conversations we have with pet owners when animals are young and healthy – just like we discuss preventative care. It will expand our options when pets develop age-related conditions and potentially reduce our reliance on managing chronic conditions with medications that often have side effects.

What excites you most about joining Elita Genetics and stepping into this new field?

What really drew me to Elita Genetics is how passionate the team is! The whole company grew from the love of one lucky Floofball, Edgar Allan Paws, and now ‘pets first’ is at the core of how we operate. Elita Genetics combines this genuine care for animals with scientific innovation and I'm excited to help bridge the gap between advanced technology and the practicing veterinarians who want the best for their patients but may not yet be familiar with all these options.

What do you hope pet owners take away from the work we’re doing?

‍I hope pet owners feel empowered knowing they have more options for helping their best friend  live longer, healthier, more comfortable lives. There's nothing more heartbreaking than telling a family there's nothing more we can do for a beloved pet. Every time we can offer another effective treatment option, we're not just extending lives but preserving the special bond between pets and their people. That connection is ultimately what our work is all about.

With experts like Dr Caitlin Blake-Lane at the helm, the future of pet health has never looked brighter. If you have a beloved pet you’d like to store stem cells for, sign up today, pre-desexed pups can register here, and older pets can join our waitlist. Have questions? Email us at hello@elitagenetics.com to discuss your pet’s specific case.