Yak milk bones sold in D.M. help Nepal farmers

From Nepal to Urbandale, a local veterinarian is hoping to help farmers near the Himalaya Mountains while also providing dogs with all-natural chews here in the United States.

Near the Himalayas, farmers have long produced chhurpi, a hardened cheese typically made from yak milk. While this has been used for human consumption for generations, it recently has been used as a natural chew for pets in the United States. A year ago, Anil Regmi, an Urbandale veterinarian and Nepal native, decided to work directly with farmers to produce the chhurpi and sell it in the United States, after finding problems caused by treats with preservatives.

So far, his product — Pet Dental Chew "Churpi or Churpidurkha" — has been sold in local stores including Hy-Vee, Fairway, Monkey and Jetts, and Iowa Pet Foods & Seascapes. For each treat sold, around 25 to 50 cents is indirectly donated toward the farmers, the equivalent of a day of food for a family of four. Regmi said he offers the farmers premium pay, allowing them to make more money.

He hopes to expand the distribution of the chews, with a goal of donating over a dollar to the farmers for each treat.

"Life is very hard there, especially after the earthquake," Regmi said. "Their livelihood will be much better from this."

The process is long for making the chews. Regmi said it can take three to four months to make, as farmers harden the cheese over a fireplace and add water and lime juice each week to help the process. Once the chews are complete, they are delivered from Nepal to the United States, and Regmi packages the chews at his veterinary clinic. Dog chews and treats with preservatives can contribute to various problems, such as kidney issues, cancer and diabetes, Regmi said, which prompted him to look at these holistic methods. Chews are used to improve the dental health of dogs, while also preoccupying them.

And, of course, humans can still consume the chew. Staffers at Regmi's clinic have tried the treat.

"It reminds me of gouda cheese," said Dee Steinhart, office manager.

Growing up in Nepal, Regmi always had a love for animals. After he immigrated to the United States and graduated from Purdue University, he decided to open his own veterinary clinic in Urbandale in 2000 called Urban Pet Hospital. Later in 2007, Regmi moved to a larger facility at 3601 104th Street which provides medical care, therapy, grooming, boarding and daycare.

Now, he's started Urban Pet Supply LLC., which distributes the chews. He hopes to expand, and potentially go nationwide.

"I've always wanted to do this, especially after the earthquake," Regmi said. "Their life basically will be much, much better."

People can purchase the treats at Urban Pet Hospital and Resort; Windsor Heights, Waukee and Urbandale Hy-Vee; Clive, Waukee and Urbandale Fareway; Jett and Monkey's Dog Shoppe; the Animal Rescue League's main site and Iowa Pet Foods & Seascapes. It's also available online at www.urbanpetssupply.com

Chew prices start at $7.