August 13, 2024 • 27 mins
Discover the groundbreaking process of preserving your pet's DNA in this episode of Vetsplanation. Learn how Dave and Stephanie from DNA is Love are revolutionizing the way we memorialize our beloved pets and loved ones. From DNA jewelry to keepsake picture frames, explore how this innovative service keeps cherished memories alive forever. Perfect for pet owners, animal lovers, and those looking for unique memorials.
In this episode you will learn:
- How to preserve DNA from pets and loved ones for keepsakes
- The science behind DNA extraction and preservation
- Different types of DNA-based memorial products available
- The emotional and sentimental value of DNA keepsakes
- Step-by-step process of creating DNA jewelry and picture frames
- Insights into the stability and longevity of preserved DNA
- How DNA is used to create personalized, one-of-a-kind memorials
- The difference between DNA keepsakes and traditional memorial items like ashes or paw prints
Resources:
DNA is Love
Connect with me here:
- https://www.vetsplanationpodcast.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/vetsplanation/
- https://www.twitter.com/vetsplanations/
- https://www.instagram.com/vetsplanation/
- https://www.tiktok.com/@vetsplanation/
- https://youtube.com/@Vetsplanationpodcast
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVbvK_wcgytuVECLYsfmc2qV3rCQ9enJK
Voluntary donations and Vetsplanation subscription:
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Dr. Sugerman (00:00):
Alright.
Hi, everybody.
Welcome back to another episodeof Vetsplanation.
I am your host, Dr.
Sugerman.
I'm really excited.
We have really different guestson today, so I'm excited to talk
to you guys.
This is Dave and Stephanie fromDNA is Love.
Something I had never heard ofbefore until I was on another
podcast for somebody who doeshospice, and we were talking
(00:22):
about it, and I was so excitedto hear about this.
I won't give it away yet but I'mgonna have you guys both
introduce yourself first, ifthat's okay.
Dave Latorra (00:30):
For sure.
Yeah.
Thank you first of all, forhaving us on the program.
We love this, and we love thechance to talk to you and talk
about what we're doing.
Dr. Sugerman (00:37):
Yeah, thank you.
Dave Latorra (00:38):
I'm Dave Latorra.
I'm one of the co owners alongwith Stephanie and my background
is a science all the way.
Molecular biology.
I've been to school with abachelor's biochem, a master's
in microbiology, and I have aPhD in molecular biology.
I worked in the corporate..
Dr. Sugerman (00:56):
Having gone through all of that, that's
really impressive.
Dave Latorra (00:58):
Oh, thank you.
Thank you much.
Yeah, I know.
I just zipped through, but therewas a lot of work and all that
and actually, it's interestingbecause my PhD work led into
what we're doing, but it's, itwas 20 years later.
So that's a bit of a story.
Maybe we can get to that.
We'll get to that later on andhow this all happened.
But so I have a strong sciencebackground.
I worked in the corporate worldfor a couple decades supporting
(01:20):
labs all over the country indifferent types of more like
clinical things, diagnosticthings.
I have a background in humanidentification, so kind of
paternity and other relationshiptesting.
I have done that a lot.
Even doing some other scientificthings too, so I've got a strong
science background.
Dr. Sugerman (01:39):
Nice.
Perfect.
And Stephanie, what's yourbackground?
Stephanie Ford (01:42):
Yeah I am Stephanie Ford, I am co owner of
DNA is Love.
I, I have been in the caregivingfield most of my life.
I had a mom who had polio, so Ithink early on I just saw a need
for helping those who need alittle extra help.
And so I think I've always hadthe heart to do that.
(02:03):
I went to school for earlychildhood education, but then
ended up getting into caregivingand hospice.
I spent five years over inBeijing, China, and while living
over there, yeah, I was able tovolunteer in the orphanage.
And so that furthered my lovefor helping people and, and so
(02:24):
after I came back to the States,I got into the hospice side of
caregiving and have spent thelast 10 years doing that.
And so when Dave and I weretalking about possible business
ideas, I just thought it was soneat if we could bring the heart
and the science together, like away to remember the people and
(02:44):
the pets in their lives who havemade such a difference.
And I think over the years, Ijust saw the stories of these
people going through really hardthings and just thought, Oh, we
need to find a way to remember.
And share the stories.
So I think that's where mypassion lies, is really the
stories behind all of it andjust remembering the people and
(03:07):
the pets that we love.
And yeah, so I have a cat whoI've had for 13 years, Yeti.
Dr. Sugerman (03:14):
I saw that, yes.
Love the name.
Stephanie Ford (03:18):
Yeah he totally looks like a Yeti.
We were able to preserve hisDNA, so I carry that with me.
Dr. Sugerman (03:23):
Cool.
Stephanie Ford (03:24):
I have three children, and yeah, so in my
free time, I just love beingoutside, and I have taken up
birdwatching so that's been asuper fun hobby.
Dr. Sugerman (03:35):
I'm assuming you have your kid's DNA as well.
Stephanie Ford (03:38):
I do, I do.
Dr. Sugerman (03:39):
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (03:40):
Yeah, I'm like, okay, cat, and then the kids.
Dr. Sugerman (03:42):
Yeah, I was like, how important is this cat?
Is it more important the kids?
Yeah.
Dave Latorra (03:46):
I'm wearing a pendant with my, I have my two
daughters in here and they justlive out of state.
That's one thing is, to feelthem close when you're, you're
doing things, you're around thehouse, you're with them, you're
out on a hike, you're in nature,you can feel that extra bond
because you've got a living partof them with you.
Dr. Sugerman (04:02):
Yeah, that's so cool.
All right, so let's talk aboutDNA is love now.
So what exactly do you guys do?
Dave Latorra (04:10):
We give people a chance to preserve samples, but
not just any samples, like a DNAsample, primarily, is what we're
working with.
And we make it very easy forpeople, like just really a
simple cheek swab collection forpeople, and then we, we take
that sample that we get, we mailthe samples back and forth, and
(04:32):
then in the laboratory here thatI've got set up, we actually
extract the DNA from eachperson's or pet's sample, I go
ahead and confirm that eachsample worked, so that DNA is
actually extracted, and how muchwe actually get from each
extraction, which is you know,it's just a really good feeling
to make sure we're the processworks, right?
(04:53):
If somebody didn't get collectthe sample or something.
We want to make sure what we'redoing because that's one thing
about DNA it's really to the tothe outsider the people who are
going to get the product back.
It's pretty invisible, so youreally have to understand what
we're doing and trust theprocess.
So we want to make everything astransparent as open as possible.
(05:13):
So then we'll take the DNAthat's confirmed and we'll
actually put it into the jewelryitem that you would pick out
online.
And we have an online shopping.
Stephanie does the engravingmaking it all beautiful and
packaged and things like that.
So we really personalized it.
And the other thing that's coolis we can, we can get creative
with it.
People can mix different samplestogether from say two children
(05:36):
or two pets.
Or family members.
We have a picture frame too, ontop of jewelry that you wear and
things.
So that's the idea behind itfrom the science side.
And maybe Stephanie wants totalk about the other side of it.
Dr. Sugerman (05:50):
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (05:52):
The heart side of it.
Yeah, no, I know.
And so yes, we want to create aliving reminder of someone in
your life, and that was reallythe hope when we started this
business.
And I think coming into it frommy background, I'm just seeing
how important it is to carry onthe legacy and the, the
(06:15):
reminders of the people who havemade such a difference.
And, and so I have a passion forstories.
And so there's a section on ourwebsite that we can share about
these people.
And I think, when you're withsomeone at the end of life, you
just realize, Oh, the worldneeds to know who you are.
You are this amazing, strongfighter who, who has done so
(06:39):
much good.
And so that is my hope andwhether living or past, and I
think we all have stories ofreally incredible people and
pets in our lives.
And so it's been really neat towork on this, work on the
business and then, and work withgood people who are wanting to
(07:00):
remember their loved ones.
And so we've had some reallycool stories.
We've done horse DNA, and..
Dr. Sugerman (07:06):
Yeah, I saw that.
That was very cool.
Stephanie Ford (07:09):
And it was neat because we weren't able to get
it the first time.
And so we redid the swab.
Dr. Sugerman (07:14):
Oh my gosh, they have such giant cheeks.
I would have thought you wouldhave gotten so much.
Stephanie Ford (07:17):
Yeah.
You would think.
You would think.
And so that's what I love aboutour process is that we're able
to confirm that we were able toget the DNA.
And I just love that it's aliving blueprint.
It is literally a one of a kindgift, and literally.
And so that's what I love.
It's just a living reminder ofsomeone in your life.
Dr. Sugerman (07:40):
I feel like we get this so much that people have,
your, your heart pet.
That pet that's you've beenreally, really bonded to.
And people want to be able tocherish that.
I do, unfortunately, a lot ofeuthanasias.
And, a lot of times people willget like a hair sample back.
That's gonna degrade.
You're going to get a paw print,but it's not quite the same as
(08:00):
touching their paw.
You're going to get their ashesback, but it's just not quite
the same as having like a livingsample of them.
So I thought this was a reallycool process to be able to keep
that living sample for them.
Dave Latorra (08:11):
Thanks.
Yeah.
We really appreciate that.
We've, we've gotten the samefeedback, Tyler.
I, a lot of people are closerand bonded with their pets than
they are family members, andunfortunately or something, but
they mean so much.
And, even in Stephanie's familythere, she's got a brother who's
had a number of dogs and just,it's just the passion, in their
life, him and his spouse's life.
(08:31):
They mean so much to people.
And then, we've heard that somany times, Oh, I wish you'd
heard about you guys a whileago.
We had this precious pet thatjust passed away, right?
It's an opportunity to catch asample while you can.
And that's the other nice thingabout DNA.
It's like we say, we make itextremely easy to do a sample
and collect it.
Versus something like cremationashes where obviously you've got
(08:52):
to wait for someone to pass andthen it just doesn't have the
same feeling.
It doesn't have the same energywith it in our experience.
Dr. Sugerman (09:01):
Exactly, and even with the ashes, most of the
time, with most things that youcan make, it's only a very small
amount of the ashes that youuse.
It's not like all of the ashes,which a lot of people don't
know.
But it was very easy.
So I did do your guys process,right?
So I, I have two kids who arenot very easy to get samples
from.
Because they assume that I'mgoing to do a COVID test on
(09:23):
them.
So..
But it was very, very easy to beable to get their samples and be
able to send it in.
And, you guys can email me backand confirm that's exactly what,
that you got both samples.
It was a very, very easyprocess.
Stephanie Ford (09:37):
And that's so neat.
And it was really neat to workon your kids, Oren and Abigail.
Yeah, it was really, reallyneat.
We were able to get, I think,570 from Oren and 540 nanograms
from Abigail.
And what's neat about DNA, itjust takes one nanogram to get
the full blueprint.
(09:58):
And so to be able to preservethose amounts, and then just
hold them for years.
And that's what I love aboutDNA, is that it's so stable, it
lasts for hundreds and hundredsof years.
There's stories of thousands andthousands of years old, but
that's what I love about ourprocess, is that we're able to
(10:18):
preserve it in a way where youwill have it for a lifetime.
Dr. Sugerman (10:23):
Yeah, I was gonna ask about that, like, how long
the DNA stays.
Does it degrade?
Do you have to add anything toit to keep it stable, or is it
just stable?
Dave Latorra (10:31):
It's stable in part because well one is just
the chemistry of it, right?
Part of it's environmental, butalso we're preserving the sample
in the perfect solution likeit's pristine clean DNA and it's
also preserved in a buffer withsalt and EDTA-Tris, to get in
the, in the weeds with you.
But so it's, it's really stable.
(10:51):
And then we do put it into thejewelry in a liquid form.
But if it would dry down inthere, the DNA is still going to
be preserved.
Like it's, it's, as Stephaniementioned, they're, they have
ancient samples of DNA in muchworse shape than this, but
we're, we're offering thatopportunity for people, plenty
of it for testing too, likewe're, we're for entertainment
purposes and keepsake memorialprimarily, but there is utility
(11:15):
in this down the road if, thefield of genetics is really, in
the history DNA has only beenaround for 80 some years, so who
knows where we're heading withthis field.
Dr. Sugerman (11:27):
Yeah.
I actually listen to a lot ofcrime podcasts, and so I hear a
lot about all the really coolthings that happen..
Dave Latorra (11:34):
For sure.
Dr. Sugerman (11:35):
Coming up with DNA.
My other question was going tobe, so I know you've done a
horse and dogs, and I believeI've seen cats on there too.
Are there other animals you cando as well?
can you do like reptiles andbirds?
Dave Latorra (11:47):
Everything living like that will have a sample.
Right now, those are the primarypets we've been dealing with are
cats, dogs, horses.
And so I've got PCR primers thatI use to confirm from mammals,
primates and things.
But, so we could go a littlefurther if somebody has a really
unusual sample, but so far, wehaven't been there, but
scientifically, yeah, it's all,it's all there for us.
(12:09):
But primarily we're working withthe regular list of pets.
Dr. Sugerman (12:13):
Yeah I always have some sort of reptile, so I feel
to me that's a regular list ofpets, but..
Dave Latorra (12:19):
True.
Stephanie Ford (12:19):
I love it.
Dr. Sugerman (12:21):
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (12:21):
We'll give it a try.
We will do it.
Dr. Sugerman (12:23):
Right?
My other question, too, is goingto be I know this from reading
it on your guys website, butwhat do you guys do with the DNA
afterwards?
Is it not put into a database?
It's, you don't store it oranything, correct?
Right?
Dave Latorra (12:36):
That's correct.
Tell her we don't do any data atall with the DNA.
I extract the DNA, preserve it,put it into the jewelry, and
then just following bio safetystandards.
We'd get rid of any access on atube or a tip, but everything
possible that we can put intothe product, we put into the
product.
There's no leftover kept,there's no security, there's no
(12:58):
account login passwords accesslike that.
So I do know some of the other,people are a little eerie with
DNA, right?
It's the most personalinformation they have.
We're again, we're verytransparent, we've got our
privacy and security policy onthere, but we're, we're just
doing this to, basically, we'regiving the opportunity, turning
around the sample from a swabinto DNA and back into people's
(13:21):
product and as easily aspossible for them.
Nothing from, What we're doinghere is ever retained or used
beyond that
Dr. Sugerman (13:30):
Nice.
And then you guys do acertificate with it too, right?
Stephanie Ford (13:34):
Yes.
Yes.
We do a certificate ofauthenticity.
And so once Dave's confirmed theamount by PCR I'm able to go in
and create just to show you howmany nanograms we got.
And like I said, we werefortunate, I think for the
horse, we got maybe sixnanograms.
So it wasn't as many as thehuman, I know, which surprised
me.
Dr. Sugerman (13:53):
Yeah, it's so surprising.
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (13:55):
Yes.
And so I'm always fascinated bywhat we get, and then my cat, we
think had 600 nanograms.
Yes, so it's just a way toconfirm with you that, yes, we
did this, this is what we wereable to get and, and then
confirm it.
And yes, you get a certificateand then your product as well.
Dave Latorra (14:14):
And just go a little deeper on that too you
know, every sample is a littlebit of different complexity and
that's just the environmentthat's, you know, though you're
swabbing a cheek sample andthere's other solutions and
things and so and as Stephaniementioned, PCR is typically done
with really one nanogram of DNA,sequencing takes a little bit
more but there's we'recontinuing to optimize, but
(14:35):
we've got a very elegant, verynice way that we extract the
DNA.
We use the magnetic separationtechnology.
Once we break open the cells,then we capture it onto these
DNA magnetic beads and then wewash the solution.
And then at the end of theprocess, we, we let it go off
the beads.
So we do a really nice job.
It's really pure, really topquality samples that we're
(14:58):
getting out.
Dr. Sugerman (15:00):
So how do you confirm that you have the DNA?
Like how do you know for sure?
Dave Latorra (15:05):
Yes.
So I just mentioned we use aprocess called PCR.
It's polymerase chain reaction.
A lot of people have heard of itfrom COVID testing, right?
Basically you're amplifying alittle tiny piece of DNA of all
the DNA that's there.
That's just diagnostic for whatyou're looking for.
So in our case, it's eitherhuman or cat or a dog, there's
some specific primers for eachspecies that were in the
(15:28):
literature and we've done ourhomework and we know so when
we've tested it out thoroughly,so, so with that process, we get
the DNA and then I'll run everysample with this PCR to confirm
that we want to make sure it'spresent, first of all, like that
it worked, the extractionworked.
And again, somebody could havejust not understood the
instructions on how to swab or,whatever happens.
(15:50):
So we confirm each one and thenwe also can tell the amount we
run some standards.
You can run DNA standards ofknown amounts to compare it to.
So that's how we can tell howmuch that we get out of there.
And then once that's all good togo.
We put it into the product andpackage it up and get it back on
its way
Dr. Sugerman (16:09):
I can imagine, probably, the horse, you
probably got a lot of the foodproduct as well.
Since they just eat all thetime.
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (16:16):
Yes.
You got it.
It was just a little dirtier inthe tube.
Yes.
Dr. Sugerman (16:21):
Exactly.
Dave Latorra (16:21):
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (16:23):
But, but if we don't get a sample on the first
time, we will ship you anothercollection kit because we really
do want to make sure this isdone accurately and right, and
so yeah, however many times ittakes, we will get that sample.
Dave Latorra (16:36):
And it's rare that we don't get it to work the
first time, Tyler too.
And even like you said your kidsare a little tough to sample
from you did a great job.
Dr. Sugerman (16:44):
Thanks.
Dave Latorra (16:44):
It's really straightforward.
And so that is one thing that'scool is we've made it easy for
people.
So this idea for DNA is lovegoes back a couple of decades,
right?
And it really started, I wasdoing my graduate research on
DNA markers for identification,to identify people.
And I needed some samples totest that were, like, related.
So I, where do you go?
(17:04):
You're a scientist, you go toyour own family, right?
And at a family reunion we hadwe got samples, and back in the
day, this was 20 something yearsago, my mom was a nurse, and so
she actually took a little bloodsample from my parents, my
brothers and sisters and I, andthey gave me some grief on that
over time, and I used that andworked up these markers, and
(17:25):
that led to the idea of, okay, Ihave my family's DNA, what can I
do with this?
Okay, I want to combine it.
I want to put it into somethingand preserve it and hold on to
it.
But in the meantime,technology's evolved, right?
And now from a just a simplecheek swab so there's no, no, no
sticks, no pricks, no fingerpricks, just no blood
collection.
Just really easy and, and youwent through it.
(17:47):
Your kids they did a great job.
You did a good job with them.
Dr. Sugerman (17:49):
Yeah.
I'm so glad we only had to do acheek swab and not any blood.
Dave Latorra (17:54):
Totally
Dr. Sugerman (17:55):
Yeah.
We would not have gotten thatsample.
I would've gotten you a dogblood much easier.
Dave Latorra (18:00):
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (18:00):
I think the cool story behind that, though, is
Dave did that, how many yearsago did you take..
Dave Latorra (18:05):
It was 20 years ago.
If not, 20 something years.
Yeah
Stephanie Ford (18:09):
And then as we were working on the business,
Dave had his DNA samples onthese sheets of paper and we
were able to rehydrate and bringit back to life and confirm it
all these years later.
And so Dave was able to combineit into one of our pieces of
jewelry.
So he has his parents, eventhough they've been, which is
(18:33):
really cool to be able to holdon to that and just have that
reminder always.
And that living part of them.
Dr. Sugerman (18:40):
Right.
Stephanie Ford (18:40):
Is really neat.
Dr. Sugerman (18:42):
And I know, so you're wearing one, Stephanie I
can see.
Dave, I think I can see yours inthere as well, right?
Yep.
Mm-Hmm, Very cool.
Yeah.
So I, so you guys have thependants.
I know you have the Infinityone.
You said you have the pictureframe.
Stephanie Ford (18:56):
Yes.
Dr. Sugerman (18:57):
What, what else do you guys use?
Stephanie Ford (18:59):
So we have some vials.
Dr. Sugerman (19:01):
There was something else.
Stephanie Ford (19:02):
Yeah, we have vials that you can put DNA into.
The picture frame is neatbecause you, a lot of people
don't wear jewelry.
So for my dearest friend, whomI've known since kindergarten
she was so excited and, andwanted her kids samples in a
picture frame because she's notinto the jewelry thing.
And so it was really such anhonor to do that for her and her
(19:24):
children and then confirm thatand then give her this as a
gift.
And it really it is so powerfuland I didn't realize until I
watched the whole processhappen.
I watched my cat process gothrough and and that was really
neat.
And then I was also able to getmy dad's, which was a long
(19:45):
story, but he ended up in ICUunexpectedly.
And so I immediately went out towhere he was and was able to get
a swab in the ICU and have hissample preserved.
And so I wear my dad's pendantas well and how grateful I am
that I was able to get that.
Cause you just never know.
(20:05):
And I think that's what I'velearned over the years and my
experience in caregiving andhospice is you just don't know,
what tomorrow brings.
And so this is such a neat wayjust to hold on to someone you
love.
Dr. Sugerman (20:19):
Yeah.
Dave Latorra (20:20):
And tyler just expand for just one sec on the
picture frame, right?
So what we do is we've you knowhad to source all these
products, right?
There's actually a vial and itcomes out of the frame a little
bit and then it's magneticallyattached.
So we put the DNA sample in thevial, seal it and then it goes
back into the frame.
But we also will get people tojust send us their photo we'll
(20:41):
print it out, put it in theframe form, and I mean it makes
it, like Stephanie said, like aone of a kind, once in a
lifetime product.
I almost think of it, we'realmost giving people a service,
like giving them an opportunityto preserve these samples of
people normally they wouldn'thave a chance to have, and like
you say, once they're gone, oncea loved pet is passed, you're
(21:03):
just, you're missing, andthere's nothing you can do.
Dr. Sugerman (21:07):
Yeah.
Exactly.
When you put it into thejewelry, is it in some sort of
little vial as well, or is itjust like in a hole In the
jewelry.
Stephanie Ford (21:18):
So it's in a hole in the jewelry.
So each of our pieces you justunscrew and then Dave's able to
pipette in the DNA.
And and so what we recommend isthat you don't open it back up
just because A, you don't wantit to spill out, and B, you
don't wanna contaminateanything.
And so it is there.
(21:38):
And then, but we also have theoption to add the extra vial
that you can just hold on to forsafekeeping.
just as peace of mind.
Dr. Sugerman (21:47):
Very nice.
Dave Latorra (21:47):
Yeah.
Dr. Sugerman (21:48):
Such a cool idea.
Dave Latorra (21:49):
Just to add to, yeah, we also have the option to
get an extra, just, we have acouple of different kind of
vials, like one is a amber vial,another is just a glass vial.
And the thing with the storagein the vial is really for long,
long term preservation, the bestway to store DNA is to dry it
down onto a clean, sterilesurface, which is the bottom of
(22:09):
a vial.
So for people that really wantto hang on to something for, 50,
100 years, we have that, and wewould dry it down on there.
It would just stay preservedforever, basically.
And then you would justrehydrate it with some molecular
water when the time is to cometest it and like we say, you
know there could be so much morecoming in the future diagnostic
(22:31):
tests and whatever, you knowsomething with your family
inheritance your grandparents Sothere is some definitely a lot
of utility to what we'reoffering to beyond just the kind
of emotional piece to it
Dr. Sugerman (22:46):
How cool.
Do you guys have anything elseyou wanted to add about this?
Stephanie Ford (22:50):
We're excited and we're excited to grow.
And, and we do have the optionon our website for cremation
ashes because we do recognizethat not everyone is able to get
DNA and and we saw a need and sowe've been able to do some
products for people that havebeen really dear.
I think the picture frame, I didone for my brother who's had six
(23:10):
dogs who are his life overfamily.
Dr. Sugerman (23:14):
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (23:15):
And and I was able to put their pictures, all
six of them on, on the frame andthen was able to help him fill
the frame, the vial with theirashes.
And that was so meaningful.
And he just cried when he openedthe gift because it meant so
much.
And so they have a dog now thatwe were able to get the DNA.
(23:36):
She's been a trooper.
It was our test dog for all ofthis.
And so he's able to have her DNAwith him.
And he's so grateful.
He said this means so much.
And I think that's the beautifulpart of it is just hearing
people say the peace of mind itgives me when I look at this is
huge.
And that's what we want to buildis just creating connection
(23:59):
between our family members,between pets, friends, whoever
has made a difference in yourlife.
Just hold on to that.
Dr. Sugerman (24:07):
How did you guys come up with the name real
quick?
Stephanie Ford (24:10):
Yeah, that was a process.
We went all over.
Dr. Sugerman (24:13):
I'm sure.
Stephanie Ford (24:14):
We had different options, but I think one time we
were out hiking on a businessmeeting and I just, and we
thought, DNA is love.
It literally is.
It's what ties us together forgenerations.
And I think I have a hugepassion for family history.
I had a mother who recorded allof our family histories and I
(24:36):
realized, Oh, I carry the DNA ofthese incredible people who
lived hundreds of years ago andkeep that legacy going and how
cool it is that I literallycarry a part of them with me
and, and that's what I loveabout this idea that DNA is
(24:56):
love.
It's, it's amazing.
What ties us to each other.
We're so much more alike than weare different.
That's what I love of justrealizing, we really are.
We're 99.9 percent the same.
And yes, and that's what I love.
It's just Oh, we are the same.
And we have that 0.1 percentvariation that makes us so
(25:16):
unique.
And that's what I hope peoplecan carry with them.
And that's what we would love tobuild.
Dave Latorra (25:22):
Yeah, I would just add, tyler we had it down to a
couple names, right?
It's like when you're namingyour kids, right?
You have it down.
So I think it was DNA is Foreverand then DNA is Love.
And so we, we thought thought,check it out with friends and
family, and then it really isit's cool how it came together,
cause sort of it is stephanieand I different backgrounds
coming together to bring thisthing to life.
(25:43):
I'm the DNA part.
She's the love, the heart part.
So having those two thingstogether is cool.
And then also you asked like tosummarize I would just first of
all I want to thank you forhaving us on and letting us do
this I think our biggestchallenge so far has been just
getting the word out there andexplaining to people.
We are I think we're quitedifferent than anything people
(26:03):
have heard about.
So all these are really goodopportunities to help us get our
message out, spread the word,explain to people what we're
doing and we really enjoy it.
We really thank you for theopportunity to talk with you.
And also, on the other side, wethank you for ordering and
believing in what we're doing,trusting us.
And we hope you're going toreally get a lot of joy and
happiness with your sample and,all, all from there.
Dr. Sugerman (26:27):
Yeah.
Thank you.
Yeah.
I'm really excited about it.
And I said, I, I just, forhaving done so many euthanasias,
I just know that there's only somany things you can do with the
ashes, but it's just so just, Idon't know, there's just a
different connection when youjust have something that's a
living piece of them.
Stephanie Ford (26:43):
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
So thank you.
Dr. Sugerman (26:47):
Yeah, of course.
Thank you guys.
I really really appreciate youguys coming on, and just
explaining everything to us.
And I'm hoping that so you'llget so many more people doing
this because I think it is justsuch a huge service.
Stephanie Ford (27:00):
Thank you.
Dave Latorra (27:00):
Yeah, we really appreciate that.
Dr. Sugerman (27:02):
Of course, thank you guys.
All right, everybody as alwaysmake sure to keep your pets
happy, healthy, and safe.
Thank you guys.
Alright.
Hi, everybody.
Welcome back to another episodeof Vetsplanation.
I am your host, Dr.
Sugerman.
I'm really excited.
We have really different guestson today, so I'm excited to talk
to you guys.
This is Dave and Stephanie fromDNA is Love.
Something I had never heard ofbefore until I was on another
podcast for somebody who doeshospice, and we were talking
(00:22):
about it, and I was so excitedto hear about this.
I won't give it away yet but I'mgonna have you guys both
introduce yourself first, ifthat's okay.
Dave Latorra (00:30):
For sure.
Yeah.
Thank you first of all, forhaving us on the program.
We love this, and we love thechance to talk to you and talk
about what we're doing.
Dr. Sugerman (00:37):
Yeah, thank you.
Dave Latorra (00:38):
I'm Dave Latorra.
I'm one of the co owners alongwith Stephanie and my background
is a science all the way.
Molecular biology.
I've been to school with abachelor's biochem, a master's
in microbiology, and I have aPhD in molecular biology.
I worked in the corporate..
Dr. Sugerman (00:56):
Having gone through all of that, that's
really impressive.
Dave Latorra (00:58):
Oh, thank you.
Thank you much.
Yeah, I know.
I just zipped through, but therewas a lot of work and all that
and actually, it's interestingbecause my PhD work led into
what we're doing, but it's, itwas 20 years later.
So that's a bit of a story.
Maybe we can get to that.
We'll get to that later on andhow this all happened.
But so I have a strong sciencebackground.
I worked in the corporate worldfor a couple decades supporting
(01:20):
labs all over the country indifferent types of more like
clinical things, diagnosticthings.
I have a background in humanidentification, so kind of
paternity and other relationshiptesting.
I have done that a lot.
Even doing some other scientificthings too, so I've got a strong
science background.
Dr. Sugerman (01:39):
Nice.
Perfect.
And Stephanie, what's yourbackground?
Stephanie Ford (01:42):
Yeah I am Stephanie Ford, I am co owner of
DNA is Love.
I, I have been in the caregivingfield most of my life.
I had a mom who had polio, so Ithink early on I just saw a need
for helping those who need alittle extra help.
And so I think I've always hadthe heart to do that.
(02:03):
I went to school for earlychildhood education, but then
ended up getting into caregivingand hospice.
I spent five years over inBeijing, China, and while living
over there, yeah, I was able tovolunteer in the orphanage.
And so that furthered my lovefor helping people and, and so
(02:24):
after I came back to the States,I got into the hospice side of
caregiving and have spent thelast 10 years doing that.
And so when Dave and I weretalking about possible business
ideas, I just thought it was soneat if we could bring the heart
and the science together, like away to remember the people and
(02:44):
the pets in their lives who havemade such a difference.
And I think over the years, Ijust saw the stories of these
people going through really hardthings and just thought, Oh, we
need to find a way to remember.
And share the stories.
So I think that's where mypassion lies, is really the
stories behind all of it andjust remembering the people and
(03:07):
the pets that we love.
And yeah, so I have a cat whoI've had for 13 years, Yeti.
Dr. Sugerman (03:14):
I saw that, yes.
Love the name.
Stephanie Ford (03:18):
Yeah he totally looks like a Yeti.
We were able to preserve hisDNA, so I carry that with me.
Dr. Sugerman (03:23):
Cool.
Stephanie Ford (03:24):
I have three children, and yeah, so in my
free time, I just love beingoutside, and I have taken up
birdwatching so that's been asuper fun hobby.
Dr. Sugerman (03:35):
I'm assuming you have your kid's DNA as well.
Stephanie Ford (03:38):
I do, I do.
Dr. Sugerman (03:39):
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (03:40):
Yeah, I'm like, okay, cat, and then the kids.
Dr. Sugerman (03:42):
Yeah, I was like, how important is this cat?
Is it more important the kids?
Yeah.
Dave Latorra (03:46):
I'm wearing a pendant with my, I have my two
daughters in here and they justlive out of state.
That's one thing is, to feelthem close when you're, you're
doing things, you're around thehouse, you're with them, you're
out on a hike, you're in nature,you can feel that extra bond
because you've got a living partof them with you.
Dr. Sugerman (04:02):
Yeah, that's so cool.
All right, so let's talk aboutDNA is love now.
So what exactly do you guys do?
Dave Latorra (04:10):
We give people a chance to preserve samples, but
not just any samples, like a DNAsample, primarily, is what we're
working with.
And we make it very easy forpeople, like just really a
simple cheek swab collection forpeople, and then we, we take
that sample that we get, we mailthe samples back and forth, and
(04:32):
then in the laboratory here thatI've got set up, we actually
extract the DNA from eachperson's or pet's sample, I go
ahead and confirm that eachsample worked, so that DNA is
actually extracted, and how muchwe actually get from each
extraction, which is you know,it's just a really good feeling
to make sure we're the processworks, right?
(04:53):
If somebody didn't get collectthe sample or something.
We want to make sure what we'redoing because that's one thing
about DNA it's really to the tothe outsider the people who are
going to get the product back.
It's pretty invisible, so youreally have to understand what
we're doing and trust theprocess.
So we want to make everything astransparent as open as possible.
(05:13):
So then we'll take the DNAthat's confirmed and we'll
actually put it into the jewelryitem that you would pick out
online.
And we have an online shopping.
Stephanie does the engravingmaking it all beautiful and
packaged and things like that.
So we really personalized it.
And the other thing that's coolis we can, we can get creative
with it.
People can mix different samplestogether from say two children
(05:36):
or two pets.
Or family members.
We have a picture frame too, ontop of jewelry that you wear and
things.
So that's the idea behind itfrom the science side.
And maybe Stephanie wants totalk about the other side of it.
Dr. Sugerman (05:50):
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (05:52):
The heart side of it.
Yeah, no, I know.
And so yes, we want to create aliving reminder of someone in
your life, and that was reallythe hope when we started this
business.
And I think coming into it frommy background, I'm just seeing
how important it is to carry onthe legacy and the, the
(06:15):
reminders of the people who havemade such a difference.
And, and so I have a passion forstories.
And so there's a section on ourwebsite that we can share about
these people.
And I think, when you're withsomeone at the end of life, you
just realize, Oh, the worldneeds to know who you are.
You are this amazing, strongfighter who, who has done so
(06:39):
much good.
And so that is my hope andwhether living or past, and I
think we all have stories ofreally incredible people and
pets in our lives.
And so it's been really neat towork on this, work on the
business and then, and work withgood people who are wanting to
(07:00):
remember their loved ones.
And so we've had some reallycool stories.
We've done horse DNA, and..
Dr. Sugerman (07:06):
Yeah, I saw that.
That was very cool.
Stephanie Ford (07:09):
And it was neat because we weren't able to get
it the first time.
And so we redid the swab.
Dr. Sugerman (07:14):
Oh my gosh, they have such giant cheeks.
I would have thought you wouldhave gotten so much.
Stephanie Ford (07:17):
Yeah.
You would think.
You would think.
And so that's what I love aboutour process is that we're able
to confirm that we were able toget the DNA.
And I just love that it's aliving blueprint.
It is literally a one of a kindgift, and literally.
And so that's what I love.
It's just a living reminder ofsomeone in your life.
Dr. Sugerman (07:40):
I feel like we get this so much that people have,
your, your heart pet.
That pet that's you've beenreally, really bonded to.
And people want to be able tocherish that.
I do, unfortunately, a lot ofeuthanasias.
And, a lot of times people willget like a hair sample back.
That's gonna degrade.
You're going to get a paw print,but it's not quite the same as
(08:00):
touching their paw.
You're going to get their ashesback, but it's just not quite
the same as having like a livingsample of them.
So I thought this was a reallycool process to be able to keep
that living sample for them.
Dave Latorra (08:11):
Thanks.
Yeah.
We really appreciate that.
We've, we've gotten the samefeedback, Tyler.
I, a lot of people are closerand bonded with their pets than
they are family members, andunfortunately or something, but
they mean so much.
And, even in Stephanie's familythere, she's got a brother who's
had a number of dogs and just,it's just the passion, in their
life, him and his spouse's life.
(08:31):
They mean so much to people.
And then, we've heard that somany times, Oh, I wish you'd
heard about you guys a whileago.
We had this precious pet thatjust passed away, right?
It's an opportunity to catch asample while you can.
And that's the other nice thingabout DNA.
It's like we say, we make itextremely easy to do a sample
and collect it.
Versus something like cremationashes where obviously you've got
(08:52):
to wait for someone to pass andthen it just doesn't have the
same feeling.
It doesn't have the same energywith it in our experience.
Dr. Sugerman (09:01):
Exactly, and even with the ashes, most of the
time, with most things that youcan make, it's only a very small
amount of the ashes that youuse.
It's not like all of the ashes,which a lot of people don't
know.
But it was very easy.
So I did do your guys process,right?
So I, I have two kids who arenot very easy to get samples
from.
Because they assume that I'mgoing to do a COVID test on
(09:23):
them.
So..
But it was very, very easy to beable to get their samples and be
able to send it in.
And, you guys can email me backand confirm that's exactly what,
that you got both samples.
It was a very, very easyprocess.
Stephanie Ford (09:37):
And that's so neat.
And it was really neat to workon your kids, Oren and Abigail.
Yeah, it was really, reallyneat.
We were able to get, I think,570 from Oren and 540 nanograms
from Abigail.
And what's neat about DNA, itjust takes one nanogram to get
the full blueprint.
(09:58):
And so to be able to preservethose amounts, and then just
hold them for years.
And that's what I love aboutDNA, is that it's so stable, it
lasts for hundreds and hundredsof years.
There's stories of thousands andthousands of years old, but
that's what I love about ourprocess, is that we're able to
(10:18):
preserve it in a way where youwill have it for a lifetime.
Dr. Sugerman (10:23):
Yeah, I was gonna ask about that, like, how long
the DNA stays.
Does it degrade?
Do you have to add anything toit to keep it stable, or is it
just stable?
Dave Latorra (10:31):
It's stable in part because well one is just
the chemistry of it, right?
Part of it's environmental, butalso we're preserving the sample
in the perfect solution likeit's pristine clean DNA and it's
also preserved in a buffer withsalt and EDTA-Tris, to get in
the, in the weeds with you.
But so it's, it's really stable.
(10:51):
And then we do put it into thejewelry in a liquid form.
But if it would dry down inthere, the DNA is still going to
be preserved.
Like it's, it's, as Stephaniementioned, they're, they have
ancient samples of DNA in muchworse shape than this, but
we're, we're offering thatopportunity for people, plenty
of it for testing too, likewe're, we're for entertainment
purposes and keepsake memorialprimarily, but there is utility
(11:15):
in this down the road if, thefield of genetics is really, in
the history DNA has only beenaround for 80 some years, so who
knows where we're heading withthis field.
Dr. Sugerman (11:27):
Yeah.
I actually listen to a lot ofcrime podcasts, and so I hear a
lot about all the really coolthings that happen..
Dave Latorra (11:34):
For sure.
Dr. Sugerman (11:35):
Coming up with DNA.
My other question was going tobe, so I know you've done a
horse and dogs, and I believeI've seen cats on there too.
Are there other animals you cando as well?
can you do like reptiles andbirds?
Dave Latorra (11:47):
Everything living like that will have a sample.
Right now, those are the primarypets we've been dealing with are
cats, dogs, horses.
And so I've got PCR primers thatI use to confirm from mammals,
primates and things.
But, so we could go a littlefurther if somebody has a really
unusual sample, but so far, wehaven't been there, but
scientifically, yeah, it's all,it's all there for us.
(12:09):
But primarily we're working withthe regular list of pets.
Dr. Sugerman (12:13):
Yeah I always have some sort of reptile, so I feel
to me that's a regular list ofpets, but..
Dave Latorra (12:19):
True.
Stephanie Ford (12:19):
I love it.
Dr. Sugerman (12:21):
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (12:21):
We'll give it a try.
We will do it.
Dr. Sugerman (12:23):
Right?
My other question, too, is goingto be I know this from reading
it on your guys website, butwhat do you guys do with the DNA
afterwards?
Is it not put into a database?
It's, you don't store it oranything, correct?
Right?
Dave Latorra (12:36):
That's correct.
Tell her we don't do any data atall with the DNA.
I extract the DNA, preserve it,put it into the jewelry, and
then just following bio safetystandards.
We'd get rid of any access on atube or a tip, but everything
possible that we can put intothe product, we put into the
product.
There's no leftover kept,there's no security, there's no
(12:58):
account login passwords accesslike that.
So I do know some of the other,people are a little eerie with
DNA, right?
It's the most personalinformation they have.
We're again, we're verytransparent, we've got our
privacy and security policy onthere, but we're, we're just
doing this to, basically, we'regiving the opportunity, turning
around the sample from a swabinto DNA and back into people's
(13:21):
product and as easily aspossible for them.
Nothing from, What we're doinghere is ever retained or used
beyond that
Dr. Sugerman (13:30):
Nice.
And then you guys do acertificate with it too, right?
Stephanie Ford (13:34):
Yes.
Yes.
We do a certificate ofauthenticity.
And so once Dave's confirmed theamount by PCR I'm able to go in
and create just to show you howmany nanograms we got.
And like I said, we werefortunate, I think for the
horse, we got maybe sixnanograms.
So it wasn't as many as thehuman, I know, which surprised
me.
Dr. Sugerman (13:53):
Yeah, it's so surprising.
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (13:55):
Yes.
And so I'm always fascinated bywhat we get, and then my cat, we
think had 600 nanograms.
Yes, so it's just a way toconfirm with you that, yes, we
did this, this is what we wereable to get and, and then
confirm it.
And yes, you get a certificateand then your product as well.
Dave Latorra (14:14):
And just go a little deeper on that too you
know, every sample is a littlebit of different complexity and
that's just the environmentthat's, you know, though you're
swabbing a cheek sample andthere's other solutions and
things and so and as Stephaniementioned, PCR is typically done
with really one nanogram of DNA,sequencing takes a little bit
more but there's we'recontinuing to optimize, but
(14:35):
we've got a very elegant, verynice way that we extract the
DNA.
We use the magnetic separationtechnology.
Once we break open the cells,then we capture it onto these
DNA magnetic beads and then wewash the solution.
And then at the end of theprocess, we, we let it go off
the beads.
So we do a really nice job.
It's really pure, really topquality samples that we're
(14:58):
getting out.
Dr. Sugerman (15:00):
So how do you confirm that you have the DNA?
Like how do you know for sure?
Dave Latorra (15:05):
Yes.
So I just mentioned we use aprocess called PCR.
It's polymerase chain reaction.
A lot of people have heard of itfrom COVID testing, right?
Basically you're amplifying alittle tiny piece of DNA of all
the DNA that's there.
That's just diagnostic for whatyou're looking for.
So in our case, it's eitherhuman or cat or a dog, there's
some specific primers for eachspecies that were in the
(15:28):
literature and we've done ourhomework and we know so when
we've tested it out thoroughly,so, so with that process, we get
the DNA and then I'll run everysample with this PCR to confirm
that we want to make sure it'spresent, first of all, like that
it worked, the extractionworked.
And again, somebody could havejust not understood the
instructions on how to swab or,whatever happens.
(15:50):
So we confirm each one and thenwe also can tell the amount we
run some standards.
You can run DNA standards ofknown amounts to compare it to.
So that's how we can tell howmuch that we get out of there.
And then once that's all good togo.
We put it into the product andpackage it up and get it back on
its way
Dr. Sugerman (16:09):
I can imagine, probably, the horse, you
probably got a lot of the foodproduct as well.
Since they just eat all thetime.
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (16:16):
Yes.
You got it.
It was just a little dirtier inthe tube.
Yes.
Dr. Sugerman (16:21):
Exactly.
Dave Latorra (16:21):
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (16:23):
But, but if we don't get a sample on the first
time, we will ship you anothercollection kit because we really
do want to make sure this isdone accurately and right, and
so yeah, however many times ittakes, we will get that sample.
Dave Latorra (16:36):
And it's rare that we don't get it to work the
first time, Tyler too.
And even like you said your kidsare a little tough to sample
from you did a great job.
Dr. Sugerman (16:44):
Thanks.
Dave Latorra (16:44):
It's really straightforward.
And so that is one thing that'scool is we've made it easy for
people.
So this idea for DNA is lovegoes back a couple of decades,
right?
And it really started, I wasdoing my graduate research on
DNA markers for identification,to identify people.
And I needed some samples totest that were, like, related.
So I, where do you go?
(17:04):
You're a scientist, you go toyour own family, right?
And at a family reunion we hadwe got samples, and back in the
day, this was 20 something yearsago, my mom was a nurse, and so
she actually took a little bloodsample from my parents, my
brothers and sisters and I, andthey gave me some grief on that
over time, and I used that andworked up these markers, and
(17:25):
that led to the idea of, okay, Ihave my family's DNA, what can I
do with this?
Okay, I want to combine it.
I want to put it into somethingand preserve it and hold on to
it.
But in the meantime,technology's evolved, right?
And now from a just a simplecheek swab so there's no, no, no
sticks, no pricks, no fingerpricks, just no blood
collection.
Just really easy and, and youwent through it.
(17:47):
Your kids they did a great job.
You did a good job with them.
Dr. Sugerman (17:49):
Yeah.
I'm so glad we only had to do acheek swab and not any blood.
Dave Latorra (17:54):
Totally
Dr. Sugerman (17:55):
Yeah.
We would not have gotten thatsample.
I would've gotten you a dogblood much easier.
Dave Latorra (18:00):
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (18:00):
I think the cool story behind that, though, is
Dave did that, how many yearsago did you take..
Dave Latorra (18:05):
It was 20 years ago.
If not, 20 something years.
Yeah
Stephanie Ford (18:09):
And then as we were working on the business,
Dave had his DNA samples onthese sheets of paper and we
were able to rehydrate and bringit back to life and confirm it
all these years later.
And so Dave was able to combineit into one of our pieces of
jewelry.
So he has his parents, eventhough they've been, which is
(18:33):
really cool to be able to holdon to that and just have that
reminder always.
And that living part of them.
Dr. Sugerman (18:40):
Right.
Stephanie Ford (18:40):
Is really neat.
Dr. Sugerman (18:42):
And I know, so you're wearing one, Stephanie I
can see.
Dave, I think I can see yours inthere as well, right?
Yep.
Mm-Hmm, Very cool.
Yeah.
So I, so you guys have thependants.
I know you have the Infinityone.
You said you have the pictureframe.
Stephanie Ford (18:56):
Yes.
Dr. Sugerman (18:57):
What, what else do you guys use?
Stephanie Ford (18:59):
So we have some vials.
Dr. Sugerman (19:01):
There was something else.
Stephanie Ford (19:02):
Yeah, we have vials that you can put DNA into.
The picture frame is neatbecause you, a lot of people
don't wear jewelry.
So for my dearest friend, whomI've known since kindergarten
she was so excited and, andwanted her kids samples in a
picture frame because she's notinto the jewelry thing.
And so it was really such anhonor to do that for her and her
(19:24):
children and then confirm thatand then give her this as a
gift.
And it really it is so powerfuland I didn't realize until I
watched the whole processhappen.
I watched my cat process gothrough and and that was really
neat.
And then I was also able to getmy dad's, which was a long
(19:45):
story, but he ended up in ICUunexpectedly.
And so I immediately went out towhere he was and was able to get
a swab in the ICU and have hissample preserved.
And so I wear my dad's pendantas well and how grateful I am
that I was able to get that.
Cause you just never know.
(20:05):
And I think that's what I'velearned over the years and my
experience in caregiving andhospice is you just don't know,
what tomorrow brings.
And so this is such a neat wayjust to hold on to someone you
love.
Dr. Sugerman (20:19):
Yeah.
Dave Latorra (20:20):
And tyler just expand for just one sec on the
picture frame, right?
So what we do is we've you knowhad to source all these
products, right?
There's actually a vial and itcomes out of the frame a little
bit and then it's magneticallyattached.
So we put the DNA sample in thevial, seal it and then it goes
back into the frame.
But we also will get people tojust send us their photo we'll
(20:41):
print it out, put it in theframe form, and I mean it makes
it, like Stephanie said, like aone of a kind, once in a
lifetime product.
I almost think of it, we'realmost giving people a service,
like giving them an opportunityto preserve these samples of
people normally they wouldn'thave a chance to have, and like
you say, once they're gone, oncea loved pet is passed, you're
(21:03):
just, you're missing, andthere's nothing you can do.
Dr. Sugerman (21:07):
Yeah.
Exactly.
When you put it into thejewelry, is it in some sort of
little vial as well, or is itjust like in a hole In the
jewelry.
Stephanie Ford (21:18):
So it's in a hole in the jewelry.
So each of our pieces you justunscrew and then Dave's able to
pipette in the DNA.
And and so what we recommend isthat you don't open it back up
just because A, you don't wantit to spill out, and B, you
don't wanna contaminateanything.
And so it is there.
(21:38):
And then, but we also have theoption to add the extra vial
that you can just hold on to forsafekeeping.
just as peace of mind.
Dr. Sugerman (21:47):
Very nice.
Dave Latorra (21:47):
Yeah.
Dr. Sugerman (21:48):
Such a cool idea.
Dave Latorra (21:49):
Just to add to, yeah, we also have the option to
get an extra, just, we have acouple of different kind of
vials, like one is a amber vial,another is just a glass vial.
And the thing with the storagein the vial is really for long,
long term preservation, the bestway to store DNA is to dry it
down onto a clean, sterilesurface, which is the bottom of
(22:09):
a vial.
So for people that really wantto hang on to something for, 50,
100 years, we have that, and wewould dry it down on there.
It would just stay preservedforever, basically.
And then you would justrehydrate it with some molecular
water when the time is to cometest it and like we say, you
know there could be so much morecoming in the future diagnostic
(22:31):
tests and whatever, you knowsomething with your family
inheritance your grandparents Sothere is some definitely a lot
of utility to what we'reoffering to beyond just the kind
of emotional piece to it
Dr. Sugerman (22:46):
How cool.
Do you guys have anything elseyou wanted to add about this?
Stephanie Ford (22:50):
We're excited and we're excited to grow.
And, and we do have the optionon our website for cremation
ashes because we do recognizethat not everyone is able to get
DNA and and we saw a need and sowe've been able to do some
products for people that havebeen really dear.
I think the picture frame, I didone for my brother who's had six
(23:10):
dogs who are his life overfamily.
Dr. Sugerman (23:14):
Yeah.
Stephanie Ford (23:15):
And and I was able to put their pictures, all
six of them on, on the frame andthen was able to help him fill
the frame, the vial with theirashes.
And that was so meaningful.
And he just cried when he openedthe gift because it meant so
much.
And so they have a dog now thatwe were able to get the DNA.
(23:36):
She's been a trooper.
It was our test dog for all ofthis.
And so he's able to have her DNAwith him.
And he's so grateful.
He said this means so much.
And I think that's the beautifulpart of it is just hearing
people say the peace of mind itgives me when I look at this is
huge.
And that's what we want to buildis just creating connection
(23:59):
between our family members,between pets, friends, whoever
has made a difference in yourlife.
Just hold on to that.
Dr. Sugerman (24:07):
How did you guys come up with the name real
quick?
Stephanie Ford (24:10):
Yeah, that was a process.
We went all over.
Dr. Sugerman (24:13):
I'm sure.
Stephanie Ford (24:14):
We had different options, but I think one time we
were out hiking on a businessmeeting and I just, and we
thought, DNA is love.
It literally is.
It's what ties us together forgenerations.
And I think I have a hugepassion for family history.
I had a mother who recorded allof our family histories and I
(24:36):
realized, Oh, I carry the DNA ofthese incredible people who
lived hundreds of years ago andkeep that legacy going and how
cool it is that I literallycarry a part of them with me
and, and that's what I loveabout this idea that DNA is
(24:56):
love.
It's, it's amazing.
What ties us to each other.
We're so much more alike than weare different.
That's what I love of justrealizing, we really are.
We're 99.9 percent the same.
And yes, and that's what I love.
It's just Oh, we are the same.
And we have that 0.1 percentvariation that makes us so
(25:16):
unique.
And that's what I hope peoplecan carry with them.
And that's what we would love tobuild.
Dave Latorra (25:22):
Yeah, I would just add, tyler we had it down to a
couple names, right?
It's like when you're namingyour kids, right?
You have it down.
So I think it was DNA is Foreverand then DNA is Love.
And so we, we thought thought,check it out with friends and
family, and then it really isit's cool how it came together,
cause sort of it is stephanieand I different backgrounds
coming together to bring thisthing to life.
(25:43):
I'm the DNA part.
She's the love, the heart part.
So having those two thingstogether is cool.
And then also you asked like tosummarize I would just first of
all I want to thank you forhaving us on and letting us do
this I think our biggestchallenge so far has been just
getting the word out there andexplaining to people.
We are I think we're quitedifferent than anything people
(26:03):
have heard about.
So all these are really goodopportunities to help us get our
message out, spread the word,explain to people what we're
doing and we really enjoy it.
We really thank you for theopportunity to talk with you.
And also, on the other side, wethank you for ordering and
believing in what we're doing,trusting us.
And we hope you're going toreally get a lot of joy and
happiness with your sample and,all, all from there.
Dr. Sugerman (26:27):
Yeah.
Thank you.
Yeah.
I'm really excited about it.
And I said, I, I just, forhaving done so many euthanasias,
I just know that there's only somany things you can do with the
ashes, but it's just so just, Idon't know, there's just a
different connection when youjust have something that's a
living piece of them.
Stephanie Ford (26:43):
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
So thank you.
Dr. Sugerman (26:47):
Yeah, of course.
Thank you guys.
I really really appreciate youguys coming on, and just
explaining everything to us.
And I'm hoping that so you'llget so many more people doing
this because I think it is justsuch a huge service.
Stephanie Ford (27:00):
Thank you.
Dave Latorra (27:00):
Yeah, we really appreciate that.
Dr. Sugerman (27:02):
Of course, thank you guys.
All right, everybody as alwaysmake sure to keep your pets
happy, healthy, and safe.
Thank you guys.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com