VETS DEN Presenter: Dr. Irina Perdew, Entrepreneur

Dr. Irina Perdew is a trailblazing veterinarian, entrepreneur, and graduate of NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She is also the President and CEO of Vetletics, a company she founded to revolutionize equine recovery with a cutting-edge compression device.

Born and raised in Kyrgyzstan and Germany, Dr. Perdew moved to the United States in her mid-20s to pursue her dreams. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Auburn University before going on to receive her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from NC State.

It was during her first year of veterinary school that Dr. Perdew’s entrepreneurial spark was ignited. Having previously worked with NBA players and human pneumatic compression devices for recovery, she was surprised to find no equivalent technology available for horses. Determined to fill this gap, she set out to create a solution—a vision that led to the development of Vetletics' flagship product, the EQ Press, a dynamic compression system designed to aid in equine rehabilitation.

Dr. Perdew’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including being selected to participate in the prestigious NC State University Andrews Launch Accelerator Program, which recognized her passion, skills, and entrepreneurial drive. She was also selected to represent the College of Veterinary Medicine as a leader in the Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs at NC State University and was the recipient of the Merck Animal Innovation Award for her contributions to veterinary technology and the creation of the EQ Press.

In addition to her veterinary and entrepreneurial pursuits, Dr. Perdew is proficient in five languages, an asset that reflects her global upbringing and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Her dedication to innovation and integrity drives her continued efforts to improve animal care, particularly in sports medicine, rehabilitation, surgery, neurology, and emergency medicine.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Dr. Perdew is a devoted mother to her two daughters, Anastasia and Eva. She is also a loving pet parent to her two beloved cats, Stanley and Casper.