The Vitamin Shoppe® Takes Another Step In Its Transformation, Partnering With Leading Whole Health Expert, Tieraona Low Dog, M.D.

SECAUCUS, N.J., Feb. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- To support The Vitamin Shoppe's mission to inspire and nourish customers on their wellness journey, the Company today announced a multi-year partnership with Tieraona Low Dog, M.D. a leading medical expert in the fields of integrative medicine, dietary supplements, herbal medicine, women's health and natural medicine.

The partnership with Dr. Low Dog reinforces The Vitamin Shoppe's role in customers' lives to simplify the complexities and personalize the solutions that will help customers meet their lifestyle goals.

As an honorary Vitamin Shoppe team member, Dr. Low Dog will assume the role of Chief Wellbeing Enthusiast.  As the Company's chief ambassador and educator of wellbeing, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog will develop content and tools for the Health Enthusiasts and customers that reinforce the power of a holistic healthy lifestyle.

For digital visitors, Dr. Low Dog will produce a series of podcasts, short format videos, and events packed with practical advice, education and hands-on recommendations for improving wellbeing based on traditional practices and cutting-edge science.  These include stress-reducing exercises, reenergizing with sleep and navigating the complex landscape of nutritional supplements.

"I hope to empower people on their wellness journeys by bringing my expertise in integrative medicine – which considers many facets of a person's health, from mental and physical to social and emotional," said Tierona Low Dog, M.D. "The Vitamin Shoppe is the perfect partner to allow me to focus on enhancing their customers' whole health through education and motivation."

For the team of 6,000 Health Enthusiasts who are critically important to delivering the promise of Thrive Every Day, Dr. Low Dog's newly-designed, comprehensive training program will enhance their already deep knowledge of lifestyle wellbeing to deepen their trusted relationships with customers.  Additionally, Dr. Low Dog will develop a top-tier training certification for the highest level of Health Enthusiast – Wellness Trainers.  These Wellness Trainers will be the ambassadors for lifestyle knowledge and customer inspiration for The Vitamin Shoppe.

"As we shift our focus from pills and powders to a broader view of holistic solutions, we know our customers look to our Health Enthusiasts for both inspiration and solutions for their individual wellness journeys," said Colin Watts, Chief Heath Enthusiast & Chief Executive Officer, The Vitamin Shoppe. "We are excited to partner with Dr. Low Dog to elevate the expertise of our Health Enthusiasts to Wellness Trainers, a first in our industry, to deliver the highest level of expertise and  make a difference in customers' lives," concluded Mr. Watts.

For additional information about The Vitamin Shoppe customers are encouraged to visit their local store or website at www.vitaminshoppe.com.

About Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. (NYSE: VSI)
The Vitamin Shoppe is a multi-channel, specialty retailer and contract manufacturer of nutritional products based in Secaucus, New Jersey.  In its stores and on its website, the Company carries a comprehensive retail assortment including: vitamins, minerals, specialty supplements, herbs, sports nutrition, homeopathic remedies, green living products, and beauty aids.  In addition to offering products from approximately 850 national brands, the Vitamin Shoppe also carries products under The Vitamin Shoppe®, BodyTech®, True Athlete®, MyTrition®, plnt®, ProBioCare®, Next Step® and Betancourt Nutrition® brands.  The Vitamin Shoppe conducts business through more than 750 company-operated retail stores under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements retail banners, and primarily through its website, www.vitaminshoppe.com.  Follow The Vitamin Shoppe on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/THEVITAMINSHOPPE and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VitaminShoppe.

About Dr. Low Dog:
Dr. Low Dog has studied and practiced massage therapy, martial arts, midwifery, and herbal medicine, serving as the President of the American Herbalist's Guild, before going on to receive her medical degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Dr. Low Dog has long been an advocate for health care that is compassionate, effective, equitable, and environmentally conscious. She currently serves as Director for the first Inter professional Fellowship in Integrative Health and Medicine (www.aihm.org), after leading the Fellowship program founded by Andrew Weil, MD at the University of Arizona's Center for Integrative Medicine.

SOURCE The Vitamin Shoppe