My Wagawhey Story
I had a blessed childhood, growing up on a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Great Southern Drakensburg Mountains, in the lush green hills of Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa. Surrounded by Hereford cattle, I spent my time roaming and exploring these hills with my dogs. Bridget was my Red Setter, Rocky my Staffie and then there was Big Foot, the family Rhodesian Ridge Back. It was only the African sunset that would call an end to our day of adventure.
I travelled to England and trained under cheesemakers in Glastonbury and North Cadbury to hone my cheesemaking skills, and the Healey’s Farmhouse Cheeses brand was established!
In order to make the finest Farmhouse cheddar, the cheesemaker needs to constantly monitor and feel the texture of the curds after the coagulant is cut and scalding begins, a process where the temperature in the vat is raised. As the tiny pea-sized curds get firmer, they release liquid whey. After months of having my hands immersed in this liquid whey, I began to notice how distinguishably more youthful they looked. I hadn’t had much reason to admire the appearance of my hands before then.
We had also been using the whey as a supplement to the diet of our cattle, and our local vet, Dr Colins , was fascinated by their impeccable condition and health since starting their new eating regime. The whey was delicious. Even my dogs, led by Rocky, would stare the cattle square in the eye at the feeding troughs every evening, determined to get their share of the yellowish green liquid known cheese-whey or lactoserum!
These events had piqued my curiosity – what natural phenomenon was causing this healing, rejuvenating impact?! I began working with Universities in South Africa in the late 1990’s that were doing research into the enzymatic activity of our whey and the impact on it’s wound healing befits. I was invited back three years in a row to the School of Nursing at UFS where 3rd year nursing students were using our lactoserum (whey) enzymes in projects involving wound care. Our case studies were truly remarkable in the area of wound healing.
It wasn’t long until I realised I could take these learnings and encapsulate them into a product that could heal and promote the health of my animals. And I could share it with all like-minded animal lovers.
Inflammation is part of the body’s response to damage, whether internal or external. It is becoming an increasingly popular notion that chronic inflammation is the root cause of all know diseases. The role that the gut microbiome plays in overall health has come into focus over the past decade. Enzyme Activated Lactoserum uniquely fortifies the overall immune system, is a natural antibiotic and prebiotic with antioxidant & anti-inflammatory action, all supporting immunity and gut microbe diversity. A perfect natural alternative to treat our pet’s itching.
In addition to its immune boosting properties, it tastes great! Ask Rocky! It is also very digestible – absorbed from the gut far more quickly when compared to other types of protein.
All this research, along with my passion for animals, especially my trusted childhood dog companions, culminated in Wagawhey, a 100% natural enzyme activated lactoserum.
Its natural therapeutic properties are cleansing and rejuvenating. It does this by encouraging and supporting good gut bacteria. It promotes an equilibrium in the gut by curbing the state of putrefaction that supports bad gut bacteria. This helps combat skin disorders, yeast and fungal infections. Thanks to its neutral pH, it is safe to use around the eyes and directly on open wounds.
Apply it topically for it’s wound healing bio-active enzymes to reduce inflammation and itching as well as boost skin health . When added to your pet’s food, it assists in the re-balancing and cleansing of your pet’s intestinal tract, eliminating toxins – achieving the same reduced inflammation from within.
The year prior to the pandemic, I left South Africa with my eyes firmly set on launching Wagawhey into the UK market. South Africa had once held much promise but with ever increasing electricity blackouts, industrial action leading to vandalism, theft, looting, arson, poor infrastructure and deteriorating road conditions not to mention the corruption in government and low business confidence – the writing was on the wall and still is as violent crime escalates out of control with unemployment hovering just below 40%.
We settled in London and were afforded 12 months of freedom to attend events and promote Wagawhey before being severely restricted by lockdown and everything else that came with the shutting down the economy. Just as the country was going into lockdown we had made the decision to relocate and make our home and business base in the Blackdown Hills in Somerset.
So, as it turns out I came to Somerset in the early ‘90’s to hone my cheese-making skills, learning from well known characters like Harold Chase from Montgomery’s & Roger Keen. Healey’s our Farmhouse Cheddar brand took numerous gold and silver awards at the World Cheese Awards over the years. Now I’m back living not too far from the Mendip Hills and home of Cheddar cheese but this time helping animals with my naturally derived Lactoserum, a by-product which was born out of my years as a cheese-maker and the research I’ve undertook.
If you’re looking for a natural, effective alternative to traditional immune support and modulation, Wagawhey is the product for you.
I believe in it – that’s why I have put our Healey family name to it.
Just like our cheese, it’s the best natural product out there!
Justin Healey (CEO and Founder)
Wagawhey is a registered Veterinary Complementary Medicine (MCC Reg. No 150775)
