While a veterinary student, he was commissioned as an officer in the National Guard and met Colonel Gene Gavin DVM, who introduced him to holistic medicine. Dr. Randall's holistic education started with Spinal Manipulation at the Healing Oasis and then Chi University for Acupuncture.

He started his own practice in Northern Michigan after graduation. He currently offers VSMT, acupuncture, Chinese and Western Herbal medicine, homeopathy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, ozone therapy, shockwave therapy, and regenerative medicine for small and large animals.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Chris Randall as we discuss his education, career in human and veterinary medicine, and his new business offering functional medicine for people.

After graduation, she entered small animal practice. She has had varied roles in her career; serving as a Zoo Veterinarian, Teaching in a Veterinary Technology Program, as a Veterinarian Responder for both the State of Connecticut and the ASPCA, as a Surgeon and Medical Director in a Spay/Neuter practice, and in Racetrack regulatory work.

She became interested in holistic medicine through exposure at veterinary conferences and during a health challenge with her own dog. She is certified in acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Rehabilitation, Veterinary Medical Manipulation, and Tui Na. In 2019, she started her own integrative mobile practice serving small, large, and exotic animals.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Adrien Zap as we discuss her education, work history, holistic experience, and her successful completion of the AAVA Advanced Certification examination.

After graduation, he moved to California to work in emergency and general practice before purchasing a small animal practice, which he owned for sixteen years. During that time, he started his holistic education and started a second practice, Holistic Veterinary Care, which he works in to this day.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Richter co-founded the Veterinary Cannabis Society, has consulted in the formulation of pet cannabis products and natural supplements for pets, is the founder of a startup developing a wearable biometric device for pets, is a consultant for Hemopet Labs, and has written and lectured extensively on allopathic and holistic veterinary topics.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Gary Richter as we discuss his education, clinical practice, industry work, and his involvement with the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation.

Dr. Wynn has authored three textbooks on integrative medicine, published numerous scientific papers, has lectured extensively on holistic medicine and nutrition, and has been very active in organized veterinary medicine, including founding the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association and serving as President of both the AHVMA and the AAVA. She has been a leader and an inspiration in integrative veterinary medicine for decades.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Susan Wynn as we discuss her education, work history, and how Instinct Pet Food supports research, veterinary outreach, and has outstanding sourcing and processing practices.

She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Queensland in 1985. After graduation, she worked for the Australian government helping cattle and sheep graziers in the Queensland outback.

Following that, she did locum small animal work in Australia and the UK. Then she earned a Master's degree in ruminant nutrition while continuing to work in small animal practice.

She had her own mixed animal practice in a rural area for a few years, and became IVAS certified in acupuncture at the same time.

Afterwards, she did more locums in small animal practice around Australia and completed Membership exams in Veterinary Behavior.

She and her family spent four years living in the Seattle, Washington area, during which time she taught natural health classes at a community college and in natural animal health stores, worked as a technician in an integrative veterinary practice, and as a birth doula.

Returning to Australia, she purchased a small animal practice, then moved to Newcastle, New South Wales and formed her current practice, Holistic Vets Newcastle.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Kathy Cornack as we discuss her education, work history, and involvement with Australian Veterinary Association's Integrative Vets special interest group and the conference she founded, Integrative Veterinary Conference Australia.

She earned her veterinary degree from Wroclaw University in 2023 and at the same time earned her certification in mixed animal acupuncture from Chi University.

After graduation, she has worked in small animal, exotic, and wildlife practice in UK and Norway. She also has extensive experience volunteering around the world working with rescue animals, horses, and wildlife.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Tina Hansen as we discuss her education, work experience, the formation of her company, Purple Vet Services, and her recent move to Australia to begin work there.

He earned his DVM from the University of Saskatchewan in 1988, then went into mixed and then small animal practice. He became interested in Homeopathy as a way to help his patients, and earned his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and his Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in 1999.

He co-founded the Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic as well as the Natural Path Clinic for people in 2001. He is also the co-founder of the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies and the founder of the Natural Path Herb Company.

Dr. Marsden has written and lectured extensively over the decades of his career and has served in many roles in organized veterinary medicine.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Steve Marsden as we discuss his education, interest in holistic medicine, practice experience, and his current passion of working with senior rescue dogs and educating his colleagues and the public about holistic medicine via his Facebook page and his Cured Cases website

After graduation, she did an Internship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Florida, which led to her staying on and completing a Residency in Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. She achieved Board Certification in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2022. She is also certified in Acupuncture and Medical Manipulation from Chi University.

She worked in private specialty practice in New Jersey, then returned to the University of Florida where she is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor of Integrative and Mobility Medicine as well as Resident Director for the Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation program.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Christina Montalbano as we discuss her education, clinical experience, her current academic practice, and her decades long history as a puppy raiser for Canine Companions.

She earned her DVM from Michigan State University in 2001, then did an Internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, followed by a Residency in Anesthesia at Michigan State University, becoming Board Certified in Anesthesia and Analgesia in 2008.

She then returned to Rood and Riddle to become Head of Anesthesia. Afterwards, she was on faculty at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She returned to Kentucky to work in anesthesia in both equine and small animal practice. At this time she became certified in Acupuncture and Tui Na from Chi University.

After returning to Michigan State University to work in Anesthesia and Equine Lameness and Sports Medicine, she Co-Founded her current business, East West Equine Sports Medicine, where she provides sports medicine services and equine anesthesia consultation and training for equine surgical facilities.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lori Bidwell as we discuss her education, clinical practice, holistic training, and participation in organized veterinary medicine.

She did her undergraduate work at the University of Findlay and earned her DVM from Michigan State University in 2005. After graduation, she worked for the United States Department of Agriculture and started her own mixed animal mobile practice in Michigan.

In 2009, she moved to Austin, Texas and started a mobile mixed animal practice there. She had been exposed to equine acupuncture and chiropractic during her undergraduate years, and was certified by IVAS in acupuncture after moving to Texas.

A personal health challenge led her to using essential oils for herself and then extending their use for her animal patients. In 2019, she started her own essential oil business, educating owners and veterinary professionals about the use of essential oils. As part of this effort, she has written a guidebook, presented lectures both online and in-person, and authored numerous publications both online and in print.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Janet Roark as we discuss her introduction to veterinary medicine, her early work history, her interest in acupuncture and essential oils, and her recent animal chiropractic certification.

After graduation, she worked in small animal emergency medicine and did locum work in general small animal practice. In 2001 she started a house call practice in the Calgary area and started studying various holistic modalities. She was certified by IVAS in acupuncture in 2005.

In 2018, she moved to Victoria, British Columbia and joined a small animal practice there. During the pandemic, she earned her Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine from CIVT.

She currently practices integrative medicine at Anicare Veterinary Hospital in Victoria, BC.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Corrine Chapman as we discuss her education, clinical experience, holistic training, and her involvement with the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

After graduation, she moved to Kansas City and did relief work before working as a Research Scientist in companion animal clinical trials.

Looking to make a change, she earned her certification in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture in 2003 and started a house call acupuncture practice. She also became a teaching assistant in the Veterinary Medical Acupuncture program.

She currently has both a mobile and in clinic acupuncture practice and is a teacher in a different veterinary acupuncture program. She and her veterinarian husband also own a four doctor small animal allopathic practice.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Kristol Stenstrom as we discuss her education, research career, pivot into veterinary acupuncture, and her current practice.

Please enjoy this extended conversation with Dr. Lisa Radwan.

After graduation, she did a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at a large specialty practice. Afterwards, she worked in small animal general practice and shelter medicine in Florida before she moved to Colorado. There she worked in general practice before starting her career in integrative medicine.

Looking to add to her skill set, she earned her certificate in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture from CuraCore in 2017. She then took a position in a Rehabilitation practice and competed a certificate program in Canine Rehabilitation from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2021.

After completing her CRI program, she joined a Speciality Practice, where she does both Rehabilitation and Acupuncture.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lisa Chase as we discuss her education, practice and teaching experience, and what she likes to do away from the clinic.

After graduation, she worked for two years in a mixed animal practice in the UK, then spent two years as a locum vet in the UK and New Zealand. She then joined the Anchorage Veterinary Hospital in Norwich, where she practiced for 14 years, eventually working in practice management.

A lifelong gardener, she capitalized on her love of plants in earning a certification in Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine in 2016, followed by a certification in Western Veterinary Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management in 2017.

In 2019, she partnered with Dr. Chelsea Dawson to create an Herbal Veterinary Medical course. In 2020 they transitioned the course from in person to an online format to accommodate pandemic restrictions.

She left general practice to start her own practice, Green Balance Holistic Vet, in 2022. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Anna Rodriguez as we discuss her education, time in allopathic practice, holistic education, and her current holistic practice.

After graduation, she completed an Internship at Interstate Equine Services and then joined a mixed animal practice for a year. In 2012, she started her own practice, Elite Equine Veterinary Services. Two years later, she added chiropractic, becoming IVCA certified after taking the course offered by Options for Animals. In 2016, she was certified by IVAS in acupuncture.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Koch has taught extensively, most recently at Oklahoma State University and in the IVAS Acupuncture course.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Quinley Koch, as we discuss her education, practice experience, and her use of integrative therapies in an equine performance horse practice.

She had exposure to Holistic Medicine before entering veterinary school, and began her Holistic education while a veterinary student, getting her acupuncture certification from Chi University and becoming certified in Reiki.

After graduation, she moved back to Tuscon and started her mobile holistic practice, Prickly Pear Holistic Veterinary Care, serving both small and large animal patients.

She has since been certified by the Healing Oasis in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy, by IVAS and CIVT in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine, and is in the process of taking the Professional Master Course in Veterinary Homeopathy from the Pitcairn Institute.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lauren Genow as we discuss her education, beginnings in holistic medicine, her mobile practice, and her involvement in a non-profit dedicated to helping retired law enforcement canines.

She earned her veterinary degree from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in 1992, and went into mixed animal practice afterwards. After changing positions a few times, she and her veterinarian husband purchased a mixed animal practice in Manitoba, then moved to Calgary about 7 years later.

Her initial exposure to acupuncture was in veterinary school, but she took the IVAS course while in Manitoba. The Basic and Advanced Pitcairn Homeopathy courses followed, and then Chinese Herbal Medicine and Osteopathy.

She worked in a few positions before starting her own Integrative clinic in Calgary, Healing Traditions Holistic Veterinary Clinic, five years ago. The practice now employs seven veterinarians and offers a full range of traditional and holistic care.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Wanda Vockeroth as we discuss her childhood on the farm, her education, practice experience, and her thoughts on building an Integrative veterinary practice.

Afterwards, she moved to Ohio and worked in a few practices before starting her own practice with a colleague. After ten years, she relocated to the Los Angeles, California area, working in a few different practices before purchasing her current practice, Woodland Hills Pet Clinic.

While in Ohio, she began looking for additional help with her chronic disease patients. She trained in acupuncture, Chinese Herbal medicine, Reiki, and Craniosacral Therapy. She also employs essential oils, laser therapy, and ozone therapy with her patients.

Last year, she completed the Foundations course in Veterinary Homeopathy from the Veterinary Homeopathy Institute. Currently, she is undertaking training in acute prescribing from the Academy of Homeopathy Education.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. April Linson as we discuss her education, practice experience, holistic training, and thoughts on holistic practice.

She earned her DVM from the University of Illinois in 2000. She had been on a US Army scholarship during veterinary school, so she entered the Army as a Captain in the Veterinary Corps after graduation. She served for 3 years, then left the service and entered private small animal practice.

She held positions doing relief work and working part time at a few clinics before settling at her current clinic in Harker Heights, Texas. She started her holistic journey by taking the Animal Chiropractic course at Parker University, and has since been certified in acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Food Therapy.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Ramesar is now teaching in the Animal Chiropractic program at Parker and is the Integrative Track Coordinator for the Southwest Veterinary Symposium.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Rachel Ramesar as we discuss her education, time in the military, holistic journey, and her professional activities outside of clinical practice.

She took the Basic Chiropractic course at Options for Animals in 1995, then completed the Diplomat program there, when she had her first exposure to Craniosacral Therapy. With that interest, she took several courses in human craniosacral therapy from the Upledger Institute.

She was certified in acupuncture by IVAS in 1997, and in that same year limited her practice to acupuncture, chiropractic, and craniosacral therapy for both small animals and horses. In 2000, she did both Dr. Pitcairn's basic and advanced homeopathy programs. In 2004, she started training in visceral manipulation and osteopathy, taking courses for humans as well as horses. With this knowledge she started to develop her own system of osteopathy for her patients.

Dr. Taylor now sees small animal patients at a Holistic Veterinary Clinic in Calgary and has been teaching osteopathy since 2010.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Laura Taylor as we discuss her veterinary education, holistic training, and her practice evolution from chiropractic into osteopathic manipulation

She did her undergraduate and veterinary studies at the University of Illinois, earning her DVM in 2008. Afterwards, she did a small animal internship in private practice.

Following the internship, she moved to California and worked in general small animal practice for 7 years. It was during this time that she started her holistic education, looking for additional ways to help her patients.

She earned her acupuncture certification from IVAS, Chinese Herbal and Food Therapy certifications from Chi University, and a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine from CIVT.

She started her own mobile holistic practice in Napa Valley California in 2016. Since then she has added two additional veterinarians to the staff. Dr. Schmidt is the President Elect of the VBMA and her practice also offers a Pet Loss Support Group (https://www.napaholisticvet.com/services#/pet-loss-support-group).

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Kimberly Schmidt as we discuss growing up in the family veterinary practice, her training, holistic interests, and her small family farm.

She earned a Bachelor degree in Zoology and also one in Veterinary Science from Massey University in 1986. After graduation, she went into mixed practice in New Zealand briefly, then went overseas for five years; doing locum work in the UK as well as working with camels in Kenya.

Upon her return home, she purchased a small animal practice in Wellington and remained there for ten years. During that time, she started her holistic training, earning a certification in acupuncture by IVAS, certifying in NAET, and taking courses in Homeopathy, Trigger Point Therapy, Flower Essences, Herbal Medicine, and Neutraceuticals. 

While she was a practice owner, she also appeared regularly on radio and television, discussing veterinary medicine and natural living.

She sold the practice and now sees patients in a room on her property as well as attending to her four acre garden.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Viv Harris as we discuss her education, clinical practice, holistic education, and her approach to natural health and gardening.

He was first introduced to Chiropractic while a veterinary student. He did some training in Chiropractic early in his career, then was exposed to Acupuncture and Chiropractic by Drs. Sheldon Altman and Allen Schoen at an Australian Veterinary Conference. In 1993, he and his family visited numerous holistic veterinarians in the United States.

In 1994, he was instrumental in bringing Dr. Sharon Willoughby to Australia to teach Chiropractic, and was certified by the AVCA and IVAS in 1995.

Between 2002 and 2009 he was one of the principle lecturers in the RMIT University Graduate Diploma program in Animal Chiropractic. He is also heavily involved in the study and teaching of proper saddle fit.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Ian Bidstrup as we discuss his education, holistic training, practice evolution, and upcoming CIVT webinar on Prolotherapy.

She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Kenyon College in 2003 and her DVM from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. Afterwards, she did a Small Animal Rotating Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery in a private specialty hospital in the Chicagoland area.

After her Internship, she worked in both Emergency and General practice as well as doing Relief work in the Chicagoland area. Looking for a new challenge, she earned her CVA from Chi University in 2013, followed by her Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine from CIVT in 2015. She also is certified in Food Therapy from Chi University, and in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy as well as Veterinary Massage and Rehabilitation Therapy from the Healing Oasis.

She moved back to Virginia in 2014 and worked in a few practices there before settling into her current position at Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Bristow, Virginia.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lisa Pinn McFaddin as we discuss her education, work history, holistic training, her service on the AHVMA Board, and her book "Integrative Medicine in Veterinary Practice."

She then worked for twelve years in general practice in Louisiana before returning to teach clinical veterinary skills at the University of Illinois. She started her holistic education by completing her acupuncture training at Chi University in 2012.

In 2016 she joined the faculty at Louisiana State University, starting a clinical skills program and expanding the Integrative Medicine and Rehabilitation Service in the Teaching Hospital. She completed her Master's in TCVM from Chi University in 2020, and also has certifications in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Tui-Na, and Palliative and End of Life Care from Chi.

In 2019, she became Service Chief at LSU. Dr. Hale is also a Charter Fellow of the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine and serves on the Board of Directors.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lorrie Hale as we discuss her education, holistic training, and work as an Academic Integrative Educator and Practitioner.

After earning her undergraduate degree in Biology from Cornell University, she spent some time gaining animal experience before earning her DVM from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. Afterwards, she worked in small animal practice in Pennsylvania, and after two years purchased a practice with her Veterinarian husband, Dr. Randy Weis.

Looking to provide improved care for her patients, she started her holistic journey first through nutrition, then Homeopathy, completing the Pitcairn Institute of Veterinary Homeopathy Professional Course in 2016.

Dr. Weis has been a member of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy Board of Directors since 2018 and has continued her education by studying human homeopathy at the Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy as well as the Prometheus Homeopathic Institute.

Recognizing the need to train more Veterinary Homeopaths, she and Dr. Lisa Melling founded the Veterinary Homeopathy Institute, offering in-person, hybrid, and online education opportunities.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Laura Weis as we discuss her childhood, education, clinical practice, and evolution in nutritional therapy and Homeopathy.

After returning to New Zealand, she worked at Taradale Veterinary Hospital in Hawkes Bay for 21 years, spending 16 years as an owner of the practice. She started her holistic practice, Veterinary Holistic Healthcare, in 2018, after earning a Western Herbal Certification. She completed a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine through CIVT in 2019.

She worked part time in a holistic practice as well as a companion animal practice. She also worked part time for the Raw Essentials company, providing nutritional advice to pet parents who were transitioning their pets with health issues onto a raw food diet.

Currently, she focuses completely on her holistic practice, seeing patients in person and via telemedicine.

In addition to her clinical practice, she has lectured at the New Zealand Veterinary Association conferences and is the current newsletter editor for the Complementary Branch of the NZVA.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Jacqui Snell as we discuss her education, various clinical roles, and her current holistic practice.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Iowa State University in 1999, and her DVM from Tuskegee University in 2004. After graduation, she entered small animal practice in Michigan. In response to a large commercial pet food recall in 2007, she began prescribing fresh food nutrition and started her journey into Homeopathy. She was certified by the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy in 2011 and was certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy by the Healing Oasis in 2019.

She left traditional small animal practice in 2007 and started a house call practice in the Ann Arbor Michigan area emphasizing fresh food nutrition and natural healing. She has since relocated the practice to a brick and mortar location in Northern Michigan.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Melling has been heavily involved in education of new Veterinary Homeopaths. She was a faculty member for the Pitcairn Institute of Veterinary Homeopathy from 2011-2022, and since then is a Co-Founder and Instructor for the Veterinary Homeopathy Institute. She has also lectured and written extensively about Veterinary Homeopathy.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lisa Melling as we discuss her education, clinical practice, transition to natural medicine, and her teaching career.

She did her undergraduate studies at the University of Guelph, majoring in Animal Biology. Before entering veterinary college, she participated in research projects involving canine nutrition, Vitamin D metabolism, and swine physiology. This work has yielded four publications.

Since becoming a veterinary student, Sophie has worked as a Research Animal Technician on the Veterinary campus.

Please enjoy this conversation with Sophie Tieu as we discuss her education, preparation for her veterinary education, her life as a student during the pandemic, and her activities volunteering in veterinary clinics in the Galapagos and a wildlife sanctuary in Peru during the summer of 2024.

She did both her undergraduate studies in Animal Science and her DVM at the University of Illinois. She earned her DVM in 2001.

After graduation, she worked in small animal practices, becoming introduced to integrative medicine and developing an interest in Nutrition Response Testing as well as advanced dentistry.

In 2016, she started her own practice, Healthier Pets Naturally, which focuses on Nutrition Response Testing and Nutrition Consulting.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Cutright as we discuss her education, introduction to holistic medicine, practice history, and her involvement in organized veterinary medicine.

As a Pediatric Physical Therapist, she rekindled her interest in Veterinary Medicine when working with her patients using hippotherapy. She earned her DVM from Texas A&M in 2003. Afterwards, she did an Equine Reproduction Internship, then transitioned to mixed animal practice in Wyoming while still working as a physical therapist part time.

After completing the CSU Acupuncture course in 2006, she starting using it in mixed animal practice in Wyoming and Colorado. Looking for a change from traditional practice, she completed the chiropractic training program at ACES in 2024 and has established her own practice, Burnett Animal Chiropractic in Gunnison, Colorado.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Debby Burnett as we discuss her education, practice life, holistic education, and the evolution of her clinical practice.

After graduation, she joined her brother's mixed animal practice in Northeast Ohio, then started her own small animal practice in Western Pennsylvania, the first companion animal Integrative practice in the region. Since then, she has started a total of six practices in the Western Pennsylvania region and has enthusiastically promoted integrative medicine to her colleagues as well as the public.

She holds certifications in numerous areas including acupuncture, chiropractic, rehabilitation, NAET, and Medical QiGong.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Cindy Maro as we discuss her education, practice history, and involvement in various facets of veterinary medicine.

After working in small animal practice in New Zealand, she moved back to Colorado Springs to work in small animal practice there. She had some exposure to holistic medicine in veterinary school, but a health challenge with her husband and her own curiosity started her journey into integrative medicine.

She was certified in acupuncture by OneHealth and has earned a Graduate Diploma in Chinese Veterinary Herbal Medicine from CIVT. She has additional training in Veterinary Natural Nutrition and Chinese Food Therapy.She started her mobile holistic practice in Ft. Collins, Colorado in 2018 and during the pandemic expanded her practice online to share her knowledge with both pet parents and veterinarians.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Katie Woodley as we discuss her education, practice history, and expansion into online education as well as her participation on the AHVMA's Board of Directors.

After graduation, she moved to South Carolina and worked in small animal primary care practices, then transitioned to emergency medicine and back to primary care.

Looking for a change, she was certified in acupuncture by Chi University in 2019, in animal chiropractic by the AVCA in 2021, and is currently completing coursework in veterinary homeopathy. She started a mobile holistic practice in 2019, partnered in a brick and mortar integrative practice for a few years, and now has returned to mobile exclusive holistic practice.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Tracy Duffner as we discuss her education, practice experience, and her role as an AHVMA Board Member.

Please enjoy this second conversation with Dr. Bill Ormston.

His holistic education began with the study of Lomi Lomi, a Hawaiian healing art. He has since been certified in Acupuncture by Chi University in 2009, and then by IVAS in 2019. He has also studied Chinese Herbal Medicine at A Time To Heal in Vermont. He earned his Fellow status from the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture in 2022.

He currently does relief work and serves as the Medical Director at PetZen, an Integrative practice in Gig Harbor, Washington. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Bart Iaia as we discuss his education, career path, holistic education, and thoughts on the future of Integrative Veterinary Medicine.

His holistic education began with an apprenticeship with Acupuncturist Dr. Patrick Sullivan, who provided study materials and the opportunity for Greg to observe the treatment of human patients. He was certified in Acupuncture by IVAS in 1996 and by Chi University in 2008. Since then, he has additional certifications from Chi University in Tui-Na, Food Therapy, and Chinese Herbal Medicine. In 2023 he became a Fellow of the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine.

Dr. Todd works in the same small animal practice in Florida that he started in as a student. In addition to his clinical duties, he has lectured and written extensively and currently serves the profession as President of the American Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Greg Todd as we discuss his childhood, veterinary education, holistic practice, and his service in organized veterinary medicine.

During her undergraduate education at North Dakota State University, she worked in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory and was part of the McNair Scholars Program, performing research involving selenium and its effect on growth and cellular proliferation. She earned her degree in Veterinary Technology before attending the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and earning her DVM in 2011.

After graduation, she worked in small animal general and emergency practice. Following the tragic death of one of her own dogs after taking a prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, she began her training in integrative medicine. She is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, and is also certified in acupuncture, spinal manipulation, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui-Na, Food Therapy, and End-of-Life care. Dr. Julius also completed a Master of Science in TCVM program.

Since 2018, she has left general practice and has her own mobile integrative practice in Cottage Grove, Minnesota.

In addition to her clinical practice, she is the President-Elect of the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Shantel Julius as we discuss her education, holistic training, and her Masters thesis research.

She has since earned certifications in Rehabilitation Therapy and Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy. She has studied Chinese Herbal Medicine with Drs. Mona Boudreaux and Steve Marsden, and recently earned a Graduate Diploma from CIVT in Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine.

After her time in Wisconsin, she worked for a few years in a large specialty practice in the Chicago area before joining and then purchasing her current Integrative practice, The Whole Pet, in Bartlett, Illinois.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Theresa SaLee as we discuss her education, work history, practice experience, and her positions as a Board Member and President-Elect of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

She earned her veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003. During that time, she was exposed to acupuncture because of a demonstration by Dr. Allen Schoen at her school. After graduation, she worked in a few small animal practices before deciding to take the Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians course. She was certified in 2015.

After hearing Dr. Linda Boggie lecture at a conference, she enrolled in the IVAS acupuncture course and was certified in 2018. She has also studied Canine Rehabilitation at Chi University. In 2023 she became a Fellow of the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture.

She opened her own house call practice, Healing Hands Veterinary Acupuncture and Integrative Services, in 2019.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Karin Olsen as we discuss her childhood, education, holistic education, and her life as a solo mobile holistic practitioner.

After graduation, she joined a small animal practice in Virginia and after a year, the practice owner suggested that she follow her interest in acupuncture and she attended Chi University and earned her acupuncture certification. She stayed in the practice for 15 years, witnessing the practice grow into a 24 hour care center.

At the end of the pandemic, she left the practice and is working with Dr. Jordan Kocen at the Veterinary Holistic Center in Northern Virginia, as well as doing locum work in area practices.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Caroline Pattie as we discuss her education, practice history, holistic training, and her service on the AHVMA Board.

She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Florida in 1985. Afterwards, she went to work in a five doctor small animal and exotic practice, then worked in emergency practice and did small animal locum work prior to establishing her own practice, Pasco Veterinary Medical Center, in Lutz, Florida in 1987.

Her introduction to holistic medicine came in trying to heal her own injured horse in 2004. She has since studied chiropractic, nutrition, Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, ozone therapy, and a host of other natural healing modalities, culminating in becoming a Certified Natural Health Professional in 2012.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Siegel has written and lectured extensively. She also offers online instruction for pet owners, office staff, veterinary nurses, and veterinarians.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Marlene Siegel as we discuss her education, practice experience, introduction to holistic medicine, and her approach to holistic clinical cases.

She then served as a faculty member on the Anesthesia Service at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine for ten years, working not only in the clinic, but being funded for research and publishing in the areas of basic science, anesthesia, and acupuncture. In addition to teaching veterinary students, interns, and residents, she has lectured extensively in the areas of anesthesia and acupuncture.

Her holistic training includes acupuncture from Chi University, Veterinary Spinal Manipulation from the Healing Oasis, Veterinary Postural Rehabilitation, and Medical Qigong.

In 2007, she left academics to start her own practice, Medicine Wheel Veterinary Services in Ocala, Florida, where she serves both equine and small animal patients and provides anesthesia consultation.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Shauna Cantwell as we discuss her education, work history, and the change from academia to solo holistic practice.

After working for a short period in general practice, he began working at the Holistic Veterinary Clinic in Newmarket. He was certified in Acupuncture by Chi University, and trained  in Postural Rehabilitation with Dr. Judith Shoemaker. He also has training in rehabilitation and Matrix Repatterning.

He earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Bio-Regulatory Medicine from Bio-Medic.

Dr. Haghighat took over the practice in 2010 and has grown the practice exponentially since then.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Sasan Haghighat as we discuss his childhood, education, holistic interests, and how he manages patients using Nutrition, Acupuncture, and Bio-Regulatory medicine.

Dr. Ryan earned a Graduate Diploma in Animal Biomechanical Medicine and is also certified in Veterinary Acupuncture and Animal Nutrition. She also has advanced training in Balance Method Acupuncture, Food Therapy, and Chinese Herbal Medicine.

In addition to her clinical practice, she serves as an Anatomy Demonstrator for the University of Melbourne Veterinary School.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Aish Ryan as we discuss her education, work experience, holistic training, and her new position at CIVT.

She studied biology as an undergraduate, and earned her veterinary degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. After graduation, she worked in small animal practice for ten years, then transitioned to shelter medicine for fifteen years.

At the end of her time in shelter medicine, she took a course in Western Herbal Medicine from the Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine, followed by an Internship in Western Herbal Medicine. She enrolled at CIVT afterwards and earned her Graduate Diploma in Western Herbal Medicine in 2017.

Monica has been a member of the CIVT faculty since then, teaching in the Western Herbal Medicine section. She also joined the Small Animal Practice at Piedmont Equine in The Plains, Virginia, where she practices Integrative Medicine.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Monica Chapman as we discuss her education, work history, earning her certification in veterinary acupuncture after over 30 years in practice, and her licensed hemp growing operation that provides raw material for her side business, Mojo Medicinals.

While still a student, she was fortunate to see acupuncture used successfully in small animal practice. After graduation, she was certified in acupuncture by the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists in 2003. Afterwards, she started a TCVM practice for horses and small animals in the UK.

While visiting Thailand in 2005, she met Dr. Xie from Chi University. She was certified in acupuncture by Chi University in 2006 and was an Intern at the University of Florida in Integrative Medicine in 2006 as well. She completed additional certifications in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, and Tui Na from Chi University at that time.

After her time in Florida, she returned to Spain to start a TCVM practice, culminating in becoming the Chief of Service in Integrative Medicine at the Veterinary College in Madrid. In 2022, she relocated to Ireland to continue TCVM work for both small animals and horses.

In addition to her clinical practice, she has been very active in teaching, writing, and lecturing on various TCVM topics all over the world.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lorena Lloret Nadal as we discuss her education, clinical practice, and involvement with the establishment of Chi University in Europe.

Since that time, she opted to close her brick and mortar practice and her work has evolved into doing Telehealth consultations in combination with seeing clinical patients two days a week in other doctor's offices.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Susan Howell as we trace her evolution from a traditional brick and mortar practice to a hybrid model

She earned earned her undergraduate degree in Animal Science from Ohio State, and is now a first year veterinary student at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

Cassidy has spent significant time interning at the Royal Treatment Veterinary Center and is the CIVT University Liaison for Research and  Student Outreach.

Please enjoy this conversation with Cassidy Kelly as we discuss her undergraduate education, introduction to Integrative Veterinary Medicine, and her experiences as a first year veterinary student.

Looking for more ways to help with her clinical  cases, she earned her certification in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy from the Healing Oasis Wellness Center.  She also developed an interest in clinical nutrition.

In 2014, she designed an accredited Veterinary Technician training program for Gateway Technical College in Wisconsin. She was involved in everything from the design and implementation of the educational program as well as having input on the planning of the physical facility.

After relocating to Arizona, she met Steve Brown and intensified her study of nutrition. She is currently on the staff of the Animal Diet Formulator  and loves to help people get the most out of the ADF software.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Susan Recker as we discuss her childhood, education, practice experience, and current position with ADF.

Please enjoy this first installment of interviews with Student Members of CIVT as Izzy and I discuss her childhood, undergraduate education,  veterinary  school application process,  introduction to CIVT and Integrative Medicine, and future career goals.

Be sure and stay current with Izzy's journey by following her blog, Dogtor-in-training.com.

She earned her veterinary degree from Murdoch University in 1998. Afterwards, she spent time in mixed animal practice in Australia and following that, did locum work in the United Kingdom for two years.

While in the UK, she began her integrative medicine journey by taking a short course in  acupuncture and starting a three year course in Veterinary Homeopathy through the Homeopathic Professional Teaching Group.

Upon her return to Australia, she took the IVAS acupuncture course, received training in Chinese Herbal Medicine at the Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and completed the Food Therapy course from Chi University.

In 2005, she founded her practice, Holistic Paws, where she offers acupuncture, Chinese Herbal medicine, Homeopathy, and Nutrition to her small animal patients.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Kate Millhouse as we discuss her education, practice experience, holistic training, and the practicalities of a solo doctor holistic practice.

His first job was in an dairy oriented practice for two years, followed by some locum work in Australia and the UK. He returned to Australia where he and his wife purchased a dairy farm while he continued to work for local veterinary practices.

He then made a career shift and trained as a mortgage broker, earning a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment. He founded a financial planning business on the Gold Coast, which dissolved during the financial crisis a few years later.

He found his way back to veterinary medicine, doing locum work and also  traveling in Southeast Asia with his family.

He and his wife founded a veterinary clinic in Alice Springs, Australia while completing the CIVT course in TCVM and the Introductory Western Herbal course. His latest professional activity has been offering integrative therapies from two small animal clinics on Australia's East Coast.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Jamie Lines as we discuss his childhood, education, career path, and the building blocks that each phase of one's career can provide over time.

In this episode Dr. Smith and I discuss her decision to utilize some space in her clinic for sales of retail food and supplements. We dive into the thought behind the decision, how it has changed the workload in the practice, how she managed staffing, and her inventory decisions.

Please enjoy this episode as we explore Dr. Colleen Smith's decision to open the store, Chai Life Pet Nutrition Market, and how a retail operation can provide an income stream for an integrative veterinary practice.

Her son's health challenge led her to integrative medicine.  In 2018 she completed  Graduate Diplomas in Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine and Veterinary Acupuncture with CIVT.

She also earned her Certificate IV in Training and Education and has worked in the field of education for both veterinarians and veterinary nurses for 14 years. Currently, she works part-time in general practice offering integrative medicine consultations for small animal patients and serves as the Registered Training Organization Manager for CIVT.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Nic Spooner as we discuss her childhood, practice experience, training in integrative  medicine, and her suggestions for people interested in learning more about integrative medicine.

Welcome to our 100th episode! I want to take a minute and recognize those that have been so instrumental in getting us this far. First, I'd like to thank the Directors at CIVT for their continued support. Drs. Barbara Royal, Natasha Lilly, Nichola Spooner, and Mr Robert Kelly. Thank you to all of the guests who have so graciously given up your time in your busy schedules to tell us your stories; I have learned so much from all of you. Finally, I'd like to thank the listeners of the podcast for your support and positive feedback. It is really wonderful to know that you're enjoying these stories as much as I do.

Along the way, we've heard a wide variety of origin stories, practice histories, and ways of making a living as an Integrative Veterinarian. Learning about how you all practice your craft has been inspirational. I'm as excited about the next one hundred interviews as I was for the first one.

So for this episode, something a little different. This is a conversation between Dr. Barbara Fougere and I, who in a moment of weakness originally approved this little experiment.

As most of you know, talking with Barbara is always a pleasure and I was happy to have the opportunity.

Thank you all again for your support. Cheers!

After graduation, she completed an internship in Emergency Medicine in Maryland, remaining on the clinic staff at that facility for seven more years. She continued to work  in Emergency Medicine as well as a Rehabilitation and Pain Management Veterinarian in association with a surgery specialty practice.

She was certified by IVAS in acupuncture in 2013 and as a Veterinary Pain Practitioner and Canine Rehabilitation Therapist in 2014. She started an apprenticeship in Western Herbal Medicine in 2018.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Julie Wentzel as we discuss her childhood, education, work in a specialty rehabilitation practice, and her current position in an integrative medicine practice in Leesburg, Virginia.

After graduation, she did an internship in an Emergency Clinic, then worked in other small animal practices before staring her integrative medicine journey.

She was certified by IVAS in acupuncture in 2015 and completed an apprenticeship in Western Herbal Medicine in 2017. She then worked in a hospice and palliative care practice, and earned her certification in Hospice and Palliative Care. After six years in the Hospice Practice, she joined Healing Paws, an Integrative Medicine practice in Maryland.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Rachel Klickman as we discuss her childhood, education, beginnings in Veterinary Medicine, and how important mentorship was to her professional journey.

He served for eight years, three years in active duty, and five years in the reserves. He was deployed to the Middle East in 2003.

After leaving the military, he worked for a food science company doing nutritional analysis and bacteriological testing. Afterwards he worked for the Fremont Fire and Rescue as well as the Omaha Fire and Rescue Service as a paramedic for 7 years. He was also the co-founder of a brewery at that time as well.

In 2012, he and his wife, Dr. Jennifer Hebel, founded Five Elements Veterinary Alternatives in Omaha, Nebraska.  They offer acupuncture, chiropractic, rehabilitation, sound and vibrational therapy, nutritional and herbal therapy, and others. Grant received animal chiropractic training at Options for Animals and acupuncture training at Chi University.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Grant Hebel as we discuss his education, time in the military, establishing a holistic practice, and his activities outside the office.

During a year of study abroad, she changed her mind and decided to apply to veterinary school. She earned her DVM from the  University of California, Davis in 1999. Afterwards, she joined a mixed animal practice in  Central California, with an emphasis on dairy medicine. After five years in that practice, she worked in a few small animal practices before settling at her current practice, where she has been for the last 17 years.

Looking for additional tools to help her hospice patients, she became certified in acupuncture by IVAS in 2015. She is also certified in Chinese Herbal Medicine by Chi University, and completed David Winston's two year program in Western Herbal Medicine. She has additional training in both Western Herbal Medicine and Integrative Oncology.

Currently, she continues to work in small animal practice and teaches with Dr. Laurie Dohmen  at Purple  Moon Herbs and Studies.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Ann Scearce as we discuss her education, practice progression, holistic training, and her thoughts on the future of integrative medicine.

She earned her veterinary degree and a Diploma in Education from the University of Queensland in 1981. After graduation, she moved to New Zealand and did locum work before moving back to Queensland and established two mixed animal practices in the Gladstone area. After moving to Brisbane in 1996, she did locum work before establishing her practice, "Animal Wellness" in 2010. She continues to be actively performing referral work and teaching.

She has an intense interest in Dentistry and earned a Membership by Examination in 2000. She is certified in acupuncture by IVAS, and has training in Shiatsu, Tui Na, aromatherapy, advanced remedial massage, Chinese and Western Herbal Medicine, and is a Qualified Naturopath.

Dr. Cebuliak lectures extensively both nationally and internationally and has been involved in providing volunteer veterinary care in Bali, the Cook Islands, and Northern India with the Vets Beyond Borders organization. She has also served in numerous roles in organized veterinary medicine in Australia.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Elaine Cebuliak as we discuss her childhood, education, and extensive career history.

She did her undergraduate work in Biochemistry and Greek Studies at Mount Holyoke College, and earned her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. After graduation, she started a mobile mixed animal practice in Delaware.

Soon after starting her practice, Dr. Dohmen received training in Acupuncture, Food Therapy, Bach Flower Essences, and Herbal Medicine.   She has studied with Dr. Steve Marsden, Dr. Huisheng Xie, Registered Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, and many others. She earned her Masters of Therapeutic Herbalism from Maryland University of Integrative Health in 2014, and  was accepted as a Registered Herbalist through the American Herbalist Guild in 2020.

In 2013, Dr. Dohmen down-sized her clinical practice and is now a full-time continuing educator and lectures regularly on Veterinary Herbal Medicine, and other holistic topics.  In 2017 she partnered with Dr. Kris August to start the only hands-on veterinary herbal medicine course for western veterinary herbal medicine in the United States. She is published frequently in journals such as the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and the Integrative Veterinary Care Journal.

Dr. Dohmen is the Past President of the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association and is a member of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Medical Association.  She serves  on the Editorial Board of the AHVMA Journal. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Laurie Dohmen as we discuss her education, clinical practice, teaching career, and her Delaware farm and teaching center in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

She took a position in an Integrative small animal practice in the Yorkshire region of the UK and then one in  another similar practice in West Sussex UK. She earned her MF Hom degree in 2019.

In 2020, she opened her own holistic practice, Holistic Vet Vicky. She offers her patients nutritional consultations, Western Herbal Medicine, and Homeopathy. She primarily treats dogs and cats, but also works with horses and other smaller animals.  She also enjoys conducting educational seminars for animal owners.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Vicky Simon as we discuss her education, early practice experience, starting a practice during the Coronavirus pandemic, and building her practice through client referrals and social media.

She then took a three month locum position in Kununurra, a northern border town in the Kimberley, and hasn't left in the last 33 years! The practice is mixed but mostly small animal. They also have a satellite practice 100 km away. Dr. Brett has had a long-standing interest in wildlife medicine and does this as well. 

After learning the value of holistic medicine first-hand after some injuries, she uses homeopathy, Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, Tui Na, and nutritional supplements in her patients. She has lectured about the use of holistic medicine in treating wildlife at conferences around Australia. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Sarah Brett as we talk about her education, practice life, and her life outside of practice on a property with 800 Mango trees and a wonderful stone home. We also discuss her love of live music and belly dancing. 

She then transitioned to small animal practice in Salt Lake City, Utah and then moved to Denver, Colorado in 2001. She purchased an allopathic practice near Denver in 2003, added holistic therapies to the practice, and sold the practice in 2015. 

After selling her practice she opened a home-based holistic practice. She recently limited her practice to telemedicine, and she and her husband have relocated to Tennessee. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Judy Jasek as we discuss her education, early practice life, adding holistic modalities to her treatments, and her recent conversion to a telemedicine only practice. 

After graduation, she worked in both mixed and small animal practices for a few years, before deciding to go to Australia and New Zealand for a year to take a break from practice. At the same time, her interest was kindled in holistic medicine because of successful treatment of a resistant corneal ulcer in her parent's dog. 

While in Australia, she spent time at Dr. Barbara Fougere's practice and was convinced to take the IVAS acupuncture course during her year away from practice. When she returned to England, she started a referral acupuncture practice, which continues to this day. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Holly Mash as we discuss her education, holistic training, visiting King Charles III organic dairy farm and a leading pet food brand, and her two books, The Holistic Dog and the Holistic Cat. 

After graduation, Emily completed a one year Internship in Equine Medicine and Surgery at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center before doing an Internship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. During her Internship, she was able to complete a number of certifications at Chi University, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tui-Na, Food Therapy, and Rehabilitation.

After completing her Internship, Emily moved back to Oregon and established a mobile practice, Wisewood Integrative Medicine.  Her time is spent between growing her practice, lecturing, and scientific writing.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Emily Mangan as we discuss her childhood, university experience, Internships, clinical practice, teaching, and her upcoming webinar for CIVT.

She then earned her Veterinary Degree, with Honours, from the University of Sydney in 2008. After graduation, she and her husband moved to the UK where she worked in a two doctor small animal practice near Norwich. In 2009 they moved back to Australia and she joined the Monash Veterinary Clinic, where she completed her Membership in small animal reproduction and was the co-author of a paper published in the journal Theriogenology.

In 2017, Dr. Rous joined Mont Albert Veterinary Surgery in Melbourne, and she and her husband purchased the clinic in August of 2021.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Nicole Rous as we discuss her education, practice evolution, and the entrepreneurial spirit which led her to become a practice owner and start a holistic veterinary business, which is the subject of an upcoming CIVT webinar.

Please enjoy this episode with Eric Grey as we examine how stress affects our professional practice and the importance of self-care in maintaining our health. 

Notes: Great Vow Zen Monastery

She earned her B.S. in Animal Bioscience at Pennsylvania State University and her DVM from the University of Georgia in 1990. She did a small animal Internship, followed by a number of positions in small animal practices in the Northeastern United States. 

Like many of us, she experienced holistic medicine first-hand while getting treatment for a back injury. She completed the mixed animal acupuncture course at Chi University in 2017, and her holistic education has continued every since. 

Dr. Niznik is also certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy from the Healing Oasis and in Veterinary Food Therapy from Chi University. She has studied Chinese Herbal Medicine and Tui Na at Chi University and is currently enrolled in their Masters Program. She has also served as a Teaching Assistant for both Chi University and IVAS. 

Currently, her clinical work is divided between relief work in allopathic small animal practice and her own holistic house call practice in both Wisconsin and Illinois. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Rosemarie Niznik as we discuss her education, practice life, activities in organized veterinary medicine, and life outside of work. 

After graduation, he did an Internship at Brazos Valley Equine Hospital in Texas and took an Associate position in that practice after his Internship year. While he was an Associate, he completed the animal chiropractic program at the Animal Chiropractic Education Source in Meridian, Texas. He is certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. 

In November of 2021, he took the big step of leaving general equine practice and starting his own animal chiropractic business, FLEXX Animal Chiropractic. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Wil Moorhead as we discuss his education, experience in equine practice, the factors that led him to start his own animal chiropractic business, and how he is building that business while working as a Music Director for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. 

While he was in Fairbanks, he attended a three day acupuncture course taught by Dr. Allen Schoen. He moved to Portland, Oregon and worked in conventional practice before starting a house call acupuncture practice. During that time, he listened to audio recordings of Dr. Richard Pitcairn's Homeopathy course between patients. He also took courses in Chinese and Western Herbal Medicine. 

In 1995, he founded Portland's first holistic veterinary practice, Hawthorne Veterinary Clinic. He sold the practice in 2011 and relocated to Jacksonville, Oregon and opened Animalkind Veterinary Clinic in 2012. He treats his patients with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and homeopathy. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Jeff Judkins as we discuss his education, practice life, the future of holistic practice, and his long-standing membership with the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. 

After a brief stop back in New Jersey, he relocated to Massachusetts and started a holistic equine practice that has evolved to a brick and mortar holistic practice that is 80% small animal and 20% equine. 

He is certified in Chiropractic by the AVCA, in Acupuncture by Chi University, and in Chinese Herbal Medicine by A Time to Heal. He also had advanced study in Chiropractic and Chinese Herbal Medicine. His practice also includes laser therapy, Applied Kinesiology, and Autonomic Response Testing. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Kevin Landau as we discuss his education, time in traditional practice, the future of holistic medicine, and his time serving on the Board of Directors of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.  

She moved to Arizona in 1980 and worked both at the Humane Society and as a locum in area small animal practices. She moved back to Missouri in 1985 and worked in shelter medicine before transitioning into holistic practice. Her holistic practice includes chiropractic, rehabilitation, exercise, and nutrition. She is an expert in veterinary microcurrent therapy and has consulted for the Standard Process Company, developing the Clinical Animal Nutrition Survey (c) to help doctors prioritize organ system function through nutrition. Dr. Frick also designed the first Laser Spinal Pad (R) for animals. 

Her career has involved sharing her knowledge through teaching, writing books and articles, and creating instructional videos. She has been honored as a Runner-Up for Hartz Veterinarian of the Year, the Franklin County Humane Society Visionary Award, and as one of the first inductees into the Animal Chiropractic Hall of Fame. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Ava Frick as we discuss her childhood, her education, her journey into holistic medicine, the stages of her veterinary career, being honored by your peers, and her current life in Cave Creek, Arizona. 

She entered mixed animal practice after graduation and soon after recognized that she had an interest in using integrative modalities with her patients. She studied homeopathy and then earned a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine from CIVT. During this time she had transitioned into exclusive small animal practice. 

She partnered with Dr. Henry Stevenson and in 2015 they co-founded their Integrative practice, The Natural Vets, in Forest Glen Australia. That practice has grown rapidly to employ six veterinarians and offer a wide range of holistic modalities. Their tag line fits their practice philosophy perfectly- "At the Natural Vets we do normal stuff. Differently."

Dr. James uses Nutrition, Homeopathy, and Chinese Herbal Medicine and has a special interest in Dentistry, Palliative Care, Integrative Cancer Care, and Client Education. She has spoken to the Integrative Veterinarians of Australia group on vaccine titers, minimal vaccine protocols, and Integrative Veterinary Oncology. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Renee James as we discuss her education, her interest in holistic treatments, her practice experience, and her thoughts on managing a thriving integrative veterinary practice.  

She decided to attend veterinary school and earned her DVM from the University of California Davis in 1994. She went into mixed animal practice in Auburn California for a few years before moving to exclusive small animal practice in 1997 at the Folsom Animal Hospital. 

In 2004, a cancer journey with her own dog led her to integrative medicine and she began her own holistic education. She was certified by IVAS in acupuncture in 2006. At the same time she was working as an associate veterinarian at the Integrative Veterinary Center. She went back to Folsom in 2007 and worked there until 2018, when she moved to the Sterling Pointe Veterinary Clinic. 

She was certified in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine by CIVT in 2009, and has also earned a Graduate Diplomas in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine and Veterinary Acupuncture from CIVT as well as completing the CIVT Advanced Certification in Veterinary Neuroacupuncture. She is also certified in Chinese Food Therapy by Chi University. 

She is a highly respected Professor at CIVT, working with students in both the Veterinary Acupuncture and the Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine courses. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Jodi Van Tine as we discuss her education, practice experience, holistic journey, and her roles at CIVT. 

She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1997. While a veterinary student, she was introduced to veterinary acupuncture by one of her anesthesia professors. After graduation, she completed an Internship in small animal practice at the Friendship Hospital for Animals. Afterwards, she moved to Florida and worked as an associate in small animal practices and began studying holistic medicine. 

She was certified in veterinary acupuncture by IVAS in 2001, followed by Chinese Herbal Medicine, Tui Na, and Chinese Food Therapy by Chi University. During this time she founded one of the first integrative veterinary clinics in Florida, the Friendship Animal Wellness Center. 

Dr. Falck sold her Florida practice and established her current mobile practice, Petwise, in Cleveland, Georgia in 2012. 

A client introduced Dr. Falck to Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, and she completed a course offered by the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy in 2017.

Dr. Falck has been active in the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and currently serves as the Chair of the Conference Program Committee. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Carol Falck as we discuss her education, introduction to holistic medicine, practice history, and the Essential Oils course that she teaches for CIVT. 

She then worked as a government veterinarian in Papua, New Guinea for two years followed by positions in Australia and Kenya. She moved back to South Africa to do locum work in 1985 and has been there since. 

She became interested in therapeutic alternatives for her patients, and attended the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association conference in 1984. Afterwards, she traveled around the United States, visiting the holistic practices of Drs. John Limehouse, Allen Schoen, and Ihor Basko. She began a Vet MFHom program in London in the early 1980's as well, and also did locums for Dr. George MacLeod. She did the IVAS acupuncture course in the UK in 2000 and has attended a number of IVAS and AHVMA conferences over the years. 

In South Africa, she and some colleagues formed a Complementary Veterinary Medicine group that hosted continuing education lectures from a number of doctors including Barbara Fougere, Joe Demers, and Allen Schoen. 

Dr. Fraser started a holistic practice in her home in South Africa, and she still sees patients there today.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Jane Fraser as we discuss her education, early practice life, holistic education, and get her advice on how to have a long and fulfilling career in veterinary medicine.  

After graduation, she started working in clinical practice and began to study holistic medicine. She was certified by Chi University in Acupuncture in 2000, followed by certification in Animal Chiropractic after attending the Healing Oasis for both the basic program and other advanced coursework. 

In 2012, she partnered with Dr. Bill Ormston to start their Animal Chiropractic program, Animal Chiropractic Education Source (ACES). Theirs was the first chiropractic program to employ extensive online coursework to make the program more convenient for working students. ACES also offers a complete catalog of approved animal chiropractic continuing education online. She and Dr. Ormston also maintain a clinical animal chiropractic practice in Meridian, Texas.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Amy Hayek as we discuss her education, founding of the ACES school, how ACES embraces a chiropractic philosophy of health, and her business coaching services for animal chiropractors.  

Her holistic journey started with an MFHom course for humans, followed by a short veterinary acupuncture course. She then completed the IVAS acupuncture course in 1999, and then spent time with Dr. Maria Glinski in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and two other Midwestern United States practices getting her acupuncture internship hours. Afterwards, she completed a 3.5 year course in human Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading, UK while working in small animal practice. She is also one of the few veterinarians in the UK to be certified in rehabilitation by the Canine Rehabilitation Institute.

Dr. Hutchinson has lectured both nationally and internationally on various rehabilitation and acupuncture topics.

She retired from practice in May of 2020, but joined Herbal Vets Scotland in October of 2021 and practices solely holistic medicine there.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Ann Hutchinson as we discuss her veterinary education, early years in general practice, her time in the United States, adding holistic modalities to her practice, and the benefits of not having to muzzle humans in order to treat them with acupuncture.

While in veterinary school in Brazil, she met a veterinary homeopath while trying to help her sister's dog that was suffering from chronic skin disease. That experience kindled an interest in natural healing techniques.

After graduation, she studied homeopathy, earning a Master's Degree in Homeopathic Medicine from the Brazilian Institute of Homeopathic Studies. She is also certified by the Brazilian Association of Anthroposophic Medicine.

She began working in the reproductive section of the veterinary clinic at the Sao Paulo Veterinary School, using homeopathy to work with patients. That work extended to using natural methods to treat cancer as well.

Dr. Novaes partnered with a commercial company to investigate the effectiveness of Viscum album in treating Transmissible Venereal Tumors in dogs. This work resulted in scientific publication of the results and research awards. That partnership has given her both experience in clinical research as well as expertise in using Viscum album in the treatment of a variety of cancers in animals.

She has relocated to Nova Scotia, where she is the founder and owner of Nature's Pet, a business dedicated to providing products and information in the use of natural methods to promote animal health to both veterinarians and animal owners.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Gisela Novaes as we discuss her education, clinical and research experience, her CIVT webinar, and her life in holistic veterinary medicine.

After working in bovine practice, he discovered acupuncture from a colleague as a way of treating uterine torsions. He transitioned to equine practice and was certified by IVAS for acupuncture in 1997, and was certified by the International School of Osteopathy in 2003. In 2006 he studied indirect osteopathy with Dr. Patricia Kortegaas.

In 2015 he began to use acupuncture to treat small animals, horses, and humans at his home. Earlier this year he transitioned out of being a collective of equine practitioners that shared emergency call and is concentrating solely on his acupuncture practice.

Dr. Samuelsen has long been active in organizational medicine. He has served as Treasuerer for NoVAS since 2004, has been involved with the IVAS Examination Committee since 2008, has served as an IVAS Board Member and as IVAS President.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Kim Samuelsen as we discuss his childhood, his discovery of acupuncture, practice life, and the freedom that comes from not having to take emergency equine call duty.

During her veterinary school years, she helped to develop three courses on holistic medicine for veterinary students at Davis. After graduation, she worked in an integrative practice, then at the urging of Dr. Xie from Chi University, she served as an acupuncture Intern at the University of Florida. She is certified in Acupuncture, Herbal medicine, Food therapy, and Tui Na from Chi University and in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy from the Healing Oasis.

Dr. Yamate solidified her training by teaching for Chi University both in the United States and Europe.

After her internship, she founded the Center for Integrative Animal Medicine in Davis, California, where she continues to practice. She has also served as Treasurer of both the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Madeline Yamate as we discuss her education, her work developing holistic courses for veterinary students, her acupuncture internship, and her thoughts on the future of holistic veterinary practice.

A Mastermind can serve to help an individual build a referral network, provide continuing education, and be a sounding board for ideas one might have for improving their business.

Today's episode is a conversation with Dr. Nell Ostermeier, who has appeared on episodes 10 and 37. We discuss how her One on One coaching practice has evolved into offering Masterminds for veterinarians who provide acupuncture services to their patients.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Nell Ostermeier as we discuss her Mastermind program and the trends she is seeing in the integrative medicine industry based on her interactions with participants in the program.

Dr. Ostermeier can be found at peopleandpet.com

In 1999, Dr. Thompson founded his holistic practice, Holisticvet, in the United Kingdom. He uses homeopathy, acupuncture, natural nutrition, and herbal medicine to treat his patients. In 2014 he was a founder of the Raw Feeding Veterinary Society, an international group of veterinarians and veterinary nurses dedicated to raw feeding and species appropriate nutrition in dogs and cats. Dr. Thompson is an international industry leader and subject matter expert on holistic medicine and natural feeding. He has a wide range of speaking experience and has created a large volume of online content, including participating in weekly Facebook Live sessions called "Raw Pet Medics" where he and Drs. Conor Brady and Brendan Clarke discuss holistic approaches to health issues in pets.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Nick Thompson as we discuss his exposure to holistic philosophy at an early age from his parents, his veterinary education, how he became a holistic expert, and how he manages to stay current on nutrition while maintaining his roles as a consultant, clinician, husband, and father.

A shoulder injury led her to seek acupuncture care, and she decided to pursue veterinary acupuncture training for herself. She is certified in Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na, and Food Therapy from the Chi Institute. She is also certified in TCVM Palliative and End of Life Care by the Chi Institute and in Hospice and Palliative Care by the IAAHPC.

Dr. Fernandez started a holistic house call practice while still working in conventional practice, moving to full time house calls in 2010. In 2016, she published a book about her patients, "Sacred Gifts of a Short Life: Uncovering the Wisdom of our Pets end-of-life Journeys."

In 2019, she created Wisdom Paws, an online program and individual consultation practice to support End-of-Life guidance for both pet owners and veterinary professionals.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Liz Fernandez as we discuss her education, transition to holistic practice, creating educational materials, and finding balance while doing emotionally taxing clinical work .

She was introduced to holistic medicine by one of her instructors in veterinary school, Samantha Lindley, who taught pain management as well as acupuncture.

After graduation, she took a position in a multi-doctor small animal practice in England and earned her General Practitioner's Certificate in Western Veterinary Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management. She began to see pain patients at the practice, and after many client requests regarding herbal medicine, took an introductory Western Herbal medicine course through CIVT.

Dr. Dawson has advanced training in nutrition and behavior, and has taught acupuncture to veterinarians and veterinary nurses and co-founded a UK-based herbal medicine course as well.

She currently has her own referral practice in the North of England where she focuses on multi-modal pain management, nutrition, herbal medicine, and behavior.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Chelsea Dawson as we discuss her childhood, her education, working in a multi-doctor practice and then transitioning to solo referral practice, and her plans to move back to Ontario in 2023.

He developed a unique system of treatment called the Whole Energy Body Balance Method (TM), which allows the practitioner to find and heal silent pain, anxiety, and trauma. Not only does Dr. Bassingthwaite use this method to treat his patients, he teaches the method to others.

He then started his own mobile practice, which has evolved into working in a brick and mortar practice where he uses a wide variety of modalities to treat his patients, including Whole Energy Body Balance, acupressure, nutrition, Bach Flowers, Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine, and supplements. He has a special interest in dogs with behavior issues and anxiety.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Edward Bassingthwaite as we discuss his childhood, veterinary training, the personal health challenge that led him to holistic medicine, and how he manages his time and energy as both a practicing clinician and an online business owner.

In 2009, Dr. Baldey sustained a neck injury that resulted in years of debilitating pain. This experience led her to holistic medicine.

She was certified in acupuncture by IVAS in 2011, and afterwards became both a demonstrator and lecturer for the IVAS course. She earned her Cert IV TAE in 2012 and this allowed her to work with veterinary nurses in surgical training as well as veterinarians enrolled in acupuncture training.

Her current activities include performing acupuncture in a veterinary rehabilitation practice and working on the student services team at CIVT.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Sara Baldey as we discuss her education, early years of employment, dealing with her cervical injury, and how that experience helped shape her relationship with her patients.

The practice is located in Glasgow, where they offer acupuncture, herbal medicine, laser medicine, nutrition, and more. They also have a veterinary nurse on staff who is trained as a human herbalist and treats people.

Please enjoy this conversation with Drs. Jordan and Reagan Carnwath as we discuss their education, leaning holistic medicine, opening a practice just prior to a pandemic, and the factors surrounding having a dedicated holistic veterinary practice.

She moved to New South Wales Australia in 1998. She and her husband raised Angus bulls. In 2002, she started Gowrie Veterinary Clinic, a mixed animal practice. It was initially located on the ranch, and eight years later moved to a new location in the town of Inverell.

Dr. Rhoades was raising three children as a single mother while both practicing veterinary medicine and running the ranch when she decided to convert the ranch to organic. In that journey, she has become an expert on soil health, regenerative agriculture, gut health, and the relationship of food to both human and animal health.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Gundala Rhoades as we discuss her education, her move to Australia, starting a clinic from scratch, challenging conventional norms in ranching, and her new book, "The Food Solution."

After graduation, she returned to the family practice, where she stayed for nine years. She was certified in acupuncture by IVAS in 2014, earned a Graduate Diploma from CIVT in Western Herbal Medicine in 2016, and was certified in Food Therapy by Chi University that same year. She was also certified by Chi University as an Equine Rehabilitation and Performance Medicine Practitioner and is currently enrolled in their Equine Veterinary Medical Manipulation program. She has a Master's Degree in Iridology and training in grief counseling and suicide awareness.

Her current practice activities include a mobile holistic practice and locum work in two traditional small animal clinics.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lisa Fox as we discuss growing up in her family's veterinary practice, her education, working in traditional practice and equine racetrack regulatory medicine, and her immersion into holistic medicine.

A note to listeners: in this episode we discuss issues of mental health as well as suicidal awareness and prevention.

She then went to England to work in an equine practice. She left that practice to start her own, which continues to this day.

She was certified in chiropractic in 2008 and veterinary acupuncture in 2011. She is certified in Chinese Veterinary Herbal Medicine by both the World Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. She is also certified in Tui Na.

In addition, she is accredited by the FEI to work as a treating veterinarian at sanctioned events.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Julia Ledger-Muennich as we discuss her education, her first years in practice, her transition to a holistic-only practice, and how she is constantly looking for opportunities to further her knowledge and skills.

After graduation, she joined the Glen Oak practice. She was certified in Acupuncture by the Chi Institute in 2007 and was mentored extensively by Dr. Ralph Weichselbaum in diagnostic ultrasound. She has also spent time at the Royal Treatment Veterinary Center and TOPS Veterinary Rehabilitation.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Ashley Rossman as we discuss growing up in the family veterinary practice, attending Ross University, the benefits of mentoring, and her experience representing the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association in the American Veterinary Medical Association's House of Delegates.

After relocating to Colorado Springs, Colorado to work in an Emergency Practice, he started a House Call practice that evolved into a brick and mortar practice. He started prescribing his patients home cooked diets and herbal medicines. He was certified by IVAS in 1993 and began teaching Chinese Herbal Medicine courses with Jake Fratkin and Dr. Shen Xie. That same year he also relocated to Boulder, Colorado, opening a new practice, Boulder's Natural Animal.

In 1994 Dr. Silver became the Chief Medical Officer for Rx Vitamins, where he formulated 40 products for the veterinary market. He sold his practice in 2013 and the next year launched the Well Pet Dispensary website, which is still in operation. He also served as Chief Veterinary Officer for Folium Biosciences, a vertically integrated Hemp Company.

In 2015 Dr. Silver published the ground-breaking text "Medical Marijuana and Your Pet," which has served as a guide to both veterinarians and animal caretakers alike since it was published.

Dr. Silver has served as a Board Member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and the President of both the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association and the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine. He is also an Adjunct Faculty member at both Lincoln Memorial and Chi University.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Rob Silver as we discuss his introduction to veterinary medicine on a Kibbutz, his early practice years and immersion into holistic medicine, his new position as the Chief Veterinary Officer for Real Mushrooms, and his upcoming course for CIVT.

About four years after being in practice, she developed a chronic debilitating illness that was diagnosed as Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. She returned home to the Netherlands and was unable to work for over ten years. In 2012 she was diagnosed with Lyme's Disease and was successfully treated through holistic methods.

After discovering the power of holistic medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, she took the IVAS acupuncture course in 2016 and was trained as a human acupuncturist in 2017. She has extensive training in other areas of acupuncture, including food therapy, Dr. Tan's Balance Method, scalp acupuncture, and ear acupuncture. She is currently a self-employed acupuncturist, treating both human and animal patients.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Aleid Hillebrand as we discuss her schooling, the demands of private small animal practice, her illness and recovery, and her journey into holistic medicine.

She got her Chiropractic training through the BackBone Academy, her Acupuncture training from GerVAS, and Craniosacral Training through the Upledger Institute. She mentored with Dr. Bruce Ferguson for a month as well. She has also studied Kinesiology, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Neurophysiologic Acupuncture.

Dr. Görts has served as President of GerVAS and IVAS, as a Board Member for IVAS as well as an IVAS House of Delegates Representative.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Katja Görts as we discuss her early interest in veterinary medicine, her time in the pharmaceutical industry, her pivot to holistic practice, and her special interest in Hirudotherapy.

She entered private practice and took a basic short course in veterinary acupuncture in 1981. After working with natural solutions to help her own children with their health issues, Dr. Middle earned a Professional Diploma in Homeopathy and her certification in Acupuncture from IVAS in the early 1990's. She also was trained in Animal Chiropractic by Dr. Sharon Willoughby.

She worked at, then purchased, the East Fremantle Veterinary Clinic, an Integrative Practice that offered allopathic medicine in conjunction with homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, flower essences, reiki, Bowen therapy, and kinesiology from a variety of practitioners including veterinarians and veterinary nurses, craniosacral therapists, chiropractors, and spiritual healers.

Seeking to restrict her practice to holistic medicine, Dr. Middle sold the practice in 2004 and began to work in a private consultation room, which continues to this day. In 2019 she moved to Balingup, Western Australia and continued to practice in a private consultation room, both in-person and via telemedicine.

Dr. Middle was the Founding President of the Australian Association of Holistic Veterinarians, which has since become the Integrative Veterinarians of Australia. She has also published three books on natural diets for pets.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Clare Middle as we talk about her childhood interest in veterinary medicine, what it was like to be in the inaugural veterinary class at Murdock, her journey in holistic veterinary medicine, and where she sees her career after over forty years in practice.

She got her veterinary degree as a member of the first class at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. After graduation, she held positions studying equine exercise physiology in both England and Ireland. She returned to the United States to work in private equine practice in New Jersey before starting her own practice, Harmany Equine, in Virginia in 1990.

She is certified in Acupuncture, Chiropractic, and Advanced Homeopathy. She incorporated these modalities into her equine practice while adding computerized saddle fitting services. She soon limited her practice to holistic therapies and also has written and lectured extensively for over thirty years.

Dr. Harman was involved in the Therapeutic Options Committee for the American Association of Equine Practitioners and was part of the Alternative Medicine Task Force for the American Veterinary Medical Association, helping to write guidelines for the practice of Alternative Veterinary Medicine in the United States.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Joyce Harman as we discuss her childhood, veterinary education, interest in equine performance science, and the transition into the next phase of her long and distinguished career.

Seeking care solutions for an autistic son led Bill to investigate alternative health modalities. He was certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association in 1998 and earned a Doctorate in Veterinary Homeopathy from the British Institute of Homeopathy in 2003.

Dr. Ormston was a founder of the Animal Chiropractic training program at Parker Chiropractic College in Texas, where he served as an Instructor from 2001 to 2013. In 2013, he and Dr. Amy Hayek founded the Animal Chiropractic Education Source, pioneering the combination of online and in person animal chiropractic training and continuing education.

Bill has written over 100 articles for publication and a number of books in the areas of nutrition and chiropractic. He is also a prolific speaker, lecturing both nationally and internationally on the benefits of Chiropractic.

Please enjoy this wide ranging conversation with Dr. Bill Ormston as we discuss his childhood showing cattle, his early years in veterinary medicine, his training in Chiropractic, and why Chiropractic medicine is the key to health.

After graduation, she joined a large group veterinary practice for eight years, before doing locum small animal work for an additional three years. In 2016 she founded her practice, Pinpoint Veterinary Care.

She started her holistic education with the Acupuncture course from the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists in 2013. In that course she met Dr. Linda Boggie and was inspired to complete IVAS training in 2017. Dr. Watson is also certified in rehabilitation from CRI. She is currently finishing her Advanced Certification program in Chinese Herbal Medicine from CIVT.

She is also a two time nominee for Pet Plan's Veterinarian of of the Year.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Amy Watson as we discuss her childhood Guinea Pigs, her veterinary education, starting practice, and the events that led her to founding her own practice.

Dr. Epstein is a 1985 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She immediately started practicing at Wilmington Animal Hospital where she introduced CAVM modalities to the practice. She became the owner in 1994, and sold the business in early 2016. She loves the practice and is still working there, filling in her newly-discovered free time with work at local animal shelters. Dr. Epstein became certified in veterinary homeopathy by the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy in 1997. She has studied with Dr. Richard Pitcairn, Lou Klein, and Dr. Prafull Vijakar, among others. After going through the process of having a homeopathy case report published in JAAHA, Dr. Epstein became dedicated to furthering the publication of papers in homeopathy and all CAVM modalities. She serves on the editorial committee for the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association where she does reviewing and copy editing. She has also reviewed for the journal Homeopathy of the British Faculty of Homeopathy. Dr. Epstein is past-president of the AVH and a current Board member. In her free time she enjoys cycling as far as her legs will take her.

She became curious about holistic therapies as a result of being frustrated with clinical outcomes using conventional medicine in her patients. She became certified in Acupuncture and opened her own holistic practice, Acupaws, in 2012. She treats her patients using Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and Homeopathy.

She is also active in the British Association of Veterinary Herbalists and the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Susan Andresier as we discuss her education, her time in conventional small animal practice, beginning her own holistic practice, and her involvement in organized veterinary medicine.

She was introduced to holistic medicine by visiting speakers while in veterinary school, and even took a short course in homeopathy while still a student. After graduation, she started practicing in a feline only integrative medicine practice. After working in a number of practices, she started the Little Big Cat website with Jackson Galaxy. She has continued to teach, write, and consult since then.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Jean Hofve as we talk about attending veterinary school as an older student, finding holistic medicine, serving as an advisor to AAFCO, consulting, formulating and selling flower essences, and working with Jackson Galaxy.

She earned her Veterinary Degree from the University of Georgia in 1980. While in veterinary school, she attended an Acupuncture short course taught by Drs. Marvin Cain and Grady Young, which cultivated an interest in holistic medicine.

After graduation, she became interested in Homeopathy and helped Dr. Pitcairn form the Academy of Homeopathy. Dr. Chambreau has taught an introductory homeopathy course for years, starting countless veterinarians on their holistic journeys.

She wrote the Healthy Animal Journal, a book that assists pet guardians in keeping an accurate health history, and has done remote holistic consulting and lecturing. Today, she consults with pet owners who want to provide holistic care for their pets.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Christina Chambreau as we talk about attending veterinary school in the 1970's,  her varied practice career, her outlook on holistic care for pets, and her current consulting practice.

She did post-graduate work in Organisational Development, Social Science, and Business Management before becoming interested in holistic medicine. She earned a Master's Degree in Health Science with a focus on Herbal Medicine in 2005. 

She co-authored the textbook "Veterinary Herbal Medicine" with Dr. Susan Wynn, which was published in 2006. That same year, she and Dr. Steve Marsden founded the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies, the world's first online College teaching Integrative Veterinary Medicine. 

Dr.  Fougere is a current Board Member of the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association and the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine. She has served as a Director for numerous conventional and holistic veterinary organizations and is a member of many more. She has lectured internationally, contributed to numerous textbooks, and written a number of scientific articles. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Barbara Fougere as we discuss her education, her exposure to holistic medicine, founding CIVT, her health journey, and the recent merger of CIVT with Royal Animal Health University. 

After ten years in private small animal practice, Karen joined All Natural Vet Care in Sydney in 2005, where she practices to this day. She was certified in Acupuncture by IVAS, and has studied Chinese Herbal Medicine at the Sydney College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Herbal Medicine at the Sydney College of Natural Therapies. She has also studied extensively through coursework at CIVT.

Please enjoy this conversation as Karen and I talk about her education, practice experience, evolution as an Integrative Veterinarian, and her advice for new graduates with an interest in Integrative Medicine.

She is certified in Acupuncture by IVAS and Chiropractic by the AVCA. She was mentored in Chinese Medicine by Dr. Gary Allen, OMD and discovered her love for Energy Medicine. While in New Mexico she and Dr. Allen began teaching Chinese Herbal Medicine to small groups of Veterinarians and at the same time founded her herbal company, A Time To Heal. Dr. Boudreaux relocated to Illinois and continued teaching Herbal Medicine to Veterinarians while working in private practice. 

In addition to her practice and teaching, Dr. Boudreaux has served as President of the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture as well as the President and Executive Director of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. 

Although she sold the herbal business and now identifies as retired, Dr. Boudreaux hasn't ruled out another foray into the business world in the future. She is happily living on a small property in the mountains South of Asheville, North Carolina. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Mona Boudreaux as we discuss growing up on a farm, aspiring to be a veterinarian as a woman in the 1980's, discovering holistic medicine, and paying attention to what the universe brings you. 

She then joined a mixed animal practice in Bishop, California. She purchased a small animal practice in Reno, Nevada before moving to San Diego and purchasing the Animal Healing Center.

Dr. Drumm was certified by IVAS in 2006 and in Chinese Herbal Medicine in 2007. She has training in Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation, Ozone therapy, and Homeopathy.

She is the incoming President of the AHVMA as well.

In this episode we discuss her education, growing a multi-doctor holistic practice, how Covid has changed the way we work, and her thoughts on becoming AHVMA President in October of 2021.

After eight years in Dairy practice, she started to do relief work for over twenty practices in Virginia while getting her Acupuncture training from IVAS in 1992, and her Chinese Herbal Medicine training also from IVAS in 1995.

Shortly afterwards she started a mobile practice and in 2010 transitioned that practice to an exclusive holistic practice, both mobile and in a facility, for both small animals and horses.

Dr. Lewter has a keen interest in mentoring veterinary students and young veterinarians  with an interest in holistic medicine, and she has supported them by serving on the AHVMA/AHVMF scholarship committee as well as hosting many at her practice over almost two decades.

I was interested in speaking with her as she has been considering a number of questions as she approaches the end of her career. Among those are how to try to continue to provide service to her clients, how to pass on the knowledge she has gained over decades of holistic practice, and how to provide for the welfare of her staff as she transitions out of the office. These are questions that every solo holistic veterinarian has to face as they near retirement. Associates and potential buyers are in short supply in veterinary medicine in general, and our type of practice is especially affected. Unfortunately, there are no good answers at this point, but we shouldn't stop looking. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Marge Lewter as we remember her training and career, and hear what thought she has about eventual practice transition.

She was certified by the Chi Institute in Acupuncture in 2008 and has studied herbal medicine and food therapy as well. She did David Winston's two year Western Herbal course and is now in his graduate program.

Dr. Moran is a member of the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association and is the  President-Elect for 2021.

Away from the office, she enjoys gardening, playing the violin, swimming, sewing, and knitting.

Please enjoy this conversation as we talk about her education, practice life first as a resident herd veterinarian and now as the only integrative veterinarian in a small animal practice, and her life outside the office.

She did an externship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and an internship at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston after graduation. While in veterinary school she was able to take the IVAS Acupuncture course, so she was able to treat patients during her internship using Acupuncture.

Dr. Roman has extensive training in homeopathy as well as herbal medicine and Chiropractic. In 2005, she was introduced to Ozone Therapy while looking for a new modality to treat her own horse. In 2012 she started the world's first fecal bank and has performed over 16,000 microbiome restorative therapy procedures.  Dr. Roman founded the Main Street Animal Services of Hopkinton clinic in 1983 and practices there to this day.

She is both a National and International speaker and contributed to the text "Integrating Complementary Medicine into Veterinary Practice."

In this conversation Dr. Roman and I talk about her upbringing and her various life challenges;  as a woman applying to veterinary school in the 1970's,  as an advocate for her own health, and as holistic veterinarian challenging conventional thinking. We also discuss her upcoming webinars for CIVT.  Please enjoy!

Today we talk about the events that led her to recognize that she was experiencing burnout, the strategies she used to get past those rough patches, and her philosophy behind coaching and offering a space for female veterinarians to have a community where they can gather, share, and support one another.

I'm a big believer in coaching and wellness support, so I'm happy to be able to share this conversation with Alexia with you.

Show Notes:

Dr. Alexia Tsakiris' website

Kefi Collective (Women's Veterinary Collective, Kefi Collective, and Integrative Business Coaching)

When I started practicing holistic veterinary medicine and learning different modalities, I saw that the culture was for practitioners to learn a multitude of modalities to have a full range of things to offer a patient. At least in my case, it sometimes seems like a juggling act to balance keeping current in multiple modalities so that I can offer my patients the best care possible. Eric's recent decision to limit his practice was intriguing to me, so I was able to arrange for us to talk about that decision in the context of his professional life to date.

Eric Grey, MSOM is an Acupuncturist in Astoria, Oregon. He has a BS in both Biology and Philosophy from Oregon State University. He got his MSOM from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon in 2009.

He and his wife and business partner Amanda Barp founded the Watershed Wellness Clinic in the Ladd's Addition neighborhood of Portland, Oregon in 2009. Eric also served as Adjunct Faculty at NUNM.  He continued his studies including an herbal discipleship and clinical training with Heiner Fruehof, PhD and is a Diplomat of Canonical Chinese Medicine from the Institute of Classics in East Asian Medicine. While still a student at NUNM, Eric founded the website Deepest Health, which started as a blog about his experiences as a Classical Chinese Medicine student, but now has evolved into not only a blog about his experiences as a practice owner, but also an Educational Center offering short online courses in topics related to Classical Chinese Medicine and the business of acupuncture.

After building  Watershed Wellness to include multiple practitioners, Eric and Amanda decided to relocate to Astoria, Oregon in 2016.  They started Watershed Wellness Astoria while continuing to commute to Portland part-time to practice. In 2018 they closed the doors in Portland and have devoted their energy to Astoria full-time.

Join me for this conversation with Eric as we talk about founding two clinics, running an online business, and the thought process behind his most recent decision to stop practicing acupuncture in order to limit his practice to herbal medicine.

Show Notes:

Deepest Health Website

Quitting Acupuncture: on transitioning to Herbs-Only Practice, Part 1

Quitting Acupuncture: on transitioning to Herbs-Only Practice,  Part 2 

Quitting Acupuncture: on transitioning to Herbs-Only Practice,  Part 3 

Quitting Acupuncture: on transitioning to Herbs-Only Practice,  Part 4

In 1996 Dr. Clark did a sabbatical at the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island. He then attended his first American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association meeting and began his journey into integrative medicine. He is certified in acupuncture by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society.

Outside of veterinary medicine, Jim enjoys dancing, singing in a barbershop quartet, flying vintage airplanes, as well as practicing and teaching Tai Chi. If you've attended an AHVMA Conference you know Jim as the leader of  Tai Chi practice in the mornings before sessions begin.

Please enjoy this conversation as Dr. Clark and I discuss his childhood in the Western Canadian desert,  choosing veterinary medicine as a career after his physics studies,  the importance of sabbaticals, and how he has maintained a love for the practice of veterinary medicine for over forty years.

Dr. Rivera earned a certificate of completion from the Options for Animals Veterinary Chiropractic program in 1998. He also completed advanced training at Options as well. He has also studied Chiropractic Neurology from the Carrick Institute and is a Fellow of the American College of Functional Neurology, the only veterinarian to do so. He is also a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Dr. Rivera and Michelle established the Healing Oasis Wellness Center in 1998. The school has both a Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy as well as a Veterinary Massage and Rehabilitation programs that are nationally accredited. Dr. Rivera is also on Faculty at the Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Centre in Ontario, Canada as well as the Backbone Academy for Veterinary Chiropractic and Healing Arts in Sittensen, Germany. He also has extensive experience as both a national and international speaker.

Please enjoy this conversation as Dr. Rivera and I discuss his upbringing, education at Purdue University, early years in practice, and his experience in teaching Spinal Manipulative Therapy and Rehabilitation to licensed professionals for over two decades. 

In 1982, Dr. Schoen established the first Department of Acupuncture outside of China at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. He has been a faculty member at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University of College of Veterinary Medicine, and Chi University.  He has also lectured extensively both nationally and internationally and has served as an expert involved in policy formation for the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

Dr. Schoen is the co-editor of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine, Principles and Practice, the editor of both Veterinary Acupuncture: Ancient Art to Modern Medicine, and Problems in Veterinary Medicine: Veterinary Acupuncture.

Dr. Schoen's most recent effort is the Compassionate Animal Lover's Movement (CALM). The mission of CALM is for all animal lovers to help co-create a more harmonious world based on the love of our animal family. 

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Allen Schoen. 

She was certified in Chinese Herbal Medicine by IVAS soon afterwards. Dr. Tilghman was certified in rehabilitation by the University of Tennessee in 2004. She has served as President of the AHVMA, on the Board of the AAVA, and as the Education Chair for IVAS. She was one of the founders of the AAVA as well. In 2017 she was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the AAVA. 

Dr. Tilghman has lectured nationally and internationally for decades. She has held an Adjunct position at the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and was a contributor to the 2nd Edition of Schoen's Veterinary Acupuncture text. 

Please enjoy this conversation as Dr. Tilghman and I discuss her upbringing in Florida, her veterinary school experience, learning acupuncture soon after it was introduced into veterinary medicine in the United States, starting her own practice as a new graduate, teaching, being involved in organized veterinary medicine, and maintaining life balance. 

She studied herbal medicine with the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) and received her Certificate of Veterinary Herbal Medicine (Western) in 2014 and earned her Graduate Diploma of Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine (GDipVWHM) in June of 2017. The fall of 2018 Dr. Tsakiris joined the faculty of the CIVT.

She studied under Ethnobotanist David Winston RH(AHG) in his two year Clinical Herbalist Program (2014-2016) and is working towards becoming a registered herbalist (the highest accreditation for human herbal medicine). 

She is also taking coursework in veterinary spinal manipulation through the Health Pioneers Institute.

We had a great conversation discussing how she got an interest in Holistic medicine, the path that she took as she was getting certified in various modalities, and what her practice structure looks like today. 

Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Tsakiris!

Dr. Wright teaches domestically as well as internationally. She practices at the Fort Collins Veterinary Emergency and Rehabilitation Hospital, the Animal ER Care in Colorado Springs, and consults with local clinics as well. 

She serves on the Board of the IVAPM and is a Past-President. She also serves on the Global Pain Council of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. She is also the group leader for the examination committee for the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia

Dr. Wright volunteers at the Denver Zoo and provides her expertise in anesthesia, pain management, and acupuncture. 

In this conversation we talk about the events that led her to decide to make veterinary medicine a career, what it was like to be the mother of two children while in veterinary school, why she selected anesthesia as a specialty, and how her career has grown to include being active in clinical anesthesia, emergency medicine, teaching, and service to the profession.

Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Bonnie Wright. 

He and his wife Janet (who is also a veterinarian) and their two children share their home with two Dobermans and many cats.

Dr. Vargas is also a Certified Veterinary Journalist and a prolific author of both scientific and motivational articles. Dr. Vargas has lectured at the World TCVM Congress (2015, 2016, 2017,2018,2019), AAVA Conference (2017,2020), AVMA (2011), and the CbVMA (2017).

He also is a consultant on the Alternative Medicine board for the Veterinary Information Network. 

He also has a long history of teaching and publishing in various subject areas of Integrative medicine

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Palmquist as we talk about his roots, his exposure to Integrative Veterinary Medicine, and where he sees Integrative Veterinary Medicine in the future.