About Us
My life’s work as an integrative veterinarian and holistic health coach for pets has been one wrought with tales of triumph, tragedy and tail wagging. But, like most good veterinarians, it began with my deep love for my childhood pets. It almost seemed as though a life spent helping animals was my destined path.
While in veterinary school, it became apparent to me that my role as a veterinarian went well beyond checkups and surgeries. I realized that I was not only a doctor to these pets, but their friend and advocate. Our pets cannot speak up for themselves, they can’t tell you what hurts, or what they think is best. And many times, the owner can’t either. My job has always been to communicate what others have failed, and to provide healing with compassion.
But my textbook knowledge and many years spent practicing traditional Western veterinary medicine only took me so far, until I was hurled into a whirlwind of sickness, learning, healing and ultimate change.
Several years ago, my own health began to take me for a wild ride. At the same time, my dog Arnold (who was 17 at the time!) was struggling with the discomfort and decline of old age. Western medicine only helped so much, for both of us, and I soon had to let my old friend go.
Almost immediately, I decided that I’d had enough of feeling helpless, and began pursuing acupuncture and Eastern Veterinary Medicine at the Chi Institute in Florida. This opened up many new avenues for me, but most importantly revealed the healing powers of acupuncture, as well as herbal and food therapy.
More than ever, the importance of diet became abundantly clear to me. Most of us don’t pay much attention to what or how we eat, until our health becomes a real problem. Why is that? It doesn’t make any sense!
Paying close attention to what our pets eat, to what fuels their body, is the first step in preventative care and maintaining good health. Once I realized this in entirety, I was horrified by the food I’d been feeding my own pets, and recommending to my clients. Food from the bag or can didn’t provide proper nutrition, and certainly wasn’t promoting better health.