Dr. Bill Ormston returns to the podcast, having been a guest on Episode 59. In this episode Bill and I discuss some of the factors that have influenced the acceptance and growth of the Animal Chiropractic profession. Starting with a working definition of Chiropractic, we discuss the historical barriers to natural medicine education in the United States, and finish with our thoughts on the ideal legal landscape for the practice of Animal Chiropractic in the United States.

Please enjoy this second conversation with Dr. Bill Ormston.

Dr. Bart Iaia was raised in Florida. He did his undergraduate education at the University of Vermont in Animal Science, and earned his DVM from Tufts University in 1992. After some time in small animal practice on the East Coast, he moved to Seattle Washington and worked in a number of small animal practices and in industry prior to purchasing an integrative practice in the area.

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.

Dr. Aish Ryan always knew that she wanted to be a Veterinarian. She earned her Veterinary Degree with honors from the University of Melbourne in 2003. She then worked in small animal clinics in Melbourne and London prior to starting her practice, Vets at Home, in 2010. The practice began as a full service mobile practice, but as her interests evolved, it transitioned to be limited to integrative 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.

Dr. Allen Schoen was raised in the New York City area. He received his D.V.M. from Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, in 1978. Prior to his veterinary education he earned a Master's Degree in Animal Behavior and Neurophysiology from the University of Illinois. Dr. Schoen also received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Becker College in 1998 for his contributions to Integrative Veterinary Medicine. He was certified in acupuncture by IVAS in 1982. He also has advanced training in botanical medicine, chiropractic, mind/body medicine, and homeopathy. 

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. 

Dr. Laurie McCauley grew up in New York City and got her DVM from Colorado State University in 1992. After 6 years in private practice, she was certified in acupuncture and chiropractic. After a personal injury introduced her to physical therapy, she started the first veterinary rehabilitation specific practice in 1998 in Illinois. She helped design the first underwater treadmill for animals during this time. A prolific author and speaker, Dr. McCauley has written numerous articles, scientific papers, and books. She is the author of the books Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy for Veterinary Technicians, Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Building the Canine Athlete. She has presented lectures and done wet labs at countless conferences both nationally and internationally. She has been on the faculty at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute for 14 years as well. She received the Iams AARV Award for Excellence in 2011 and the AHVMA Holistic Practitioner of the Year award in 2015. In 2016 Dr. McCauley moved to North Carolina and started a house call rehabilitation practice. In April of 2020 she launched Optimum Pet Vitality, an online platform for teaching rehabilitation to Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, and Physical Therapists. She is planning to launch an extended laser therapy course on that platform in August of 2020. If you are interested in the course, use the discount code OPVCIVT to register. Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Laurie McCauley.

Dr. Tanya Grantham received her Veterinary Science degree from the University of Pretoria in 1994. Prior to Veterinary School, she got a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology and Genetics and an Honors Degree in Genetics from the University of Pretoria as well. She also holds a Certificate of Safety and Competence in Veterinary Acupuncture from the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists, is certified in Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner from the University Of Tennessee, and is a certified Caninology Canine Body Worker. Dr. Grantham is also certified in veterinary acupuncture by Chi University, and has completed the Canine Sports Medicine module with Dr. Chris Zink at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. She has also recently passed the examination for the Caninology Canine Myofascial Release Course Level One. Please enjoy this conversation as we talk about her upbringing on a farm in Zimbabwe, her veterinary training, the events that led to her interest in holistic medicine and rehabilitation, what her rehabilitation practice looks like today, and her upcoming webinars for CIVT.

Dr. Michelle Tilghman was raised riding horses and showing dogs in Florida. She got her DVM from the University of Georgia in 1982 and was certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 1984. She did two years in a small animal practice in Dallas Texas afterwards, where she mentored with an experienced veterinary acupuncturist. Afterwards she moved home to Georgia and established her own integrative small animal practice. 

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. 

A brief update on what is happening at CIVT in August of 2020.

Dr. Monica Chapman was raised in Bethesda, Maryland. She knew from an early age that she wanted to be a Veterinarian, and she received guidance about medical education from her father, a US Army surgeon.

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.

Here what's new at CIVT for the month of July 2020.

Dr Alexia Tsakiris received her B.S. from Rutgers University in 2000 and graduated with her BVetMed from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 2005. She then worked as a small animal veterinarian focusing on internal medicine. She was certified in acupuncture as well as Food therapy through the Chi Institute. 

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. Bonnie Wright is a Veterinary Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist, acupuncturist, and teacher. She got her DVM from Colorado State University, completed a residency in anesthesiology and critical care at the University of California, Davis, and was Board Certified in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia in 2000. She is also certified in musculoskeletal ultrasound, veterinary medical acupuncture, and canine rehabilitation. She is also certified as a pain practitioner by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. 

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. 

This episode of the Integrative Veterinarian is a conversation with Dr. Jordan Kocen. He has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Rutgers University, and earned his DVM from the University of Missouri in 1986. He began practicing holistic veterinary medicine exclusively in 1995 after nearly a decade in a traditional practice. After having his practice located within a specialty practice, Dr. Kocen opened the Veterinary Holistic Center in 2015. He is certified in acupuncture by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and frequently lecturers on holistic medicine for pets. Dr. Kocen is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, and the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association. 

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

 Dr. Lorena Lloret Nadal was raised in Spain. She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Murcia in Spain in 2002.

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.

This episode is a brief update covering the podcasts, webinars, and upcoming courses for March of 2020 at CIVT

Dr. Susan Wagner received her DVM from Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. She completed a Master's Degree and Clinical Residency in Neurology at OSU as well. She has been on the faculty at OSU, working both in the clinic and teaching an Integrative Medicine elective as well. She also has practiced both Neurology and Integrative Medicine at MedVet, a large multi-facility corporate specialty practice headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Wagner's interests have included vibrational medicine, aromatherapy, and music therapy. She has also worked at an administrative level at OSU in developing Integrative Medicine in a One Health concept. Her recent focus has been on endocannabinoids, and that will be the subject of an upcoming webinar that she will present for CIVT.  

This is a brief conversation with Susie Willis, CIVT Communications Project Manager, on what is new at CIVT this month

Dr. Vargas received her DVM from Tuskegee University in 1994. In 1996, she established her AAHA accredited Orchid Springs Animal Hospital in Winter Haven, FL. In 2009, she began her studies at Chi Institute, eventually garnering certifications in Acupuncture,Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, and Tui Na. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture. She is one of just two Certified Balance Method Acupuncture practitioners in the USA. She is a Certified Veterinary Spinal Manipulator (aka chiropractic care for pets). Dr. Vargas obtained her Master's Degree in TCVM at Chi Institute, where she works as a Teacher Assistant and Lecturer for the Chi USA, Latin America and Peru. She has also worked as a consultant for the Disney Animal Kingdom.

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).

Dr. Palmquist received his DVM from Colorado State University in 1983. He practices small animal Integrative Medicine in the Los Angeles area. He has served as the president of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, as the research committee chair, on the Ethics committee, and on the editorial committee for the AHVMA as well. 

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. 

Dr. Susan Howell was previous guest on Episode 51 from December of 2021. At the time of the interview, she operated Thrive Holistic Veterinary Care as a brick and mortar practice in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.

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

Cassidy Kelly was raised in the Chicago, Illinois area. Her interest in veterinary medicine was sparked during a biology class in high school.

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.

Dr. Susan Recker was raised in Ames, Iowa. She earned her veterinary degree from Iowa State University in 1997, then practiced small animal medicine in a few offices in Wisconsin and Illinois.

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.

Isabella Pulido was raised in Southern California and grew up with a menagerie of pets. She knew from an early age that she wanted to be a Veterinarian. To that end, she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree  in Animal Science with a minor in Spanish from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She was accepted into the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, where she completed her first semester in the Fall of 2023.

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.

Dr. Kate Millhouse was raised in various areas of Australia. She had a variety of pets growing up and began riding horses at a young age as well, stirring her interest in veterinary medicine.

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.

Dr. Jamie Lines was raised on a farm in Victoria,  Australia. He earned his Veterinary Science degree from the University of Melbourne in 1994.

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.

Dr. Colleen Smith was previously a guest on Episode 26. She is the owner of the Integrative Practice, Chattanooga Holistic Animal Institute, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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.

Dr. Greg Todd was raised in Florida. He was interested in veterinary medicine from a young age, and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Florida in 1983, and his DVM from the University of Florida in 1988.

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.

Dr. Nichola Spooner was raised on a beef cattle property in Queensland, Australia, knowing from an early age that she wanted to be a Veterinarian. After graduating from the University of Queensland with first class honors in 2001, she worked in a  mixed animal practice for two years before completing a small animal rotating internship at Queensland Veterinary Specialists and Pet Emergency in 2004. She obtained her membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Emergency Medicine and Critical Care in 2005.  After leaving the Emergency practice, she worked in both mixed and small animal private 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.

Hello Everyone,

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!

Dr. Julie Wentzel was raised in Annapolis, Maryland. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and Wildlife from Virginia Tech in 1998. After a few years of assisting in veterinary clinics and working on farms, she decided to enter veterinary training and earned her DVM degree from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004.

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.

Dr. Rachel Klickman was raised in Oregon with a menagerie of animals. She served two years in the United States Army and then moved to Maryland where she worked as a veterinary assistant in an emergency clinic. She became a credentialed veterinary technician and then earned her DVM from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007.

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.

Dr. Grant Hebel was raised in Overland Park, Kansas. His interest in veterinary medicine started at ten years of age, when his family dog became ill with parvovirus. He earned his DVM degree from Kansas State University in 1995. After graduation, he entered small animal private practice for a few years before enlisting as a Veterinarian in the United States Army.

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.

Dr. Ann Scearce was raised in  Orange County, California. She had an interest in veterinary medicine when she was young, but changed her mind and studied International Relations and German at the University of California, Davis, with a mind toward a  career in the State Department.

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.

Dr. Elaine Cebuliak was born in California, raised in Hawaii, and then moved to Australia as a teenager. She grew up in a holistic household, as her father was trained as a Chiropractor.

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.

Dr.  Laurie Dohmen was born in Kentucky and spent the bulk of her childhood in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. She rode horses from an early age and always wanted to be a veterinarian. 

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.

Dr. Vicky Simon was raised in Somerset, UK and knew from a very young age that she wanted to be a Veterinarian. She earned her veterinary degree from the Royal College in London in 2012, and immediately afterwards started a two year course in Western Veterinary Herbalism.

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.

Dr. Sarah Brett was raised in Perth, Australia and earned her veterinary degree from Murdoch University in 1986. After graduation, she spent time in a mixed animal practice in South West Western Australia. Afterwards, she moved north to Dongara for 3.5 years to work in a mixed practice and spent time working as a barmaid, sheep roustabout, and freight deliverer. 

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. 

Dr. Shantel Julius was born on a ranch in Northeastern South Dakota. She wanted to work in veterinary medicine from a young age.

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.

Dr. Judy Jasek was raised outside of Chicago, Illinois. She earned a degree in Zoology from Colorado State University in 1984, and her DVM from CSU in 1988. After graduation, she went into mixed animal practice in Idaho. 

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.