The Integrative Veterinarian – Details, episodes & analysis

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.