About Me
My journey from a traditionally trained allopathic veterinarian to an all-inclusive, integrative, whole-animal veterinarian
When I graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, I was excited, yet a little overwhelmed by my new responsibilities. I knew I could help animals and knew that was my calling, but I was keenly aware of my professors’ admonishment of premum non nocere (Latin for “first, do no harm”).
Science and, more specifically, biology have always fascinated me. Western veterinary medicine had shown me so many amazing treatments to better the lives of the animals that were a critical part of my life and the lives of others. It took a few years for me to hone my clinical knowledge and skills and feel confident in my practice. And then I was able to look around and see all the animals that I was unable to cure. I gradually developed the awareness that more pets each year came to me with chronic inflammatory diseases like allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, ear infections, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and others.
My practice life morphed from seeing mostly well visits for health checks and vaccination boosters to those chronic illnesses I mentioned before. In my early career, I saw primarily animals that were healthy coming for their annual visit or generally well animals that had an accident or had been injured.
Today, most of my patients have some chronic disease process, and traditional western medicine does not have a cure. Western medicine is more a game of whack-a-mole, where we use medication to suppress signs of an imbalance or disease which will cause new problems manifesting somewhere else in the animal. The pet doesn’t get to truly heal their body.
Hold on a minute…
In 1995, I opened Kings Veterinary Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio with another local veterinarian. We both left our secure jobs as associate veterinarians because we shared a passion for animal wellness and wanted to explore new ways of communicating with our clients and their furry companions. Over the next 10 years, we created a traditional veterinary practice with cutting-edge medicine and surgery. We added the first surgical laser in the area and the first therapy laser because we realized the importance of these therapies for managing pain.
We understood that veterinary medicine was not addressing our patients’ pain in any meaningful way. I’m happy to say our practice adopted pain management techniques very early. We provided customized health and wellness information to our clients for each of their pets. We were making a difference, but I was still frustrated that many of my patients with chronic concerns weren’t able to get well. That frustration led me to what would become my veterinary life path—wholistic wellness for animals.
I studied acupuncture through IVAS (International Veterinary Acupuncture Society) and acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine at the Chi Institute. I became a Reiki Master. I studied visionary craniosacral therapy and other forms of energy work. I use all of these in my practice on a daily basis.
The Next Step
When I moved to California, I purchased West Hills Pet Clinic in 2007. Over the next few years, we began building our integrative practice. We added surgical laser and therapy laser along with acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy. In 2013, we moved the practice to our current location and changed the name to reflect our location—Woodland Hills Pet Clinic.
In the past three years, I’ve come to appreciate how natural supplements and essential oils can support wellness in many species. I’m continuously researching and studying the connections between GI health and immune health and natural ways to support wellness.
I’ve discovered that I can fulfill my childhood dream of giving back to the animals that have given so much to me while helping others who want to do the same.
I’ve committed my life to fostering wellness in the animals that share our lives. I have years of practical experience. More importantly, I believe in helping people learn how to research and make the best decisions possible for those animals that mean so much to them. There is not one right or wrong way. I believe this with all my heart, and my years of practice have repeatedly shown me how true this is.
What works for some doesn’t work for others. Why? Because the body is complex and true wellness (healthy mind, body, and spirit) requires balance of species-appropriate diet, exercise, toxin-free home, and respect for the bond we share with these animals in our lives. Health doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a series of choices that add up over time.
My hope is my website will teach you to trust your inner voice when it comes to the animals that share your life. I’m not telling you that you’re going to be your pet’s veterinarian, but I AM telling you that you know your pet better than anyone, and the two of you are together for a reason. I have been blessed to have many wonderful animal teachers in my life. I bet you feel the same.
Send a Message
If you’re open to the idea, we can become partners in this journey to make every day with our four-legged friends their best day ever. I am committed to lifelong learning, and I’m honored to have you learning with me!
