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Dr. Amy Hayek was born in Cedar Rapids Iowa. She got a BS in English and an MA in Technical Writing from Iowa State University in 1986 and 1987. She spent some time teaching English at the University level while also working with horses before earning her DVM from Colorado State University in 1998. 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.  

Dr. Gisela Novaes was raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She knew from an early age that she wanted to be a veterinarian and spent lots of time tending to local animals as a child. 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.

Dr. Kim Samuelsen was born outside of Copenhagen, Denmark. He earned his veterinary degree from the University of Copenhagen in 1981. 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.

Dr. Madeline Yamate was born in California. She got her Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Amherst College in 1982. Deciding against attending medical school, she worked in business and then earned her MBA in Marketing and Organizational Behavior from Northwestern in 1991. Returning to work in business for a bit, she then graduated with her DVM from the University of California Davis in 2005. 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.

Masterminds are becoming increasingly popular with business owners. In general, they are small groups of peers that give each other advice and support regarding a variety of issues affecting business owners. Activities can include brainstorming ideas, education, and may even involve support for personal issues. 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

Dr. Nick Thompson earned his veterinary degree from Edinburgh University in 1992. While in veterinary school, he did a year of advanced study in immunology as well. After graduation, he worked in a few mixed animal practices before engaging in advanced studies in both homeopathy and veterinary acupuncture. A colleague introduced him to the writings of Dr. Ian Billinghurst, and his journey into investigating and promoting raw feeding was soon underway. 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.

Dr. Liz Fernandez was raised in Southern California and decided at an early age that she wanted to be a Veterinarian. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and her veterinary degree from the University of California Davis in 1982. She went into emergency and small animal relief practice for the next twenty five years. 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 .

Dr. Chelsea Dawson was raised in Brantford, Ontario in a home filled with pets. Her family was active volunteering for the local ASPCA, and Chelsea worked in the kennels, as a volunteer coordinator, and as a humane agent before earning her veterinary degree from the University of Glasgow in 2011. 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.

Dr. Edward Bassingthwaite grew up riding horses on a cattle property in North Queensland. He earned his veterinary degree from the University of Queensland in 1995 and went into mixed animal practice afterwards. He then spent time doing small animal locum work in both Australia and the UK before falling ill and being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Lyme Disease. In searching to improve his own health, he investigated and experienced a number of holistic modalities and began to use some to treat his patients. 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.

Dr. Sara Baldey was raised in Northern Australia. She earned a Dual Bachelors Degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry as well as Post Graduate Honors in Organic Chemistry from Northern Territory University. She graduated with a veterinary degree from Murdoch University in 2004 and went into mixed animal practice in Victoria after graduation. She then transitioned into a small animal locum position near Melbourne. 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.

Drs. Jordan and Reagan Carnwath both knew from an early age that they wanted to be veterinarians. After earning their veterinary degrees from the University of Glasgow, Jordan did an equine internship while Reagan went into mixed animal practice. They both had an interest in holistic medicine, and after practicing separately in conventional practices, decided to work together as Holistic Vet Scotland, Scotland's first referral only holistic practice. 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.

Dr. Gundala Rhoades was born and educated in Germany. After earning her veterinary degree, in 1991 she moved to England and worked in a small animal practice for two years, then a mixed animal practice for five years. 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."

Dr. Lisa Fox is a third generation veterinarian from Northern Ohio. She earned a Bachelor's degree in biology from Ohio University followed by a DVM from Ohio State University in 2009. She was first introduced to acupuncture by a clinician while she was a veterinary student. 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.

Dr. Julia Ledger-Muennich discovered her interest in veterinary medicine while working with rescue animals as a child. She got her veterinary degree from Justus Liebig University in Glessen Germany in 2007. Afterwards, she worked in an equine clinic on the overnight shift while completing her thesis work, which involved ultrasound studies of the udders of mares. 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.

Dr. Ashley Rossman was raised in Northbrook, Illinois and spent many hours at her father's veterinary clinic, Glen Oak Dog and Cat Hospital. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and her veterinary degree from Ross University in 2006, doing her clinical year at the University of Minnesota. 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.

Dr. Rob Silver was raised in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. He attended Columbia University and earned a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, a Master's Degree in Cardiopulmonary Physiology, and his DVM from Colorado State University. After graduation, he worked as a relief veterinarian in the Denver, Colorado area and taught in a veterinary technician program as well. 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.

Dr. Aleid Hillebrand was raised in Amsterdam and decided that she wanted to become a veterinarian at a young age. She attended veterinary college in Belgium and went into small animal practice in England after graduation. 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.

Dr. Katja Görts knew from age 4 that she wanted to be a Veterinarian. After a brief career in business, she earned her veterinary degree from the University of Hanover in 1999. After graduation, she worked in the Pharmaceutical industry for 10 years before starting her own holistic practice. Her practice is currently 80% equine and 20% small animal. 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.

Dr. Clare Middle was born in England, and raised in both England and Australia. She earned her veterinary degree as a member of the first class to graduate from Murdock University in 1979. 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.

Dr. Joyce Harman was raised in the Washington, DC area. She started riding horses at a young age and this fueled her interest in veterinary medicine. 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.