The Integrative Veterinarian

Dr. Lori Bidwell was raised on a farm in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She earned a BFA in Art History, then returned home and started working at a veterinary clinic and decided to pursue veterinary medicine as a career.She earned her DVM from Michigan State University in 2001, then did an Internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, followed by a Residency in Anesthesia at Michigan State University, becoming Board Certified in Anesthesia and Analgesia in 2008.She then returned to Rood and Riddle to become Head of Anesthesia. Afterwards, she was on faculty at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She returned to Kentucky to work in anesthesia in both equine and small animal practice. At this time she became certified in Acupuncture and Tui Na from Chi University.After returning to Michigan State University to work in Anesthesia and Equine Lameness and Sports Medicine, she Co-Founded her current business, East West Equine Sports Medicine, where she provides sports medicine services and equine anesthesia consultation and training for equine surgical facilities.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lori Bidwell as we discuss her education, clinical practice, holistic training, and participation in organized veterinary medicine.

Dr. Janet Roark was raised in Central Michigan. She knew from an early age that she wanted to be a Veterinarian, and started working in a Veterinary Clinic as a teenager. She also was introduced to wildlife rehabilitation when she was young, through her father's job as a Biologist with the Department of Natural Resources.She did her undergraduate work at the University of Findlay and earned her DVM from Michigan State University in 2005. After graduation, she worked for the United States Department of Agriculture and started her own mixed animal mobile practice in Michigan.In 2009, she moved to Austin, Texas and started a mobile mixed animal practice there. She had been exposed to equine acupuncture and chiropractic during her undergraduate years, and was certified by IVAS in acupuncture after moving to Texas.A personal health challenge led her to using essential oils for herself and then extending their use for her animal patients. In 2019, she started her own essential oil business, educating owners and veterinary professionals about the use of essential oils. As part of this effort, she has written a guidebook, presented lectures both online and in-person, and authored numerous publications both online and in print.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Janet Roark as we discuss her introduction to veterinary medicine, her early work history, her interest in acupuncture and essential oils, and her recent animal chiropractic certification.

Dr. Corinne Chapman was raised in British Columbia, Canada. She found veterinary medicine at a young age, but started her undergraduate studies in psychology before pivoting to pre-veterinary studies. She earned her DVM from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan in 1997.After graduation, she worked in small animal emergency medicine and did locum work in general small animal practice. In 2001 she started a house call practice in the Calgary area and started studying various holistic modalities. She was certified by IVAS in acupuncture in 2005.In 2018, she moved to Victoria, British Columbia and joined a small animal practice there. During the pandemic, she earned her Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine from CIVT.She currently practices integrative medicine at Anicare Veterinary Hospital in Victoria, BC.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Corrine Chapman as we discuss her education, clinical experience, holistic training, and her involvement with the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Kristol Stenstrom was raised in Central Kansas. She did her undergraduate and veterinary studies at Kansas State University, graduating with her DVM in 1994.After graduation, she moved to Kansas City and did relief work before working as a Research Scientist in companion animal clinical trials.Looking to make a change, she earned her certification in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture in 2003 and started a house call acupuncture practice. She also became a teaching assistant in the Veterinary Medical Acupuncture program.She currently has both a mobile and in clinic acupuncture practice and is a teacher in a different veterinary acupuncture program. She and her veterinarian husband also own a four doctor small animal allopathic practice.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Kristol Stenstrom as we discuss her education, research career, pivot into veterinary acupuncture, and her current practice.

Dr. Lisa Radwan was a previous guest, on Episode 9, which aired in April of 2020. In this episode, we talk about her current clinical practice, including the physical space and logistics, the farm that she shares with her partner, Dr. Crystal Urban, and their approach to managing their farm and the struggles around practicing regenerative agriculture.Please enjoy this extended conversation with Dr. Lisa Radwan.

Dr. Lisa Chase was raised in Boco Raton, Florida. She did her undergraduate studies at the University of Florida and Florida Atlantic University. She earned her DVM from Tuskegee University in 2008.After graduation, she did a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at a large specialty practice. Afterwards, she worked in small animal general practice and shelter medicine in Florida before she moved to Colorado. There she worked in general practice before starting her career in integrative medicine.Looking to add to her skill set, she earned her certificate in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture from CuraCore in 2017. She then took a position in a Rehabilitation practice and competed a certificate program in Canine Rehabilitation from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2021.After completing her CRI program, she joined a Speciality Practice, where she does both Rehabilitation and Acupuncture.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lisa Chase as we discuss her education, practice and teaching experience, and what she likes to do away from the clinic.

Dr. Anna Rodriguez was raised in Northhamptonshire England. She new from an early age that she wanted to be a veterinarian. She earned her veterinary degree with honors from the Royal Veterinary College in 2003.After graduation, she worked for two years in a mixed animal practice in the UK, then spent two years as a locum vet in the UK and New Zealand. She then joined the Anchorage Veterinary Hospital in Norwich, where she practiced for 14 years, eventually working in practice management. A lifelong gardener, she capitalized on her love of plants in earning a certification in Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine in 2016, followed by a certification in Western Veterinary Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management in 2017. In 2019, she partnered with Dr. Chelsea Dawson to create an Herbal Veterinary Medical course. In 2020 they transitioned the course from in person to an online format to accommodate pandemic restrictions. She left general practice to start her own practice, Green Balance Holistic Vet, in 2022. Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Anna Rodriguez as we discuss her education, time in allopathic practice, holistic education, and her current holistic practice.

Dr. Quinley Koch was raised in South Central Kansas. She had a number of varied animals growing up, and had an intense interest in rodeo. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Fort Hays State University in 2002, her Master's Degree in Agriculture from Texas A&M in 2005, and her DVM from Oklahoma State University in 2010.After graduation, she completed an Internship at Interstate Equine Services and then joined a mixed animal practice for a year. In 2012, she started her own practice, Elite Equine Veterinary Services. Two years later, she added chiropractic, becoming IVCA certified after taking the course offered by Options for Animals. In 2016, she was certified by IVAS in acupuncture.In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Koch has taught extensively, most recently at Oklahoma State University and in the IVAS Acupuncture course.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Quinley Koch, as we discuss her education, practice experience, and her use of integrative therapies in an equine performance horse practice.

Dr. Lauren Genow was raised in the East Grand Rapids, Michigan Area. She worked as a Sign Language Interpreter in Michigan and Tuscon, Arizona before deciding on a second career in veterinary medicine. She earned her DVM from Washington State University in 2014.She had exposure to Holistic Medicine before entering veterinary school, and began her Holistic education while a veterinary student, getting her acupuncture certification from Chi University and becoming certified in Reiki.After graduation, she moved back to Tuscon and started her mobile holistic practice, Prickly Pear Holistic Veterinary Care, serving both small and large animal patients.She has since been certified by the Healing Oasis in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy, by IVAS and CIVT in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine, and is in the process of taking the Professional Master Course in Veterinary Homeopathy from the Pitcairn Institute.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lauren Genow as we discuss her education, beginnings in holistic medicine, her mobile practice, and her involvement in a non-profit dedicated to helping retired law enforcement canines.

Dr. Wanda Vockeroth was raised on a farm in southern Saskatchewan around dogs, cats, chickens, cattle, and horses. She knew from age 8 that she wanted to be a veterinarian.She earned her veterinary degree from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in 1992, and went into mixed animal practice afterwards. After changing positions a few times, she and her veterinarian husband purchased a mixed animal practice in Manitoba, then moved to Calgary about 7 years later.Her initial exposure to acupuncture was in veterinary school, but she took the IVAS course while in Manitoba. The Basic and Advanced Pitcairn Homeopathy courses followed, and then Chinese Herbal Medicine and Osteopathy.She worked in a few positions before starting her own Integrative clinic in Calgary, Healing Traditions Holistic Veterinary Clinic, five years ago. The practice now employs seven veterinarians and offers a full range of traditional and holistic care.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Wanda Vockeroth as we discuss her childhood on the farm, her education, practice experience, and her thoughts on building an Integrative veterinary practice.

Dr. April Linson was raised in a small town in West Virginia. She earned her veterinary degree from Ohio State University in 1985, then returned to West Virginia to join a small animal practice.Afterwards, she moved to Ohio and worked in a few practices before starting her own practice with a colleague. After ten years, she relocated to the Los Angeles, California area, working in a few different practices before purchasing her current practice, Woodland Hills Pet Clinic.While in Ohio, she began looking for additional help with her chronic disease patients. She trained in acupuncture, Chinese Herbal medicine, Reiki, and Craniosacral Therapy. She also employs essential oils, laser therapy, and ozone therapy with her patients.Last year, she completed the Foundations course in Veterinary Homeopathy from the Veterinary Homeopathy Institute. Currently, she is undertaking training in acute prescribing from the Academy of Homeopathy Education.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. April Linson as we discuss her education, practice experience, holistic training, and thoughts on holistic practice.

Dr. Rachel Ramesar was raised in Central Illinois. While in High School, she got a position in a mixed animal veterinary practice and decided that she would make veterinary medicine her career.She earned her DVM from the University of Illinois in 2000. She had been on a US Army scholarship during veterinary school, so she entered the Army as a Captain in the Veterinary Corps after graduation. She served for 3 years, then left the service and entered private small animal practice.She held positions doing relief work and working part time at a few clinics before settling at her current clinic in Harker Heights, Texas. She started her holistic journey by taking the Animal Chiropractic course at Parker University, and has since been certified in acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Food Therapy.In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Ramesar is now teaching in the Animal Chiropractic program at Parker and is the Integrative Track Coordinator for the Southwest Veterinary Symposium.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Rachel Ramesar as we discuss her education, time in the military, holistic journey, and her professional activities outside of clinical practice.

Dr. Laura Taylor was raised outside of Toronto, Canada. She had her sights set on veterinary medicine from a young age, and earned her veterinary degree from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1989. After some time in small animal practice in Ontario and the UK, she relocated to Calgary, Alberta and began her holistic journey.She took the Basic Chiropractic course at Options for Animals in 1995, then completed the Diplomat program there, when she had her first exposure to Craniosacral Therapy. With that interest, she took several courses in human craniosacral therapy from the Upledger Institute.She was certified in acupuncture by IVAS in 1997, and in that same year limited her practice to acupuncture, chiropractic, and craniosacral therapy for both small animals and horses. In 2000, she did both Dr. Pitcairn's basic and advanced homeopathy programs. In 2004, she started training in visceral manipulation and osteopathy, taking courses for humans as well as horses. With this knowledge she started to develop her own system of osteopathy for her patients.Dr. Taylor now sees small animal patients at a Holistic Veterinary Clinic in Calgary and has been teaching osteopathy since 2010.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Laura Taylor as we discuss her veterinary education, holistic training, and her practice evolution from chiropractic into osteopathic manipulation

Dr. Kimberly Schmidt was raised in the Chicago, Illinois area. She is the daughter of two veterinarians, and grew up in their Feline Only Practice.She did her undergraduate and veterinary studies at the University of Illinois, earning her DVM in 2008. Afterwards, she did a small animal internship in private practice.Following the internship, she moved to California and worked in general small animal practice for 7 years. It was during this time that she started her holistic education, looking for additional ways to help her patients.She earned her acupuncture certification from IVAS, Chinese Herbal and Food Therapy certifications from Chi University, and a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine from CIVT.She started her own mobile holistic practice in Napa Valley California in 2016. Since then she has added two additional veterinarians to the staff. Dr. Schmidt is the President Elect of the VBMA and her practice also offers a Pet Loss Support Group (https://www.napaholisticvet.com/services#/pet-loss-support-group).Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Kimberly Schmidt as we discuss growing up in the family veterinary practice, her training, holistic interests, and her small family farm.

Dr. Viv Harris was born outside Wellington, New Zealand on a property with animals of all shapes and sizes. She knew early on that she wanted to be a Veterinarian.She earned a Bachelor degree in Zoology and also one in Veterinary Science from Massey University in 1986. After graduation, she went into mixed practice in New Zealand briefly, then went overseas for five years; doing locum work in the UK as well as working with camels in Kenya.Upon her return home, she purchased a small animal practice in Wellington and remained there for ten years. During that time, she started her holistic training, earning a certification in acupuncture by IVAS, certifying in NAET, and taking courses in Homeopathy, Trigger Point Therapy, Flower Essences, Herbal Medicine, and Neutraceuticals. While she was a practice owner, she also appeared regularly on radio and television, discussing veterinary medicine and natural living.She sold the practice and now sees patients in a room on her property as well as attending to her four acre garden.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Viv Harris as we discuss her education, clinical practice, holistic education, and her approach to natural health and gardening.

Dr. Ian Bidstrup was raised on a farm in Victoria, Australia. He earned his veterinary degree with honors from the University of Melbourne in 1980. Afterwards, he spent time in small and mixed animal practices in Victoria and the UK, before returning to do an Equine Ambulatory Residency at the University of Melbourne in 1986. Following, he was a partner in an Equine mixed practice before transitioning to limiting his practice to Equine and Canine spinal care.He was first introduced to Chiropractic while a veterinary student. He did some training in Chiropractic early in his career, then was exposed to Acupuncture and Chiropractic by Drs. Sheldon Altman and Allen Schoen at an Australian Veterinary Conference. In 1993, he and his family visited numerous holistic veterinarians in the United States.In 1994, he was instrumental in bringing Dr. Sharon Willoughby to Australia to teach Chiropractic, and was certified by the AVCA and IVAS in 1995.Between 2002 and 2009 he was one of the principle lecturers in the RMIT University Graduate Diploma program in Animal Chiropractic. He is also heavily involved in the study and teaching of proper saddle fit.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Ian Bidstrup as we discuss his education, holistic training, practice evolution, and upcoming CIVT webinar on Prolotherapy.

Dr. Lisa Pinn McFaddin was raised in the Baltimore, Maryland area. She identified at an early age that she wanted to be a Veterinarian.She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Kenyon College in 2003 and her DVM from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. Afterwards, she did a Small Animal Rotating Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery in a private specialty hospital in the Chicagoland area.After her Internship, she worked in both Emergency and General practice as well as doing Relief work in the Chicagoland area. Looking for a new challenge, she earned her CVA from Chi University in 2013, followed by her Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine from CIVT in 2015. She also is certified in Food Therapy from Chi University, and in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy as well as Veterinary Massage and Rehabilitation Therapy from the Healing Oasis.She moved back to Virginia in 2014 and worked in a few practices there before settling into her current position at Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Bristow, Virginia.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lisa Pinn McFaddin as we discuss her education, work history, holistic training, her service on the AHVMA Board, and her book "Integrative Medicine in Veterinary Practice."

Dr. Lorrie Hale was raised in the Chicago area as well as Kentucky. She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Illinois in 1995. Afterwards, she worked in two practices in the Chicago area.She then worked for twelve years in general practice in Louisiana before returning to teach clinical veterinary skills at the University of Illinois. She started her holistic education by completing her acupuncture training at Chi University in 2012.In 2016 she joined the faculty at Louisiana State University, starting a clinical skills program and expanding the Integrative Medicine and Rehabilitation Service in the Teaching Hospital. She completed her Master's in TCVM from Chi University in 2020, and also has certifications in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Tui-Na, and Palliative and End of Life Care from Chi.In 2019, she became Service Chief at LSU. Dr. Hale is also a Charter Fellow of the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine and serves on the Board of Directors.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lorrie Hale as we discuss her education, holistic training, and work as an Academic Integrative Educator and Practitioner.

Dr. Laura Weis was raised in numerous cities around the United States, and her family even spent some time during her childhood in Switzerland. She realized when she was young that she was interested in Veterinary Medicine.After earning her undergraduate degree in Biology from Cornell University, she spent some time gaining animal experience before earning her DVM from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. Afterwards, she worked in small animal practice in Pennsylvania, and after two years purchased a practice with her Veterinarian husband, Dr. Randy Weis.Looking to provide improved care for her patients, she started her holistic journey first through nutrition, then Homeopathy, completing the Pitcairn Institute of Veterinary Homeopathy Professional Course in 2016.Dr. Weis has been a member of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy Board of Directors since 2018 and has continued her education by studying human homeopathy at the Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy as well as the Prometheus Homeopathic Institute.Recognizing the need to train more Veterinary Homeopaths, she and Dr. Lisa Melling founded the Veterinary Homeopathy Institute, offering in-person, hybrid, and online education opportunities. Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Laura Weis as we discuss her childhood, education, clinical practice, and evolution in nutritional therapy and Homeopathy.

Dr. Jacqui Snell was born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand. Veterinary Medicine was a career aspiration from childhood. She earned her veterinary degree from Massey University in 1988. Afterwards, she worked in a small animal practice in Wellington before spending a year doing locum work in London England.After returning to New Zealand, she worked at Taradale Veterinary Hospital in Hawkes Bay for 21 years, spending 16 years as an owner of the practice. She started her holistic practice, Veterinary Holistic Healthcare, in 2018, after earning a Western Herbal Certification. She completed a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine through CIVT in 2019.She worked part time in a holistic practice as well as a companion animal practice. She also worked part time for the Raw Essentials company, providing nutritional advice to pet parents who were transitioning their pets with health issues onto a raw food diet.Currently, she focuses completely on her holistic practice, seeing patients in person and via telemedicine.In addition to her clinical practice, she has lectured at the New Zealand Veterinary Association conferences and is the current newsletter editor for the Complementary Branch of the NZVA.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Jacqui Snell as we discuss her education, various clinical roles, and her current holistic practice.