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Page 28 | Abby's Magazine | instagram.com/abbyshealthfood By Dr. Katie Woodley Holis c veterinarians use natural therapies to treat pets and help prevent disease ranging from food therapy to acupuncture to numerous other modali es. They o en focus on trea ng the whole animal rather than just focusing on one area of the body or only trea ng symptoms. Holis c vets also look at the pet's lifestyle, emo ons, and the environment when making treatment decisions and how to help your pets feel their best. How Do I Know Which Holistic Veterinarian is Right For Me? There are several things to consider when choosing a holis c veterinarian to make sure a partnership is a good fit for both you, your pets, and the veterinarian. First, make sure the prac oner has been trained in veterinary medicine and has further training in a holis c modality. This means he or she has completed four years of veterinary school and passed an exam before becoming licensed. Most veterinarian schools are only teaching conven onal medicine. If you want a holis c veterinarian that has addi onal training, you will see other cer fica ons behind the DVM, VMD, or BVSc (veterinary degree) behind their name. These cer fica ons can include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, homeopathy, food therapy, or even chiroprac c cer fica ons. You can search the following websites to find general holis c or integra ve veterinarians: • American Holis c Veterinary Medical Associa on • College of Integra ve Veterinary Therapies Other search terms you can use when searching on the internet for a veterinarian that prac ces holis c medicine include holis c, integra ve, or func onal medicine. Second, find out what treatments the holis c vet uses. There are many different holis c treatment op ons you can use for your dogs and cats that complement conven onal medicine or can be used instead of tradi onal medicine. Many pet parents will start with what they are comfortable with and then choose other modali es if needed. Also, your holis c integra ve veterinarian can help guide you based on how your pet responds and what treatment is best for your pet. For example, acupuncture can help tremendously with controlling cat and dog pain naturally and reduce the need for conven onal pain medica ons. However, not every pet reacts well to acupuncture and may do be er with laser therapy. Many veterinarians offer telehealth veterinary phone consulta ons, which you will see on their website, or you can ask them if they offer this service. Also, it's important to ask them if the clinic also offers tradi onal, conven onal treatment op ons. Many pet parents now have a team of doctors that can work together focusing on their special area of interest to provide the best care for your pet. However, you want to make sure you have at least one veterinarian that offers tradi onal services in case of mes of emergencies or if surgery or a dental cleaning is needed. Finally, ask whether the holis c veterinarian will work with you and your other healthcare team to develop a plan for your pet's health and how that works. You are the advocate for your pets, and I've seen too many health prac oners (holis c and conven onal) refuse to work with other prac oners. This is an important area to establish prior to star ng a rela onship with any new veterinarian, but especially if you're wan ng to integrate holis c health care for your pets. Many veterinarians allow pet parents to interview them and the prac ce first prior to deciding. You will most likely need to pay for the doctor's me, but this extra step can help you feel more comfortable and confident in your choice. If you go for a tour of the clinic, ask if you can bring your dog with you to see how they respond to the clinic and how the staff welcomes and treats your pet upon arrival. If you have a nervous pet or cat, it's important to establish if they have separate areas and protocols for keeping pets feeling safe and comfortable. These are just a few simple ps to help you find a holis c vet to partner with to help your en re fur family feel their best. And if you've been wondering what ques ons you need to be asking at your pet's annual wellness visit, you're not alone. *Disclaimer: This informa on is for educa onal purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. The informa on contained in thenaturalpetdoctor.com is strictly for educa onal purposes. Therefore, if you wish to apply ideas contained in thenaturalpetdoctor.com, you are taking full responsibility for your ac ons. Please consult your veterinarian for medical advice for your own pets. Dr. Ka e Woodley cannot answer specific ques ons about your pet's medical issues or make medical recommenda ons for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-pa ent rela onship. Links in the blog are typically affiliate links that let you help support us. H o l i s t i c V e t I n M y A r e a How Do I Find A Holistic Vet Near Me?