The Integrative Veterinarian

Dr. Ilona Hudson was raised in the Sydney, Australia area. She always loved animals and knew that she wanted to be a Veterinarian from an early age. She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Sydney in 1994, then spent a year in small animal practice before completing an Equine Internship.

Afterwards, she worked in small animal, mixed animal, and equine practice. She earned her Membership in the ANZCVS in Equine Medicine in 2000. Her holistic journey began with a Graduate Diploma in Animal Biomechanical Medicine in 2004, followed by IVAS certification in Acupuncture in 2010. Because she teaches in...

Dr. Madalyn Ward was born and raised in Austin, Texas. She was interested in horses from an early age, and bought her first horse as a teenager. After High School, her Veterinarian encouraged her to consider Veterinary Medicine as a career.

She attended Texas A & M University, earning her veterinary degree in 1980. After time in general equine practice in Austin, she became interested in finding new ways to help her difficult cases. She attended a seminar on Veterinary Homeopathy, and then was in Dr. Pitcairn's first Veterinary Homeopathy class. She is also trained in Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Bowen...

Dr. Victoria Unt was a guest on a previous podcast. In this Part Two of our conversation, we go deeper into a number of issues raised in our first conversation. Thank you Victoria for your willingness to give up more time to speak with me about your story and about issues facing all of us as Integrative Veterinarians.

Dr. Victoria Unt was raised in southern England. She wanted to be a Veterinarian from an early age. This idea was confirmed at age 12 when her horse required arthroscopic surgery for a lameness issue.

She earned her veterinary degree from the Royal Veterinary College in 2007 and went into practice for a year before returning to RVC to complete an Equine Internship. After the Internship, she spent three years at RVC researching equine biomechanics before moving to Switzerland to work on drug testing for the FEI.

During her time with the FEI, she observed performance horses...

Dr. Tifani Torres was raised in South Texas. She can't remember a time when she didn't want to be a Veterinarian.

She earned her BS in Animal Science from Texas A&M University in 2008, her DVM from Ross University in 2012. After graduation, she went into equine practice in Ocala, Florida and then into small animal practice in South Florida before returning to Texas to work first on a White Tailed Deer Ranch and then in small animal general and emergency practice before founding her own practice, Back in Motion Veterinary Services, in 2017.

She was certified...

Dr. David Ward was raised in Newcastle, NSW. He wanted to work with animals from an early age. He earned his Bachelor of Animal Science degree from the University of Sydney in 1990, then worked for a year as a livestock advisor before returning to University of Sydney to earn a Masters degree in Veterinary Science, studying Dairy cattle physiology.

In 1994, he went to South Africa to begin his veterinary degree at the University of Pretoria, transferring to Murdoch University and earning his veterinary degree in 1998. After graduation, David went into Avian and Zoo practice, followed by horse...

Dr. Nate Heilman was raised in western Pennsylvania. He gained early animal experience through 4-H and on his grandparent's cattle farm. He earned his BS in Animal Science from Cornell University in 1993 and his DVM from Cornell in 1997.

After graduation, he went into mixed and small animal practice before he and his wife moved to Vermont in 2000, where he was also employed in mixed practice. He was certified in acupuncture by IVAS in 2005, and in herbal medicine by A Time To Heal in 2007.

In 2007, he and his wife Thérèse founded the Qi Veterinary Cl...

Dr. Caroline Wood was raised on the Northern Beaches area of Sydney, Australia. She is the daughter of two physicians, but decided on veterinary medicine as a career, graduating in 2011 from the University of Sydney with her veterinary degree.

After graduation, she worked in a busy small animal practice in New South Wales for three years, then after a short break, joined a small animal practice in the Northern Beaches area with the goal of becoming the practice owner. She became business partners with another doctor in the practice and they bought the practice in 2015.

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Dr. Barrie Sands was raised in Brooklyn, New York. She always had a love of animals, but it wasn't until she finished her undergraduate degree that she committed to the idea of becoming a Veterinarian. She earned her DVM from Ross University in 1991.

After graduation, she did an Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, followed by some locum work in the Tri-State area before moving to San Diego to practice emergency medicine. She has been at the same clinic for 30 years.

In 2003, she started her...

Dr. Zachery Lane was born in Woodstock, Georgia and was interested in veterinary medicine from a young age. He earned his BS in 2009 from Berry College, majoring in Animal Science and Chemistry. He earned his DVM from St. George's University in 2013.

After graduation, he entered emergency medicine practice for 6 years before transitioning to general small animal practice in Roswell, Georgia where he is now Chief of Staff.

A family history of gardening, agriculture, and herbal medicine led him to formalize his western herbal medicine study with CIVT, earning a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Western Herbal...

Dr., Leslie McIntyre was raised in Central Oregon and always knew that she wanted to be a Veterinarian. She earned her DVM from Oregon State University in 1995, then did an equine internship followed by a residency in Equine Internal Medicine at Colorado State University, finishing in 1999. She was Board Certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in Large Animal Medicine in 1999 and earned a Master's Degree from CSU that same year.

Afterwards, she returned to Bend, Oregon to join an Equine referral clinic for the next six years. In 2005, she founded her own practice, Sage...

Dr. Tara Harrison was raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She earned her DVM from Michigan State University in 2000, and a MPVM from UC Davis in 2002. Her research involved infectious agents in Kenyan hyenas.

Her interest in zoo medicine has led to employment in a number of different zoos, but she is currently a tenured professor in Zoo and Exotic Medicine at North Carolina State University. She is Board Certified in Zoo Medicine, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, and Zoo Health Management.

She was certified in acupuncture by Chi University in 2017 and has been an instructor for Chi...

Dr. Matt Fricke was raised in Hawaii. He started his undergraduate education at a small private college and finished it as well as his veterinary degree at Washington State University, earning his DVM in 1994.

After graduation, he entered small animal practice in Iowa for one year, then relocated to a practice in Springfield, Oregon, where he remains to this day.

He is certified in acupuncture by IVAS and in Animal Normalization Therapy by Patricia Kortekaas. He is also certified in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine by A Time to Heal, and completed the Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation...

Dr. Kellie Lindquist was raised in a rural area part of Northern California. Her first career interest was human medicine, but she changed her focus to veterinary medicine during her undergraduate studies. She earned her veterinary degree from Iowa State University in 2011.

After graduation, she worked in a mixed animal practice in Oregon before she joined a small animal practice in Anchorage, Alaska. She still works at that same practice.

Her holistic interest started after a personal health challenge. She is a Reiki Master, is certified in Acupuncture by IVAS, in TCVM Palliative and End...

Dr. Todd Cooney was born outside of Indianapolis, Indiana. He knew from an early age that he wanted to be a Veterinarian. He earned his BS in Wildlife Science in 1981 and his DVM in 1986 from Purdue University.

After graduation, he worked in mixed animal practice for two years before serving in the US Air Force and US Army. After his time of service, he returned to mixed animal practice and then transitioned to small animal practice.

Although he had been exposed to homeopathy while serving with the Army in Germany, his interest in holistic medicine...

Dr. Chris Randall was born on a dairy and fruit farm in Western Michigan. He began his medical career at an EMT/Firefighter, progressing to become a paramedic and then a Registered Nurse working in Emergency Medicine. He decided to switch to veterinary medicine and earned his DVM from Michigan State University in 2010.

While a veterinary student, he was commissioned as an officer in the National Guard and met Colonel Gene Gavin DVM, who introduced him to holistic medicine. Dr. Randall's holistic education started with Spinal Manipulation at the Healing Oasis and then Chi University for Acupuncture.<...

Dr. Adrien Zap was raised in Connecticut. She new from an early age that she wanted to be a veterinarian. She earned her BS in Pathobiology and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Connecticut, a MS in Forensic Toxicology at the University of Florida, and her DVM from St. George's University.

After graduation, she entered small animal practice. She has had varied roles in her career; serving as a Zoo Veterinarian, Teaching in a Veterinary Technology Program, as a Veterinarian Responder for both the State of Connecticut and the ASPCA, as a Surgeon and Medical Director in...

Dr. Gary Richter was born in New York City and was raised in Miami, Florida. From a young age he had an interest in veterinary medicine, especially wildlife medicine. He volunteered at the Miami Zoo, worked in small animal practice as an assistant, and worked for the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine as an undergraduate. He earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and DVM from the University of Florida, graduating with a DVM in 1998 with honors.

After graduation, he moved to California to work in emergency and general practice before purchasing a small animal practice, which he...

Dr. Susan Wynn earned her DVM from the University of Georgia in 1987. After graduation, she completed a Small Animal Internship and worked in small animal practice for a few years before doing Post-Doctoral work in Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis. Afterwards. she went back into private practice. She completed a clinical residency in Small Animal Nutrition and was Board Certified in Veterinary Nutrition in 2016. She is currently the Senior Director of Scientific Affairs for Instinct Pet Food.

Dr. Wynn has authored three textbooks on integrative medicine, published numerous scientific papers, has lectured extensively on holistic medicine and nutrition...

Dr. Kathy Cornack was raised in the Brisbane, Australia area. She developed an early love for animals and decided on veterinary medicine as a career, just in front of being a midwife or forensic scientist.

She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Queensland in 1985. After graduation, she worked for the Australian government helping cattle and sheep graziers in the Queensland outback.

Following that, she did locum small animal work in Australia and the UK. Then she earned a Master's degree in ruminant nutrition while continuing to work in small animal practice.

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Dr. Tina Hansen was born outside of Oslo, Norway. She had a number of varied pets during her childhood, and discovered a passion for horses and riding. During her mandatory military service working with military dogs, she decided on veterinary medicine as a career.

She earned her veterinary degree from Wroclaw University in 2023 and at the same time earned her certification in mixed animal acupuncture from Chi University.

After graduation, she has worked in small animal, exotic, and wildlife practice in UK and Norway. She also has extensive experience volunteering around the world working with...

Dr. Steve Marsden was born in Ontario, Canada and raised in Western Canada. In our conversation, he describes a pivotal moment in his childhood that led him to consider veterinary medicine as a career.

He earned his DVM from the University of Saskatchewan in 1988, then went into mixed and then small animal practice. He became interested in Homeopathy as a way to help his patients, and earned his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and his Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in 1999.

He co-founded the Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic...

Dr. Christina Montalbano was raised in New Jersey. Her desire to be a Veterinarian led her to do her undergraduate work at Ohio State in Animal Science, then she earned her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2017.

After graduation, she did an Internship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Florida, which led to her staying on and completing a Residency in Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. She achieved Board Certification in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2022. She is also certified in Acupuncture and Medical Manipulation from Chi University.

She worked in private s...

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 an...

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...

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...

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.

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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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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 S...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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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...

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 y...