A Path With Paws

How My Holistic Journey Began

In 2006 I turned in my thermometer and vaccine needles for acupuncture needles and began a different path. Becoming the integrative and holistic veterinarian that people turned to when their regular vet had run out of options and they had almost lost all hope was the start of an amazing journey into animals’ incredible ability to heal and work with illness.

In my experience—both as a “western” veterinarian for my first 8 years of practice as well as a holistic veterinarian ever since—these modalities can often provide results, even in debilitated and older animals that Western medicine sometimes cannot treat.  I also believe a holistic approach is key to optimum function throughout an animal’s life.

While I started off thinking that I might have the answers, I realized that I have as much to learn from the animals I treat, as they have to learn from me.

Animals are amazing teachers in grace, patience, love and how to truly live. They come into our lives like guardian angels, walking alongside us, never judging, always there with a lick or a purr of reassurance and comfort. They gently offer us guidance, never forcing it on us. They are there when we feel like the world has failed us, and also in moments of our greatest joys. Yet they do not expect anything besides our love in exchange for their support.

One of the best gifts of my practice is the fact that an animal’s healing journey always involves the humans that love them. In my practice, I see the incredible bond people and their animals share. The animals I work with are clearly a part of the family and treated as well, if not better than some children.

Yet the lack of support human caregivers of animals receive in this society saddens me. In our society it’s acceptable to miss work for a sick child or parent, but difficult for people to get time off work to care for a sick animal or be there with an animal who is dying. Often friends and family not only do not offer support but think the animal caregivers are crazy. I feel like a key part of my work is to be there to support the wonderful people who care so deeply for these animals.

Integrative and Holistic Cancer Care Therapies E-Book

In 2010 I became frustrated seeing so many animals get cancer that I couldn’t help—my practice was too full. Realizing that I had a lot of good information to share, I embarked on a three year journey to download everything cancer related from my brain. And so my own Path with Paws gave birth to a Holistic Cancer Care E-Book. I learned so much in the process, and have heard stories from people all over the world living with animals with cancer.

While it will likely always be an evolving work in progress, its current form is available here: Integrative and Holistic Cancer Therapies for dogs and cats.

Chinese Medicine and Holistic Herbal Formulas on Etsy

In 2012, because of all the requests I received for a place to buy good quality herbs for animals, I opened my online herb shop Kingdom of Basil on Etsy. Here you’ll find the same herbs I use for all of my animal patients, personally blended and ground by me.

Kingdom of Basil Clinic in Seattle

In 2014 we opened a healing clinic in Seattle, Washington called Kingdom of Basil for both people and their animals. I combine acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition counseling, and energetics to treat cats, dogs, rabbits, and other animals of all ages, strengthened by my love, experience, intuition, and knowledge. These days I see only a very limited number of patients due to my disability.

My goal in everything I do is to offer a place that people who walk their life’s path with companion animals can find support, helpful information, and the resources they need to take care of their beloved animals. It has been exciting to see these endeavors take on a life of their own over the years. If it is helpful to you, please share it with your friends.

Best wishes,

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