28/11/2025
We are super-excited to welcome Dr Heather, Dr Liza’s dear friend and colleague, who she graduated with in 2000 in South Africa. Heather has advanced training in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Rehabilitation and VMM (Veterinary Medical Manipulation, similar to chiropractics). Passionate about looking after animals of all kinds, when working with Dr Liza in Auckland many years ago, she helped to inspire the creation of ARRC Wildlife Trust.
Dr Heather has recently moved to the BOP from South Africa, leaving the amazing farm and veterinary practice, that she built up from nothing, in a rural part of South Africa near the beautiful Drakensburg Mountains. Welcome Dr Heather and thank you so much for joining our team, it is so special to have you here!
Read more about Dr Heather on our website https://holisticvets.co.nz/meet-the-holistic-vets-team and her special skills which include:
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Food Therapy
What our pets eat, plays a major role in helping to improve and maintain their health and well-being. According to TCM, certain foods have properties to help support patterns of health.
TCM helps to define these patterns and determine herbal formulas that help to address many health issues including cancer, allergies, pain management, digestive issues, endocrine problems like diabetes and cushings disease, heart disease, anxiety issues and many more.
Acupuncture
Developed by the Chinese more than 4000 years ago, the ancient practice of acupuncture has been revived and improved in the last century. It is both a science and an art. Some basic effects of acupuncture include pain relief, immunity regulation, nervous system effects, and specific symptom relief e.g. vomiting or coughing. For health and wellbeing, Acupuncture is suitable as a supportive treatment or adjunct treatment for use in animals with a variety of conditions.
Acupuncture is extremely safe in the hands of an experienced practitioner. The single use needles are made of surgical grade stainless steel and most animals tolerate them very well, many animals enjoy the treatment with some even fall asleep because they are so relaxed. The sessions can last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. Acute conditions may respond to one treatment. Chronic conditions likely need a few. Once the optimum response is achieved, the treatment interval is extended to the maximum amount of symptom free time that elapses between treatments.
Veterinary Medical Manipulation (VMM)
VMM is a manual therapy performed by a trained and certified veterinarian, similar to human chiropractic care. Animals with restrictions requiring VMM may show a variety of symptoms including pain, weakness, nerve degeneration, behavioural problems, skin problems, stiffness, lameness, abnormal posture and gait, and poor performance.
VMM involves using non-invasive, hands-on adjustments to correct joint restrictions in the spine and limbs. This helps restore normal range of motion, relieves pain, relaxes muscles, and improves nerve function, blood supply, and lymph drainage.
Veterinary Rehabilitation Therapy (like Physiotherapy)
This professional service encompasses an array of beneficial therapies including manual techniques like massage, stretching and manual manipulation, physical exercises, Thermal Therapy, and using specific equipment like Low Level Light Therapy (therapeutic laser) or Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy (PEMF).
It’s useful for musculoskeletal problems, post-surgery, neurological problems, weakness, recovery from injuries, osteoarthritis, calming, obesity, and general health. It’s also used to prevent injuries in compromised patients or dogs competing in specific activities.
