What an amazing year! Both professionally and personally.
It was far from smooth sailing.... But also beautiful and joyful and magic.
I am so grateful to my family, friends, clients and patients who have each made 2024 one to remember!
It is the season of the witch.....but is herbal medicine just witchcraft?!
The answer is NO! (although I do feel like I am mixing potions when blending!)
Many herbs/plants have quite a bit of research and evidence backing their use.
In western herbal medicine we look at the traditional uses for a plant and then ask:
1) Does it, indeed, have those effects?
2) How/Why does it have those effects?
3) Are there any side effects or risks to using it?
As a veterinary herbalist I have the training to not only choose herbs that are useful for your pet and their condition, but also know what plants may not be suitable due to illnesses or other medications being taken.
Just because something is natural does not mean it is 100% safe- this is why it is so important to consult a vet trained in herbal medicine before starting your pet on something.
I love the magic of plants as medicines.....but I also love the science of how that magic works!
WATCH THIS SPACE!
I am not the best at keeping up with social media but am trying!
I have been working away on some content and am hoping to be more active on socials soon! 🐶🐱
My little family is heading back to Ireland and UK for a good visit with family and friends!
I will be checking emails periodically.
As always, if you have an emergency- please contact your regular vet or closest emergency clinic!
I can't believe it has been almost half a year since I opened in Canada! Thank you to all of my amazing clients- you are all so dedicated to the wellbeing of your pets. It really is so uplifting and inspiring! 😺🐈🐕🐶
Going to the vet can be scary- but most patients end up liking their acupuncture treatments!
Animals make associations very quickly and it doesn't take long for them to realise that what I am doing makes them feel good.
It is one of the few things that I do, as a vet, that the animal actually thanks me for!
This really is the best job ever!
Pain is a very individualised experience. No two people exerience it 100% the same way, even if they ave the same considtion or diagnosis. This is the same for our pets. Each is unique in how they experience and express their pain.
Some eat less, some comfort eat.
Some drink more.
Some withdraw from family life, others become very needy/clingy.
It isn't always as straight forward as whether or not they are going on walks or eating their meals.
This is why my initial pain assessment is long. These initial assessments last around 1.5-2hours, and a good amount of that time is me asking behavioural, lifestyle and physical ability questions. This help me to determine how much pain is affecting quality of life but also to pick out the individual 'tells' for each patient.
If you think your pet may have pain or discomfort, but you just aren't sure....give us at call at True North Vet!
www.truenorthveterinary.ca
I have the best job!
It was a very busy day today.... But time flies when it is with these pups! 🐶
Acupuncture for pain!
This is Jerri's first acupuncture session last week. To begin with she was not entirely convinced, but by the end she was purring and relaxed!
Acupuncture can be a very potent form of pain relief and cats are particularly good responders! Over the next few weeks I will post more about how acupuncture works and why your pet may benefit! 😻🐱🐯🦁
If you think your pet may benefit from acupuncture- get in touch!
www.truenorthveterinary.ca
I'M BACK!
It has been a wild ride over the past year.... Since moving to Canada we have been working endlessly to get True North Vet back up and running. This has finally happened and I couldn't be happier!
True North Vet is running out of the Brant Norfolk Veterinary Clinic in my hometown of Brantford, Ontario. SPREAD THE WORD BRANTFORD!
I have big plans for further posts, so watch this space.... and in the meantime, have a look at the new website!
www.truenorthveterinary.ca