Education

Certified Veterinary Chiropractitioner (CVCP) – 2001

Postgraduate program in Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation, a form of animal chiropractic using a handheld device used to locate and adjust spinal subluxations.

Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) – 2001

Certification was through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) after completion in 2000 of Colorado State University’s postgraduate veterinary acupuncture program. Further training in Chinese tongue and pulse evaluation, Chinese herbology, and the intricacies of case management were obtained through an apprenticeship in 2001.

Diploma of Veterinary Homeopathy (DVetHom) – 2000

Postgraduate program in classical homeopathy for animals offered by the British Institute of Homeopathy.

Traditional Japanese Reiki Level 3 Certification – 1999

Western Reiki Master/Teacher Level – 1997

Reiki is a form of hands-on healing using traditional Chinese acupuncture meridians as conduits for the harmonization of the body’s subtle energy fields. It is based on Daoist and Buddhist concepts of meditation and vibrational healing.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) – 1997

Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Colorado State University.

Certificate in Computer Graphic Design – 1991

My other life…before vet school I worked as a graphic designer for ad agencies. This course was taken at Platt College in Southern California.

B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies: Biology & Chemistry – 1988

Graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Southern California. This program combined the advantages of a double major with more focus on the liberal arts.

Work Experience

Cascade Summit Animal Hospital; West Linn, Oregon – 5/05 to present

Veterinarian, practicing alternative/holistic medicine including acupuncture, orthopedic manipulation, homeopathy, reiki, flower essences, herbal therapy and nutritional therapy. Please visit www.cascadesummitvets.com.

Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital; Beaverton, Oregon – 2/01 to 5/05

Veterinarian, practicing alternative/holistic medicine including acupuncture, orthopedic manipulation, homeopathy, reiki, flower essences, herbal therapy and nutritional therapy.

Dogwood Pet Hospital; Gresham, Oregon – 6/99 to 1/01

Veterinarian, offering alternative modalities but primarily practicing conventional medicine.

A Country Way; Boring, Oregon – 1/98 to 10/99

Veterinarian, practicing conventional medicine, homeopathy, reiki and nutritional therapy.

Ad Agencies – 1/89 to 7/93

Graphic Designer for three different advertising agencies before applying to veterinary school. I designed printed materials as well as interactive computer presentations. These skills were put to use in 1995 as a teacher’s assistant for Colorado State University creating slides used to teach veterinary histology, and again as a volunteer for the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program creating several print pieces.

Susskind Research Group, University of So. Cal. – 6/86 to 5/87

Assistant Researcher in a project to characterize antirepressor protein production of the temperate Salmonella phage P22. Received VWR Scientific Biological Research Award.

Honors/Awards

Colorado State University (veterinary school)

Dean’s List. Member Phi Zeta. Magna Cum Laude.

University of California, Los Angeles (graduate school)

Received fellowship from the National Science Foundation to attend UCLA’s PhD program in Molecular Biology (soon realizing that life with test tubes was not my cup of tea).

University of Southern California (undergraduate school)

Awards of excellence in organic chemistry and analytical chemistry. Dean’s list. Member Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. Summa Cum Laude.

Perspectives on Medicine

No single healing modality is going to help every patient. I value conventional medicine and alternative medicine as complementary approaches to comprehensive care. There is as yet no board specialty in alternative medicine, but my practice is in essence a specialty service. Alternative medicine is what interests and excites me as a veterinarian, and it’s where I’ve chosen to focus my energies. I utilize all the conventional diagnostic tools at my disposal and prescribe some conventional medications, but refer to my colleagues when patients need a more strictly conventional approach. Knowing when to refer is the key, and to this end I keep up with the latest conventional information through continuing education and discussions with colleagues. I enjoy working in the same facility with conventional caregivers.