I am a 1986 graduate of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.  Early in my veterinary career, I worked as an associate veterinarian in practices around Kansas City and St. Joseph.  In 1991, I started my own practice.  For fifteen years, I owned and operated Weston Veterinary Service in Weston, Missouri.  It was a full service veterinary facility offering boarding, grooming, surgery, dentistry and hospitalization.  Weston was my home town.  I graduated from the high school there in 1978.  It was a safe, familiar place, and my clinic was just a few blocks from the grade school  where my children, Morgan and Raleigh, attended.  As the years passed and I practiced traditional veterinary medicine, I became frustrated with the limitations of surgery and medicine.  Through colleagues and peers, I learned about natural options and developed an interest in alternative medicine.  By taking the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) course in Tampa in 2000-2001, I started my training in alternative therapies.  I received IVAS certification to practice veterinary acupuncture at the end of 2001.  Learning acupuncture was just the beginning.  In 2001-2002, I took the New Mexico Basic Chinese Herbal course in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  That same year I served as a laboratory assistant for the IVAS acupuncture course in San Diego.  During an extended period from 2002 to 2004, I completed advanced herbal modules in cancer therapy, treatment of neurological disorders and geriatric herbal medicine.  In 2006 I took an advanced acupuncture course through the Chi Institute in Reddick, Florida.  In 2008, I completed the IVAS Food Therapy Course with Dr. Bruce Furguson.  I studied and practice regularly the balance techniques and acupuncture strategies of Dr. Richard Tan.  I am currently (2008-2009) enrolled in a university level Chinese Herbal course offered by IVAS through the College of Integrative Veterinary Medicine out of Sydney, Australia.  Training in alternative therapies has given me more treatment options when a case is presented to me.  Weston was far out of the way and was difficult for many people to find.  The distance from Kansas City limited how often I could treat my patients and I felt it was compromising my practice.  In September of 2004, I opened Acupuncture and Herbs For Pets, an outpatient clinic in Overland Park, Kansas.  The location is easy to access by Interstate from almost any part of the city.  Operating two separate hospitals was a challenge and became unmanageable before the end of the first year.  It was with some regret that I closed Weston Veterinary Service in August of 2005.  My children are now in high school and college.  I am devoting my professional energy to the practice and continual study of alternative medicine.

Several professional organizations support veterinarians who practice alternative therapies.  One of these organizations is the AmericanAcademy of Veterinary Acupuncture.  In January of 2004, I was elected to be a member of the Board of Directors for the AAVA.  My three year term ended in April 2007.  I have served on the Public Relations committee, and as Chairperson for the Membership and Mentoring committee.  I am currently sitting on the Executive Committee of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society as the Treasurer.  This is a three year term that started in August of 2009.  Several students at veterinary colleges in the midwest have visited my clinic to observe and learn about alternative therapies.  By the end of this decade, I would like to see acupuncture, herbal medicine and other alternative treatments accepted in modern veterinary education programs and the practice of veterinary medicine.  One personal mission I have adopted is to expand awareness of alternative options to people caring for pets.  To that end, I have presented a lecture series in conjunction with the Brookside Barkery and Bath, and I accept speaking engagements whenever possible.  The Powerpoint presentations for some of these lectures are available for viewing on this website.  Just click on Educational Materials, then Powerpoint Presentations.