Eco Dog Tuesday - Holistic Practitioners

Holistic VS Allopatic

Also called alternative, integrative, natural and complementary medicine, holistic medicine takes a boarder approach to health than allopathic.

In very general and laments terms, allopathic can be considered "orthodox" or "conventional" and holistic can be considered "whole" or "natural" or "wellness" or "alternative."

Here are some distinctions between the two:
(A) treats symptoms
(H) seeks patterns and causes
(A) specialized and treats parts of the person
(H) involves the whole person
(A) pain and disease are regarded as negative
(H) pain and “dis-ease” are considered as helpful signals of internal disharmony
(A) disease is seen as a “bad” condition
(H) disease is seen as a process
(A) the body is seen as a machine in good or bad repair
(H) the body is seen as a dynamic system of body-mind-spirit and of energy fields
(A) primary intervention is with surgery, drugs, radiation
(H) minimal intervention with technologies complemented by non-invasive use of such
things as diet, nutritional supplements, exercise etc
(A) primary reliance on quantitative information – lab tests, instruments, charts, etc
(H) qualitative information, including the client’s statements and attitudes,
intuition, etc
(A) the therapist is an authority on whom the patient is dependent
(H) the client accepts self responsibility and is mainly autonomous
(A) “prevention” is seen as an annual or more often laboratory tests and examinations
(H) wholeness in relationships, work, goals, together with good nutrition, etc

When might it be a good idea to seek a Holistic Practitioner for treatment?

First and foremost it is important to recognize that no one doctor is an expert in everything.... seeking advice from multiple experts is always a better idea than just one. Even if you were going to only use holistic practitioners, it may be necessary to seek help from more than just one; as they all specialize in different forms of treatment (such as: herbal, flower essence, acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, massage, nutrition, Chinese medicine etc).

Sometimes a combination of holistic care and conventional care can prove to be the most healing for your dog.
If your dog is suffering from a chronic condition, it is best to refer to a holistic practitioner.

I personally, would recommend holistic care in general, but practioners can be difficult to find.

Where can I find a Holistic Practitioner for my dog?

Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy



American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture


American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association


American Veterinary Chiropractic Association


Animal Natural Health Center

Chi Institute


Healing Oasis Wellness Center


International Veterinary Acupuncture Society


Veterinary Institute of Integrative Medicine