I started my practice from scratch in June 1997. At that time, my background consisted of food animal medicine. I was 2 years out of school with no management experience or even any kind of mission statement. While I did not have a specific practice plan, one thing was clear: my area needed a compassionate vet to treat farm and companion animals with high-quality, tender care. Growing up on a farm I learned from a young age to love and care for all animals - big and small - with a gentle and caring touch. This passion and experience was the perfect combination to serve my local community.Since I had been tailoring vaccine protocols before in-house titer testing was even available, it was in 2010 that I followed my interest in integrative medicine and pursued the Chi Institute's program. This allowed me, through traditional and hands-on training, to start my journey into Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. With this calling, I changed the practice name and remodeled the facility to fully engulf our new holistic mission. We even had a client paint a mural with Chinese zodiac characters and meaningful quotes to practice by. But this is more than just practicing medicine, it is a way of life and how I guide my clients in their choices.I have always been a life-time learner and value education of myself and the next generation. I am passionate about my ability to help others and have inspired many students to serve their communities by becoming veterinarians, technicians, and nurses. I am active with the local high school's Ag Department, volunteering my time and resources for their pre-vet classes. It continues to motivate me when the younger generations take an active interest in animal anatomy, my collection of radiographs, or even participating in a demo of spays or neuters.My journey from food animal medicine to fully integrative medicine would not have been possible without my supportive staff and loyal clients. I take time to listen to my team and clients to ensure I fully understand their problems so we can work together to find the best solution. Through this extra support, I have been able to build lasting relationships which continuously serve as the foundation of my practice. I am now looking to expand my mission and add an associate to the practice. This will allow me to continue to provide excellent care to our growing client base and be more active in the lives of my two pre-teen boys. The greater Montello area is perfect for the outdoor enthusiast and provides a true sense of place.