Conference Speakers

Susan Albright, DVM

In over 38 years of veterinary practice, Dr. Susan Albright uses traditional and integrative modalities including chiropractic, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, nutrition, essential oils and other forms of energy medicine. She owns and operates Chenoa Veterinary Clinic in Chenoa, Illinois.

Initially working with hogs, dogs, and horses, her practice evolved using modern technology such as therapeutic and surgical lasers along with holistic options offering her animal patients and their owners a comprehensive approach to health and wellness.

Using essential oils has become an integral part of Dr. Albright’s daily practice since she was introduced to them in 2001.  

Mona Boudreaux, DVM, CVA, CVH, MMQ

Dr. Boudreaux graduated from LSU CVM in 1987. In 1994, she became certified in acupuncture through IVAS. After studying in Beijing in 1997, she developed one of the first veterinary Chinese herbal courses, which is still in existence.

She received her Masters in Medical Qi Gong in 2005. She has studied Stone Medicine with Dr. Jeffery Yuen and Dr. Sarah Thomas. She co-authored two textbooks on TCM Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, is a contributing author in Pain Management in Vet Practice and has been cited in numerous veterinary publications.

She served as the executive director of the AHVMA and on the IVAS House of Delegates. She is past president of the AAVA and the AHVMA, and serves on the Council of Elders for the AHVMA.

Anne Carlson

Anne is a leader in the emerging insects for food and feed industry. She is the Founder / CEO of Jiminy’s, the market-leader in sustainable pet food using insect protein.  Anne authored the dossier for crickets as a nutrient source in dog food.

In 2021, she was elected to the North American Coalition for Insect Agriculture board of directors. Anne was named 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year. Prior to Jiminy’s, Anne was a VP at Big Heart Pet Brands where she led Strategic Projects.  Anne previously founded Secant, sold to IRI and has also worked for Accenture, Diageo and Seagram’s.

She holds a BA from Washington University and an MBA from NYU.  Currently, Anne lives in Berkeley, CA with her husband, daughter and two big dogs (Tuco & Timber).

John Chen, Pharm.D., O.M.D., L.Ac.

Dr. John Chen’s participation in the family tradition has led him to become a recognized authority in both western pharmacology and Chinese Herbal Medicine.

He has taught herbology and pharmacology at universities, including University of Southern California (School of Pharmacy) and University of California in San Francisco (School of Pharmacy) and Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California. Dr. Chen has also given seminars on herb-drug interactions for regional, national and international associations and organizations.

Dr. Chen is currently a member of the Herbal Medicine Committee for the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine; he is an herbal consultant for the California State Oriental Medical Association.

Delores Craig, DVM, CVA, CVCH, FAAVA

Dr. Delores Craig graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia Veterinary College in 1983. She is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (IVAS), Certified Veterinary Chinese Herbalist (Chi Institute), and a Fellow of the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (FAAVA) diplomate.

In 2021, she retired from her Integrative Veterinary Medicine practice. However, Dr. Craig continues to be active in Integrative Veterinary Medicine as an Instructor for the US International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS). She serves as Past President of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS). In addition, Dr. Craig has lectured at various veterinary venues, including the Western Veterinary Conference and Midwest Veterinary Conference.

Barbara Fougere, BSc, BVMS (Hons), MHSc, BCMed

Dr. Barbara Fougere graduated from Murdoch in 1986. She has post graduate qualifications in human and veterinary Integrative medicine.

She is a Past President of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and AVAG and current board member of the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine and the Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association. She has been a veterinary acupuncturist and herbalist for over 20 years, has authored textbooks on herbal medicine and lectured extensively.

Her interests are varied  and in her spare time enjoys her permaculture garden and menagerie of animals, pilates, silversmithing and reading antiquarian veterinary texts.  

Janet Gordon Palm, BS, DVM

Dr. Janet Gordon Palm (KSU 81) is a practicing integrative veterinarian. Through the years, her practice included multiple species. Discovering ways to activate the body’s inherent pharmacy, inspired her to pursue Non-Thermal LLLT, VOM, Cranial sacral, and Osteopathy through her business “Animobility Integrative Veterinary Services.”

Involved in Natural Horsemanship, she uses concepts of respecting body language in all species she works with, resulting in an enhanced veterinary experience for all. She is Fear Free Certified, and is a Director of The Paw Project Colorado, a non-profit movement dedicated to stopping declawing of cats by educating about enrichment and safe alternatives.

Since 2011, she has presented on benefits of Non-Thermal LLLT and integrative medicine to numerous conferences, seminars and international webinars.

She resides in the ultimate playground of the Western Slope of Colorado with her fellow adventurer and husband, Ron.  They share their lives with their 2 rescue cats “Puma” and “Tesla”, and Dr Janet’s Arabian gelding “To’hi”.

Trina Hazzah, DVM, DACVIM(O), CVCH

Dr. Hazzah is a board-certified veterinary oncologist with an additional certification in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Herbal Medicine. She developed an interest in cannabis medicine during her quest for finding effective integrative approaches for veterinary cancer patients. 

She has given numerous lectures to veterinarians educating them on the topic of cannabis medicine, performed cannabis-related research, published peer-reviewed articles on cannabis in veterinary medicine, co-authored multiple cannabis-related textbooks, and is the president and co-founder of the Veterinary Cannabis Society, which is the first US-based non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization building awareness of cannabis as medicine for pets.

After almost 15 years of practicing medical oncology, she switched her focus to predominantly cannabis medicine and founded a cannabis consulting service, Green Nile, Inc. 

Erin Holder, DVM

Dr. Holder graduated with honors from the University of  Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. While there, her work with cheetahs and early renal disease detection won an international award and was published in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.

In 2004, Dr. Holder opened FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital in DeLand, FL and began her journey in integrative medicine. She is certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Tui-Na, Reiki and Bioenergetic Testing. In 2012, Dr. Holder was featured in National Geographic Wild: Unlikely Animal Friends’ debut series.

She left FloridaWild in 2022 and moved to Hawaii to pursue her passion of energetic medicine and open Body In Balance: Energetic Medicine for Animals. Dr. Holder is also the co-creator of Animal Ozone Therapies, an online ozone certification class for veterinarians, veterinary staff and pet owners.

Katie Kangas, DVM

Dr. Katie Kangas owns and operates Integrative Veterinary Care, a private practice in San Diego, California, offering holistic and integrative health care for pets.

Dr. Kangas achieved her CVA certification at the Chi Institute in 2008, followed by additional training in Advanced Acupuncture, Food Therapy, Herbal Medicine and Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM).

Her areas of special interest include nutrition, functional medicine, gut health, toxins, and dental health. Dr. Kangas has authored several articles published in veterinary journals and pet magazines and shares her passion for pet wellness education by lecturing and presenting locally, nationally and internationally.

Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CVC, CVCH

Dr. Doug Knueven earned his veterinary degree from Ohio State University in 1987 and is the medical director of Beaver Animal Clinic in Beaver, PA. He has earned certification in veterinary acupuncture, veterinary Chinese herbal medicine, and veterinary chiropractic.

Dr. Doug has been practicing holistic, integrative veterinary medicine since 1995 and has written two books on the subject. He speaks nationally and internationally and was recognized as the AHVMA “Holistic Teacher of the Year” in 2018. He also delivered the keynote lecture at the 2021 AHVMA conference. 

Kären Marsden, BA, DVM, CVA

Dr. Kären Marsden has been practicing as an Integrative veterinarian for over 20 years. She is licensed to practice in both Canada and California, and is currently the Medical Director at Bird Rock Animal Hospital in La Jolla, California.

A graduate of Tufts University in 1998, she started in emergency medicine and completed her IVAS Chinese herbal medicine course in 2001 and her IVAS Acupuncture certification in Havana Cuba in 2002.

She loves to travel and treat exotic wildlife such a sloths and anteaters with acupuncture. She is also certified by Australia to treat their native wildlife.

Steve Marsden, DVM, ND, MSOM, Lac.Dipl.CH, CVA, AHG

Dr. Steve Marsden, DVM, ND, MSOM, Lac. Dipl.CH, CVA, AHG lectures for IVAS, the AHVMA, the AVMA, and numerous other organizations.

He is co-founder of the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) and is a director emeritus of the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland OR. He is a contributing author to numerous textbooks and is author of Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine (Mosby, with Dr. Susan Wynn) and Essential Guide to Chinese Herbal Formulas (published by CIVT).

Dr. Marsden is extensively trained in alternative medicine, including Chinese herbology, acupuncture and naturopathic medicine. In 2010, Dr. Marsden was named Teacher of the Year by the AHVMA; and in 2009, the Small Animal Veterinarian of the year by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

Lisa Melling, DVM

Dr. Lisa Melling received her Bachelor’s in Animal Science from Iowa State University in 1999 and her DVM from Tuskegee in 2004.

Dr. Melling is certified in Veterinary Homeopathy and Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy. She has lectured at professional meetings across the country, is published in peer reviewed journals, and is on the board of directors of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy.

Dr. Melling owns Good Harbor Holistic Veterinary Care in Traverse City, Michigan providing homeopathy, animal chiropractic and fresh food nutritional support. Dr. Melling has been a faculty instructor for more than a decade, first with the Pitcairn Institute of Veterinary Homeopathy, and now as a co-founder of Veterinary Homeopathy Institute.

Jared Mitchell, DVM, CVMA, CVA, CVFT

Dr. Jared Mitchell graduated from Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004.  He owns Mitchell Animal Clinic in Mobile, Alabama.

Wanting more for his patients, he began incorporating holistic modalities into his practice.  Dr. Mitchell’s first journey into the holistic world began by incorporating essential oils into the treatment of his veterinary patients.  Dr. Mitchell has advanced training in essential oils through the Veterinary Medical Aromatherapy Association.

He has published articles for several peer reviewed journals including:  the Innovative Veterinary Care journal and the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Mitchell plans to continue contributing articles and educating colleagues on the importance of integrative veterinary medicine.  Dr. Mitchell is also certified in veterinary acupuncture and veterinary food therapy through Chi University and is currently enrolled in their Masters of TCVM program.

Evelyn Orenbuch, DVM, DACVSMR, cAVCA, CCRT

Dr. Orenbuch is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, and has been practicing veterinary rehabilitation medicine exclusively since 2003, when she started treating agility dogs in the Philadelphia area.  She grew her rehabilitation business in the tri-state area until 2009, when Dr. Orenbuch moved to Georgia. There, she opened Georgia Veterinary Rehabilitation, Fitness, and Pain Management (GVR) in 2011, the first and still the largest stand-alone canine rehabilitation clinic in GA. 

Dr. Orenbuch has written articles and lectured nationally and internationally on rehabilitation medicine and business.  Dr. Orenbuch sold and then left GVR in May 2020 to spend more time with family and to focus on growing veterinary rehabilitation nationally through her work with VROMP (Veterinary Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Medicine Partners) and with Optimum Pet Vitality (OPV).  She continues to live in Marietta, GA, near Atlanta with her husband, Dr. Stuart Napshin, their dog, Dublin. 

Heather Oxford, DVM

Dr. Heather Oxford received her Master’s of Public Health in Epidemiology from Emory University in 2000 and worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Foodborne & Diarrheal Diseases Branch, and subsequently in the Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Branch while a veterinary student at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, where she received her DVM degree in 2005.

Upon completion of a small animal veterinary internship in 2006, she practiced conventional small animal medicine for 2 years before becoming certified in acupuncture and rehabilitation in 2008.  Dr. Oxford has been optimizing pets’ quality of life for over 14 years and enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and Dutch Shepherd.

Ronald J. Riegel, DVM

Dr. Ron Riegel purchased his first therapy laser in 1979 and first infrared thermography unit in 1985. He co-founded the American Institute of Medical Laser Applications in 2009 to provide RACE-approved education on all types of medical lasers in both veterinary medicine and human healthcare. His background encompasses human (chiropractic, physical therapist, and athletic trainers), companion animals, and all the equine disciplines.

Dr. Riegel has authored more than a dozen papers and books on companion animal and equine anatomy and therapy modalities, and was included in the Human Academy of Neuromuscular Physiology in 1989.

He owned a multi-doctor private veterinary practice for 26 years.

Robin Saar, RVT, VTS (Nutrition)

Robin became certified as a veterinary technologist in 1996 and worked in small and mixed animal practices along with managing a large boarding facility and a practice manager of a privately owned clinic.

After obtaining her VTS in Nutrition in 2019, she developed a national nutrition program for a veterinary corporation and began working at AnimalBiome Veterinary in the summer of 2022. She looks forward to starting her MSc in Nutrition at Glasglow University in January 2023.

Robin is the current and past Education Director for the CAVN and the current president-elect for the AVNT. Recently, she completed a textbook on small animal microbiomes. “Nutrition is a part of every pet, every day.”

Barrie Sands, DVM, CVA

Dr. Barrie Sands is an emergency critical care, integrative functional medicine veterinarian, who uses a wide variety of healing modalities from conventional allopathic methods to esoteric forms of energy healing. She graduated from Ross University in 1991.

She is a journalist and published authora nd has lectured nationally and internationally on both emergency medicine and holistic health care. She is a certified trainer for the Institute of HeartMath, teaching stress management, emotional self- regulation, resilience building and coherence techniques, and is a pioneer researcher of interspecies coherence and biofield physiology entanglement. Dr. Sands has also attained a degree in Energy Medicine as a Shamanic practitioner.

Her vision is to co- create and facilitate body, mind, and spiritual wellness and health in both animals and humans.  

Robert Silver, DVM, MS

Dr. Robert Silver is a 1982 graduate of Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He received his Master’s Degree in cardiopulmonary physiology in 1976, and his Bachelor’s degree with honors in Animal Science in1974, also from CSU.

Dr Silver is currently adjunct faculty at both the Chi University and at Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Silver has authored 4 textbook chapters on veterinary cannabis therapeutics. Dr Silver published the peer-reviewed article:  “The Endocannabinoid System of Animals”.

Dr. Silver is president of the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine and Past-President of the  Veterinary Botanical Medical Association.  Dr Silver is a founding member of the Veterinary Cannabis Society, Chief Veterinary Officer for Real Mushrooms, and on the DVM360 Advisory Board.

Odette Suter, DVM, CVSMT, CVA, COT, MA

Dr. Odette Suter graduated from veterinary school in Switzerland in 1994. Early on, she recognized the limitations of conventional medicine and questioned its role in true healing. Her unconventional upbringing combined with her own healing journey has led her to explore many holistic avenues to uncover and treat the underlying cause of disease of her animal patients.

As a truly holistic vet, she is passionate about educating and has written the international best-selling book “What Your Vet Never Told You – Secrets to Supporting Peak Health for Your Animal.” Dr Suter, also lovingly known as “Dr. Poop Lady”, is a sought-after speaker and teacher in the field of holistic veterinary medicine.

She developed her own training and mentorship program for pet parents and professionals alike in which she shares her vast experience and knowledge to help maximize animals’ health.

Michelle Tilghman, DVM, CVA, CCRP

Affectionately known as Dr. Michelle, Dr. Michelle Tilghman is a leading authority and much-sought practitioner of complementary veterinary medicine, which harnesses both the fundamental strengths of Western medicine and the proven practices of Eastern medicine, developed and honed for more than 3,000 years.

A graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, she has been in practice since 1982. She is the owner and chief practitioner of Loving Touch Animal Center in Stone Mountain, Georgia, focusing on integrative medicine, blending Eastern and Western medicine, and physical therapy for complete patient care.

Shelby Watson, BS, DVM, CVA, CVFT

Dr. Shelby Watson is a veterinarian and clinic owner in Poulsbo, Washington, a small town a ferry-ride away from Seattle. She is a 2002 Minnesota grad with a background in mixed animal and emergency medicine, currently working in an integrative style to optimize outcomes.

Dr. Watson’s methods include nutrition as the foundation for wellness, acupuncture, Chinese and Western herbs, targeted supplements, soft tissue osteopathy, and correcting unbalanced electrical patterns. Dr. Watson is driven by her view of pets as unique individuals, a protective affection for her staff, an appreciation for the efficiency of using the best tool for the job, and a desire to elevate our work to the next scientific and spiritual level.

Laura Weis, DVM, CVH

Laura Weis graduated from Cornell University with a BS in Biology, and from VMCVM in 1998. She has worked in small animal private practice in Pennsylvania for 24 years. She completed the PIVH course in 2016, and is certified in veterinary homeopathy. She continued her studies in homeopathy, and is her fourth and final year at the Prometheus Homeopathic Institute. She has served as a member of the AVH Board since 2018, and is the veterinarian for a wildlife rehabilitation facility.

Dr. Weis enjoys teaching and writing about homeopathy, and is a co-founder of the Veterinary Homeopathy Institute.  Teaching the next generations of veterinary homeopaths combines her passions of mentoring and coaching with the healing wisdom of homeopathy.