Holistic medecine and integrative therapy

Our hospital offers a wide variety of integrative treatments!

Here at Happy Tails, we understand that not every type of treatment or medicine is right for every pet. Over the years we have seen many patients who can be resistant to traditional therapies such as complicated surgeries or pharmaceuticals due to other underlying conditions.

Our team of doctors is dedicated to and educted in providing a wide variety of medicines and therapies with a holistic approach such as Acupuncture, Chinese medicine, herbal supplements, and nutrition counseling. We try our best to incorporate a holistic approach to all of our patient visits, we have seen the combination of "traditional" Western medicine and holistic and Eastern medicine to great success!

On this page, you will get detailed explanations of our integrative practices with supplemental information from other trusted sources for more information. Our doctors have done tones of research and worked for years to provide the best integrated care for all of our patients.

Acupuncture

Our long-time associte, Dr. Melissa Reidy is our certified acupuncturist, who graduated from The Chi University in Florida in 2022! Dr. Reidy has been on our team since 2017, helping many patients through her acupuncture therapy. Acupuncture is widely practiced in TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) and has proven results aiding in the healing process for a multitude of conditions. We believe every pet could benefit from the potential that acupuncture has to offer, and there are endless benefits - click on the link below to learn more.

For real life examples of how acupuncture can help cats and dogs, please read her blog posts below!

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Within TCVM, illness is seen as a disharmony between a pet and their environment, and it seeks to restore that harmony for health. For Chinese Herbal Therapy, "each herb has a different effect on the body, and can fall under a number of classifications such as warming, cooling, sour, or bitter, and can affect a variety of organs, including the liver, lungs, or heart. TCVM utilizes herbal formulas that are a combination of single-herb ingredients to treat a specific pattern of disease." - Chi University, 2022.

Happy Tails has used a very wide variety of Western Herbal Therapy and Chinese Herbal Therapy for several years ongoing, and we have seen tremendous results. From cardiac support herbs that help to strengthen a weak heart, all the way to combining joint support herbs with acupuncture for increased mobility, many parts of the body can be aided with what we offer.

Chi University's Resource on Herbal Therapy

Nutrition Counseling

Proper nutrition is the single most controllable and most influential factor in ensuring your pet enjoys a long and healthy life. Unfortunately, as with human diets, we live in a world that contains rumors, partial truths, and misinformation related to what your pets should or should not eat. Also as with humans, the same diet does not suit all of our creature buddies.

Happy Tails' professionals base nutrition recommendations for your pet upon science and clinical experiences with thousands of animals. Our veterinarians and nurses assess your pets’ needs based upon breed, weight, age, activity, and current health conditions to select the diet, portions, feeding schedule, snack and dental health recommendations. This establishes a sound dietary base. From there, your regular vet care visits are an opportunity to evaluate and modify these prescriptions to accommodate changing needs, and mend any deficiencies early.

For your convenience, we partner with trusted companies such as Royal Canin, Purina, and Hills to provide a wide variety of nutritious foods and healthy snacks in-house for any species, any diet - including those formulated for special needs pets. However, we believe that home cooking is one of the best ways to feed your pets. We will provide a home cooked diet and recipe list for your pets based upon their health needs.

PetMd's resource on nutrition

Therapy Laser - Light That Heals

Veterinary Laser Therapy is a non-invasive, safe and proven treatment available to Happy Tails’ patients. It is used in conjunction with or in place of medication to promote cell growth and tissue repair, and to reduce pain and inflammation. Most pets find the 15 to 30 minute treatment sessions relaxing and pleasant. It is administered by a practitioner who slowly moves a handheld laser wand back and forth over the damaged tissue, producing a warm sensation.

Happy Tail’s laser machine uses infrared wavelengths which penetrate deep tissue and reduce inflammation on the contact site. These waves block pain transmission while stimulating natural analgesics such as endorphins, enkephalins and opioids which are produced by the brain and adrenal gland. Laser treatment improves vascular activity and metabolic output of enzymes, oxygen, and nutrients which in turn nurture the formation of new capillaries, boost wound closure, and reduce fibrous scar tissue.

Patients who have had damaged nerves, numbness and impaired limbs find that photons of the laser light speed the process of axonal regeneration, nerve cell re-connection, and muscle potential. Laser Therapy that stimulates muscle trigger points and acupuncture points is effective for patients with musculoskeletal pain.

We are pleased to report the success of therapeutic lasers used every single day at our hospital. We have seen amazing results for patients with chronic arthritis, surgical incisions, tendon, ligament damage and other traumatic injuries. This alternative modality is particularly useful for pets with limited medical treatment options - such as those with liver disease, cats and dogs whose medication options are both limited and challenging to administer, exotic pets and older pets with limited function.

aaha's resource on therapy laser