Why I Chose Holistic Wellness

What started my journey toward holistic, non-conventional medicine for dogs? Honestly, the same thing that a lot of dog owners deal with in their own dogs - allergies.

My Miniature Poodle, Gina, had pretty much all the symptoms. The chronic itching, ear infections, rust-colored feet, excessive paw licking. Naturally I turned to the veterinarians I worked alongside and trusted completely. These were good people who genuinely wanted the best for her. I never doubted that.

Most dog owners have heard of the two most common allergy treatments by now - Cytopoint, a monthly monoclonal antibody injection, and Apoquel, a daily tablet. I tried Cytopoint first, mostly because my track record with daily medications was admittedly poor. After a few hundred dollars and twelve weeks of waiting, it became clear that Cytopoint wasn't doing anything for Gina.

That left Apoquel.

At the time - around 2020 - it was over $100 a month. But Gina's allergies weren't improving and I needed to do something. Within a couple of weeks her symptoms had almost completely disappeared. I was relieved and diligent about never missing a dose. She stayed on it for about a year and a half.

Then I stumbled across a video by Dr. Judy Morgan, one of the most well known holistic veterinarians, discussing cancer in dogs. This topic had been on my mind. In my years of working in veterinary medicine I had noticed cancer occurring at what felt like an alarming rate - something my colleagues often attributed to genetics or bad luck. I wanted to find people asking harder questions.

In that video Dr. Morgan started talking about Apoquel.

She explained that Apoquel works by blocking a specific immune signaling pathway - the one responsible for sending out what you might call "itch messengers" when the body encounters something it reacts to. Block that pathway and you stop the itch. It's usually very effective. But here's the problem: that same pathway is also used by the immune system to detect and destroy abnormal cells - including cancer cells. By blocking it chronically you may be impairing the body's natural ability to keep cancer in check.

I had to sit with that for a while. Gina had been on Apoquel for over a year. A year of part of her immune system being quietly suppressed from doing exactly what it was designed to do.

I knew I couldn't stop the medication abruptly, so I began weaning her off gradually. And then came the harder question - how do I actually manage her allergies without it?

Fortunately Dr. Morgan's body of work was waiting for me like a treasure trove. Books, videos, articles, speaking events - I consumed all of it. And almost everything she said just clicked. Supporting the body instead of suppressing it. Addressing root causes instead of managing symptoms. The importance of real food. Alternative therapies I had never seriously considered - Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal therapy, flower essences, food energetics. Here were the answers I hadn't known I was looking for.

The road to managing Gina's allergies naturally was gradual and at times frustrating. Healing isn't linear and there were moments of trial and error before we found what worked for her. Today she takes two powdered supplements in her food and her symptoms are about 90% resolved - and I'll take that over daily immune suppression any day.

Something worth setting realistic expectations around: true healing takes time. Each dog's timeline will look different depending on how long the imbalance has been present, what's driving it, and how their individual body responds. Patience is part of the process.

One of the things I appreciate most about natural therapies is their built in logic. If something isn't working or causes an unexpected response, you stop and reassess. You don't just push through and hope for the best the way we often do with conventional medications. There's an inherent respect for the body in that approach that resonates deeply with me.

Perhaps one of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been healing Gina's gut. Before we started addressing the root cause, any change in her diet triggered a cascade of unpleasant symptoms. Now she can eat a wide variety of foods without issue. That kind of foundational healing - the kind that creates real flexibility and resilience - is what holistic care at its best actually looks like.

The results I've seen in the dogs under my care through prioritizing holistic approaches have made it impossible for me to go back. That said I want to be clear - I haven't closed the door on conventional veterinary medicine entirely. It absolutely has its place. No holistic modality can replicate what a veterinary emergency room does in a crisis. The two can and should coexist.

One important note: with my veterinary background I initially attempted to navigate Gina's transition largely on my own. I don't recommend this. When I finally consulted a holistic veterinarian the progress we made far exceeded anything I had managed independently. Please work with a professional. Holistic vets can be difficult to find depending on where you live, but some now offer virtual appointments after an initial consultation - which makes access significantly easier. 

Cost is another thing worth addressing honestly because it's one of the most common concerns people have about holistic veterinary care. Holistic vets do tend to charge more per appointment than conventional veterinarians. However, the overall cost often balances out more than people expect.

Conventional veterinary care frequently involves extensive diagnostic testing to chase down a diagnosis - costs that add up quickly without always leading to clear answers. Holistic veterinarians tend to take a different approach, looking at the whole picture from the start rather than running test after test in isolation. There may still be some trial and error involved - finding the right herbs or therapies for an individual dog takes time - but you are working toward something fundamentally different. You are building lasting health rather than managing ongoing symptoms.

The other thing worth knowing is that holistic veterinarians tend to be extraordinarily dedicated to their patients and their clients. In my experience their level of care and investment goes well beyond what you typically encounter in a conventional setting. If cost is a concern, don't hesitate to say so at your appointment. A good holistic vet will work with you to prioritize what matters most and adjust a treatment plan accordingly.

In conclusion, Gina changed everything for me.

Not because her journey was dramatic or because I had some sudden awakening - but because paying attention to one dog's body forced me to question assumptions I had held for years working inside conventional veterinary medicine.

That questioning led me here. To a different way of thinking about what dogs need, what health actually looks like, and what it means to truly advocate for the animals in our care.

Companion Ridge Kennels exists because of what I learned through Gina. Every resource on this site, every guide I create, and every puppy I will eventually place in a home is shaped by that journey. My goal is simple - to give dog owners the information I wish I'd had sooner, so their dogs can thrive the way Gina now does.

You found this site for a reason. I'm glad you're here.