From ‘Voodoo Vet’ to trusted practitioner

A Northern Ireland vet has told how she was viewed with scepticism when she first left general practice to establish a company which specialises in helping pets recover through a range of holistic treatments.

Siobhan Menzies set up HolisticPet almost two decades ago and has since seen her rehabilitation and complementary therapies embraced by veterinary practices across Northern Ireland. However, that wasn’t always the case, as she told the NI Veterinary Today Yearbook.

She explained: “Initially there was a lot of scepticism among the veterinary community and I was often referred to jokingly as ‘Voodoo Vet’ by friends and colleagues but that soon changed as  ‘last resort patients’ started to return to their practices with improved mobility and quality of life.”

‘Physical therapies’

It was after 12 years in  practice that Siobhan decided to strike out on her own in Millisle, Co Down. after recognising the limitations of using medication alone to treat patients.

“I recognised that incorporating physical therapies such as acupuncture and physiotherapy into the regime often gave better results while minimising unpleasant drug side effects,” she said.

“At HolisticPet we now receive referrals from veterinary practices across Northern Ireland and further afield. The aim is to work closely with those veterinary practices as one team to provide the best outcomes for their mutual patients.

“I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and experience and have lectured to vets and vet nurses on multiple occasions on my pet subjects of pain management and rehabilitation as well as providing in-house training to practices wishing to establish similar clinics.”

To find out more about HolisticPet  and read the full feature on the practice check out the latest NI Veterinary Today Yearbook & Marketing Guide.