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CREATING A 21 ST CENTURY INTEGRATIVE ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE BASED ON 35 YEARS OF PRACTICE, RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE: FROM NEUROSCIENCE TO QUANTUM PHYSICS Allen Schoen, MS, DVM, PhD (hon.), CVA Center for Integrative Animal Health Saltspring Island, B.C., Canada A human being is part of a whole, called by us the ‘Universe,’ a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest—a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. … Albert Einstein Introduction Veterinary acupuncture (VAP) has progressed and has been incorporated into conventional veterinary practice in many ways since its first introduction to the western veterinary community in the 1970’s. Initially, there was extreme skepticism of acupuncture due to the “foreign” language and abstract terminology of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as well as the lack of research and understanding from a western medical perspective. Through increased education, research and clinical practice of VAP over the past 45 years, it has been integrated into a number of veterinary school curriculums, numerous veterinary

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CREATING A 21ST CENTURY INTEGRATIVEACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE BASED ON 35 YEARSOF PRACTICE, RESEARCH AND ACADEMICEXPERIENCE: FROM NEUROSCIENCE TOQUANTUM PHYSICS

Allen Schoen, MS, DVM, PhD (hon.), CVACenter for Integrative Animal HealthSaltspring Island, B.C., Canada

A human being is part of a whole, called by us the‘Universe,’ a part limited in time and space. Heexperiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, assomething separated from the rest—a kind of opticaldelusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind ofprison for us, restricting us to our personal desires andto affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task mustbe to free ourselves from this prison by widening ourcircles of compassion to embrace all living creatures andthe whole of nature in its beauty. … Albert Einstein

Introduction Veterinary acupuncture (VAP) has progressed and has beenincorporated into conventional veterinary practice in manyways since its first introduction to the western veterinarycommunity in the 1970’s. Initially, there was extremeskepticism of acupuncture due to the “foreign” languageand abstract terminology of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) as well as the lack of research and understandingfrom a western medical perspective. Through increasededucation, research and clinical practice of VAP over thepast 45 years, it has been integrated into a number ofveterinary school curriculums, numerous veterinary

specialty centers as well as hundreds of both large andsmall animal veterinary practices throughout the world.VAP continues to spread thanks to organizations such asIVAS and its affiliate national organizations, The ChiInstitute for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine aswell as other training organizations. Veterinary medicine in general has certainly continued toevolve over these decades as well. There is a greaterunderstanding of physiology, pathology, diagnosis as wellas improved treatment regimes. There has also beenincreased corporatization of the veterinary field throughvarious veterinary corporations and pharmaceuticalcompanies. This has offered benefits and challenges basedon one’s perspective. It is certainly changing the wayveterinarians must abide by further regulatory guidelines. These as well as other shifts have also increased the levelof stress and challenges for practicing veterinarians. Thesestresses and challenges are well described andacknowledged by the AVMA and other organizations. The current state of veterinary medicine has created suchhigh levels of stress, pressure and anxiety amongveterinarians and their staff that veterinarians have reachedthe dubious notoriety of having the highest suicide rate ofmedical health care professionals, surpassing dentists whopreviously held that record. This is the current state ofaffairs in our profession.The quote above by Einstein summarizes where I feel VAPpractitioners can help evolve and co-create a new, moreexpansive view of what it means to be a veterinarian andwhere we can go in co-creating healing practices for the 21st

century. This paper offers a brief review of the history of veterinaryacupuncture in the west and my perspective based on 35years in practice, research and academic institutions on

how we can co-create healthier, happier veterinaryacupuncture practices in the 21st century and thereby be partof creating a healthier, happier world. Brief History of Veterinary Acupuncture in the WesternWorld The founders of IVAS, Dr. Grady Young, Dr. Marvin Cainand Dr. David Jaggar saw the need for a society to focus onand develop veterinary acupuncture in the west. From thebeginning of IVAS in the 1970’s introducing acupuncture towestern veterinarians, there has been more scientificresearch documenting it based on western neurophysiologyand anatomy. Dr. Sheldon Altman, one of the pioneers ofveterinary acupuncture in the U.S. and my first teacher,began offering weekend introductory workshops throughthe Center for Chinese Medicine around the same time.This led many to pursue further studies and certificationthrough IVAS. IVAS then began to expand by supportingthe creation of acupuncture organizations and researchthroughout the world. This allowed for a greateracceptance within the western veterinary community. Dr.’sLuc Jannsens, Phil Rogers and Jan Still were instrumentalin introducing VAP throughout the European veterinarycommunity in the early 1980’s. Dr. Ihor Basko, an IVASinstructor, was one of the first to introduce herbal medicineinto the IVAS courses. It has been a challenging, uphill journey to gain the level ofacceptance that acupuncture now has. In 1982, after beingcertified by IVAS, I was invited to develop the firstdepartment of veterinary acupuncture outside of Asia at theAnimal Medical Center in New York City, which was thelargest animal hospital in the world at that time. Throughthe Animal Medical Center (AMC), numerous interns andresidents were first exposed to clinical veterinaryacupuncture cases and lectures and then began to spread the

word to the various veterinary schools and institutions thatthey became affiliated with. In 1982, at the AMC, I wasasked where I saw veterinary acupuncture going and Ipredicted then that it would be accepted and incorporatedinto veterinary school curriculum, veterinary referralcenters and practices throughout the world once we had abetter understanding of its scientific basis and it waspresented professionally. I am happy to say that thosepredictions have unfolded in a timely manner. Dr. Alan Klide, an anesthesiologist at the U. ofPennsylvania veterinary school wrote the first book in theU.S. on veterinary acupuncture. After a few years at theAMC, I was then asked to edit a book on veterinaryacupuncture (VAP) in the series “Problems in VeterinaryMedicine” by Lippencott. This text then evolved into“Veterinary Acupuncture, Ancient Art to ModernMedicine”, the first and then second edition (Mosby, 1995and 2001). This text offered a foundation for furthercourses and trainings in VAP. Professors at variousveterinary schools then developed courses in veterinaryacupuncture including Colorado State University,University of Florida, Tufts University as well as numerousothers. IVAS courses spread to even more countries beyond theU.S. and Belgium in the late 1980’s when Scandinaviadeveloped their courses with the help of Dr. Are Thoresenand Australia with the help of Dr.’s Ulrike Wurth, ChrisRobinson and Carl Muller. IVAS courses continued tospread throughout the world after that. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)stated in its guidelines on alternative veterinary medicine in1982 that acupuncture is considered experimental.In 1996, I was on the AVMA committee to develop newguidelines on alternative therapies and we changed the title

to complementary and alternative therapies. Afterreviewing all the research presented and the advancesmade, the AVMA stated, “acupuncture is a valid scientificapproach and an integral part of veterinary medicine”.Other international veterinary organizations quicklyfollowed through by adopting the AVMA guidelines oncomplementary therapies. Then there followed quite abacklash from a vocal minority that were on the nextevaluation committee in 2001stating that veterinarymedicine needs to be scientifically based, yet did not definewhat that meant. Where will these guidelines evolve to inthe future? Dr. Jen-Hsou Lin who pioneered veterinary acupuncture inTaiwan summarized a broader, more inclusive view ofacupuncture when he stated: “It matters not whether medicine is old or new, so longas it brings about a cure. It matters not whether thetheories are eastern or western, so long as they prove tobe true”. One key suggestion I would like to share, based onpioneering VAP in practice, research and academia is to bean excellent, well-respected conventional veterinarian firstand then professionally incorporate VAP based on the latestadvances. This is key to gaining continued acceptance asan integral part of veterinary medicine. This is not meantto contradict or minimize the truth and value of TraditionalChinese Medicine (TCM) or Traditional Asian Medicine(TAM). They are an essential and invaluable foundation forunderstanding and practicing veterinary acupuncture. Thebeauty is that they provide centuries old evidence basedmedicine that is based on the language of naturallyoccurring phenomena and the cultural perspective of thearea where they evolved. This provides for a more holisticappreciation and a more comprehensive perspective of

physiology and anatomy, than our limited understanding ofneuroendocrinology and immunology. Yet, I have foundthat in order to have VAP be more easily and quicklyaccepted by colleagues, it is extremely beneficial to be ableto explain it based on our conventional veterinaryterminology. Current State of Veterinary Acupuncture Insights into VAP Techniques and Approaches There are numerous techniques to stimulate acupuncturepoints, from the most traditional such as dry needle andmoxabustion to the latest technologies such as laser,electromagnetic and radio frequency stimulation. I findthat each technique has its indications and limitations, pro’sand con’s. I commonly prefer to use dry needle,electroacupuncture with needles and aquapuncture as mygo to initial approaches.A comprehensive review of techniques is discussed in (1). I have found the latest state of the art laser acupunctureinstruments such as the Multi Radiance ACTIVet PRO tobe extremely beneficial when treating acupoints thatanimals do not particularly like or when a patient hasserious needle phobia. Current VAP Practice Options It is a joy to see how VAP has spread globally, throughoutacademia and large and small veterinary practices since the1970’s. The practice of veterinary medicine and VAPcontinue to offer a unique and extremely rewardingprofessional life. They also offer many challenges that cancreate stress and impact on ones mental, physical andemotional health. Once one decides to go beyondconventional medicine and realizes that there is more to

healing than medicine and surgery, a whole new worldopens up. There tends to be an initial euphoria as one isable to help animals that could not be helped withconventional medicine. Each VAP practitioner begins toincorporate VAP into their current practice in their ownunique way. One then seems to further expand theirapproaches to incorporate additional complementarytherapies. This adds to our repertoire of therapeutic optionsand allows us to help even more animals. Sometimes I have been asked if there still is a future foracupuncture in veterinary medicine considering all theadvances in medicine and surgery. I must admit that attimes I have pondered that possibility as newer, safernonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, new surgicalprocedures or new approaches in physical therapy or moreadvanced non invasive therapeutic modalities such as laser,electromagnetic or radio frequency instruments have beenintroduced. Yet, each time a new medication or approach has beenintroduced and they have been clinically evaluated, theirindications, limitations, potential side effects, etc. havebeen come to light. Acupuncture continues to demonstrateits benefits as a complementary therapy that still has somany beneficial indications and applications. There are numerous approaches to developing your ownveterinary acupuncture practice.As one develops your own VAP practice, you choose howyou want to integrate it into your career. Someveterinarians choose to simply add it as an additionaltherapeutic modality for certain responsive conditionswithin a conventional veterinary practice, either large orsmall animal. Other veterinarians choose to expand theircurrent practice and make it more integrative, takingadvanced training in a number of complementary therapies

and add a “bouquet” of alternative modalities to aconventional practice. Others choose to create a focusedacupuncture or complementary medicine referral practiceand limit what they do to acupuncture or a number ofcomplementary therapies. Other veterinarians choose todevelop a completely holistic approach to practice.I have seen some veterinarians that with a tinge of humoror cynicism share that they do not believe in acupunctureexcept for the use GV-26 for emergencies.Still other veterinarians limit their practice to only hopelesscases where conventional medicine and surgery cannothelp. There is no right or wrong way, only your way foryou at that moment in time. Personally, my career followed a progression through allthese options at one time or another. I initially began in myown conventional practice using it only when conventionalmedicine or surgery did not help. After seeing itstremendous benefits and gaining more confidence inacupunctures potential, I then started offering it to moreand more patients. At the time I had just opened my ownintegrative veterinary practice as well as working in one ofthe first 24 hour emergency centers created. I was thenasked to develop the Department of Acupuncture at AMCand offer it as a referral option there. I then began toexpand my knowledge base and training and offer a moreexpansive repertoire of complementary therapies within mymulti-veterinarian practices. The word spread among mypractice area and living near a number of equinecommunities, I was asked to return to equine practice aswell and began seeing equine patients again. As mypersonal client base shifted to being 90% acupuncture andcomplementary therapies, I ended up selling myconventional veterinary practice to my business partner andchose to focus solely on creating a large and small animalreferral holistic, integrative practice, still remaining on staffat the AMC, running their Department of Acupuncture as

well. I had a great deal of fear and trepidation realizingthat a strictly holistic, integrative practice model did notexist in the 1980’s. I was stepping off a cliff into theunknown, not sure if this was a financially viable veterinarypractice model. To my elation and surprise, it was. Itgradually evolved into the first large and small animal,four-veterinarian holistic, integrative veterinary referralpractice. A few years later I then became an assistantprofessor at both Colorado Statue University veterinaryschool as well as at Tufts University College of VeterinaryMedicine. The practice philosophy was that no one form of medicinehas all the answers and we should discuss all diagnostic andtherapeutic options to assist animals under our care to beable to heal as much as possible. This practice model wasbased on having all clients maintain their primary care withtheir conventional veterinary practice and we would seethem for complementary approaches. Overall, this modelworked well since it was not in competition withsurrounding veterinarians, but rather complemented whatthey did. This too changed as more local practices chose tohave someone on their own staff offering acupuncture. This nudged my practice to continuing to evolve, exploreand integrate even more therapies that continued to makeour mission more expansive. We did not become attachedto a particular therapy, but were open to integrating allvalid approaches. Clients were very appreciative of thisapproach. I always try not to be adversarial with conventionalmedicine, avoiding any polarization.I also would assist my clients in realizing that despite allefforts, sometimes there is nothing more one could do andto accept that with loving kindness and compassion. Notrealizing it at the time, we had also started some practicesthat are now more commonly known as “hospice care”.

Pioneering holistic integrative veterinary practice, being anassistant professor at two veterinary schools, writing thebooks as well as teaching throughout the world began totake its toll on me as I was becoming aware of the firstsigns of “burnout”. As I studied other approaches I began to recognize theimportance of mind/body medicine and took advancedtraining at Harvard Medical School in their Department ofMind/Body Medicine. I began to incorporate that intoeverything I did in my practice and my life. I continued totake further advanced trainings integrating mind/bodymedicine and integrating these approaches into the way Iwas with clients, patients, staff, colleagues and family. As you can see, there are endless ways that we canintegrate VAP into our careers and those options continueto evolve. I invite you to explore which ways you findrewarding for yourself and which complementaryapproaches you wish to study. Future of VAP Practice: Mind/Body Medicine as anIntegral Foundation From my perspective, Mind/Body Medicine is an integralfoundation for all integrative veterinary practices. As weincorporate more complementary therapies we are able tohelp a greater number of animals. Yet, it can also increaseour stress by offering all these options and deciding whichones are most appropriate for each animal and their human. It can also be challenging to navigate state and nationalveterinary regulations on complementary therapies as wellas any remaining skepticism by some colleagues andorganizations. This is where I have found Mind BodyMedicine (MBM) to be a foundation for maintaining ourown healthy minds and bodies, allowing us to be of benefit

in even more ways. This is why I have been teachingworkshops and seminars on MBM for veterinariansthroughout the world since 2000. One of my favoritesayings is: “There are many wonderful drugs in the world, but noneas good as a peace of mind” Mind Body Medicine (MBM) is an essential approach todealing with the stress of being a health care professional inthis time. It is being integrated into conventional humanmedicine in numerous hospitals and medical centers. It isbeneficial for veterinarians to now integrate mind bodymedicine into their veterinary practices in order to be ofbenefit to their practice, themselves, their family, staff,clients and patients. The AVMA has recently recognizedthe importance of mental health for veterinarians and haveestablished online programs and support (2). I periodically offer a one or two day workshop where Ireview the scientific basis of mind body medicine and howyou can use it to be of benefit for yourself, your veterinarypractice, your staff, clients and patients. Integration of thesebeneficial techniques into your veterinary practice anddaily life may be one of the most important shifts that youcan make along your veterinary journey. These techniqueswill influence every thought, decision and action you makeeach day. The latest neuroscience continues to documentthe beneficial changes in our brain function and chemistrywhen we integrate these techniques. Once one understands the neurochemical implications ofstress on yourself and others and how you can change andmanage that in your life, both your practice life andpersonal life can improve. Solutions, exercises and trainingbased on the Relaxation Response as defined by theMind/Body Medical Institute at Harvard Medical School

are discussed. I often joke that I teach what I most need tolearn and after multiple episodes of burnout, this is a goodpart of what I end up teaching more now. The concept of compassion fatigue and “burn-out” withinthe profession has been discussed much more openly andfrequently during this past decade. There are numerousarticles published regularly now on stress, burnout, andcompassion fatigue in both the human medical andveterinary professions. The challenges, concepts andhealthy mind body medical, wellness approaches to theseconditions are discussed here. Techniques of mind/bodymedicine offer us opportunities to reflect on, rejuvenate andre-create our careers and lifestyles. These techniques andapproaches will support you in creating the VAP practice ofthe 21st century in your own unique way. Approaches tointegrating MBM and other innovative approaches into anew, more expansive approach to animal health care will beexplored in these two lectures. These lectures offer some basic experiential exercises thatyou can integrate into your veterinary practice and lifeimmediately. These are time-tested and scientificallydocumented processes that help balance our brainchemistry, physical and emotional health and bring greaterjoy and satisfaction back into our lives. “You already have the precious mixture that will makeyou well! Use it! ...Rumi Scientific Basis of Mind Body Medicine (MBM):Current Challenges and Stressors The practice of Veterinary Medicine offers a unique andextremely rewarding professional life. Veterinarians havemany gifts to offer others. We bring knowledge andcompassion into a healing profession that cares for the

helpless. The profession also offers many challenges thatcan create stress and impact on ones mental, physical andemotional health. The challenges of practicing progressivemedicine, staff management, practice management, clientrelations, and balancing these with other parts of our livescan become overwhelming at times. The experience of“burnout” is a major risk factor for veterinarians involvedin the demanding area of patient care. Substance abuse,crisis management and suicide appear to be on the rise aswell. Many veterinary associations now offer substanceabuse and suicide prevention support. Research in the UKhas shown that veterinarians have a suicide rate around fourtimes higher than the general population. Veterinariansreported a higher level of anxiety and depressive symptomsthan a non-clinical normative in the UK population (3). Veterinarians self-reported stress 46 percent of the time inthe UK and 36 per cent n New Zealand (4). A variety ofreasons have been proposed for the increased risk ofsuicide in veterinarians including: 1. Easy access to drugs and knowledge and means2. Attitudes towards death and euthanasia Suicide contagion3. Cognitive and personality factors4. Work-related stressors5. Complaints at work6. Perceived stigma of seeking help for a mental healthproblem and stoicism High levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms (3) In addition, chronic long-term stress leads to depressedmental states and other physical health changes relatedsuppression of the immune system and subsequent disease. Chronic stress impacts on the hypothalamic pituitary axisimpacting on numerous neurochemicals and hormonesincluding norepinephrine, cortisol, serotonin, dopamine,endorphins etc. Chronic stress can lead to insulin

resistance, systemic inflammation, hypertension, visceraladiposity and adverse cardiovascular responses. Chronicstress actually can cause remodeling of the hippocampusand amygdala. (5) I might add that in the U.S. numerous veterinarians as wellas human physicians feel that the increased litigious natureof society and malpractice liability has increased the levelsof anxiety and depression. In addition, the recent economicdownturn along with increased expenses appears to haveincreased stress levels throughout many health careprofessions. “The medical profession is being bought by thepharmaceutical industry, not only in terms of thepractice of medicine, but also in terms of teaching andresearch. The academic institutions of this country areallowing themselves to be the paid agents of thepharmaceutical industry. I think it’s disgraceful.” – Arnold Seymour Relman (1923-2014), Harvard Professorof Medicine and former Editor-in-Chief of the NewEngland Medical Journal These challenges are not limited to the veterinaryprofession, but are seen in many healing professions. There is increased discussion regarding “compassionfatigue” in many health professions as well. Burnout is often the undesired end-point of a career thatbegan with the noblest of intentions. Burnout sufferersbegin to feel cynical, depressed, alienated, and negativeabout their role as a veterinarian. Some veterinarianschoose to leave the profession or explore alternative careerpathways within the profession. One source of burnoutmay lie within the personality of the individual who mayfeel overly responsible for the welfare of others and useunrealistically high measures of personal performance in

evaluating themselves (6). When caregivers sufferdisappointments in patient care, they may becomeemotionally depleted, lose touch with themselves andothers, second-guess themselves and eventually sink intoprofessional despair. Developing a way to preventcompassion fatigue is a necessary component ofprofessional development according to Chaplain S. BryantKendrick, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine andGerontology at The Bowman Gray School of Medicine (6).One other perspective on burnout is that it may correlatewith professional stagnation as well. Continuing educationand trainings are keys to maintain a stimulating career. AsAlbert Schweitzer stated: “In everyone’s life, at sometime, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with anotherhuman being. We should all be thankful for those peoplewho rekindle the inner spirit” I am grateful to all my teachers throughout my career, two-legged, four-legged and winged. I have observed that many veterinarians pursue VAP after aperiod of disillusionment with the limitations ofconventional veterinary medicine. Other veterinariansexplore VAP after a period of burnout or compassionfatigue. These may occur earlier or later in ones career.Though I had a great interest in natural medicine prior toand throughout veterinary school, I became frustrated withthe limitations of medicine and surgery after practicing in amixed animal practice in rural New Hampshire within afew years after graduation. There has been a great deal of dialogue on the impact ofchronic stress and compassion fatigue in various medicalfields including veterinary medicine. There are simplescientific techniques that can be incorporated into your

daily life based on research from Harvard Medical Schooland other research centers. Mind/Body Medicine is a rapidly expanding field in humanmedicine and its applications for veterinarians are justbeginning to be explored. In its simplest definition,Mind/Body medicine is the use of our mental activity,thoughts and feelings to help prevent and treat various “dis-eases”. Studies in mind/body medicine document theeffects of thoughts on the release of variousneurotransmitters and neurohormones and the impact thathas on our physical, mental and emotional health. Manyancient traditions discuss the essential nature of our mindand its impact on our health. What we think directlyimpacts on our overall health. One key teaching inBuddhism is on training the mind and cultivating loving-kindness. In “The Art of Happiness, A Handbook forLiving”, the Dalai Lama states, “The systematic training ofthe mind—the cultivation of happiness, the genuine innertransformation by deliberately selecting and focusing onpositive mental states and challenging negative mentalstates—is possible because of the very structure andfunction of the brain (5). The Mind and Life Institute has held numerous conferencesand published numerous books on the health benefitsof various mind exercises and meditation. These valuableresources can be found at the website:www.MindandLife.org. (7) Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn hasdeveloped a program called Mindfulness Based StressReduction (MBSR) that has been integrated into manyhospitals and medical centers (9). Dr. Richard Davidsonfrom the University of Wisconsin Neuroscience laboratoryhas documented the benefits of meditation throughfunctional MRI’s. Many of there findings on the healingpower of Meditation are discussed with the Dalai Lama in“The Mind’s Own Physician (8).

One essential mind/body exercise to practice in order tomanage the challenges of our career is what Dr. HerbertBenson of the Mind/Body Medical Institute at HarvardMedical School calls “The Relaxation Response” (10).There are two basic steps necessary to elicit The RelaxationResponse. The first is the repetition of a word, sound,prayer, thought, phrase or muscular activity. The secondstep is the passive return to the repetition when otherthoughts intrude. The Relaxation Response has been foundto decrease respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure andoxygen consumption. It has been demonstrated to beeffective in the treatment of anxiety, hostility, depression,hypertension, insomnia, chronic pain, premenstrualsyndrome, infertility and stress. In my longer workshopsadditional exercises are practiced. Dr. Richard Davidson at the U. of Wisconsin NeuroscienceLaboratory is investigating and documenting the cuttingedge of the neuroscience of contemplative practice on thebrain. He has demonstrated significant benefit to studentswho had no experience in meditation. He found thatsimply doing 10 minutes a day of meditation for two weeksshowed demonstrable and beneficial changes in thebrain through functional MRI’s. A discussion of thesefindings can be found through the websitewww.soundstrue.com under their free seminar on thecompassionate brain (11). In addition, there are video’s ofDr. Davidson discussing his research available at theselinks—Video of Dr. Davidson's lecture "Implications ofScientific Research on Meditation for Spiritual Care" at theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison. 2007 and Video of Dr.Davidson's lecture "Cultivating compassion:Neuroscientific and behavioral approaches". (12) He has also found that mindfulness practice behavioralinterventions were able to reduce emotional reactivity and

be of therapeutic benefit in chronic inflammatoryconditions (9). Numerous studies are now documenting thehealth benefits of MBSR. One study documented thebeneficial effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction(MBSR) on medical and premedical students. The paperthat that the “ability to cope successfully with the enormousstress of medical education may lead to a cascade ofconsequences at both a personal and professional level”(14) They found that participation in MBSR effectively: (1) reduced self reported state and trait anxiety, (2) reducedoverall psychological distress including depression, and (3)increased empathy levels (8). I feel that veterinary studentsand veterinarians can relate to all of these. The stress ofveterinary school only seems to increase upon graduationwhen one learns to work with difficult clients, staff, schoolloans and integration of a reasonable work/life balance. Shapiro et al. also state “the literature is replete withevidence that the stress inherent in health care negativelyimpacts health care professionals, leading to increaseddepression, decreased job satisfaction, and psychologicaldistress” (14). More articles are appearing in veterinaryjournals also acknowledging the toll that chronic stress istaking on veterinarians. Shapiro et al. examined the effectsof a short-term stress management program, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), on health careprofessionals. Their results from this prospectiverandomized controlled pilot study suggest that an 8-weekMBSR intervention may be effective for reducing stressand increasing quality of life and self-compassion in healthcare professionals (15). A Google search shows numerousstudies documenting these benefits (16,17,18,19,20). Davidson has documented how meditation impacts onneuroplasticity (16). They also have found that Compassiontraining alters altruism and neural responses to suffering(19). In Dr. Davidson’s new book, “The Emotional Life ofYour Brain: How its unique patterns affect the way you

think, feel, and live -- and how you can change them”, theneuroscientist describes various mental exercises that youcan to change your brain and how you feel and live (20).This is another approach that can be easily integrated bothinto veterinary school curriculum as well as into continuingeducation programs. Further details and an extensivereview of the effects of thoughts on brain mechanisms andneurochemistry are described by Dr. James Austin,Professor Emeritus of Neurology at the University ofColorado, in his comprehensive text “Zen and the Brain”(21). Dr. Davidson and The University of Wisconsin haveactually established The Center for Investigating HealthyMinds (CIHM). CIHM conducts rigorous interdisciplinaryresearch on healthy qualities of mind such as kindness,compassion, forgiveness and mindfulness which can beviewed at this website:http:www.investigatinghealthyminds.org/cihm. (22) The behavioral traits of kindness, compassion andforgiveness are often what have driven individuals tobecome veterinarians. Yet, for some veterinarians,somewhere along our journey, these traits have succumbedto the challenges and stresses of our veterinary profession. By integrating and practicing techniques to maintain ahealthy mind, we can nourish those qualities within usagain. The goal of CIHM is to create a world in whichhealthy qualities of mind are investigated and valued. Myvision is to integrate these into an integrative approach toveterinary medicine. Meditation and Mindfulness based stress reductiontechniques (MBSR) are being integrated into numeroushealth care professions as well as major corporations. Forexample, mindfulness based meditation has been integratedinto Google’s courses for their employees. One of

Google’s first computer engineers and now their currentHuman Resource director, Chade-Meng Tan developed acourse and book titled “Search Inside Yourself, theUnexpected Path to Achieving Success, Happiness andWorld Peace” (23). The key is mindfulness meditation. This book offers simple techniques that anyone can easilyintegrate into their lives. It is one of the most popularcourses for Google employees. If it is beneficial forGoogle, I believe these simple techniques can be easilyintegrated into veterinary training programs as well. Theycan assist in making veterinary students and veterinarianscalmer, more thoughtful, less stressed and thereby be ofmore benefit to our patients, clients and staff. The key to rekindling the gift that we as veterinariansbrought into this profession is in our thoughts and ourmind. Dr. Joel Robertson, apsychopharmacologist, describes the impact of variousneurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, norepinephrine,epinephrine, serotonin and others on our moods andperformance. Through neurochemical evaluations, he offerssimple approaches to maximizing our brain efficiencythrough nutrition, exercise and mental attitudes (24). Bybalancing our neurochemistry, we can enhanceperformance and prevent burnout. These nutritional,exercise and mental approaches will also be discussed. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and meditationtechniques will be an integral part of preventive veterinarymedicine based on the One Health concept. One of thekeys to quality veterinary medicine is the mental health andinner peace of the veterinarian and their staff. Mind Bodymedicine is one of the keys to a healthy mind and body. This will be recognized more and more in the next decade. Throughout over thirty five years of clinical experience inveterinary practice, including emergency medicine, creating

and managing a number of multi-veterinarian companionand equine practices, referral practices and being aprofessor at various veterinary schools and teaching atnumerous conferences, I have found these MBMtechniques have been extremely beneficial in relationshipswith staff, colleagues, clients and animals. Mind/Body Wellness Medicine for Veterinarians andApplications in Clinical Practice: Personal BurnoutPrevention Plan Chaplain Kendrick recommends developing a personalburnout prevention plan based on the effects that yourthoughts have on your actions. It is based on realisticexpectations, the ability to differentiate subjective fromobjective components of reality, appropriate self-love andsupport from others. Kendrick feels that this stewardshipprogram “facilitates self-preservation and renewal so thatyou can adapt to the stresses of the modern health careenvironment without losing the capability of being there forothers”(6). Often times we waste energy experiencingfrustrations based on expectations that exceed what is reallypossible. We also tend to not experience the moment,always reflecting on the past or worrying about the future. Often there is a tendency to confuse stress with fear, fear ofthe past, fear of the future. To assist with this, ChaplainKendrick also suggests simple mindfulness techniques thatassist in regaining the ability to be in the present moment. Too frequently we also fall into the trap of basing our self-worth on someone else’s opinion of our professionalperformance, creating a performance based self-esteemsystem. We need to differentiate who we truly are fromwhat we do. Exercises and creative dialogues will assist us in reflectingon where we began our journey as veterinarians to wherewe have ended up at this particular point in our career.

Twelve approaches to creating a life and career that worksbetter for us will be reviewed. Many of these approachesare based on mind training and MBSR techniques. Theseinclude the openness to change, self responsibility, feelingour feelings, accepting what is, establishing appropriateboundaries, transforming our self-talk, lovingourselves, exploring the power of choice, commitment,surrender, standing in our truth and re-experiencing joy(25). Another approach to mind body medicine focuses on soundhealing and the latest research on the effects of sound onbrain function (26,27). Different binaural sound frequencieshave been found to quiet the brain, stimulate alpha, betaand theta waves, decrease stress and increase sense of wellbeing. These sound healing techniques can be verybeneficial in decreasing stress at the end of the day. Various sound frequencies and music have also been foundto be of benefit to dogs. Veterinary neurologist, Dr. SusanWagner, authored a book, “Through a Dog’s Ear” (28), onhow sound can improve the health and behavior of dogsand created a cd of classical music that has been clinicallydemonstrated to soothe a dog’s nervous system (29). ThisCD seems to be quite beneficial for animal shelters, animalhospitals and for patients with separation anxiety. Recent research on the need for quiet, contemplative timein a busy schedule and life and the implications are updatedin the Book “Quiet, The Power of Introverts in a WorldThat Cannot Stop Talking” (30). I sense that manyveterinarians tend to be introverts. I know that personally, Irelated to many of the stories in the book. Prescription: The Three Precious Pills There are many potential variations on the theme of theRelaxation Response. One of my favorites that I have foundpersonally quite beneficial is what Tenzin Wangdal

Rinpoche calls “The Three Precious Pills”. In his book“The True Source of Healing” he describes the threeprecious pills as three thoughts and intentions: Stillness,Silence and Spaciousness. (31) What I like about hisapproach is its simplicity, shifting language that cansometimes be foreign to westerners and translating theconcepts into easy to understand terminology that caneasily be integrated into your daily life with great benefit. Rinpoche states, “All that is required is to be still withinyourself, silence your internal chatter and open your heart”.(31) This is easier said than done in the midst of a busyveterinary practice and life. Yet, taking time for this T.I.D.or more, just like other pills, will have immense benefit. Itis a good idea to consider meditation rather thanmedication. I have found that ideally taking 10-30 minutes in themorning and the same in the evening can have immensebenefit on your well being and through that, others. I alsofound that even simply bringing attention to the threeprecious pills periodically throughout the day helps shiftme from a sympathetic action mode to a parasympatheticstate. Rinpoche states “thoughts and distractions will most likelycontinue to arise in your mind. Recognize them and hostthem without judging them. Embrace whatever arises inopen awareness. As you do, your pain and distractednesswill gradually dissipate, like clouds dispersing in the sky.Be aware of the natural warmth arising in each moment. Stillness, silence and spaciousness – the three preciouspills—are medicine for your pain identity that you can takeat any time. These qualities lead you to your inner wisdom,your natural mind – and your true identity”. (31)Whenever I see that someone might be open to taking thethree precious pills, I share them. Whether I offer them to afriend, a staff member, colleague, client or others, I feel that

these are perhaps the most powerful medications I everprescribed! I see an instant shift of relaxation, a sigh ofrelief, a gentle releasing of tension in their face and theireyes. Quest for Ultimate Healing: Creating a 21st CenturyIntegrative Veterinary Practice In this section, the integration of MBM into the biggerpicture and the future of veterinary practice and OneMedicine Theory are explored. In a new documentary,“The Living Matrix, New Insights into Our Bodies, Mindand Health”, various scientists and holistic practitionersexplain a new perspective on healing based on an intricateweb of factors that determine our well-being based onquantum physics of the human energy field, heartcoherence and informational healthcare (32). In the epilogue of “Search Inside Yourself” Tanhumorously shares on how we can save the world in ourfree time based on our thoughts and our mind (23). Lovingkindness and compassion are essential to creating a happier,more peaceful world. We as veterinarians can play a majorrole in reintegrating compassion into the world, person byperson, animal by animal, clinic by clinic, hospital byhospital, community by community. In a recent conferenceon creativity and compassion I was asked how I integratedcreativity and compassion into my veterinary career. Ishared on how I found some of these techniques beneficialin my interactions with patients and clients in a chapter “AQuiet Space with Animals” in the book “Creativity andCompassion” (33). As an extension of this conference, TheDalai Lama answered questions from honor students at theuniversity regarding what they could do to help thechallenging state of the world. He continued to repeat thatone of the most important things one can do is developingour own inner peace, compassion and aspiration to be of

benefit to all beings. The Dalai Lama, Tan and TenzinWangdal Rinpoche reiterate that when inner peace,compassion and aspiration are all strong within each of us,strong compassionate action comes naturally andorganically and thereby it is sustainable. One of my passions throughout my veterinary career hasbeen asking myself the question “What is ultimatehealing”? . That question stimulated my veterinary journeyfrom its foundational basis in conventional medicine,surgery and animal behavior to exploring complementaryapproaches such as acupuncture, ethnobotanical medicine,chiropractic and other manual therapies, nutrition andnutritional supplements, homeopathy, the human animalbond, MBM and quantum healing. I realized that all these therapies together offered acomprehensive integrative approach to animal health care. I also realized that another key to ultimate healing is thatwe as veterinarians develop loving kindness andcompassion for ourselves, our staff, our families,colleagues, clients and patients. We as veterinarians are in a unique position as caretakers ofanimal companions which inherently assist in opening thehearts of our clients. I propose that veterinary medicinemay be a much broader field than we ever imagined. Perhaps veterinary medicine can be even more expansiveand that each animal care location can be a place forexpanding compassion in each and every community andthereby be a vehicle for making the world a happier andhealthier place. We have the ability to be of so much morebenefit to the world by being and expressing lovingkindness and compassion in every thought and action wetake. This is how the integration of mind body medicineinto our veterinary practices and lives can be of immensebenefit to the entire world.

The future of veterinary practice continues to evolve.Stress appears to continue to increase in our practices aswell as throughout the world. A new world view of howveterinary medical practice can be of benefit to all beings inour community and society based on the integration ofmind body medicine is open to all of us to co-create. Anew concept of how veterinary practices can becomecenters of compassion in society and be of practical benefitto all living beings can be shared and co-created betweenall of us. I realize that this may be a complete paradigm shift forveterinary medicine, yet I feel that it is one real potentialfuture that we can co-create together. Through these various experiential processes we can beginto manage our challenging profession better, re-create ourheart’s desires and create a career and life style where wewill enjoy each moment and each day to its fullest. We willthen be able to be of the most service and benefit possibleto all beings, two-legged, four-legged and winged. There are a few questions that I periodically ask myselfwhen figuring out what to do in a particular situation. What would Jesus, Buddha, G-d, higher power, essence ofloving-kindness and compassion or you fill in the blank…What would they do? One can also ask oneself “Whatwould a altruistic, board certified colleague suggest?” or“What would your VAP mentor suggest?” “What is bestfor this particular client and patient in this particularsituation based on loving kindness and compassion for all?” We can only offer suggestions and guidance and clientsmust make the final decision. As Paracelsus (1493-1541) states “The main reason forhealing is love”. I continue to appreciate that the primalwound is the illusion of separateness as Einstein says.

Realizing that we are not separate from anyone else,recognizing who we truly are, our true self, which is part ofall that is, that is beyond all names, the loving quiet peaceand spaciousness that is within us and all around us, that isall that is. Remember that you are pure consciousness, freeawareness, pure love manifesting as you! Experience turnsknowledge into wisdom. Once this is recognized andexperienced, then all is healed. “Anything that divides is not G-d” … Kabbalah Combining our veterinary training, eastern and western,along with years of clinical experience along withcompassion and loving kindness can support us in creatingthe healthiest and happiest veterinary practice possible.Visualize how you would like to see your VAP practice be. Feel the feelings within yourself as you visualize it. Writeit down in a journal. Describe how it feels in all yoursenses. Create a future mind movie as Joe Dispenzasuggests. Then go and create it! Create a healingenvironment filled with healing music, supportive,appreciative, pro-active staff and a loving client base willfollow. Create a healthy and happy Transpecies Field in yourhealing center. You can create your own centers based onThe Transpecies Field Theory (TSFT) and TheCompassionate Field Theory (CFT) as I discuss in my book“The Compassionate Equestrian” (34). I discuss steps thatcan be taken to create this in horse facilities. I am workingon expanding on those concepts to help support creation ofcenter based on healthy and happy Transpecies Field’s inanimal hospitals and animal shelters. Potential Future VAP Practice OptionsQuantum VAP Practices

Dr. Kim Henneman presented exemplary and cleardiscussions of Quantum acupuncture in the 2015 IVASproceedings. (35) I would suggest you read these as wellfor a foundation for creating what one could possibly call a“Quantum Veterinary Practice” based on the latest researchin quantum physics. In order not to be redundant, herpapers are available in these proceedings as well withpermission from Dr. Henneman and IVAS. She offersspecific examples of how Quantum Theory (QT) can beapplied in veterinary practice. It is beyond the scope of thislecture to delve into the considerable research on quantumphysics that documents the interconnectivity of all that is. Simply stated, all the research leads to the realization thatspace is not empty and everything is connected. The New Physics, Consciousness, Paradigm Shifts andVeterinary Acupuncture Practice “If quantum mechanics hasn’t profoundly shocked you,you haven’t understood it yet.” pioneering PhysicistNiels Bohr “I regard consciousness as fundamental. I regardmatter as derivative from consciousness. We cannot getbehind consciousness. Everything that we talk about,everything that we regard as existing, postulatingconsciousness.” Max Planck, Nobel Prize winning physicist who originatedquantum theory, “Space is just the construct that gives the illusion thatthere are separate objects” – Dr. Quantum Recent research has taken quantum entanglement out of thetheoretical realm of physics, and placed into the one ofverified phenomena. One can review numerous replicatedexperiments documenting entanglement of single photos

seen at kilometers of distance. Dr. Elizabeth Rauscher, aworld-renowned physicist, summarizes the implications ofall the research stating “it’s a pre-curser to realizing thateverything is connected, and that everything in the universeis one. Dr. Rauscher states: “What happens in what we call reality, is effectingsomething else in that same reality, it’s all “touching.Space is not empty, everything is connected” (36) Quantum physicists Elizabeth Rauscher, former researcherat NASA and Stanford Research Institute, and NassimHarrimen of the Resonance Foundation have publishednumerous papers on their groundbreaking Unified FieldTheory essentially stating that consciousness is thefoundation for everything. Dr. Rauscher states “Space is actually not empty and it’sfull of energy…The energy in space is not trivial there’s alot of it and we can actually calculate how much energythere is in that space and that reality might actually comeout of it. Everything we see is actually emerging from thatspace.” Dr. Rauscher continues to state, “Physicists are beingforced to admit that the universe is a “mental” construction.Pioneering physicist Sir James Jeans wrote: “The stream ofknowledge is heading toward a non-mechanical reality; theuniverse begins to look more like a great thought than likea great machine. Mind no longer appears to be anaccidental intruder into the realm of matter; we ought ratherhail it as the creator and governor of the realm of matter.Get over it, and accept the inarguable conclusion. Theuniverse is immaterial-mental and spiritual.” (37) (“TheMental Universe”; Nature 436:29,2005) Dr. Nassim Harrimen leads teams of physicists, electrical

engineers, mathematicians and other scientists to explorethe frontiers of unification principles and their implications.Harrimen’s vision is shared through his ResonanceAcademy’s scientific publications and educationalprograms. Currently Nassim is focused on his most recentdevelopments in quantum gravity and their applications totechnology, new energy research, applied resonance, lifesciences, permaculture, and consciousness studies. Hismission is to create positive change in the world based onhis applied unified physics research. Simply stated, Harrimen feels that consciousness is thefield and the field is consciousness. Consciousness is thebasis of everything. We are consciousness and our thoughtsand intentions are continuously co-creating moment bymoment our perception of reality. This offers us theopportunity then to question what we are choosing tocreate. The Observer Effect and VAP Practice “A fundamental conclusion of the new physics alsoacknowledges that the observer creates the reality. Asobservers, we are personally involved with the creationof our own reality.” … Dr. Elizabeth Rauscher,world-renowned physicist Quantum Physics has also found that the observation of aparticle or wave actually impacts on its behavior. Researchers are realizing that just the act of observationimpacts on the experimental results. This too hassignificant implications for “science based” research. If our observation impacts on the results, how can weemphatically say that something is true or valid? Whatdoes “science based” really mean? Throughout my career,as I was evaluating new nontoxic, innovative approaches to

animal health, my criteria were: 1. Is it safe? 2. Is itefficacious? And 3. Is it reproducible? If a particularapproach met those criteria, I felt it was worthwhilepursuing it. Years later, one might finally see “peerreviewed” research documenting the approach. Fortunately, in the meantime numerous animals were ableto benefit from the therapies. The “observer effect” states that just the act of measuring aparticle or wave behaving in a certain way will alter theway that particle or wave is behaving. Essentially, onceone pays attention to some action, your attention andintention impact on the action, whether that simply is yourbreathing or treating an animal. This is the foundation forthe scientific basis of intentionality as well. It is thefoundation for common statements such as “you createyour own reality” and “you are what you think” as well asothers.

The classic double split experiment is one of the firstexperiments to demonstrate how our consciousness and ourphysical world are intertwined in some way. Dean Radin,PhD, former President of the Institute of Noetic Sciences(IONS) published in the peer-reviewed journal PhysicsEssays explains how this experiment has been usedmultiple times to explore the role of consciousness inshaping the nature of physical reality. (40)

Dr. Bruce Lipton, a molecular biologist in hisgroundbreaking book “The Biology of Belief” reviews thelatest research in the field of new biology and how ourbeliefs actually change our cells, our DNA and all of whowe are. The field of epigenetics current focus is on howdiet affects DNA. Dr. Lipton explores how our beliefsaffect our DNA.

Your attention, intention, thoughts and feelings impact oneverything in your veterinary practice. We create this

reality. One may ponder all the implications of this. Questions that came to my mind when looking at all of thisincluded “How do others thoughts and intentions impact onmy veterinary practice and life then? How does thisinteraction impact on the outcome? Why do things notalways happen the way I was hoping they would? This iswhere quantum entanglement theory comes in. Ourthoughts and actions are entangled and impacted by others.That is why we do not always get the desired outcomes. Results are impacted not just by our thoughts, but by ourclients, staff, colleagues, and especially our animal patients.

When I reflect back on certain patients and clients withthese new insights, I can appreciate why I might havethought that a particular therapy such as acupunctureshould be of benefit and then the outcome would not be assuccessful as I had hoped. I can see how the clients’perceptions and attitude also impacted on it. A classicexample is “Munchausers” syndrome by proxy. Where theclient actually wants your attention and does not reallywant the animal to improve. Another perspective is when Isee a very optimistic client and the animal actuallyimproves way beyond my expectations. Entanglementtheory can become quite entangled when combining all thethoughts of everyone involved. This is also the basis ofThe Transpecies Field and Compassionate Field Theory. The Transpecies Field (TSF) happens all the time in ourhospitals, barns, animal shelters etc. as we discussedpreviously in the LCCC Theory paper. The optimistic viewis that we can actually have an impact on that by choosingto radiate loving and compassionate thoughts and feelingsinto the field and train our staff to do this as well. This isThe Compassionate Field Theory (CFT) in action. This willthen have beneficial effects on our clients and patients.

The New Physics and You

“All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a forcewhich brings the particle of an atom to vibration andholds this most minute solar system of the atomtogether. We must assume behind this force the existenceof a conscious and intelligent mind. This mind is thematrix of all matter.” – Max Planck In order to create and manifest a new reality for ourselves,we need to change our thought patterns and the way weperceive reality. What changes the way we perceivereality? Information does. When new information emergesit changes the way we look at things and as a result, ourreality changes, and we begin to manifest a new experienceand open our minds to a broader view of reality. Furtherinsights from the new physics suggest that factors ofconsciousness are associated with the creation of ourreality. That means change starts within. It starts with theway in which we are observing the outer world from ourinner world. This touches on the earlier point of how weperceive our reality. Our perception of the external worldmight very well be a reflection of our inner world, our innerstate of being. It might be beneficial then to ask yourself,are you happy? In each moment we have the ability toconsciously choose whether we are coming from a place oflove or fear. One personal example of this is when I was going througha challenging time in life and was asking myself why thiswas happening to me. A friend suggested that I reframe myperspective and instead of asking why this is happening“TO” me, I ask why is this happening “FOR” me. Bysimply changing one word, from “to” to “for” changed myentire perspective which then changed my innerneurochemical balance and how I responded to all the shiftsI was going through. All of these factors are associatedwith our consciousness, with our observation. The one orones who are doing the “observing” might play a larger role

in what type of physical world the humanity manifests foritself than we realize. Another way of looking at this is torealize that our collective consciousness and collectiveunconsciousness impacts on the way we create our world. We are indeed the observers and can create the change andbreak patterns to open up new possibilities and change ourdirection if we wish. We can have an impact on the outerworld by shifting the way we observe it. It seems that the human race is going through some majorshifts in consciousness at the moment, with somepolarizations at each extreme. There appears to be somecognitive dissonance in the collective field. I sense that the human race is in the process of waking upto a number of different realities, simultaneously. As aresult, the way we perceive and “observe” the world aroundus on a larger scale is starting to drastically change. So ifyou want to help change the world, change the way youlook at things, and the things you look at will change. Choices: Creating Mind/ Heart/Body/Spirit Health Carefor All BeingsThe next evolutionary step for humankind is to movefrom human to kind – Sun Based on these insights that the new physics and newbiology offer us, we can choose how we wish to integrateveterinary acupuncture into our practices and lives. I haveshared many options that I have chosen throughout mycareer. You may have chosen similar career paths or arecurrently considering change and some of these choices. AsI have shared, “there is no right or wrong”. There is simplyyour choice in the moment.The impact of corporatization on veterinary medicine is oneexample of how a particular focus of collectiveconsciousness impacts on animal health care. It is certainly

having an effect on veterinary practice, both with somebenefits as well as questionably beneficial effects. There is no doubt that through pharmaceutical companies,nutrition companies and veterinary practice corporations,veterinary medicine will continue to evolve.Future development in veterinary medicine will includeadvances in “apps” for clients helping them run blood testsand evaluate their own animals via “Dr. Google” or through“Deep Mind Health” (41) at Google as well as moreinnovations. As technology continues to rapidly evolve,how will advances in transhumanism, artificial intelligence,virtual reality, surgical robots, staff robots and advances instem cell therapy, cloning, 3-D printed organs andappendicular prostheses as well as immunotherapy incancer care, impact on veterinary practice. Will clients relymore on “apps” than veterinarians wherever possible? These changes will all be confronting the veterinaryprofession sooner than we realize. There will always be aneed for advanced veterinary referral centers as well as forsmaller conventional veterinary practices. Will many of theupcoming shifts developing in Google, Facebook, and othertechnology companies replace the need for pets? Willtechnology changes shift humans away from requiringfactory farming? Will the horse community continue toshift to a limited luxury for the ultra wealthy? How will thecurrent political shift that seems to be supporting a level ofbigotry and hatred impact on animal companions? With all these rapid shifts in the way we live, is there aplace for a new type of veterinary practice with a uniqueheart centered, healing perspective for all, both humans andnon-human animals? Is there space for a new, yet to becreated paradigm that truly nourishes the hearts, bodies,minds and spirits of all beings? What do you think? The question for each of us is how we choose to practice in

this new environment. One can choose to be an integralpart of corporate practice, offering acupuncture and otherintegrative therapies through their referral centers orindividual practices. That can be so beneficial for theanimals that need it. Yet, that choice may not resonate withsome VAP practitioners that prefer a different approach.Sometimes I find the energetic metaphor of resonance to bebeneficial, based on Tesla’s perspective that everything isenergy, frequency and vibration. I will ask myself “Do Iresonate with the energy in a particular veterinary practiceor horse barn or a way of practicing or not? Sometimes, Ifind that I make a particular choice only to later on questionmyself on why I chose it. What I realize is that sometimesthat choice offers me a contrast to see whether I resonatewith something or not. It may help me clarify my futurepreferences. This thought has then evolved into considering what otheroptions are there for future types of veterinary practice thatI might resonate more with and might offer clients otheroptions that they might prefer. This thought process led meto consider new trans-disciplinary and transpersonaloptions that do not exist as of yet, such as creating centersfor mind/ heart/body/spirit healthcare for all beings. Iinitially rejected these thoughts when they first beganshowing up in my mindstream. I thought these ideas are toomuch of a stretch for veterinary medicine. Yet, I thenremembered back to my early years at AMC and despitethe skepticism at the time, how I shared the vision thatacupuncture and complementary therapies wouldeventually be integrated into veterinary medicine. That hasunfolded now. Perhaps, these ideas may not be too much ofa stretch and may also be integrated into a more expansiveand compassionate vision of veterinary medicine. What I have noticed over the years is that so many clientschoose to come for acupuncture and complementary

therapies to help their animals, but then realize howbeneficial they find the time spent during their treatment isfor them as well as their animals. Some evenings, I wouldfind a reception area filled with clients waiting foracupuncture and I would begin to feel a bit overwhelmedand concerned that I was running late. When apologizing tothe clients, they would often laugh and say that on thecontrary they came early because they loved thecamaraderie of the other people who were also there foracupuncture. It was a unique example of the transpeciesand compassionate field in action. They would love toshare how well their animal companions were doing. As the world seems to be getting more agitated, filled withmore anxiety, stress and anger, I sense that what so manyanimal lovers are searching for are spaces, sanctuarieswhere they can take some time out to rest and relax withtheir animal friends. That may be one reason that dog parksare so popular in cities. I saw that when clients wouldcome early for appointments as a respite from their busylives and would love sitting with their animals quietlyduring the acupuncture treatments. This led me to ponder what it might be like to createhealing centers for animals and their human caretakers thatcould offer such peaceful sanctuaries from modern daystress. I sense that a certain percentage of animal loverswould love to go to animal clinics that offered some quietermore peaceful setting. When lecturing at CornellUniversity Veterinary Specialists (CUVS) in Connecticutrecently, I was impressed that they created a separate morepeaceful area for their patients coming for acupuncture andphysical rehabilitation services. There are endless possiblevariations on this theme, from quiet centers specializing incomplementary therapies with separate areas for animalsand their humans to settings like CUVS. Your uniqueintegration of these insights will create your reality.

Conclusions: Creating New Paradigm 21st CenturyVeterinary Practices “The atoms or elementary particles themselves are notreal; they form a world of potentialities or possibilitiesrather than one of things or facts.” – Werner Heisenberg “Your visions will become clear only when you can lookinto your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; wholooks inside, awakes.” Carl Jung

Based on this foundational awareness that yourconsciousness creates your reality, one can now appreciatehow the latest in neuroscience and quantum physicsvalidates many ancient philosophical and spiritualteachings on the universal interconnectedness of all life. Hopefully this may stimulate thoughts and ideas withineach of you on how this relates to creating a 21st centuryVAP practice? Perhaps it is limitless on how one can usethis knowledge to create the practice of your hearts desire,your dream practice, your very own unique approach tocreating a healing practice for animals, their human familyand all beings. I am currently consulting with veterinarians throughout theworld and assisting them in co-creating new visions ofveterinary healing practices. This has become the next stepon my own personal journey with VAP, a consultationservice to assist VAP practitioners to create 21st centuryintegrative healings centers for all beings. This next step isto help other VAP practitioners create their hearts desiresand new visions of veterinary healing practices. It is a joyto see the dynamic interactions of these insights with thehearts and minds of each individual veterinarian. Some areexploring creating centers limited to complementarytherapies for animals and then having separate areas for

clients to experience similar approaches for themselves, orquiet areas to read, have tea and interact with other animallovers before and after their acupuncture treatments. Someveterinarians are having their own medicinal plant gardensand having them available to their clients. Some areworking with local farmers to offer organic kefir as anatural probiotic for their animal friends as well asthemselves. The possibilities are as unique as eachveterinarian’s hearts desire. As this lecture concludes, let usplay with and create a brief future mind movie of whatwould be your dream practice? If I can be of any assistancein supporting the creation of your dream practice, let meknow! It is a joy to share these insights and a new vision ofcreating 21st VAP practices. I look forward to hearing howthese insights impact you on creating the next steps on yourown veterinary acupuncture journey. Thank you so muchbeing here and for being you!Go forth and do good! References/Suggested Reading 1.Altman, S., Techniques and Instrumentation. In: Schoen,A.M., Veterinary Acupuncture, Ancient Art to ModernMedicine, Mosby, St Louis, MO., 2001. 95-112.

2.https://www.avma.org/professionaldevelopment/personal/peerandwellness/pages/default.aspx; Wellness and PeerAssistance.

3. Bartram, DJ and DS Baldwin, Veterinary Surgeons andSuicide: A structured review of possible influences onincreased risk. Veterinary Record 166: 388-397. 2010

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5. Innes, K et al. Chronic Stress and Insulin Resistance-Related Indices of Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Part 1:Neurophysiological Responses and Pathological Sequelae. Alternative Therapies/Health Med: 13 (4): 46-52. 2007 6.Kendrick S. Bryant, Chaplain, Preventing BurnoutAmong Care Givers, Faith & Medicine Connection,National Institute for Healthcare Research, 1996. 7. www.MindandLife.org 8. The Dalai Lama & Cutler, H., The Art of Happiness, AHandbook for Living, Riverhead Books, N.Y. 1998. pg.44 9. Kabat-Zinn, J and Davidson, R., The Mind’s OwnPhysician, A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama onthe Healing Power of Meditation, Mind and Life Institute,New Harbinger Publications, Inc., 2011. 10. Benson, H., Spirituality and Healing in Medicine,Harvard Medical School Press, 1997. 11. Soundstrue.com website www.soundstrue.com 12. Video of Dr. Davidson's lecture "Implications ofScientific Research on Meditation for Spiritual Care" at theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison. 2007 and Video of Dr.Davidson's lecture "Cultivating compassion:Neuroscientific and behavioral approaches" 13. Rosenkranz, M., Davidson, R., MacCoon, D., Sheridan,J., Kalin, N., & Lutz, A. (in press). A comparison ofmindfulness-based stress reduction and an active control inmodulation of neurogenic inflammation. Brain, Behaviorand Immunity.in press. 14. Shapiro, s, Schwartz, G and Bonner, G, Effects of

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