If you are like most pet owners, you want your pet to live a long and healthy life. You may have found that the conventional approach to pet health has led to unsatisfactory results. While Western medicine works well for emergency situations but for cancer and chronic diseases – not so much.
I’m Dr. Doug – The Holistic Vet and this blog is dedicated to helping pet caregivers understand and benefit from holistic methods of pet wellness. I’ve been a vet for 26 years and for 20 of those years I’ve integrated holistic medicine into my practice. I’ve helped lots of pets with acupuncture and herbs as well chiropractic and natural nutrition. Occasionally I’ll throw in a little homeopathy when I think it will help. I am passionate about Holistic-Integrative medicine and love to speak to pet caregivers and vets about what I do.
This weekly blog will cover topics in holistic veterinary medicine as well as current events in the veterinary world. I hope to open a dialog with pet caregivers and veterinarians about these issues. Much of what I say may be controversial to some readers. I am all for healthy criticism and I love to hear different points of view. I do not claim to know it all and I plan to learn from the people who participate in the discussion.
Please join the conversation by signing up on the right.
Dr. Doug Knueven was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received his veterinary degree from Ohio State University in 1987 and has been practicing veterinary medicine in Beaver County, Pennsylvania ever since. Dr. Knueven owns and operates Beaver Animal Clinic, a full service animal hospital, and shares clinical duties with two associates.
After several years of conventional practice, Dr. Doug began to feel discouraged by the limitations of conventional veterinary medicine and sought to broaden his training beyond traditional approaches. He has pioneered holistic pet care in the Pittsburgh region since 1994. Dr. Knueven has earned certification in veterinary acupuncture, veterinary Chinese herbal medicine and animal chiropractic. He also has advanced training in veterinary clinical nutrition, massage therapy and homeopathy. His personal research into natural nutrition for animals has made him an authority in that subject as well.
Besides his 20 plus years of experience lecturing to kennel clubs, Dr. Knueven is a popular speaker at veterinary conferences. In the past 10 years he has lectured on holistic topics at numerous conventional and holistic veterinary conferences across the United States. He also lectures regularly at veterinary schools, helping students gain an appreciation for natural nutrition and alternative medicine.
Dr. Knueven has written for Clean Run magazine and for four years he by-lined a weekly pet health column in The Beaver County Times and The Allegheny Times. He currently writes regular Q&A columns in Venture Inward Magazine and Pittsburgh Pet Connections Magazine. Dr. Knueven is the author of Stand by Me: A Holistic Handbook for Animals, Their People, and the Lives They Share Together and The Holistic Health Guide: Natural Care for the Whole Dog.
Dr. Doug lives with his wife Judy in Western Pennsylvania. They share their secluded home in the woods with their cats Vinnie and Gracie, and their little Maltese, Katy. Besides his healing work with animals, writing and speaking, Dr. Doug enjoys gardening, hiking, swimming and traveling.
Curriculum Vitae
Name: Douglas E. Knueven, DVM
Date of Birth: October 13, 1961
Business Address:
357 State Avenue
Beaver, Pennsylvania 15009
(724) 774-8047
www.BeaverAnimalClinic.com
Education:
Undergraduate Studies
Ohio State University 1980-1983
Doctor, Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine 1987
Certified, Veterinary Acupuncture (C.V.A.)
International Veterinary Acupuncture Society 1995
Professional Course in Veterinary Homeopathy 1999
Certified, Veterinary Chiropractic (C.V.C.)
American Veterinary Chiropractic Association 2001
Certified, Veterinary Chinese Herbology (C.V.C.H.)
Healing Oasis (Wisconsin State Approved Course) 2001
Professional Experience:
Private Small Animal Practice Owner, Ellwood City, PA 1987 – 1992
Private Small Animal Practice Owner, Monaca, PA 1992 – 1997
Private Small Animal Practice Owner, Beaver, PA 1995 – Present
Professional Memberships:
American Veterinary Medical Association
Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association
Western Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association
Ohio Veterinary Medical Association
American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
International Veterinary Acupuncture Society
American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture
Publications:
Books
– Stand by Me: A Holistic Handbook for Animals, Their People, and the Lives They Share Together (ARE Press, April 2003)
– The Holistic Health Guide: Natural Care for the Whole Dog
(TFH Publications, June 2008)
Newspaper
– Beaver County Times and Allegheny County Times, Ask Dr. Doug
– Weekly Pet Question and Answer Column 1999 – 2003
Magazines
– Venture Inward March/April 2002 “Treating Pets Holistically”
Clean Run October 2004 “Holistic Approaches to Health, Part One”
Clean Run September 2004 “Holistic Approaches to Health, Part Two”
Clean Run December 2004 “Holistic Approaches to Health, Part Three”
Clean Run January 2005 “Holistic Approaches to Health, Part Four”
Clean Run March 2005 “Vaccines: A Shot in the Dark?”
Clean Run December 2005 “The Five Supplements Every Dog Needs”
Clean Run January 2006 “The Five Supplements Every Dog Needs: Part Two”
Veterinary Practice News October 2008 “Small Animals Benefit on Whole Foods Diet”
Venture Inward Magazine Holistic Pet Care Column 2007 – Present
Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine Holistic Pet Health Column 2012 – Present
Lectures:
International Veterinary Acupuncture Society 1998 – 1999 (Calgary, Canada)
Teaching Assistant –Certification Course
Western Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association January, 1998
Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?
Introduction to Complimentary Care for the Veterinarian October, 2003
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food For Thought and Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?
Introduction to Complimentary Care for the Veterinarian October, 2004
Nutritional and Herbal Therapies, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point? and Holistic Pet Care
Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association Annual Meeting October, 2004
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine? and Veterinary Chiropractic – A Little Back Talk
South Carolina Association of Veterinarians Low Country Veterinary Conference January, 2006
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine? and Veterinary Chiropractic – A Little Back Talk
Western Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association January, 2006
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference September, 2006
Acupressure for the Canine Athlete and Natural Nutrition for Dogs
Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine Student Holistic Club
October, 2006
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, and Canine Acupuncture Workshop
Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Veterinary Conference October, 2006 Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought and Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine?
New York State Veterinary Medical Society Conference October, 2006
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine? and Veterinary Chiropractic – A Little Back Talk
123rd Indiana Veterinary Medical Association Annual Meeting January, 2007 Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine? and Alternative – Ten Tips for Techs
Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine February, 2007
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought and Canine Acupuncture Workshop
Music City Veterinary Conference March, 2007
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine? and Veterinary Chiropractic – A Little Back Talk
American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Convention October, 2007
Holistic Medicine Cliff Notes: All You Really Need to Know, The Five Supplements Every Pet Needs, and Pet Acupressure Workshop: Healing at Your Fingertips
Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference October, 2007
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine? and Veterinary Chiropractic – A Little Back Talk
Puerto Rico Veterinary Medical Association Meeting February, 2008
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine?, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like
Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine Student Holistic Club February, 2008
Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine?
Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine Conference April, 2008
(Pittsburgh, PA)
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine? and Veterinary Chiropractic – A Little Back Talk
Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association’s Spring Clinic May, 2008
Introduction to Veterinary Acupuncture: Points and Process
American Veterinary Medical Association Convention July, 2008
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Holistic Philosophy, Overview of Holistic Practice: Nutrition, Overview of Holistic Practice: Homeopathy, Overview of Holistic Practice: Herbs, Overview of Holistic Practice: Chiropractic, and Introduction to Veterinary Acupuncture: Points and Process
Iowa State Veterinary Medical Association Annual Meeting September, 2008
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, and Veterinary Chiropractic – A Little Back Talk
Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine Conference September, 2008
(Providence, RI)
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine? and Veterinary Chiropractic – A Little Back Talk
American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Convention October, 2008
Introduction to Holistic Medicine, Introduction to Homeopathy, Introduction to Herbal Medicine, Alternative Medicine: Ten Tips for Techs, and Filling the Hole in Holistic Medicine
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference October, 2008
Alternative Medicine: Ten Tips for Trainers, Natural Nutrition for Pets – Food for Thought
University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine November, 2008
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine November, 2008
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought
Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine Conference November, 2008
(Dallas, TX)
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine? and Veterinary Chiropractic – A Little Back Talk
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine January, 2009
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought
Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine Conference February, 2009
(Virginia Beach, VA)
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine? and Veterinary Chiropractic – A Little Back Talk
Pet Sitters International Conference February, 2009 (Orlando FL)
Senior Pet Care, Pet Dental Health
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine March, 2009
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University March, 2009
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought
Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine March, 2009
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought
North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine March, 2009
Homeopathy: Like Cures Like
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine April, 2009
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine April, 2009
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought
Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Annual Meeting June, 2009 (Montreal, Canada)
Natural Nutrition
Mensa Annual Conference July, 2009 (Pittsburgh, PA)
Massage of the Canine: Rub Them the Right Way, Pet Acupuncture: What’s the Point
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference October, 2009 (Oakland, CA)
The Top Five Integrative Medicine Pearls of Wisdom for Healthy Dogs, Alternative Medicine for Fear and Anxiety
Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine December, 2009
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought
International Veterinary Acupuncture Society 2009 – 2010 (Atlanta, GA)
Teaching Assistant –Certification Course
The North American Veterinary Conference January, 2010
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach (Part 1 &2), Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, and Veterinary Chiropractic – A Little Back Talk
Pet Sitters International Conference February, 2010 (San Diego, CA)
Senior Pet Care, Pet Dental Health
Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine Student Holistic Club February, 2010
Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought
Arizona Veterinary Medical Association March 2010
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine? and Veterinary Chiropractic – A Little Back Talk
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine April, 2010
Nutritional Impact on Disease
Northeast Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association May, 2010
Nutritional Impact on Disease
Ross University College of Veterinary Medicine January, 2011
Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine?
Midwest Veterinary Conference February, 2011
Holistic Pet Care – An Integrative Approach, Natural Nutritional Therapy – Food for Thought, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like, Veterinary Acupuncture – What’s the Point?, Veterinary Herbal Therapy – Weeds or Medicine? and Veterinary Chiropractic – A Little Back Talk
Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association’s Spring Clinic May, 2011
Holistic Veterinary Medicine – The Wave of the Future, Veterinary Chiropractic – Not Just “Animal Crackers”, Natural Nutrition in Small Animal Medicine – The Evolutionary Advantage, Veterinary Acupuncture – Ancient Chinese Secrets Reveled, Veterinary Botanical Medicine – Mother Nature’s Drugs, Veterinary Homeopathy – Small Doses Cause Big Results
Jackson Hole Veterinary Rendezvous June, 2011
An Alternative View of Medicine and Nutrition, Nutritional Impact on Disease: Therapies for Optimal Patient Health
New England Regional Veterinary Medical Association September, 2011
Holistic Veterinary Medicine – The Wave of the Future, Veterinary Chiropractic – Not Just “Animal Crackers”, Natural Nutrition in Small Animal Medicine – The Evolutionary Advantage, Veterinary Acupuncture – Ancient Chinese Secrets Reveled, Veterinary Botanical Medicine – Mother Nature’s Drugs, Veterinary Homeopathy – Small Doses Cause Big Results
Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine Conference April, 2012
(Raleigh, NC)
Holistic Pet Care – The Wave of the Future, Natural Nutrition in Small Animal Medicine: The Evolutionary Advantage, Nutritional Impact on Disease: Therapies for Optimal Patient Health, Veterinary Acupuncture: Ancient Chinese Secrets Revealed, Veterinary Herbal Therapy: Mother Nature’s Drugs, and Veterinary Chiropractic: Not Just Animal Crackers
Vermont Veterinary Technician Association August, 2012
Holistic Veterinary Medicine: The Wave of the Future, Evolution-Based Canine Diets, Veterinary Botanical Medicine: Mother Nature’s Drugs, The Basics of Acupuncture: Ancient Chinese Secrets Revealed, Pet Massage: Different Strokes, Veterinary Chiropractic: Not Just “Animal Crackers”, Veterinary Homeopathy: Small Doses Cause Big Results
American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Convention September, 2012
An Introduction to Holistic Veterinary Medicine: The Wave of the Future, An Introduction to Natural Nutrition: The Evolutionary Advantage, Energy Acuptherapy: Healing at Your Fingertips
Washington State Veterinary Medical Association September, 2012
Basics of Acupuncture: What’s the Point, Veterinary Herbal Therapy: Mother Nature’s Drugs, and Veterinary Chiropractic: A Little Back Talk, Nutritional Impact on Disease: Therapies for Optimal Patient Health, Veterinary Homeopathy – Like Cures Like
Stautzenberger College Veterinary Technician Program October, 2012
Holistic Veterinary Medicine: The Wave of the Future, Evolution-Based Canine Diets, Veterinary Acupuncture/Pressure: Ancient Chinese Secrets Revealed (workshop)
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference October, 2012
Holistic Veterinary Medicine: The Wave of the Future, Evolution-Based Canine Diets
Virginia Veterinary Medical Association Conference February, 2013
Integrative Veterinary Medicine: The Wave of the Future, Natural Nutrition in Small Animal Medicine: The Evolutionary Advantage, Nutritional Impact on Disease: Therapies for Optimal Patient Health
Jackson Hole Veterinary Rendezvous June, 2013
Integrative-Holistic Veterinary Medicine: The Emerging Paradigm, Natural Nutrition in Small Animal Medicine: The Evolutionary Advantage, Veterinary Homeopathy: Small Doses Cause Big Results, Veterinary Acupuncture Workshop: Purpose and Points
American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Convention August, 2012
An Introduction to Holistic Veterinary Medicine: The Wave of the Future
New England Regional Veterinary Medical Association September, 2013
Integrative-Holistic Veterinary Medicine: The Emerging Paradigm, What We Weren’t Taught About Small Animal Nutrition, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Basics, Chinese Herbs for Common Conditions
Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine Conference October, 2013
(Charlotte, NC)
Holistic Pet Care – The Wave of the Future, Natural Nutrition in Small Animal Medicine: The Evolutionary Advantage, Nutritional Impact on Disease: Therapies for Optimal Patient Health, Veterinary Acupuncture: Ancient Chinese Secrets Revealed, Veterinary Herbal Therapy: Mother Nature’s Drugs, and Veterinary Chiropractic: Not Just Animal Crackers