Episode #
52
How Integrative Therapies Can Boost Your Practice and Heal Your Patients
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In this episode of the Veterinary Business Podcast, co-host Ryan Davies is joined by Dr. Marlene Siegel, owner of Pasco Veterinary Medical Center and a passionate advocate for integrative treatment options. Dr. Siegel shares her journey into integrative veterinary medicine, the philosophy behind it, and how alternative therapies can enhance both the health of your patients and the success of your practice. From addressing the root causes of disease to utilizing bio-regulatory medicine, Dr. Siegel provides a wealth of knowledge on using integrative therapies to combat complex health issues and bring more satisfaction to veterinary professionals. If you’re looking to improve patient outcomes, increase job satisfaction, and differentiate your practice, this episode is a must-listen.
Key Takeaways:
- What is Integrative Medicine? – Dr. Siegel explains integrative medicine as a holistic approach that combines the best of Western and alternative therapies to treat the root cause of disease.
- Six-Step System for Patient Health – Learn Dr. Siegel’s six-step framework for treating animals, which includes stopping harmful practices, feeding appropriate diets, detoxifying the body, and more.
- How Integrative Medicine Can Reduce Burnout – Discover how incorporating integrative approaches can reduce compassion fatigue and burnout among veterinary professionals by empowering them with more tools and techniques to heal their patients.
- Job and Financial Satisfaction – Dr. Siegel shares how adopting integrative medicine not only improves patient outcomes but can also enhance job satisfaction and increase practice revenue.
- Key Tools and Therapies – Insight into therapies such as ozone, hyperbaric oxygen, structured water, detoxification, and how they help animals recover from chronic and complex conditions.
- The Power of Education and Mindset Shifts – Understand the importance of educating yourself and your team in bio-regulatory medicine, and the belief system changes necessary to embrace integrative therapies.
Listen to this Episode on
Timestamp
- 00:00 – Introduction.
- 03:27 – Defining Integrative Medicine:
Dr. Siegel explains what integrative medicine entails and how it goes beyond traditional Western approaches. - 04:52 – The Crisis of Veterinary Burnout and Compassion Fatigue:
Why veterinarians are experiencing more burnout today and how integrative medicine provides tools to counter this trend. - 14:59 – Six-Step System for Integrative Veterinary Care:
Dr. Siegel outlines her comprehensive six-step system for treating pets holistically. - 23:26 – The Role of Nutrition and Detoxification:
The importance of feeding species-appropriate diets and detoxifying pets to prevent and reverse disease. - 25:48 – Tools and Therapies in Integrative Medicine:
Dr. Siegel shares key therapies, including ozone, structured water, and hyperbaric oxygen, and how they boost healing. - 34:39 – Financial and Job Satisfaction with Integrative Medicine:
How transitioning to integrative medicine can significantly impact practice revenue and increase professional fulfillment. - 39:55 – Real-Life Success Stories:
Dr. Siegel shares some remarkable success stories where integrative therapies have helped pets recover from complex conditions. Practical advice on how to start incorporating integrative therapies and mindset shifts into your veterinary practice. - 44:46 – Closing Remarks:
Final thoughts on the benefits of integrative medicine and how veterinarians can begin their journey towards adopting it.
Marlene Siegel, DVM
- Veterinarian/Owner at Pasco Veterinary Medical Center
- A Trailblazer in Integrative Veterinary Medicine
With over 40 years of experience in veterinary medicine and two decades pioneering holistic approaches, Dr. Marlene Siegel is a visionary in the field of integrative care for animals. She has dedicated her career to seamlessly blending traditional veterinary practices with cutting-edge alternative therapies, transforming the way we care for our animal companions.
Early Medical Journey and Education Dr. Siegel’s passion for medicine began in 1975 when she became an emergency medical technician while attending college. Working in both an ambulance and an emergency room, she quickly gained hands-on experience in critical care. In 1977, she became Florida’s first female paramedic, marking her as a trailblazer early in her career.
In 1985, Dr. Siegel fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian, graduating from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She spent her early years working in a five-doctor small animal and exotic practice before moving into veterinary emergency care, where she managed a hospital and practiced as a relief veterinarian.
Establishing Pasco Veterinary Medical Center In 1987, Dr. Siegel opened her own practice, Pasco Veterinary Medical Center, specializing in small animals and exotics. Her hospital was the first in Florida to offer ultrasound telemedicine and one of the earliest to adopt digital radiography and class 4 laser therapy. She has consistently been at the forefront of veterinary innovation, staying on the cutting edge of technology to provide the best care for her patients.
A Journey into Holistic and Alternative Medicine Dr. Siegel’s journey into integrative veterinary care began in 2004 when her show horse, Lilly, developed a debilitating neck spasm that traditional western medicine could not resolve. Unwilling to give up, Dr. Siegel turned to alternative therapies, including chiropractic treatment, Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and more. This experience ignited her passion for holistic approaches and led to her certification as a Certified Natural Health Professional in 2012.
She has since integrated a wide array of alternative treatments—such as Jin Shin Jyutsu, essential oils, Bach Flowers, emotional healing, live blood analysis, and therapeutic lasers—into her practice, resulting in life-changing outcomes for both animals and their owners. Her integrative protocols consistently provide greater success than western modalities alone.
Empowering Veterinarians and Pet Parents Dr. Siegel is committed to sharing her extensive knowledge with fellow veterinarians and empowering them to provide the best care for their patients. She also educates pet owners, offering them the resources to make informed decisions about their pets’ health. Through initiatives like The Empowered Pet Parent Course, Dr. Siegel provides essential knowledge in holistic care, nutrition, and behavioral techniques to ensure pets lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Programs and Initiatives In 2006, Dr. Siegel launched Veterinary Support Staff Training (VSST), a program designed to introduce laypeople to veterinary reception and technician roles. This program gives aspiring veterinary professionals an opportunity to gain valuable skills and explore the profession.
A Vision for the Future Dr. Siegel’s mission is clear: to advance veterinary medicine by continuing to explore and implement integrative therapies that ensure the well-being of pets. She remains committed to her goal of “pawsitively” impacting people, pets, and the planet, empowering both veterinarians and pet parents to provide the best possible care.
Connect with Dr. Siegel:
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