By Dr. Teri Sue & Gabbie Bird

​Every November, Pet Cancer Awareness Month brings our attention to a disease that affects countless pets and the people who love them. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in both dogs and cats, indicating the importance of reducing risk through healthy lifestyles. 
While there is a wide range of different cancers that our pets can develop, they all share a common mechanism which illuminates the steps we can take to prevent it from developing. Cancer is abnormal cell growth (lack of cell death) in a specific tissue, caused by genetic mutations in the DNA that occur over a pets lifetime. Some of these mutations may have been passed along through generations, which explains why some breeds are predisposed to developing certain cancers. However, the biggest influence on the development of cancer is the environment. 
We can reduce the risk of cancer in our pets by understanding how their environment influences their health, and taking steps to support their optimal environment. Our pets are our companions, sharing our home, food, love, and often our stress. Because they are by our side throughout their life, they are exposed to many of the same toxins we are, but they are more susceptible for many reasons.  Their lifespan is shorter, they are closer to the ground, they lick their bodies, and they may eat more processed foods. Managing our environment by reducing toxin exposure to pesticides; harsh chemicals like synthetic air fresheners, carpet and furniture cleaners, deodorizers; lawn fertilizers and weed killers; and plastics of all sorts can reduce the risk of cancer developing in our pets. 
With this said, our pet’s bodies are extremely resilient, and can maintain balance in the face of stressors like toxins if they have (they eat) all the building blocks they need to function effectively. One of the biggest things we can do to maintain the health of our pets is feed them a nutrient dense, well sourced, species appropriate diet that provides them with the nutrients they need in a bio-available form their body can utilize. Protein and fats actually starve cancer cells, while carbohydrates feed them. Reducing the amount of processed food our pets eat reduces the toxin load our pet’s bodies have to deal with on a daily basis, making them more resilient to the stressors that are outside of our control. 
While we can do our best to prevent cancer from occurring in the first place, there is always a possibility of it developing. Key to early detection and prevention is regular examinations and testing, to establish what is “normal” for each individual pet, and catch imbalances early. Through annual checkups and screening tests, we have a better ability to catch changes early, and provide them with the support they need to address imbalances. We suggest routine bloodwork and fur tissue mineral analyses to help us understand your pet’s metabolic patterns before they develop dis-ease. 
Cancer care isn’t one-size-fits-all, and while it can be an overwhelming diagnosis, there are options available for many situations. Alternative therapies that we provide include mistletoe therapy, specific nutraceuticals (like protomorphogens) that can be used instead of traditional chemotherapy and radiation protocols.  We also suggest modalities like ozone, acupuncture, and nutritional supplementation that work alongside traditional medicine to ease discomfort and maintain the body’s strength. 
Supporting a pet through cancer treatment goes beyond medical interventions; it’s about nurturing their whole well-being. Whole body nutrition, managing the environment, and focusing on emotional well-being, from a holistic perspective will help strengthen the body’s natural defenses and improve quality of life, whether a pet has cancer or is simply maintaining health.
Emotional support plays a powerful role for both pets and their people. A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but small, intentional acts—like spending quiet time together, offering their favorite comfort items, maintaining familiar routines, and improving your own self care— can bring stability and ease. For pet parents, leaning on a trusted care team and community can help ease the emotional weight of the journey. At its heart, holistic cancer care is about improving quality of life, honoring the bond you share, and ensuring your pet feels supported every step of the way.
We suggest to continue looking at what is getting better (or at least addressing the situation from a neutral space), rather than focusing on “killing” or hate toward the dis-ease process. Energetically the universe (light) is far more powerful than the dark energy; it is important to allow whatever light that is there to shine as bright as possible - and look our fear about cancer straight in the eye. By facing negative thoughts head-on and working through them daily, little by little, it is possible to begin recognizing that life (light) is more powerful than the cancer itself (dark), so you will effectively add energy to the light instead.
We do understand the nature and gravity of the dis-ease; we all have our time to be living on the plant and a time to transition.  Wherever our pet’s journey may lead, being by their side teaches us about ourselves, and our world. They teach us love, gratitude, and true healing. Being grateful and truly present with your pet for their journey is the gift.  
Meditation is helpful, let us know if you need help or support, as appropriate for you. There is no judgment from us; doing nothing may be the right path for you. We only want to give you what we know and have experienced so you have the best chance of a positive outcome, including a high quality of life to the end.  

October 12–18 is National Veterinary Tech Week, and we couldn’t let it pass without giving a huge shoutout to the amazing team members who keep our clinic running every single day. Veterinary assistants may not always be in the spotlight, but they’re the heartbeat of our practice—caring for pets, supporting veterinarians, and helping clients feel at ease. Around here, they don’t just matter… they make all the difference.
If you’ve ever brought your pet to our clinic, chances are you’ve been greeted or helped by one of our veterinary assistants. They’re the ones holding paws during exams, prepping for procedures, answering your questions, and making sure our patients are comfortable (and maybe even a little less nervous!). In short—they do a little bit of everything, and a lot of it with love. We often say they’re the “heart of our team,” because without them, the clinic simply wouldn’t be the same.
So, what inspires someone to become a veterinary assistant?

• For Gabbie, it was personal: “My dog Maggie was a patient with Teri Sue, and I wanted to get her the best care that I could. So I started working with Teri Sue and was able to help other pets, which was really fulfilling and really cool.”
• For Carley, the pull was there from the very beginning: “I’ve loved animals since I can remember. I always wanted to be able to have a job that doesn’t feel like a job because I love what I do so much. I’ve always had a strong connection toward animals and spent most of my childhood pretending I was one.”
• For Madison, “I always wanted to work in science and medicine. I realized I connect better with animal patients through unspoken bonds and I fell in love with the career immediately when I gave it a shot!”
• And for Brittany, “I’ve always had a love for animals and wanted to work in an industry where I could be hands one with them everyday.”

When it comes to daily life at the clinic, no two days look exactly the same. Gabbie describes her routine as working closely with Teri Sue to review lab results, tissue tests, and consultations, while Carley notes that mornings start calm—with coffee and following up with clients—before the busy flow of patients, tests, supplements, and office tasks takes over. Madison starts by prepping the exam room, reviewing emails and texts that have come in outside of business hours, then spending the day communicating with clients while doing hands on work with their pets, switching off duties with Carley. Brittany handles our raw food and supplement orders, while also assisting our other assistants in the exam rooms when needed.
But through it all, there are lots of little moments of joy. Carley says seeing her favorite patients “and getting to love on them” never fails to make her smile, while Gabbie lights up when clients call back to share how much better their pets are doing after treatment. Madison and Brittany share a similar sentiment, sharing that patients that are excited to come into the clinic with joy- wanting pets and cheese treats– always makes them smile, as it shows they’re excited to be here and be treated with kindness!
And of course, there are some hilarious stories too. Carley recalls one of her favorite patients—a 100 lb dog at their mobile RV clinic in Ashland—who once crawled under a table, spilled two coffees and a water, all in an attempt to snag a piece of cheese. “It was a mess but hilarious. He can do no wrong.” Brittany shared that the vocal dogs that growl at her while she drew blood always brings out a chuckle. Even though she knew it was a growl out of love and they would never do anything to harm us! While Madison.. recalls a patient pooping on her face. (Thanks for that, she says!!)
We also asked our team what advice they’d give to anyone considering this career path. Gabbie says: “Keep an open mind and go for it! There’s always more to learn.” Carley recommends starting at a local shelter or rescue to really see if the work is the right fit: “Most people want to be a vet assistant for the puppies and kittens—and that is who you spend the least amount of time with.” Madison emphasizes resilience and passion: “You have to be strong-willed and can’t take things personally. This isn’t a job for money or stability—it’s a job for the soul, and you need to have the drive to heal patients.” and Brittany adds a dose of reality: “It can be hard work! It’s not playing with puppies and kittens all day. It’s caring for many sick animals, and it’s also about constantly learning and understanding how practicing medicine really works.”
And to sum it up: Gabbie describes the role as “fulfilling, challenging (in a good way), and busy,” while Carley sums it up as “compassionate, exciting, exhausting.” Brittany describes it as "rewarding, challenging, and fun", while Madison says it’s “dedicating, nourishing, and demanding”. Their own pets keep life outside the clinic lively too—Gabbie’s three-year-old pit mix Chickpea is “a bundle of energy who loves to play,” and Carley’s cats Clementine and Ernest keep her on her toes with their very different personalities. Madison and Brittany have over 10+ animals, and they all provide endless snuggles, smiles, and fun!
It’s clear from their words that being a veterinary assistant isn’t just about skill—it’s about heart.
To our amazing veterinary assistants: thank you for everything you do. You juggle so much, from caring for our patients to supporting our clients, and you do it all with warmth and dedication. This month—and every month—we celebrate you!! Our clinic wouldn’t be the same without your compassion, energy, and endless love for animals!!

By Dr. Teri Sue & Gabbie Bird

September is recognized as National Pet Memorial Month; we would like to take some time to honor and remember the beloved pets that we have shared our lives with, who have taught us unconditional love, and who will live on in our hearts forever. 
We are incredibly experienced with helping pets transition when the time comes; it is a space of honor and vulnerability. There can be a lot of questions surrounding end of life care and timing. We find there is no right time or wrong time. Often, pets seem to feel better the day of, which may be because they sense a change, a shift, or something new to look forward to. At this time in their journey, our pets are usually not getting better because of age or illness. It is difficult to know the moment before further decline. It may feel as though we do not have the right to make such as decision, but we have given them everything they have ever needed up until this point; making this decision can be a final act of love and compassion. 
Many of us have had the heartbreaking experience of losing a pet, and whether it was years ago or just recently, the emotions can still be felt. Our relationships with our pets are unique - they support us through the transitions in our lives, they teach us how to be our best selves, and give us a sense of purpose. The loss of such a connection can bring feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, and anxiety, and waves of grief that can continue long after we have said goodbye. These are stages of grief that are normal and healthy. There are many places to find support if needed for healing. 
We ask that you give yourself and your loved ones grace; allow yourself to go through your grief in your own way, and at your own pace. There will come a time where the sadness will subside and make room for peace, and the happy memories that bring us joy. After all, you were the person that your pet chose to share it’s life with - you developed a bond like no other, and that will never go away. 
Part of the healing process is finding a way to memorialize our pets - meditate on how you can take time this month to honor the memory of your beloved pet. Consider sharing memories with friends and family, write a story, poem or song about your pet or to your pet, make a donation in your pet’s name, visit your pet’s favorite place, create memorial artwork or a space in your garden with their favorite herbs, plants and personalized forget-me-nots.
We would like to take time this month to share memories and honor the beloved pets that were once part of our lives, and our community at Balance Veterinary Care. If you feel inclined, please share a favorite picture of your beloved pet that lives in your heart, so we can celebrate the joy they have brought during their time on earth with us.
We provide in-home end of life care, and we are here to answer any questions or provide guidance during this difficult time. As you prepare for your pet’s transition, it may help to think through aftercare and memorial options in advance. Some families choose burial, while others prefer cremation—if you choose cremation, you may also decide whether you’d like your pet’s ashes returned, and in what type of urn. Many families also find comfort in memorializing their pet with keepsakes such as a clay or ink paw print, a nose print, or a small collection of fur.
We are grateful to partner with World By the Tail, Inc., who offer thoughtful resources for honoring your pet’s memory. We also provide an End of Life packet with information and support materials, which is available at any time upon request. ​

Holistic medicine addresses functions of the body (digestion, healing, building muscle, repair, rest, etc.) and the state of health as a whole. In other words, nothing that happens in the body is isolated from anything else. Even physical trauma, like a broken leg, affects multiple body systems - the nervous system will react rapidly (sending the brain messages of pain, fear) the immune system will activate to cause inflammation (swelling, heat, pain, redness) and begin the healing process, and hormones will shift to address the needs of the body (tell the body to absorb more calcium in order to repair bone). Holistic medicine takes into account how multiple body systems work together and are all impacted when the body strays from health and wellness, and works to address the body as a whole. First, let’s define illness – or disease.  We consider it as “dis – ease”.
Dis-ease is a state of imbalance in the body where optimal health cannot be maintained at rest, and especially when a stressor is introduced.  Therefore, the body does not have “ease.”
For example, thyroid disease (high or low function) is not a disease by itself. The thyroid gland functions with other hormone producing glands as a system (endocrine system). The endocrine system works in conjunction with other body systems, including the nervous system. The nervous system detects input from the outside world (including emotions) and decides how to respond. It then alerts the endocrine system, starting with the hypothalamus gland in the brain. This sends messages to the pituitary gland in the brain to produce releasing hormones to initiate down to the rest of the glands in the body to act appropriately, including the thyroid and adrenal glands. Because the thyroid gland is intertwined with these other organs and systems, thyroid dis-ease is not a result of the thyroid alone being imbalanced, but an imbalance in the system that the thyroid gland is trying to compensate for. 
In traditional western medicine, medications are used to target the imbalanced organ and reduce symptoms - often neglecting the other organs and systems that may be affected by the initial imbalance, or by the medications side effects. Additionally, drugs often cover up symptoms by overriding the body's distress signals, which does not address the root cause and can allow the underlying imbalance to worsen.  
By the time symptoms of disease become clearly evident,  the internal issues have usually been progressing for a significant period of time, and can take equally as long to reverse. Holistic healing takes patience and persistence, which can be difficult for those trained to expect immediate results.
We prefer to treat imbalances with whole foods and supplements to provide fundamental building blocks that the body needs to repair itself, and regain balance. By providing abundant, bio-available nutrients through species appropriate diets and supporting digestion, we give organs the ability to function properly and the body as a whole the ability to adequately respond to stressors. When the body has what it needs, dis-ease can often be reversed in the initial symptomatic area.
The foundation of our health should be based in our diets. Natural, fresh, and minimally processed foods contain all of the nutrients we need to stay healthy. Our culture has strayed from wholesome and healthy foods and gotten stuck in a system based on "convenience" and profit. We eat foods that do not promote wellness, and then we seek medical help to "fix" us, and the cycle continues. If we focus on feeding our bodies what they need to stay well, then we will have the tools that we need to eliminate toxins and fight illnesses. 80% of our immune system lines the gut, therefore it is essential to keep our GI tracts happy and healthy.

As the 4th of July quickly approaches, we want to spend some time to discuss the nervous system, and provide you with options to soothe your pets nerves during fireworks, as well as the many other stressors that our pets may encounter day to day. 
The nervous system is broken down into two parts - the peripheral and the central nervous systems - which work together to allow us to interpret the world around us. 
The peripheral nervous system, nerves that run throughout the body, is responsible for receiving information (or stimuli) from our environment, and transmitting info back to the central nervous system, the spine and brain. The central nervous system, spinal cord and brain, acts as the control center; taking and processing the information, deciding how to respond, and telling the peripheral nervous system what to do about it. 
All of this processing and communication happens almost instantaneously– which for our pets’ wild ancestors, allowed them to be skilled hunters and evade predators through perception and reaction to the slightest changes in the environment. 
Such responses are carried out by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is the part of the nervous system that controls the body’s involuntary responses. Most of us are familiar with this as the “fight or flight” (sympathetic) vs. “rest and digest” (parasympathetic). 
(The opposite of the ANS is the somatic nervous system - the voluntary movement of coordinated skeletal muscle movement).
When the nervous system is balanced, our pets will regularly switch between being in a parasympathetic state - where they are safe, calm, and their body is carrying out important processes like digestion, creation of new tissue, and detoxification - and a sympathetic state - when they see a squirrel in the tree or when you drop something loud in the house and their body puts its energy toward chasing or running to hide. 
Stressors like fireworks can put our pets into a sympathetic state - making the day stressful for our pets and ourselves. Luckily, there are options you can try to help make your pet feel safe, and reduce their fear and anxiety during stressful situations. 
Giving your pet good exercise (off leash, lots of run time, or directed attention for play) during the day helps release pent up energy and natural endorphins to help your pet stay calmer during the night, when the fireworks begin. Giving them a bone to chew or a lick mat releases natural endorphins, putting them into a parasympathetic state as well as giving them something else to focus on during the stressor. 
To help your pet avoid the incoming stressor, you can play white noise to drown out the loud noises and vibrations, or place cotton balls in their ears (count them so you know you got them all) to reduce the sound they hear. 
Items to signal their central nervous system that they are safe to promote calming down, include thunder shirts, comforting touch, playing classical music, or diffusing essential oils such as lavender or rose. Magnetic mats and sound energy such as tuning forks or frequency music can also be used to provide a sense of grounding. 
Supplements can also be used to calm the nervous system, although not all are created equal. Our go to is CBD (Green Element or Resonance Farms are our favorite brands), and herbs we look for in calming supplements include valerian, passionflower, and skullcap. Rescue Remedyoften works great with CBD - it is a bach flower essence that can be taken orally to reduce negative emotions like stress and worry. 
There are many other products on the market that work well for reducing anxiety during stressful situations - see the resource list below for more options. We recommend trying out the supplements for a few days before the stressful event, so you can see how your pet responds. 
If your pet is still in significant distress, we will help add medications to affect the central nervous system to alleviate their panic (as a last resort). These include benzodiazepines that help calm the brain, like valium and xanax, opioids like tramadol that give a sense of wellbeing and make our pets not care as much, or SSRIs/SARIs like trazodone that increase serotonin production in the brain.
Stress is a natural part of life, and is healthy for the body as long as the body is balanced (with nutrition, exercise, care and love), and the stress is not excessive. 
Prolonged stress, whether it be emotional, physiological (inflammation, mineral deficiencies, toxins, etc.), or physical (like a challenging environment, or pain), can lead to an unbalanced nervous system over time - and requires support.
To maintain our pets’ balanced nervous system or help them become more resilient to stress long-term, we recommend: a balanced, mineral rich DIET with abundant nutrients, vitamins, and healthy saturated fats to support a more balanced body that is resilient to stress. Transitioning our pets’ diet away from carbohydrates (sugar) to proteins and fats do the following:  reduce blood sugar fluctuations, which can act as a signal for the nervous system. Fats also create satiety, help the body absorb nutrients, provide building blocks for hormones that regulate the body, and even for neurotransmitters! 
There are more neurotransmitters made in the gut than there are in the brain, so a healthy gut, fed with a nutrient dense, anti-inflammatory diet, is key for a balanced nervous system. 

In summary: 

Please provide movement through plenty of exercise, and build confidence through mental and intellectual stimulation with new experiences and training. 

Our pet’s brains create pathways when they experience something new, and over time if the experience is repeated, those neuropathways get stronger. Because of neuroplasticity, our pet’s brains are capable of changing these neuropathways and forming new connections through learning. For example, if fireworks scared a dog the first time they heard them, and they were not given what they needed to deal with the stress, they will continue to be fearful each time they hear a firework. If this year, however, they hear a firework go off, and they get a treat or a bone to chew, their brain will start forming new pathways, that change their reaction to the fireworks. Yay for our powerful and resilient bodies!
Ultimately, creating a life of abundance for our pets nutritionally, emotionally, and physically can help build and maintain a balanced nervous system and resilience to stress.
Thanks for choosing BALANCE!


We carry - 
Green Element CBD 
Resonance Farms CBD and CBG 
Solutions Pet Products “Chill Out” herbal powder 
Relaxing Nervine Triad (Herbal Tincture by Mia Baki - Laughing Birch Herbal)


Other resources - 
Rescue Remedy -  https://www.bachflower.com/ 
Uses bach flower essence to reduce negative emotions of worry and stress. 
Composure (VetriScience) - https://www.vetriscience.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22202307333&gclid=CjwKCAjwpMTCBhA-EiwA_-MsmcmAw7qoZw0Uab7ashjsSETtTKfY3cp9uuCFTvCcvsZYRxbVTu7cpBoCM3cQAvD_BwE 
Uses a protein from colostrum to promote calming. 
Anxitane - https://us.virbac.com/anxitane 
L-Theanine to promote relaxation. 
Zylkene - https://www.vetoquinolusa.com/products/zylkene 
Uses milk proteins to help pets cope with challenging situations. 
Solliquin Calming Chews - https://www.solliquin.com/ 
Uses herbal extracts, L-Theanine, and Whey Protein Concentrate for pets during stressful situations.