<![CDATA[Natural Healing Veterinary Acupuncture, LLC - Newest Needle News (blog)]]>Wed, 16 May 2012 23:40:45 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Service area extended]]>Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:27:06 -0800http://www.drjester.com/1/post/2012/04/service-area-extended.htmlI have recently received my Washington veterinary license so I can treat patients over the Oregon border!  This will most often apply to the Vancouver area but if you have questions please feel free to contact me!]]><![CDATA[Herbal remedies available soon!]]>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:04:39 -0800http://www.drjester.com/1/post/2011/12/herbal-remedies-available-soon.htmlI am ecstatic to announce that I recently enrolled in a western veterinary herbal course that is very extensive and will take almost two years to complete with part-time study.  The international college that offers it is based out of Australia and they have a few levels of western herbal training of which this course is the most comprehensive.  Two well-known veterinary herbalists have designed the course and it covers many ailments in veterinary medicine in great detail.  The benefit of this particular herbal course is that it is designed specifically for veterinarians, so the particular physiology and dosages required by the four-legged patients will be emphasized.

As my training proceeds, I will incorporate herbs into treatment protocols where appropriate.  For example; boswellia, turmeric, and others are useful for anti-inflammatory action.

My personal goal is to gain a very strong appreciation for western herbs so that I may pass along knowledge to my clients.  Some herbs (i.e. rosemary, thyme, catnip) may be easily cultivated in your own garden.  

Sustainability and great medicine all at the same time!!!!!  Music to my ears!

Warmly,
Dr. Becky ]]><![CDATA[Pumpkin popsicles]]>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:47:25 -0800http://www.drjester.com/1/post/2011/12/pumpkin-popsicles.htmlIn recognition of this festive time of year, I decided to post an easy recipe for a tasty dessert that you may share with your dog or cat.  This recipe features pumpkin which can easily be sourced locally at your local farmers' market.


                  Pumpkin Popsicles                    
                   
Ingredients (choose local and organic when possible):

1 1/2 cup pureed freshly cooked pumpkin or canned pumpkin
1 cup plain yogurt 
1 tablespoon agave nectar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
pinch of ground cloves

1.  Combine pumpkin puree/canned pumpkin, yogurt, agave and all spices in a bowl.  Mix well.
2.  Pour the mix into an ice cube tray or a freezer tray designed for popsicles.  Place on a flat area in the freezer.
3.   Wait 10-15 minutes then place popsicle sticks in the mix when it is firm enough to support the sticks but not too frozen. 
4.   Enjoy in about an hour!  If you are sharing with your pup, make sure he/she is not able to ingest the popsicle stick or just make some popsicles without sticks!

*Adjust sweetness and spices to your liking.  If adding more agave nectar to the recipe for yourself or if you would prefer not to give any sweetener to your pet, omit the agave nectar from a portion of the pumpkin/yogurt mix. 


My daughter loves these, as well as myself!

Enjoy :) ]]><![CDATA[Changes to sliding scale fee :)]]>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:01:28 -0800http://www.drjester.com/1/post/2011/12/changes-to-sliding-scale-fee.htmlSince my relocation to the Portland area, I have decided to drop the lower end of my acupuncture sliding scale to $100.  This will hopefully allow more frequent treatment as necessary for your animal companion or in the very least make it more affordable for less frequent sessions.

New sliding scale;
$100-$140 per session (1st animal)
$80-$100 (each additional animal on same visit)

Paying at the lower end of the scale will save $160 if your pet is receiving weekly treatments.

Contact me if you have any questions!

Dr. Becky :) ]]><![CDATA[Curry vegetables]]>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:16:56 -0800http://www.drjester.com/1/post/2011/11/curry-vegetables.htmlHere is a simple recipe that you can vary according to your own taste preferences, but if you are going to share with your dog please make it mild or separate his/her portion and omit the curry paste.

                        Curry Vegetables

Serves 2

Ingredients (use organic and/or local when possible):
1 cup of coconut milk (full fat or dilute with water to decrease calories)
1-2 tsp of curry paste (choose a mild curry or use less paste to minimize the spiciness)
4 small-medium potatoes 
1-2 large carrots
1/3 to 1/2 bunch of chard (or use other dark leafy greens)

Directions:
1.  In a saute pan on low to medium heat, warm the coconut milk and add desired amount of curry paste (remember only a small amount if feeding your dog as well, ie 1/2 tsp).  
2.  Add to the sauce; potatoes cut into small squares (less than 1 inch) and carrots cut into coins.
3.  Lower heat to simmer the sauce, potatoes, and carrots until cooked (approx.10-15 min).
4.  Add chopped chard or other dark leafy green and cover the pan for 4-5 minutes to "steam" the chard and soften it.

Serve and enjoy!!!!


**************Nutritional Tidbit*******************

  Coconut products such as coconut milk and coconut oil are high in saturated fats but should not be condemned.  The type of fat in coconuts is a medium-chain triglyceride which means that it can be converted into useable energy in the body rather than stored.  The fat content does contribute to a high calorie count though, so use moderate amounts and be mindful.  Virgin coconut oil is processed in such a way that the fat profile is more favorable so keep this in mind when purchasing some.  Try some coconut oil instead of butter on a slice of whole grain organic toast....creamy and yummy!  :)    ]]><![CDATA[Dog-gone yummy recipes #1]]>Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:44:11 -0800http://www.drjester.com/1/post/2011/11/dog-gone-yummy-recipes-1.htmlWith this intense interest in nutrition and wanting to share it with those around me, I thought it would be fun to devise some simple recipes for you to share with your dog or cat (some kitties may be a little more picky).  I do believe that HEALTHFUL homemade food can make a nice addition to that which your pet already receives.  I emphasize HEALTHFUL because your pet should NOT be eating foods such as pork rinds or ice cream.  :)  

I will also be posting little nutritional tidbits with these recipes.

                  Recipe#1 Gourmet Scrambled Eggs

Ingredients:
Canola or grapeseed oil
Eggs
Herbs (ex; rosemary or dill) - optional
Avocado
Plain yogurt

1.  Lightly coat a pan with canola or grapeseed oil and cook until just done the number of eggs YOU will be eating along with maybe one for your furry kitchen sidekick.  Feel free to experiment with rosemary, dill or some other culinary herb to add extra flavor to the eggs while they're cooking.
2.  Slice the avocado into several pieces and place them on the scrambled eggs.
3.  Add a large dollop of plain yogurt and enjoy!

(For Fido or Spot, feed an amount of eggs appropriate for the size of the animal....for example 1/4 egg for a Jack Russell vs. 1 egg for a Labrador Retriever.  The amount of avocado should also be adjusted...small dogs approximately 1/8 of a small/medium-sized fruit and large dogs can receive 1/4.)

*PLEASE REMEMBER to decrease your dog/cat's breakfast or dinner if you plan to supplement with this recipe.  It is healthy but you need to consider the calories!


*****Nutritional tidbit*********

Avocados are a wonderful plant source of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which help with skin/coat condition, hormonal regulation, heart health, natural anti-inflammatory action and many others.

Plain yogurt is great in small quantities for your furry friends because of the probiotics contained in it and its digestibility as a dairy product.  Not all of the strains in "people" yogurt will be used by the cat/dog body but the acidophilus will be helpful in regulating intestinal health.    
]]><![CDATA[I've Moved!]]>Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:02:06 -0800http://www.drjester.com/1/post/2011/11/ive-moved.htmlHello all,
 
I am wanting to get the word out that acupuncture services will be more readily available in the Portland area (including some Saturdays!) versus the once weekly trip I was making from Corvallis. 

I am also expanding my services to include consultations that don't involve acupuncture.  I would love to see your animal companion for an exam and thorough discussion of his/her history to help devise appropriate nutritional supplementation in the form of Standard Process products and/or diet changes and/or whole food recommendations.  These sessions will also be very thorough and last about an hour.  The charge per session will be on a sliding scale of $80-$100.

Holistic nutrition is a strong passion of mine; both for people and animals!  I will be more than happy to answer any questions that you have prior to scheduling an appointment.

Remember.....you are what you eat.  :)

Warmly,
Dr. Becky ]]><![CDATA[My fees have been lowered :)]]>Sat, 19 Feb 2011 12:51:59 -0800http://www.drjester.com/1/post/2011/02/my-fees-have-been-lowered.htmlHello all,

After becoming reacquainted with Corvallis for the past several months, I have become very moved by the strong community ties and sustainability actions.  This wasn't as evident when I was here for undergraduate and veterinary schooling but I was also in a very different place then.  

One such individual who has inspired me recently is Leyna at Corvallis Community Acupuncture.  She is also an entrepreneur but on the human side of acupuncture.  I am impressed with her motivation to fulfill her business dream and bring acupuncture "to the masses".  While I cannot have large numbers of dogs and cats receiving acupuncture simultaneously in the same room, I can try to make the sessions more affordable.

This being said, I have decided to use a sliding scale for my treatment sessions.  Instead of $140 per session, you decide what part of the scale works for you to allow your pet to be treated with the preferred frequency.   

Treatment with trip fee (1 animal) is now: 
   Portland and surrounding areas $120-$140
     
Additional animals on the same visit:
   Treatment $80-$100 each  

My hope is that more patients may receive the treatment they need and with the appropriate frequency.

Example of savings:
     Typically patients are treated weekly for the first 2-4 sessions.  At the former scale this would cost $280-$560.
     Now 2-4 sessions at one week intervals could be as low as $240-$480 if that is what works best for you!

I am trying to make this a pleasant experience for you, your pet, and your wallet!  :) 

****Also, I wrote a brief article for the Coop Thymes for the month of February (page 13).  Check it out if you get a chance.

Sincerely,
Dr. Becky


]]><![CDATA[Logo and New Advertisement!]]>Mon, 13 Dec 2010 23:28:28 -0800http://www.drjester.com/1/post/2010/12/logo.htmlI am very pleased to announce that my business logo is now complete!  This has been in the works for several months and is the result of many kind individuals.  Check out the home page to take a peek.  There is also an ad for NHVA in the online version of the Natural Choice Directory for the Willamette Valley.  Check it out at http://www.healthygreenpages.com/sec2/veterinary.htm 

Have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Warmest regards,
Dr. Becky]]><![CDATA[Email!]]>Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:47:00 -0800http://www.drjester.com/1/post/2010/10/email.htmlI wanted to alert everyone that I have added an email contact method for those of you who are more computer savy.  The address is info@drjester.com and can also be found on my contact page.  As always, I am much quicker with the phone than the computer but I will be able to get back to you within 48hrs. 

When I have the opportunity I will begin to work on new patient forms that can be completed and returned to me via email before the first appointment.

This will also make communication easier if pictures are useful in determining a patient's likely prognosis or treatment approach.

Thanks for reading!]]>