This episode is an interview with Amy Honeychurch, a veterinary techician with high level qualifications in rehabilitation and acupuncture. Please enjoy this conversation as we discuss Amy's motivation to study integrative therapies and her experiences practicing in a specialty referral centre in Hawaii, USA.
Amy began her education by pursuing an Animal Health Technology Diploma at Olds College, Alberta, Canada in 2008. After working in general practice for a few years, she saw the struggles of old arthritic pets and wanted to learn what more she could do to help them. She began working at an assisted swimming pool for dogs and was inspired by the improvements her patients received in comfort and mobility. This lead her to completing the University of Tennessee Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner Program in 2017. Amy had the opportunity to practice rehabilitation as an additional service at various clinics, as well as a rehabilitation centre that had an underwater treadmill. Always wanting to find more ways to help, and concerned about the long term effects of NSAIDs, Amy completed a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Acupuncture through CIVT. Amy’s unique certifications enabled her to move to Honolulu, where she works at VERC, a specialty referral centre. She sees in-house post surgical referrals from the neurology and surgery services, as well as referrals from other clinics and more chronic or conservative/non-surgical cases. She particularly enjoys teaching owners how to do home physical therapy exercises so they can be an active participant in their pet's care.