What makes Picket Fence Veterinary Acupuncture different from other veterinarians?
My goal is to work with my patients and their families to determine what specifically works best for them and what they can maintain. I want to work with their family veterinarian to improve our patients health. I provide an open discussion of options for my clients. Treatments that work well for the pet, but are difficult for the owner to implement are not sustainable so we may need to look at other options. I offer several different treatment options in addition to acupuncture, such as massage therapy, essential oil therapy, pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMF through Assisi Therapy), and nutrition/supplement management. Treating the family as a whole is the only way to ensure a good long-term quality of life for everyone.

What led you to your current profession?
I have wanted to be a veterinarian since I was 5 years old! This stayed with me through high school, leading to a pre-vet program in college, and into veterinary medical school at Wisconsin-Madison. I started my career in emergency medicine, then after several years, I moved into general practice. An injury to my dominant hand led me to pursue acupuncture certification. I fell in love with it! There are so many benefits from acupuncture! With the onset of covid, my patients could not be with their owners in the clinic for treatment. This inspired me to branch out on my own and start my own practice, Picket Fence Veterinary Acupuncture, in May 2020.

What's your favorite thing about what you do?
There are so many, but I love seeing my patient's lives improve. It can be very dramatic, as pain ages so many animals. The joy it brings their owners and the relationships that are repaired is so gratifying. When a cat who has not been walking, gets up after one treatment, my heart melts. When dogs can return to their favorite activities (playing fetch or wrestling with housemates), after I help heal their torn ACLs is why I do this.

What is one piece of advice you'd give your pre-career 20 something self?
Take care of yourself and learn how to say no. Being in a helping profession can lead to burnout which is especially rampant in veterinary medicine. Setting boundaries and maintaining a healthy work-life balance are critical.

What has been your greatest achievement professionally?
Starting a mobile/traveling business during covid. I always said I would never have my own practice, as I did not want to worry about being a boss and the responsibilities that follow. However, this has been life-changing for me. I love having my own rules and my own schedule. I love setting the time I have with my patients and their families - it allows me to get to know them more and develop relationships that a busy brick-and-mortar practice cannot do.

Are there any myths you'd like to bust about your profession?
The myth: holistic or alternative medicine has no basis in science. The facts: there are loads of scientific articles supporting the use of this type of care. With a pub-med or google scholar search, these articles can easily be found. I am happy to discuss this more with any of my clients, especially as this becomes more mainstream. I would like to see it become a primary standard of care option.

What advice do you have for those starting a new business?
Follow your passion and be able to take a chance. It may not be what you planned on doing, however it may be the thing you were always looking for.

Do you have a favorite career quote?
"Women belong in all places where decisions are being made." -RGB (Ruth Bader Ginsburg)

Dr. Abby Holtman is a veterinarian (DVM) certified in acupuncture (cVMA) and owner of Picket Fence Veterinary Acupuncture. Her Denver-area practice treats cats and dogs in their homes for a variety of issues, including pain management, gastrointestinal disease, and kidney disease (to name a few). You can follow her on facebook: facebook.com/PicketFenceVA.