Finding Joy, Purpose, and Holistic Healing in Yourself and Your Patients with Dr. Jody Bearman

Dr. Jody Bearman, DVM, CVH, CVA, CVCH, CVSMT graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BS in Bacteriology and from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine with a DVM in 1992. She worked in small town mixed practice (horses, farm animals, small animals) then small animal and exotic practice using Western medicine for 16 years.

Wanting to help animals that couldn’t be diagnosed or treated with Western medicine and those that developed severe side effects from Western medicine, she took the Chi Institute for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine mixed animal course and became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist in 2005. Dr. Jody was an instructor at the Chi Institute, the first of it’s kind outside of China. She is a certified Veterinary Chinese Herbalist and practices tui-na (Chinese massage and physical therapy) and food therapy. She took courses in Advanced Applied Kinesiology (advanced manipulation, testing and treatment techniques) and became certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy at The Healing Oasis Wellness Center, and is a member of the College of Animal Chiropractors.

Dr. Jody is a graduate of the Pitcairn Institute for Veterinary Homeopathy and is a certified Veterinary Homeopath. She is a diplomate of classical homeopathy and certified classical homeopath, and has spoken at the Joint American Homeopathic Conference for the last 3 years.

In This Interview:

- Dr. Jody Bearman’s path to vet school

- Pressing pause as a step forward

- Walking away isn’t failure

- Pain can bring new perspective and new passion

- Building her integrative practice and rediscovering homeopathy to help animals heal

- Healing the healer matters

- Animals who healed when their whole selves, not just symptoms, were treated

- Restoring joy, purpose, and connection in your practice after burnout

- Resources for vets ready to explore new paths to health, hope, and renewal

Interview Resources:

https://anshenvet.com/

facebook.com/AnShenHolisticVet

At Veterinary Compassion Project we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving while providing essential support for your wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.

📍 Visit Us Online: veterinarycompassionproject.com

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At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.

In 2004, Dr. Holder founded one of the largest integrative veterinary hospitals in North America where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife.

After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying compassion fatigue—why it happens, how to prevent it, and ways overcome it. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.