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Natural Awakenings South Central Pennsylvania

Holistic Integrative Pet Care in Camp Hill

Oct 02, 2014 11:42AM ● By Erin Lehn Floresca

Linda T. Stern

Veterinarian Linda T. Stern, owner of Healing Creatures Animal Hospital, in Camp Hill, is one of those fortunate people who always knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. “I’ve always enjoyed helping little critters,” says Stern. “Even as a little girl, I’d bring animals home and nurse them back to health.”

Stern, a graduate of Michigan State University with a master’s degree in animal nutrition and immunology, began practicing veterinary medicine in 1987 and opened up her own practice, the Avian Feline Animal Hospital, in 1994. “We mainly focused on birds, cats and exotics,” she says. But over the years, more pet parents began requesting her services. “I couldn’t say no to an opportunity to help more animals,” she notes. In response to the demand, Stern opened up the hospital to a wider variety of creatures, including dogs, horses and alpacas. Last year, she changed the name of the business to reflect that shift.

Stern’s practice focuses on integrative holistic veterinary medicine. “I’ve always been drawn to the more natural ways of healing and preventative medicine,” she says. In addition to traditional veterinary medicine, Healing Creatures Animal Hospital offers acupuncture, homeopathy, Chinese medicinal herbs, cold laser therapy, nutritional counseling and veterinary orthopedic manipulation. “Holistic veterinary medicine is helpful for any condition. My patients respond very well to these modalities,” she explains. Stern relates, “I help my patients get to a state of balance and use whatever means necessary—a blend of Western and holistic medicine—to keep them that way.” One way she achieves this is by educating pet parents about food therapy. “What pets eat is critical to their state of health. I believe in using food as medicine,” she says. “Ideally, you start them off eating right when they are young.”

Stern is aware that many people still don’t know about holistic veterinary medicine. That’s why she invites pet parents and fellow veterinarians to connect with her. “I’m available for any questions regarding holistic pet care,” she says. “We should all work together to do the best for each patient with the least amount of harm.”

When Stern sees an animal in need, she does whatever she can to help them. “I feel blessed to do what I do. When I’ve made a difference in an animal’s healing process and they feel better as a result of something I’ve offered, that just makes my heart happy.”

Healing Creatures Animal Hospital is located at 3300 Hartzdale Dr., Ste. 108, in Camp Hill, PA. For more information, call 717-730-3755 or visit HealingCreatures.com.

Erin Lehn Floresca is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings.