Associates
Clinicians and Therapists
Jordan Kocen, DVM, CVA – Dr. Kocen began practicing holistic veterinary medicine exclusively in 1995 – as Veterinary Holistic Care – after nearly a decade in a traditional practice. Opening the Veterinary Holistic Center is 2015 marks the achievement of a major career goal for Dr. Kocen. With bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rutgers University, he earned his DVM from the University of Missouri in 1986. He was certified in acupuncture in 1990 by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and has training in Chinese Herbal Medicine and Homeopathy. He has lectured locally and nationally on holistic medicine for animals. He is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture and the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association. His wife Janet (also a veterinarian) and their daughter share the house with two chihuahua mixes.
For appointments with Dr. Kocen, please call 703.662.4494.
Marilyn Khoury, VMD, CVA – Dr. Khoury earned her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991 and is certified as a veterinary acupuncturist by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. A member of The American Holistic Medical Association, The American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, and the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, she has been practicing with Veterinary Holistic Care since 2006.
For appointments with Dr. Khoury, please call 703.662.4494.
Terry Pollock, DVM, CVA – Dr. Pollock had the privilege of living with a variety of different animals growing up such as horses, cows, pigs, chicken, ducks, dogs, cats, parakeets and rabbits. She became passionate about helping animals achieve their optimum health and quality of life. Following this passion, she graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Veterinary Science and then continued on to receive a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. Her experience includes working with exotics and small animals in Texas, working with the SPCA in San Diego, California and for the past 15 years practicing in a small animal hospital in Falls Church. Having a strong desire to provide an improved quality of life for her patients beyond conventional medicine, she then became certified in Veterinary Acupuncture from the Chi Institute in Gainesville, Florida. She has also completed the course work to become certified in Chinese Veterinary Food Therapy. Her professional goals are to provide gentle and personalized care for each patient using Acupuncture, Herbs, and Food Therapy. Her greatest joy is improving her patient’s mobility and quality of life. Dr. Pollock is a member of the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture and American Veterinary Medical Association.
For appointments with Dr. Pollock, please call 703.732.4340.
Caroline Pattie, DVM, CVA Even as a little girl, Dr. Caroline Pattie had a connection with animals and dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. She was born in San Francisco, CA, and raised in Arlington, VA. Dr. Pattie attended Bridgewater College and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology in 2002.
She attended the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. She recieved her certification in veterinary acupuncture (CVA) from the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine. She understands the power of holistic therapies for health and healing and loves to introduce clients and their pets to integrating it into traditional Western practice. She is currently on the Board of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Pattie also speaks French, is a Tai Chi practitioner, and enjoys traveling, dancing, cooking and snow skiing. She a cat (Polly) and a dog (Pogo) share her home in Falls Church, VA.
Eleanor Thompson, DVM, CVA – A native to Northern Virginia, Dr. Thompson has been committed to holistic animal health for many years. After receiving her DVM degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992, she completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, a non-profit veterinary center that has been a national leader in animal care since 1910. Dr. Thompson then returned to Northern Virginia where she worked at Alexandria Animal Hospital for 14 years, practicing both emergency and routine veterinary care. In addition to traditional veterinary training, Dr. Thompson is a certified veterinary acupuncturist through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS). A culmination of her years of experience, Dr. Thompson launched Compassionate Veterinary Alternatives LLC in 2010. This practice is a house call veterinary practice focusing on acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutritional therapies. She will continue to see patients on a house call basis in addition to seeing patients at VHC. Dr. Thompson is very passionate about helping and supporting animals diagnosed with cancer. Although this can be a devastating diagnosis, integrative therapies can oftentimes help support these patients.
For appointments with Dr. Thompson, please call 571.393.7007.
Kelly Foltman, DVM, CVC, CVA – A practicing veterinarian for more than 20 years, Dr. Foltman began her career in central New York, focusing on equine and small animal care. After completing certification in animal chiropractic care in 1999, she opened Willowind Farm Equine Services in Manlius, N.Y. While the emphasis at Willowind was equine care, Dr. Foltman cultivated a large canine chiropractic following. In 2009 she completed acupuncture training and added small and large animal acupuncture to her services at Willowind. In 2011, Dr. Foltman moved to Purcellville, Va. and opened Dunthorpe Farm Veterinary Services where she specializes in enhancing equine and small animal wellness and performance through a holistic approach using chiropractic, acupuncture and occasional herbal treatments. Equine dentistry and nutritional consultation are additional important components of the practice.
For appointments with Dr. Foltman, visit Dunthorpe Farm Veterinary Services.
Nellie Bierly, DVM, CVA, CVC – Dr. Bierly practices both conventional and alternative veterinary medicine at Animal Wellness Center in Crozet, Va. She graduated from The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989, and until 1997 practiced in a mixed animal practice in Lexington, Virginia. She became certified in veterinary acupuncture in 1995 and became certified in veterinary chiropractic in 1999. In addition to her practice at the Animal Wellness Center, she travels around Virginia using her special skills to provide other pets with acupuncture and chiropractic care. The focus of her work involves musculoskeletal issues including lameness, arthritis, back and neck pain, paralysis and weakness. She has also developed a special interest in athlete and performance dogs and their injuries resulting from agility, fly ball, and obedience work.
For appointments with Dr. Bierly, visit her online appointment calendar.
Maribeth Decker, MS, MGA –Maribeth Decker pursued intuitive animal communication when her dogs started communicating with her after she became a Reiki master around 2009. She works with people who love their animals as much as their humans. Maribeth uses her intuitive abilities to address animals’ behavioral, emotional or physical issues. People often see improvements in animals’ behavior and in their relationship with their animals after working with Maribeth.
Learn more about Maribeth at sacredgrove.com. Make an appointment with Maribeth at VHC.
Mary Pat Corrigan, CMT, RMT – Mary Pat is certified in canine, equine, and human massage therapy, and is a Reiki master teacher. She has been a massage therapist and Reiki practitioner for dogs, horses, cats, pet steer, llamas, rabbits and birds, and people. In her 40+ years of working with and caring for animals, she has managed top show stables; rehabilitated feral cats, aggressive dogs, and abused horses; worked as a vet assistant; trained dogs in sports; and was privileged to live with two award-winning therapy dogs. In 2014, she was editor and contributor to Troubleshooting Your Dog: The Ultimate Canine Fitness Evaluation Guide, by Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, one of the first and foremost authorities in animal massage. A member of the International Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork and the Association of Bodywork & Massage Professionals, Mary Pat has been interviewed by several media organizations, including an appearance on the CBS Sunday Morning Show massaging Scottish Deerhound, GCH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, winner of the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Her business Blue Moon Wellness (2007) offers massage & energy work, seminars & talks.
For appointments with Mary Pat Corrigan, please call 540-660-4367
Or email bluemoonwellness@yahoo.com
Terri Grow -Terri Grow, BIS, brings a distinctive combination of experience, knowledge, and advocacy to animal health and well-being. For over 25 years, Terri provided wellness counsel to thousands of clients from the Northern Virginia holistic pet resource center and store, PetSage. She knows you want your pet to have the best diet available. However, what is “best” for one dog or cat may not work for every animal. Her experience will help you separate fact from fiction to find the food that’s right for your pet, whether you choose a commercial food or need guidance making homemade. Terri’s interest in nutrition and the use of foods as therapy began with her studies and certification in Traditional Chinese Herbology at the Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies. She furthered her training with advanced studies in nutrition and the effects of diet on behavioral and chronic health issues through the Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies. Terri’s ongoing passion for advancing feline health care is reflected in her new campaign of feline advocacy, but know her experience and credentials can just as easily be unleashed on the canine species. Terri is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association, and member of and lecturer for the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies.
For Appointments with Terri Grow email: terri@terrigrow.com
Trainers
Dog Tranquility, LLC / Colleen Frances–
Colleen has had a passion for animals since she was a little girl and was the neighborhood pet sitter. While living in Fort Bragg, N.C., she received her dog training certification from Animal Behavior College and volunteered as a trainer for the on-post shelter. She launched Dog Tranquility in 2012 after returning to Northern Virginia. Colleen holds numerous certifications and is affiliated with several professional groups. Her training methods include positive reinforcement, positive associations, bonding and leadership exercises, and fun games. Learn more about Dog Tranquility.
Canine Copilots, LLC / Jacy Kelly –
After a successful dog-handling career in the U.S. Air Force, Jacy Kelly decided he wanted to share his nearly 20 years of canine expertise with the public. Jacy became the first certified nose work instructor in the Mid-Atlantic region in 2010 and began instructing K-9 Nose Work classes in Maryland and Virginia. Canine Copilots started as only Jacy but has grown to include six additional trainers teaching classes at all levels around the D.C. metro area. Canine Copilots is conducting and hosting trials, workshops, and seminars nationwide. Learn more about Canine Copilots.
Mount Vernon Dog Training Club
The Mount Vernon Dog Training Club, Inc., is a Northern Virginia hobby organization whose members are dedicated to the sport of dog obedience training. We offer dog training classes to the public teaching basic obedience for pet dogs through advanced competition obedience. All of our instructors have trained and shown their dogs in AKC Obedience and Rally Trials earning multiple titles on a wide variety of breeds and all American dogs. We hold an AKC obedience trial every October in Point of Rocks, Maryland . Learn more about Mount Vernon Dog Training Club
Red Dog Run Training and Behavior is a Northern Virginia dog training company who services both clients in their homes and offers a variety of classes to clients and their pups. Owner and head trainer Jennifer Lowe Davis, J.D., CPDT-KA strives to provide effective training methods that strengthen the bond between humans and their canine Companions. Jennifer has trained dogs in the D.C. area for over a decade. She spent the last 10 years as a Senior Trainer for KissAble Canine, where she ran a variety of classes while managing private training cases ranging from new puppy skills to severe aggression and anxiety. Learn more about training with Red Dog Run Training.
PuppyK /Jutka Terris
Since 2013, PuppyK has helped thousands of people get off to the best start with their puppies in small group AKC STAR Puppy classes and in-home private instruction. Many of those puppies have then gone on to the higher level PuppyK classes to earn their CGC certificate, learn tricks, pursue agility and other dog sports. Others have become therapy, emotional support and service dogs. PuppyK also offers private instruction and group classes for previously untrained adult dogs, or dogs that need a refresher.
In all her interactions with dogs (and owners!) owner/head trainer Jutka Terris uses positive, motivational methods, and relies on her trademark empathy and humor. Jutka is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed by CCPDT, the only organization that actually tests and certifies dog trainers and screens them for using positive methods only. She, and her other trainers, are approved trainers for the American Kennel Club’s S.T.A.R. Puppy Program and certified evaluators for the AKC Canine Good CitizenTest, AKC Community Canine Test, AKC Urban CGC, and AKC Trick Dog,
Jutka trained her late Search-and-RescueK9, Juno, and was deployed with her on numerous occasions to find missing people.
Positive K9 Obedience/ Catherine Steen
We all learn differently. While there are many ways to teach and coach, most of us learn better and faster when we are not stressed or under pressure. Remember that special teacher you had in school who made learning fun even when the subject was difficult? Teaching your dog should be fun and stress free for both of you. Positive K9 (+K9) Obedience offers a stress-free and fun learning experience for your dog and you. As a certified, professional dog trainer and behavior specialist, I base my training curriculum on proven, science-based methods. I start with understanding what motivates your dog and then using positive, reward-based techniques, I teach you and your dog new skills and behaviors that will help you reach your goals, all while having fun and setting the foundation for forming a lifelong bond.
I offer:
- AKC STAR Puppy Classes
- AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
- AKC Fit Dog Levels 1,2,3 (Ideal for competitive sports strengthening)
- Behavior Modification for Reactive Dogs
- Separation Anxiety
- And more….
Group and private lessons are available.
Please feel free to contact me, Catherine Steen, to how I can help you achieve your goals with your best friend.