Positive and Practical Veterinary Spirituality (PPVS) for Enhanced Animal Care and Well-Being

Positive and Practical Veterinary Spirituality (PPVS) for Enhanced Animal Care and Well-Being

Short on time? Get the key points:

  • An emerging trend is the integration of spirituality into veterinary medicine, also known as Positive and Practical Veterinary Spirituality (PPVS). 
  • It is a way of approaching veterinary practice that acknowledges the spiritual, mental, and emotional aspects of both animals and their human caregivers, and seeks to support them in a holistic way. 
  • PPVS is based on the understanding that all living beings are interconnected and that the well-being of animals is intimately tied to the well-being of their owners, their environment, and the broader community.
  • PPVS emphasizes personalized care, holistic therapies, and the use of natural remedies and complementary therapies alongside current conventional veterinary medicine.
  • The PPVS approach to veterinary care is also based on the concept of “Go With the Flow” of nature which helps to optimize cellular energy and function. 
  • PPVS offers a path toward a more compassionate and holistic approach to animal care, emphasizing the importance of greater awareness, connection with nature, and personalized, proactive healthcare.

Read the preceding blog post on what PPVS is here.

What is Positive and Practical Veterinary Spirituality (PPVS)? 

Veterinary medicine is evolving rapidly, and practitioners are continually seeking new ways to improve animal care and well-being. One of the emerging trends is the integration of spirituality into veterinary medicine, also known as Positive and Practical Veterinary Spirituality (PPVS). PPVS is a way of approaching veterinary practice that acknowledges the spiritual and emotional aspects of both animals and their human caregivers, and seeks to support them in a holistic way. 

In this blog, we will explore the principles of PPVS and how those principles can be applied to the care of animals. We will examine the roles of mindfulness, compassion, and connection with nature in promoting healing and well-being, as well as the use of natural remedies and complementary therapies in conjunction with current conventional veterinary medicine.

Ultimately, our aim is to provide practical insights and guidance for pet parents, veterinarians, and other pet professionals who seek to enhance the well-being of animals and promote a more holistic and compassionate approach to veterinary medicine.

The Principles of PPVS

PPVS is based on the understanding that all living beings are interconnected and that the well-being of animals is intimately tied to the well-being of their owners, their environment, and the broader community.

The aim of PPVS is to promote healing and well-being in animals by addressing not just physical symptoms but also the emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of animals and their owners. This approach emphasizes personalized care, holistic therapies, and the use of natural remedies and complementary therapies alongside conventional veterinary medicine.

The concept of “4-P Medicine” is closely aligned with the principles of PPVS. The four P’s stand for “Predictive, Preventive, Personalized, and Participatory” medicine, and emphasize a shift toward a more personalized and proactive approach to healthcare that is tailored to the individual needs of each patient. PPVS shares this focus on personalized care and proactive prevention, while also emphasizing the importance of spiritual and emotional well-being in animals.

Two Approaches to Veterinary Medicine

There are two ways to approach the body, and both have their merits and limitations. The PPVS approach takes “The Road Less Traveled” to work with the body by tapping into its natural energy and healing abilities. This involves understanding how the body works guided by a trained veterinary team and learning how to support it in a compassionate way. This approach emphasizes the use of natural remedies and lifestyle changes to promote health and well-being.

The second approach, which is taught in veterinary schools, is to work against the body by aggressively treating symptoms and diseases. This approach relies heavily on the use of drugs and other interventions to control or eliminate the symptoms of a disease. While this approach can be effective in some cases, it often overlooks the root causes of the disease and may lead to negative side effects.

It’s important to note that both approaches have their place in modern veterinary medicine, and neither is inherently better or worse than the other. However, choosing the right approach is important for maximizing your pet’s health span and depends on the unique needs and circumstances of each individual.

In a compassionate way, it’s important to recognize that each person’s journey towards health and well-being for their pet is unique. Some people may benefit from a more traditional medical approach, while others are more closely aligned with PPVS and a holistic approach. Ultimately, the key is to personalize treatments based on the individual’s symptoms, lifestyle, and goals, and to work in harmony with the body’s natural healing processes.

Understanding the True Significance of Symptoms

Understanding the true significance of symptoms can be very helpful in promoting health and well-being. Symptoms are the body’s way of signaling that there is an underlying issue or imbalance that needs to be addressed. By paying attention to these signals, we can identify the root cause of the problem and take steps to correct it.

For example, suppose someone experiences chronic headaches. Current conventional medicine might prescribe painkillers to manage the symptoms, but this approach does not address the underlying cause of the headaches. Taking a more holistic approach, we might explore other factors such as stress, diet, or sleep habits, which may be contributing to the headaches. By addressing the underlying issues, we may be able to alleviate the headaches and improve overall health.

Similarly, understanding the significance of other symptoms such as fatigue, digestive issues, or skin problems can help us identify imbalances in the body and take appropriate steps to correct them. By addressing the underlying issues rather than just treating the symptoms, we can promote long-term health and well-being.

It’s important to note that symptoms can also have emotional or psychological roots. For example, chronic stress or anxiety in a household may manifest as physical symptoms in pets. Animals are exquisitely sensitive to subtle shifts in emotions and energies. Taking into account the mind, body, and spirit of all people and pets in a home can help us identify and address the underlying issues and promote overall health and well-being.

Understanding the true significance of symptoms is a powerful tool for promoting health and well-being. By paying attention to these signals and taking a holistic approach to health, we can identify and address underlying imbalances in the body and mind, promoting long-term health and well-being.

Applying PPVS Principles

The PPVS approach to veterinary care is based on the concept of “Go With the Flow” and optimizing cellular function. This is done by removing obstacles to normal functioning without using medications like “antis” that can impede recovery. Another example is to “Just Say Yes” and accept what is happening at the moment. Seeing your pets symptoms as friends and clues that can help them to become healthier is one example. It helps us feel better by embracing the present moment and accepting things as they are. This can be a helpful approach in many areas of life, including veterinary medicine.

In the context of Positive and Practical Veterinary Spirituality, “Go With the Flow” and “Just Say Yes” can be applied in a few ways. For example:

Embrace the Natural Healing Process

In some cases, the body’s natural healing process may take longer or follow a different path than expected. By going with the flow and allowing the healing process to unfold in its own time, we can often achieve better outcomes than if we try to force the process or intervene too aggressively.

Trust Your Intuition

There are many situations where there is no clear answer or solution. In these cases, trusting your intuition and “just saying yes” to your instincts can often lead to the best course of action and outcome. This approach involves being open to possibilities and listening to your inner guidance, rather than feeling limited by conventional medical protocols.

Cultivate a Sense of Compassion and Openness

PPVS involves cultivating a sense of compassion and openness towards all living beings, including animals and their guardians. By “going with the flow” and “just saying yes” to the present moment, you can approach each situation with an open mind and a willingness to learn and grow.

It’s important to note that “going with the flow” and “just saying yes” includes integrating your veterinarian’s findings and treatment suggestions into the complete context of PPVS. Following this safe and effective path balances the evidence-based medical (EBM) approaches with the EBM of experience-based approaches and a sense of openness and compassion toward all living beings.

“PPVS is a Journey Toward Greater Awareness, Compassion, and Healing”

Signposts on the journey of PPVS

MINDFULNESS. The first step on this journey is to develop greater mindfulness or awareness of the present moment so you are comfortable with whatever your pet’s body communicates (via symptoms). This involves being fully present and engaged in each moment, rather than getting caught up in worries about the future or regrets about the past.

COMPASSION. As mindfulness deepens, a sense of compassion and empathy towards all living beings may arise. This involves recognizing and honoring the inherent value and dignity of each individual, whether human or animal. Try to work with, and respect, your pet’s body.

AWARENESS OF INTERCONNECTEDNESS. As compassion deepens, an awareness of interconnectedness may arise. This involves recognizing that all living beings are connected and interdependent, and that our actions have an impact on the world around us.

NON-JUDGEMENT. As awareness deepens, a sense of non-judgment or acceptance may arise. This involves letting go of judgments and assumptions about others and ourselves, and approaching each situation with an open mind and heart.

PERSONAL GROWTH. As we move along this path, we may encounter challenges or obstacles that provide opportunities for personal growth and transformation. These challenges may arise in our personal lives, professional work, or interactions with animals and their owners.

INTEGRATION. As we continue on this journey, the insights and practices of PPVS can become integrated into our daily lives and professional work. This involves embodying a sense of compassion, awareness, and non-judgment in all that we do, and seeking to promote healing and well-being in ourselves and others.

On the physical plane, feeding fresh food, increasing exposure to sunshine and nature, optimizing fresh air and clean water, promoting Connection, Happiness and Engagement (CHE) such as with the Therapeutic Sniff Walk and optimizing BEAM (Behavior, Energy, Appetite, and Mood) are positive and practical actions that can help your pet today.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Positive and Practical Veterinary Spirituality aka PPVS offers a path toward a more compassionate and holistic approach to animal care, emphasizing the importance of greater awareness, connection with nature, and personalized, proactive healthcare. With a focus on mindfulness, natural remedies, and complementary therapies, this approach offers a roadmap for promoting healing and well-being in animals, and ultimately, for nurturing a deeper connection with the animals we share our lives with. By following the signposts along this road, we can create a brighter future for animal health and welfare; one that is grounded in compassion, spirituality, and a deep respect for the interconnectedness of all living beings.

Positive and Practical Veterinary Spirituality

Positive and Practical Veterinary Spirituality

    Short on time? Get the gist:

  1. Find simple actions that can be done on a daily basis to improve the health and energy of our pets.
  2. Focus on the “positive” actions and benefits of love and happiness to help our pets (and ourselves!) live fuller, happier lives.
  3. Work with nature and the body’s natural healing processes. 

Going Beyond Traditional Science – Bringing Spirituality to Veterinary Practice

Some of the actions we discuss here may seem a little unusual to some of us: Things like Love Therapy, the Happiness Protocol, and daily monitoring of BEAM (Behavior, Energy, Appetite, Mood) to name a few. If you’re wondering if there is some uniting plan that connects all these different ideas, that’s what we’re going to talk about today. We’re taking a step back to look at the big picture, so you can see why we do what we do.

This big-picture framework we use at Holistic Actions! is called Practical, Positive Veterinary Spirituality – or PPVS for all you acronym-lovers! It’s veterinary care based on the four Cs of Caring, Compassion, Connection and Consciousness. Let’s start by defining it and seeing and why PPVS is valuable to us and our pets. The next blog will dive deeper with more details.

What does Practical mean?

The first word is Practical, meaning it’s all about finding simple actions we can do on a daily basis to improve the health and energy of our pets. With each medical idea or method, we’re looking for ways to apply it in a direct way in the day-to-day. All of the best medical concepts in the world are still extremely limited if there is no way for us as pet caretakers to put them into practice for ourselves. The Practical aspect of this framework aims to address that.

What does Positive mean?

The Positive aspect is about focus. We’re focusing on the “positive” actions and benefits of love and happiness. As we’ve explored in other posts, the science is there showing this focus on positive actions and mindsets has a huge impact on both people and animals. We’re learning to work with the body’s natural way of fixing itself rather than ignoring it. This means we’re not just all about helping our pets get over illness, but about helping them live fuller, happier lives.

What does Veterinary mean?

The Veterinary aspect means, simply enough, that our focus is mostly on animals. Our aim is to combine the more common veterinary methods with these Practical and Positive practices to benefit our pets more than traditional medicine alone can.

What does Spirituality mean?

The Spirituality aspect can best be understood as “more than physical stuff.” We’re looking at the importance of emotions and our mindset(?) rather than just actions by themselves. As caretakers of our pets, we often feel the tug to be doing things to help and care for them. But not everything is easily solved with action. When we can practice slowing down, moving from human “doings” to human “beings”, you might say, we are able to observe and understand in a deeper way things that might easily be missed in a rush to fix things. 

Combining these aspects gives us Practical, Positive Veterinary Spirituality, a more holistic framework for observing and learning from symptoms, using the freely-available power of love and happiness, and finding small, simple steps to increase our pets’ health and wellbeing. This is the larger framework we use at Holistic Actions!, where we can make use of these different techniques, like Love Therapy, Inner Terrain, etc. The greatest benefit of this framework is the practice of learning to “be” more and “do” less, enriching our own health and energy as well as our pets’!

Click here for further discussion.

Why & How Dr. Jeff Feinman Of Holistic Actions! Is Helping To Change Our World

Why & How Dr. Jeff Feinman Of Holistic Actions! Is Helping To Change Our World

An Interview with Martita Mestey. Published in Authority Magazine, Medium | March 23, 2023

Dr. Jeff Feinman, holistic veterinarian, pet care

The biggest thing is that it’s all about energy. Not the physical stuff alone, but the underlying energy

As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Jeff Feinman.

Jeff Feinmanis a research-oriented veterinarian and molecular biologist, who for more than 40 years has applied holistic approaches to improve his pet patients’ quality of life. He is the founder of the Holistic Actions! Foundation which has a mission of education and empowerment of pet parents through an online learning center, weekly webinars, and a pet care community. The HA! nature-based approach helps harness and conserve cellular energy so companion animals can have their healthiest, happiest, and longest lives possible. 

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?

I grew up in a suburb of New York City on Long Island and have known that I wanted to be a veterinarian and involved with nature in some way since I was a little kid. I won an aquarium for an ecology essay I wrote in Middle School in the early 1970’s. I was involved in the Boy Scouts and enjoyed camping. But I also loved Manhattan, so there was this dichotomy in my life between nature and the city. And my work now is connecting the “doing” of the city and the “being” of nature.

You are currently leading a social impact organization that is making a difference for our planet. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today?

I am helping pet parents learn about the holistic options that can improve their beloved companions’ health-spans by being more (while observing their pet’s symptoms) and doing less (not artificially covering up symptoms). Through the Holistic Actions! Foundation, I am sharing ways that pet parents can harness the sustainable energy of love and happiness. We teach actions that increase energy, like intentional breathing, eating fresh food, and getting out in nature. These strategies are based on observing the body and letting it be while also doing less to interfere with natural healing mechanisms.

Dr. Jeff Feinman, holistic actions, holistic veterinarian, holistic pet care

The other aspect of this is learning about the conservation of energy, which applies to inside the body as well as conserving energy in the environment. One of the primary ways we do that is by focusing on the body’s inner terrain instead of germs (like bacteria and viruses), where the inner terrain reflects inner balance. Terrain Theory and Germ Theory were both introduced in the 1800’s, but veterinary (and human) medicine has been predominantly focused on germ theory, where germs are the cause of many dis-eases (imbalances). But we’re becoming more aware of in science that individual resilience, or inner terrain, is as, if not more, important as germs. And we can apply those tools in our lifestyles, freely and sustainably to increase our own and our pets’ wellbeing.

Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?

Well, my backstory began in the lab, and then moved to working with patients, where I studied aging, endocrinology, and mitochondrial metabolism and cellular energy. I began to see all of the things that we can do to improve mitochondrial function and energy. I started using that clinically for our animals, and watched many of them live longer than predicted despite incredibly serious dis-eases. Just about every animal who used these methods would experience a better quality of life than what they were experiencing from conventional treatments alone. Later on, I began to connect these principles with the fact that the individual animal is just part of nature, and we can apply these same principles of using the sustainable energy of love and happiness not just to our animals, but on the larger scale of ourselves and our environment.

Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest them. They don’t get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?

As far as the business side goes, I was giving a seminar series, and during the last session, I asked everyone there what would be the most helpful to them. Their suggestions shaped what Holistic Actions! became, a place where we put conventional and holistic information into context, and apply these strategies together.

Another more recent “Aha Moment” was during the pandemic, while I was participating in a webinar from the UN. There was a panel of experts from around the world talking about Resilience and Sustainability. One of the experts was an African nomadic tribeswoman, and everyone agreed that it was the indigenous wisdom like her tribe was guided by that would help us be more sustainable and resilient. These are the tools and techniques that have been successful for thousands of years and which are now being verified scientifically.

Many people don’t know the steps to take to start a new organization. What are some of the things or steps you took to get your project started?

That’s a great question. I took Nike’s advice to “Just Do It.” The first step was sitting down and writing what would be the most useful for pet parents. The next step was to try and translate that into a format that would be most accessible and helpful for the most people. A team of us designed an online course about Lyme in pets on an app called Teachable. My own holistic doc helped me overcome a nasty bout of acute Lyme disease with these same energetic strategies.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?

I got super sick with Lyme disease, and had just recently discovered energy medicine and was cured within a couple days with homeopathic methods of energy balancing. Since then, I’ve treated numerous cases of Lyme in animals. For example, Larry the Dog’s Lyme story is documented on YouTube.

It has been said, that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake that you made when you were first starting and the lesson you learned from that?

Thirty years ago, I did a house call for a female guinea pig that had a bad smell coming from her mouth and was having trouble eating. Upon initial inspection, I told her mom that I thought her pet, named “Happy,” had an ulcerating oral tumor. But I always like to take a second look with fresh eyes.

When I examined Happy again, it turned out that what perfectly resembled a tumorous mass was actually a piece of decaying carrot! I was relieved to realize that Happy’s problem was not as severe as it first seemed while getting a big kick in the pants at the same time! After the offending carrot was removed, Happy made a full recovery! We all laughed, and I learned the important and humbling lesson to always stay curious, keep an open mind, and re-examine and re-evaluate — no matter how initially sure I was of reality, science or a “diagnosis.”

None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?

My greatest mentor is also my doctor. I had a pivotal moment when I saw he was helping many patients who had “Medically Unexplained Symptoms”. These success stories helped me learn more about using sustainable energy and consciousness in my healing, and that of my animal patients and their guardians. He guided me to many books by deep thinkers such as Drs. David Hawkins, Dean Radin, and Eckhart Tolle.

Another big inspiration and new mentor is Grandmother Nancy, a Native American elder who I met through a personal growth community. Grandma is the embodiment of love, joy, caring and compassion. I have been embracing her transformational teachings which are helping me further connect “being and doing”.

Are there three things the community, society, or politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?

  1. Focus on the joy in the present moment rather than potential problems.
  2. Get out in nature (even if you just go outside and look at the sky), and connect with animals more.
  3. Fund projects like more green spaces where people, pets and the planet all benefit.

How would you articulate how a business can become more profitable by being more sustainable and more environmentally conscious? Can you share a story or example?

One of the growing business examples is the increasing number of raw meat pet food companies which can help local farmers who raise animals start to utilize all of the parts of the animal to make pet food from parts that used to be thrown away. It’s less wasteful, shows more reverence for the animals they are killing, and can help them earn more money!

Another example is a business focused on the inner terrain and energy balance. That is the super success of the Oura ring, and how 24/7 monitoring of internal balance can help improve our lives and the world. The energetic readiness score which Oura reports every day reflects things like balancing, doing with breathing, sleeping and the feeling of awe which we can get by looking deeply at the beauty of nature.

Dr. Jeff with a cat

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

  1. The biggest thing is that it’s all about energy. Not the physical stuff alone, but the underlying energy.
  2. The importance of breathing and nature. These are incredibly powerful healing tools that help activate the body’s ability to mend.
  3. The Importance of happiness, connection, and being engaged in the world. The story that really highlighted this for me is that of my rescue dogs, Archie and Vanya. Vanya never wanted to interact with other dogs until Archie joined our family, and watching Vanya’s increased enjoyment of life, and seeing the difference in their physiologic function by being happier was inspiring.
  4. The ultimate sustainable energy of love. It is super powerful and may be the most sustainable energy that there is. There are many, many stories about this on the Holistic Actions! forum.
  5. The importance of honoring other people, ourselves, and nature. These factors are key for harnessing the sustainable power of love.

If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?

The biggest reason is so there will be a green world in the coming years. The secondary reason is so they can have happier and more fulfilled lives, which they can get by being more connected to nature, themselves, other people, and animals.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“We miss more by not seeing than we do by not knowing. Always examine the back. Observe, record, tabulate, communicate. — Sir William Osler, groundbreaking physician, philanthropist, and celebrated “Founding Father of Modern Medicine” and Johns Hopkins Hospital.

I started learning at a young age that I missed a lot by making unseen and unquestioned assumptions. There is a big difference between “watching” and actually “seeing.” “Watching” is a passive occurrence, whereas “seeing” is an intensely active occurrence where we directly participate in the process of learning. It’s not enough to simply watch. I’ve realized the importance of clear seeing.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂

I’d love to sit down with Steven Kotler of the Flow Research Collective (FRC). The community and scientists at FRC study the neurochemical and physiological effects of the energetic methods I’ve mentioned. Flow (“Go With The Flow” and just say yes) also “happens” to be a great way to perform better and to be healthier. Another person I’d love to take a walk by the ocean in Baja with is Chip Conley, co-founder of the Modern Elder Academy (MEA). Chip and MEA are sharing this wisdom with the world through transformative programs of self-knowledge, regenerative and sustainability, while also building a wonderful business!

How can our readers follow you online?

holisticactions.com is my main home online.

This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!

Martita Mestey is an entrepreneur, investor, connector and founder of FarmdOut,  an agritech startup solving the real problem of agriculture ecology, farmer burnout, food deserts, and next-gen farmer attraction.