Dr. Caroline Wood was raised on the Northern Beaches area of Sydney, Australia. She is the daughter of two physicians, but decided on veterinary medicine as a career, graduating in 2011 from the University of Sydney with her veterinary degree.

After graduation, she worked in a busy small animal practice in New South Wales for three years, then after a short break, joined a small animal practice in the Northern Beaches area with the goal of becoming the practice owner. She became business partners with another doctor in the practice and they bought the practice in 2015.

After about eight years, she bought out her business partner and became sole owner, and continues to own the practice as of this day.

Her holistic journey began when a family dog was treated for cancer by both oncology specialists and holistic veterinarians. She went on to earn a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine from CIVT and incorporates herbal medicine, naturopathic remedies, and nutritional counseling into her clinical practice.

As part of that evolution, she renamed the practice Aubreen Veterinary Hospital and has changed the multi-doctor practice focus from an allopathic to an integrative approach.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Caroline Wood as we discuss her education, practice and ownership experience, holistic medicine training, and her service as a board member for a local veterinary emergency clinic.

Dr. Barrie Sands was raised in Brooklyn, New York. She always had a love of animals, but it wasn't until she finished her undergraduate degree that she committed to the idea of becoming a Veterinarian. She earned her DVM from Ross University in 1991.

After graduation, she did an Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, followed by some locum work in the Tri-State area before moving to San Diego to practice emergency medicine. She has been at the same clinic for 30 years.

In 2003, she started her official holistic journey by becoming certified in Acupuncture by IVAS. She started seeing patients for holistic care one day a week, and in the beginning of this year she stopped doing emergency medicine and is dedicating all of her clinical time to holistic patients.

In addition to her clinical work, she has lectured extensively, written articles, and has published one book with another close to publication.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Barrie Sands as we discuss her education, clinical practice, simultaneously working in emergency medicine and holistic medicine, and her thoughts on resonance and connection with our patients and with each other.

Dr. Zachery Lane was born in Woodstock, Georgia and was interested in veterinary medicine from a young age. He earned his BS in 2009 from Berry College, majoring in Animal Science and Chemistry. He earned his DVM from St. George's University in 2013.

After graduation, he entered emergency medicine practice for 6 years before transitioning to general small animal practice in Roswell, Georgia where he is now Chief of Staff.

A family history of gardening, agriculture, and herbal medicine led him to formalize his western herbal medicine study with CIVT, earning a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine in 2025. As part of that study, he has published a case report in the Journal of Integrative Veterinary Therapies, and has an additional case study in press with the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

In conjunction with his herbal medicine practice, Dr. Lane has completed a certification in Veterinary Natural Nutrition from CIVT, and is currently enrolled in the Certification program for Veterinary Integrative Therapeutic Nutrition.

Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Zachery Lane as we discuss his Appalachian roots, his education, clinical experience, and his involvement with the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association.