Learn. Discern.

Doug Knueven offers an interesting alternative for pet owners. Consider health care, not just treating an animal's sickness.

In his new book, The Holistic Health Guide: Natural Care for the Whole Dog, he discusses ways to to integrate western and other approaches to animal well being. As he explained to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "The more you learn, the more you realize what you don't know ... I got into [a holistic approach to practicing veterinary medicine] because I think the whole Western approach is flawed," he said. "It just looks at the problem that is in your face right now, that the animal is having. ... They don't really address the overall health of the pet. Western medicine is more disease care than health care."

As a vet who has studied a variety of approaches to working with animals, Knueven is on a mission: "...many conventional vets totally ignore alternative therapies. I want to get the word out that these things are out there."