MEET THE STAFF

Dr. Katherine E. Evans, DVM, CVA

After graduating in 1992 from the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, I escaped the heat and moved to the heart of the big city, Washington, DC. Initially hoping to find an equine veterinary job in Northern Virginia, fate intervened and I found myself working at a small animal clinic in Arlington, Virginia. For three years I had the pleasure of working with the best staff and most skilled doctors imaginable. I learned through example how to practice quality, compassionate medicine.

After my first year in practice a client brought her geriatric arthritic dog to see me. The owner was already using pain medication and surgery was not an option. She looked at me and asked what do we do now? Not having an answer for her prompted me to search for my own. It was at that point that I pursued my acupuncture training, hoping to provide an answer for that client and many other patients that were not well served by pharmaceutical drugs or surgery.

In 1994 I completed my acupuncture training through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS). During that training I adopted a 7 month old black lab with severe hip and elbow dysplasia. “Alpha” became my first acupuncture patient along with any friend willing to sit through the acupuncture needling. Alpha had had surgery on both her hips and her elbows, but remained inactive due to pain. After just one acupuncture treatment, my friend enthusiastically proclaimed that she could now jump on the bed, a feat she had not accomplished since we had her! I was at once both awestruck and convinced that acupuncture worked.

After 3 years in Virginia, I moved to New Hampshire to find a slower pace to life and to live closer to nature. Throughout the years I was given so many opportunities and it is with gratitude that I look at those years and the people who touched my heart. By 1998 I was ready to venture out on my own and that is when the Holistic Veterinary Center was created, thanks mostly to a caring and persistent holistic believer, Sandy Sanel.

Over the years the practice has grown. It is with so much excitement and enthusiasm that I’ve witnessed the growth of holistic medicine for both pets and people. None of my personal growth would have been possible without the help of many loving, supportive people. Words cannot express my heartfelt gratitude to Jaimee Walters who was my first full time employee and entrepreneur and to Judi Wishart and Stacey Allard, my current co-workers sharing my journey into holistic healing for companion animals.

I am also thankful to the forces in the Great Universe that have brought me here. It is with appreciation and awe that I explore the woods on foot and bike with my current four legged teachers, Kayle, a yellow lab, and Rosie, a beautiful Paint horse. The blessings of the world are continually unfolding through the people, the places and the events in my life. Thank you all for sharing the journey. Namaste.

Judith D. Leclerc, DVM

Veterinary medicine was a dream when I was a little girl. It took me until my mid thirties, before I realized the dream. I just kept finding other things to do!

A native of NH, I moved to Virginia in 1981. Veterinary Medicine is my third career. I metamorphosized from bank auditor, to veterinary technician, and finally graduated from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 with my DVM. I moved back to New Hampshire to take care of aging parents and have been here since I graduated.

I always looked for alternatives to western medicine for my own health issues and had seen acupuncture work wonders on dogs and cats in chronic pain as a technician. Taking the acupuncture course through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society was on my lists of things I wanted to accomplish when I became a veterinarian. I am thrilled to be able to offer an alternative to western drugs in relieving pain and discomfort in our companion animals.

I came to Dr. Evans to perform my internship for IVAS and am thankful to have joined Dr. Evans’ in practice.

It is wonderful to have clients so open to alternatives for their pets! I also practice at the Animal Emergency Clinic in Manchester and have been at the Manchester Animal Shelter for the last four years.

In my spare time, I kayak, hike, mountain bike, and spend as much time outside as I can. I also love to travel. My four cats are my “children” and are wonderful to come home to at the end of the day. My oldest in 18 and gets acupuncture regularly! I look forward to treating pets that seek care at the Holistic Veterinary Center with Kathy, Judi, and Stacey.

Stacey E. Allard

I started coming to the Holistic Veterinary Center in 1998 as a patient with my first Golden Retriever for treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, when everything else I had tried, had failed to help her. (I got another great 3 years with her thanks to Dr. Evans). After seeing how well she responded to holistic treatment, I started bringing all my pets to see Dr. Evans for general wellness check ups. In August of 2000, I accepted the position of being Dr. Evan’s technician.

My job currently has me assisting Dr. Evans in all office appointments, and surgeries. I also will help with the front desk duties of answering and returning phone calls, and checking patients in and out whenever needed.

I currently have 3 Golden Retrievers, Tanner 10, Kylee 8, and Bouncer 7, all of whom I have trained and competed in agility. I also have a 10 year cat named Tryton.

Outside of work, when I’m not out competing with the dogs, I enjoy kayaking, hiking, and skiing.

Judi Wishart

I have a BA in English with a minor in Environmental Sciences from the University of Rhode Island, and a Phi Beta Kappa Key (with my name misspelled). My previous work experience was mostly in leasing and the legal aspects of real estate, as well as a few years owning a restaurant with my husband, Bill. (My restaurant career was, thankfully, fairly short.) Real estate and food service are both high stress careers. Here, on a stressful day I still get puppy kisses, which we all know are great stress relievers.

I love being around the animals, and I learn new things every day. Auntie Judi gets to hold all the kittens and puppies, and some of the elderly cats and smaller dogs get to sit in my lap while they wait to see the doctor. I’ve `seen some sad things and some wonderful things in this office, and I’ve learned many things that I apply to my own health. I know what it’s like to be an owner with a sick animal companion, and it gives me great satisfaction to be able to help others in the same position, whether by setting up an appointment, getting answers to their questions, or by talking them through something on the phone.

Bill and I have been married for 22 years, and live in Concord with two cats. Gracie (in the picture with me) is a small six-year-old dilute calico who came to us from the SPCA and is often referred to as “Crazy Gracie”. Her favorite song is “Zoom Zoom Zoom” from the car commercial. Sam is a big five-year-old mostly-Siamese, seal-point, with blue eyes and double paws. He showed up at the office as a feral stray and lived in the barn for three years. I took Sam home after we lost Freep, and he has made a successful transition to an indoor cat. Sam and Gracie like to chase each other through the house at 4:00 a.m. Sam’s favorite hobby is grooming Gracie. He’s still a bit leery of being held so it’s hard to get a picture with him, but on other pages you may find pictures of Sam and Gracie together.

My interests include quilting, knitting and other creative ventures as well as working with pen-and-ink and watercolor, especially pet portraits. I usually have some assistance or at least supervision from Gracie and Sam. They really like to help when I’m cooking, but they don’t really care to come canoeing on the Merrimack with Bill and me.

Holistic Veterinary Center 34 West Street Concord, NH  03301 Phone: 603-225-9680 •  Fax: 603-227-0945