Maximize Your Dog’s Health And Spend Less – Part 2 of 3

By Christina Chambreau, DVM, CVH.

Last month we looked at how your companions are treated conventionally and asked the question if it’s possible to spend less and have a dog who is even healthier and happier. Can it begin right now? Today we cover: love a lot; create a Team; learn energy healing; observe and listen; keep a journal.

You may start here, or with the ones we cover next month: avoid toxins, physical and mental stimulation; learn holistic approaches needing more training & purchases; love symptoms and not merely stop them; learn not to rush to the veterinarian if not needed; evaluate response and know there is no one right answer.

First, a bit more data I just read to inspire you to take action now to lower costs. From the American Veterinary Medical Association recent newsletter¹:

A recent Forbes survey² showed the average annual cost is $367 for veterinary care, $339 for food and $99 for grooming, or $12,075 annually. That did not account for kennels, emergencies, toys and more. A 2025 Pet Lifetime of Care Study³ reported that nearly 8 out of 10 pet owners underestimate the cost to care for their pet over a lifetime. Their data show an average cost for 15 years of life to be $22,073 to $60,602.

These are averages and my experience is that the costs are often much higher in conventionally treated animals as they tend to become more ill as they age. The cost for preventing illness by building health and vitality can be much less. Costs should lessen over time as you follow a few of these steps, with fewer chronic illnesses and often a longer lifespan.

Stop a moment – where are you now? I am dog sitting a young dog who is calm, well behaved, super active (owner bikes miles with him), has clean teeth, good appetite and sheds a lot. His owners may not want to do anything different. Maybe your dog or cat is the same – great in every way, with maybe one small issue that has you reading this article, or you desire to maximize health.

Wherever you are – congratulations for loving and caring for animals and I know you are doing your best. The following are a few ways that you may decide to try. Keep these articles bookmarked for when you want to try some more approaches.

Start with the easiest – LOVE. Be sure you are taking the seconds & minutes to deeply appreciate and love each of the animals in your life. Read Bernie Siegel’s book, Love, Animals and Miracles, for stories of how love helped animals heal and kept his family of many kids and even more pets on even keel. His children’s mice, snakes, birds, cats, dogs all ranged free and did not eat each other! One day a dog was ill and his veterinarian told Bernie euthanasia was needed. His son said, “Dad, we do not do that in this family.” They took the dog home an he lived another four years. Holistic Actions members have access to his webinar.

Often we know we love our pets, yet may not be in the habit of demonstrating it. When you walk past them lying there, stop and pet or say something you appreciate about them (even if they have made you irritated earlier), or say “good job” if you have asked your task oriented dog or cat to do something. This will help your happiness as well. Part of loving them actively is observing and listening to them. For decades I patted my horse, thinking this was how you showed appreciation. Then I was told they are very sensitive and prefer stroking. Then I realized it could be different for each individual horse. Pay attention to their very subtle response to anything you do, feed, say, offer. Also notice how they respond to other beings in the house or out on walks. The more content they are, the more balance and the less likely to become ill. Keep a journal (e-books at my site) to help you remember these subtle clues to happiness and health. A journal will help evaluate the response to any changes as well (see August 2025 article), part 3.

You can also send energy healing from afar. Ahh…to do this you will need to take time now to learn a 100% safe energy healing method (or more than one) to have the most success using it in person or virtually. Without training remember you can always send love, healing intentions, and positive thoughts. When trained, you will have the perfect treatment for first aid, acute problems even if high in the desert on a hike. When you begin to use one or more energy healing approaches daily, they can help prevent future problems, increase vitality and resilience. Because all beings in the house are benefitting, you will be happier and healthier which help the animals and plants which then helps you!! Once learned, you are one of the family’s healer. You can include Mother Earth in your meditations, too.

Create a healing team now, even if your companions are apparently healthy.

• Yes, you can find a good one. Many holistic practices have at least a few weeks waiting time so it is better to already be a client before illness strikes. Read the December 2024 Happy Healthy Dog article by me that, with work makes it possible for everyone to find their very best match. There are wonderful veterinarians who can help you virtually as well. The very best for your annual physical exams would be a veterinarian trained in several modalities. This would be worth driving a day and spending the night in a hotel if they are great. Locally, then, there may be one trained in only one modality who will be your main resource, or an open conventional one. If you still think there is no one for you, schedule a call with me.
• Having an animal intuitive or communicator on your team can increase the chances of catching imbalances before they develop into diseases with twice a year check in. You all will know each other so sudden problems can be more easily resolved.
• A virtual energy healer, in addition to learning these methods yourself, is great
• If no great holistic veterinarian with access to surgery and diagnostics is near, you may want to use Emergency Clinics.
• Groomers, swim facilities, day care, trainers, behavior therapists, home sitters, friends can all be parts of your team and many calls may be needed to find ones open to your wishes.

You can increase happiness and love and save a lot of money at the same time.

Dr. Christina Chambreau graduated from veterinary college in 1980 and has been helping families be healthy since the late eighties. She now is faculty at the Holistic Actions Academy and offers Virtual Pet Health Advising, making it easy for you to take the next steps for each animal. To learn more in live, interactive workshops on any topics covered in this series, click here. Let me know now what courses you may wish to take and I will give you a gift.

References:

1. AVMA News – Veterinary practices brace financial uncertainty 6/17/25
2. Forbes – Pet-insurance – pet-ownership-statistics
3. Pet Lifetime of Care Study – 2025