Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Paula Monte.
Dr. Monte, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always been an animal lover and I decided at a very young age that I wanted to become a veterinarian. I grew up on Cape Cod and graduated from Falmouth High School. My life revolved around my horses growing up. I went on to Virginia Tech where I majored in Animal Science with a minor in Biology. I rode on the Intercollegiate Equestrian Team while I continued to pursue my goal of veterinary school.
I graduated with honors from the University Of Illinois College Of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. Upon finishing vet school, I completed a one year internship at a large sport horse practice in Connecticut. It was during this internship that I had my first exposure to acupuncture and chiropractic and its use in the performance horse. I had always been intrigued by the integrative therapies, but it wasn’t until 2009 that I was able to begin my journey of training and certification in both modalities. I continued to work in a traditional veterinary clinic while incorporating my integrative approaches to help achieve health and wellness in my patients. In October of last year, I decided to branch off on my own and start a house call practice providing acupuncture, chiropractic, Chinese herbs, and in home euthanasia’s.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been far from smooth. If you had asked me (or anyone else who knew me) when I graduated from vet school what I would be doing in 10 years, my answer would have been working for a large sport horse practice focusing on sports medicine and lameness. I learned very quickly that my personality couldn’t handle the stresses that came along with that intense of a practice. I lost my equine job when the economy tanked and I had a non-compete clause that prevented me from working within a certain radius for 2 years. I have never felt like such a failure, even though I knew it wasn’t my fault. During this time, I got certified in animal chiropractic and veterinary acupuncture simultaneously. In addition my husband and I had our first child. I was able to work around my non-compete because I was providing a service that the practice I previously worked for did not. I started my own practice in Connecticut working on horses only. I got some great mentorship that helped me build my foundation in veterinary integrative therapies for both horses and companion animals.
Shortly after the birth of our second child, I convinced my husband to move back to Cape Cod to be closer to my family. I moved my practice to Massachusetts and continued working on horses while I worked at general small animal practice.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Litchfield Animal Wellness – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Litchfield Animal Wellness provides in home integrative veterinary care, end of life care, and euthanasia’s. I am now able to offer clients and their pets a natural option for treatment integrated with traditional veterinary care in their own environment with minimal stress. Most of my clients come to me when their regular vets have used all the tools in their toolboxes. I am able offer more options to improve the quality of life of my patients. With my integrative veterinary therapies, I am able to extend the lives of my geriatric patients and give their owners quality time with their faithful companions. I am able to help with arthritis, skin conditions, gastrointestinal conditions, seizures, anxiety, and behavioral changes.
It is so rewarding to know that when it is time to say goodbye, my patients don’t have to spend their last minutes in a hospital that makes them anxious or stressed. Euthanasia is a gift that I can provide for my patients when their quality of life has deteriorated and they no longer enjoy the things they used to. My clients are very appreciative of a service that allows them to give their faithful friends a peaceful passing. And that is an amazing feeling. It isn’t an easy job, because I am emotionally involved too. But I truly believe that this is a gift I can provide.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plan is to continue to grow my practice for both equine and companion animals and to provide my clients with the utmost competence and compassion. I will also further my knowledge with continuing education. In addition, I would like to get certified in Sports Medicine Rehabilitation and Animal Hospice and Palliative Care if my schedule of mother, wife, and integrative veterinarian allows.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drpaulamontedvm.com
- Phone: 508-240-4676
- Email: drpaula@drpaulamontedvm.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/litchfieldanimalwellness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/litchfieldanimalwellness/
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