Holistic Veterinary Care is comprised of a team of doctors and staff whose primary objective is to provide the best alternative holistic care available for pets. Dr. Gary Richter leads a team of practitioners who provide wellness consultations, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and rehabilitative treatments. We also specialize in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, stem cell treatment, ozone therapy, cold laser therapy, shockwave, and hydrotherapies such as swimming and underwater treadmill exercises. Our staff is committed to customizing each client’s experience based on their pet’s specific needs. Our staff provides a fun and friendly environment for people and their pets. We treat every pet like we treat our own and focus on individualized client care.
What differentiates us from other clinics in the area are the services we provide. We are the only clinic in Oakland to have a rehabilitation center for pets and are also the only clinic in the Bay Area with a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Dr. Richter is on the cutting edge of animal stem cell treatment and has already seen many successes through this modality. We work together with other veterinarians in the area to interject holistic therapy as a complement to traditional veterinary medicine.
Practitioners
Gary Richter
MS, DVM, CVA,
CVC, GDVHM
Dr. Gary Richter, MS, DVM, is known for his diverse expertise in both conventional and holistic veterinary practices. He graduated with honors from the University of Florida, earning a B.S. in animal science, an M.S. in veterinary medical science, and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
In 2002, Dr. Richter became the owner and Medical Director of Montclair Veterinary Hospital, a role he fulfilled until 2018. Dr. Richter expanded his knowledge by becoming a certified veterinary acupuncturist at the Chi Institute in 2007 and acquiring certification as a veterinary chiropractor with IVCA in 2009. In 2009, he also founded Holistic Veterinary Care, integrating Eastern healing traditions like acupuncture and chiropractic practices with conventional veterinary medicine.
His dedication to advancing animal well-being led him to explore regenerative medicine and the benefits of an integrative approach to pet care. Dr. Richter focuses on educating professionals and pet owners about the advantages of holistic and conventional treatments.
He is recognized for his work in integrating medical cannabis with conventional and alternative therapies, significantly improving the lives of pets with various medical conditions, from arthritis to cancer. Dr. Richter has authored numerous articles on this subject for both print and web publications.
An accomplished author, his book “The Ultimate Pet Health Guide” became an international bestseller in 2017. In 2023, he released two more books, “Longevity for Dogs” and “Longevity for Cats.” Dr. Richter has held significant roles in professional organizations, serving as the Past President of the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine and being a founding member of the Veterinary Cannabis Society. He also sits on the board of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation, promoting holistic practices in veterinary medicine.
Dr. Richter is actively engaged in promoting pet health and longevity worldwide through web and virtual platforms. He is dedicated to enhancing pet longevity through educating pet owners and developing supplements and food for pets via Ultimate Pet Nutrition.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Richter enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and vegan cooking. He values spending time with his family, including his wife Lee, daughter Abbey, and his dogs Sammy and Marty. Dr. Gary Richter’s dedication to holistic veterinary care and commitment to education and innovation have solidified his place as a leading figure in the field of veterinary medicine.
Ambika Vaid-Sidhu
DVM
Dr. Ambika Vaid-Sidhu received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Midwestern University in Arizona. She is a local girl, having grown up in Milpitas. Dr. Vaid-Sidhu, who often goes by just Dr. Vaid, enjoys being able to develop relationships with her clients, especially learning about their unique lives and stories with pets. Dr. Vaid has a special interest in surgery and dental procedures as a general practitioner. She is currently finishing up her Graduate Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine from the College of Integrative Therapies and is beginning her training to become a certified acupuncturist from Chi University. In her spare time, Dr. Vaid likes to read and spend time hiking with her husband and two dogs – Xena and Prince.
Sharon Liu
DVM
Dr. Liu was made in Taiwan and grown in California. She misses the novelty of four seasons and milking cows through school but is happiest in avocado country with family. She has worked with goats in Ghana, jaguars in Belize, dolphins in Mexico, rhinos in Indonesia, and plenty of starry-eyed students as an instructor for the university conservation medicine program. After her rotating internship, she worked as relief up and down the Cali coast before becoming a full-time emergency, then exotics… and now integrative veterinarian. When not acquainting nontraditional creatures and traditional Chinese medicine with each other, she delights in creating enrichment devices for her tiny human in their tiny kitchen.
Kaylah Sterling
M.Ed., MTOM, L.Ac.,
Acupuncture
Kaylah is a licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist, and Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage) practitioner. Kaylah
previously served as Clinic Dean of American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Director of Integrative Medicine at The Jewish Home for the Aged. She presently works at the college (ACTCM) as Professor, Clinic Supervisor, and has a private practice as well. Kaylah graduated from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 1995 and has been practicing acupuncture on human and animal patients for twenty years. Kaylah, a trained educator, will offer nutritional, behavioral, lifestyle suggestions to maximize your animal’s health, well being and happiness.
Kaylah uses gentle relaxation techniques to comfort you and your animal before and during acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture, herbs, and medical massage is highly successful
for a host of medical conditions for animals including: emotional issues (fear, anxiety, behavioral afflictions), seizures, immune support, musculoskeletal pains, upper respiratory/gastrointestinal/urogenital medical disorders, side effects from necessary medications, and is also used to maintain health to keep your animal feeling energetic as they age. Agility dogs gain great benefit from acupuncture to nourish muscles and relieve tight connective tissue, sprains, and tightness from sports competition. Kaylah’s extensive years of service using acupuncture in hospice will afford you and your pet the smoothest transition possible during this most difficult end of life passage.
Lisa Koenig
DC Applied Kinesiology
Lisa Koenig is passionate about the power of animals to heal.
She utilizes a broad base of modalities to help facilitate that healing process, including Applied Kinesiology, nutritional counseling, chiropractic, and food sensitivity testing. She strives to be the best practitioner possible and to serve her patients with all of her considerable skill and insight.
Lisa first entered the healing arts as a massage therapist, earning her license from the Swedish Institute in 1997. The following year, she moved to the Bay Area to pursue a chiropractic degree. She received her Doctor of Chiropractic in 2001 from Life Chiropractic College West in Hayward. During her time in school, she studied as many specialties as she could. After graduation, she volunteered her time caring for the homeless and underprivileged.
Lisa has provided chiropractic care to animals since 2004 and graduated from Options for Animals, a veterinary chiropractic school in Kansas. She is also a board certified Applied Kinesiologist, making her an exceptionally well-rounded practitioner.
Applied Kinesiology is a specific form of diagnosis using muscle testing as the primary feedback mechanism. Muscle testing facilitates communication between the animal’s brain and body and helps evaluate its structural, nutritional and mental health needs.
In 2004, she founded Kinetic Chiropractic, and for five years she taught workshops for the 100-hour Applied Kinesiology course. Lisa has completed more than 900 hours of postgraduate study in Applied Kinesiology.
At Holistic Veterinary Care, Lisa uses all appropriate modalities and techniques to help living creatures in need. And as a member of the local community, her goal is to serve, educate, and advocate in health and wellness for families and their pets.
