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, live music, traveling, and vegan cooking. He spends time with this family, including his fiancé Sarah, daughter Abbey, and a menagerie of pets. Dr. 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.
Raeven Carlson
MS, DVM
Dr. Carlson earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. She also holds a Master’s degree in Biology from the College of William & Mary, as well as both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University.
With experience in both clinical practice and shelter medicine, Dr. Carlson understands the importance of meeting each patient and family where they are. She prioritizes compassionate care, taking the time to listen to clients’ concerns, explain options, and partner with pet owners in making decisions for their loved pets. Her goal is to support not only the physical health of her patients, but also their comfort, emotional well-being, and quality of life.
Outside of work, Dr. Carlson enjoys spending time with her dogs, gardening, traveling, creating art, and exploring spirituality.
Ambika Vaid-Sidhu
DVM, CVA
Dr. Ambika Vaid-Sidhu, affectionately known as Dr. Vaid, earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Midwestern University in Arizona.
As a general practitioner, Dr. Vaid is passionate about forming meaningful, long-term relationships with her clients—both two- and four-legged. She is especially drawn to the personal stories that emerge from the human-animal bond and deeply values the trust pet families place in her care. Her clinical interests include nutrition, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry, and she strives to combine compassionate care with sound medical science in every patient interaction.
Dr. Vaid’s path to integrative medicine was inspired by the passing of her beloved 15-year-old labradoodle, whose journey with chronic illness opened her eyes to the untapped potential of preventative and holistic care. Motivated by a desire to bridge conventional and alternative modalities, she has spent the past year training with respected integrative veterinarians, such as Dr. Gary Richter, and expanding her approach to whole-patient wellness. She is currently completing her final research project toward a Graduate Diploma in Western Herbal Medicine through the College of Integrative Therapies and is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist from Chi University.
Along with her monthly visits to Holistic Veterinary Care and her clinical work with Chewy in Denver, Colorado, Dr. Vaid serves as a veterinary advisor to Badlands Ranch, the pet nutrition brand founded by actress and animal advocate Katherine Heigl. She is the first veterinarian to bring integrative work to Chewy Vet Care. She is also a regular expert in broadcast news on pet wellness, offering guidance on topics ranging from hiking safety tips for dogs to holistic strategies for managing chronic conditions. Her approachable expertise has made her a trusted voice for pet parents seeking clear, thoughtful advice.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Vaid finds joy in hiking, reading, and spending time with her husband and their beloved dogs Prince and Xena who continue to inspire her both personally and professionally.
Erica Ancier
DVM, CVA, CCRP
Dr. Ancier grew up in Southern California where she completed her undergraduate studies at UCSB. She graduated with honors from Western University of Health Sciences in 2018, receiving her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Her clinical training was focused on rehabilitation, sports medicine, and holistic modalities for both small animals and horses.
Dr. Ancier obtained her veterinary acupuncture certification (CVA) for both companion animals and horses from the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in Florida and her canine rehabilitation practitioner certification (CCRP) from the University of Tennessee. She went on to receive her fear free certification and often utilizes fear free techniques to help her patients remain calm.
Dr. Ancier emphasizes pain management and preventative care and utilizes both holistic and traditional medicine modalities as part of an integrative approach towards optimal animal wellness and healing. While currently working at Aqua Animal Care Center in Oceanside, CA; Dr. Ancier makes monthly trips to Holistic Veterinary Care to help support our rehab patients. Outside of work, Dr. Ancier provides holistic services for horses as well as taking care of her own small farm full of horses and dogs.
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.
