Dr. Kristin Holm

 

Kristin S. Holm, DVM, DACVD

I have wanted to be a veterinarian since I was 13 years old. At that time, I had to pick a professional to “shadow” for a career day at school. I chose to “shadow” our veterinarian. Later that summer, I volunteered at the same practice, cleaning out cages and walking dogs. The next year, when I had to choose a different professional to “shadow”, I spent the day at my dentist’s office, which further confirmed that I would rather doctor pets than people’s mouths! I was on the fast track to becoming a vet as I honed my academic ambitions on everything science.

When my college counselor asked what I wanted to major in, I just said ‘pre-vet’. Her response was that I had to choose an actual degree that I could “fall back on” in case I didn’t get accepted to vet school. I didn’t accept that as a possibility and just insisted on taking only pre-vet classes. Despite my counselor advising otherwise and trying to tell me that no one gets into vet school after two years, I was admitted to the veterinary school at Iowa State University after two years, at the young age of 19.

During vet school, I especially enjoyed the problem-solving aspect of medicine. Upon graduation, I joined a busy general practice that also had specialists. At least 30% of the dogs and cats I cared for had some kind of skin issue. Slowly but surely, the challenges that dermatology presented made me realize that I would rather know “a lot about a little” rather than “a little about a lot”. So, when my husband expressed a desire to further his education by going back to school for an MBA, I decided to join him by applying for a dermatology residency at a school nearby. I felt blessed to be accepted into a residency at the University of Pennsylvania in a year when only 8 residencies were available nationwide.

Under the expert guidance of three board-certified dermatologists and a board-certified dermatohistopathologist, I successfully completed my residency and became board-certified in 1999, at the age of 23. Since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed limiting my practice and focus to veterinary dermatology. For 6 years, I built a thriving veterinary dermatology practice in the western suburbs of Chicago. Then, family life took priority, and we moved to the Des Moines area, where I joined my alma mater, Iowa State University, and participated in the clinical instruction of 4th year veterinary students. In 2010, an opportunity closer to home in Des Moines found me once again starting a veterinary dermatology practice. I am currently the owner of Veterinary Dermatology Consultation Services, Inc.

In addition to caring for dogs and cats with skin problems, I also am a consultant for the online website Veterinary Information Network, which strives to provide practicing veterinarians with information, resources, and case-specific consultations via the internet. I have authored several articles for its online textbook, Associate, as well as published and presented research in peer-reviewed journals and meetings.

When Stephen approached me with his concept for an animal immune health supplement, I was intrigued. I have appreciated the movement society has made towards wanting natural and organic health products; in fact, I have become more “natural” in my consumer choices as well! As a veterinary dermatologist, I have come to realize that the majority of illnesses and health challenges have as their basis some sort of immune irregularity. The idea of balancing the immune system is a noble one. Obviously, the most common immune imbalance that I encounter as a veterinarian is allergies. Many animals don't have the benefit of a dermatologist as part of their healthcare team. It is my goal to bring this awareness to all owners, and to try to normalize pets’ immune systems so they may enjoy a happier existence. After all, we own pets not only to enhance our own happiness, but that of our furry friends as well!

I am incredibly excited to bring you this product, Doggy GOO, which combines the proven benefits of probiotics, yeast cell wall extracts, and the proprietary blend of environmental extracts in one tasty peanut butter treat. This has been nearly a year and a half in the making, but we are not done yet! We plan on proof-of-concept studies in the near future, as well as making this blend of ingredients available in a cat-friendly formulation.

Then, who knows?

The future is here and now for those willing to make the leap.

www.healthygoo.com




www.acvd.org




Consultation Services




Facebook