What if your animal’s symptoms are only one piece of a much larger pattern? Dr. Chris Bessent joins Melissa and Sunny to share about the world of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and explain how nearly four decades of holistic veterinary practice have changed the way she sees every animal who enters the room. They explore the difference between treating a diagnosis and understanding the pattern beneath it, what an animal’s tongue, pulse, behavior, and elemental constitution can reveal, and how acupuncture, Chinese herbs, food therapy, and Western medicine can work together. Dr. Bessent also shares why two animals with the same diagnosis may need completely different support, where pet health coaches must stay within their scope, and the refreshingly simple lesson animals have taught her about healing: they do not care which approach gets the credit. They just want to feel better. Learn more about Dr. Bessent through Herbsmith, The Simple Food Project, Medicus Veterinary Diets, and the complimentary Curate the Bowl recommendation resource. In This Episode We explore: * What holistic veterinary medicine actually means * The difference between treating a diagnosis and recognizing a pattern * What the tongue, pulse, behavior, and constitution can reveal * The five elements of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine * How warming and cooling foods may support balance * Why an animal’s response should guide the next step * Where pet health coaches must remain within their professional scope * How Western and Chinese medicine can work side by side * What animals understand about healing that humans often miss About Dr. Chris Bessent Dr. Chris Bessent is a holistic veterinarian with nearly four decades of experience integrating Western veterinary medicine with acupuncture, chiropractic care, Chinese herbs, food therapy, and nutrition. She is the founder of Herbsmith, The Simple Food Project, and Medicus Veterinary Diets, through which she continues her mission of creating individualized, whole-animal approaches to health. Her official biography lists a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, a master’s degree in Oriental Medicine, and certifications in veterinary acupuncture, chiropractic care, and herbology. Dr. Bessent also shares details about her upcoming book, Two Paths to the Summit, which explores Chinese herbal formulas through both Eastern and Western medical frameworks. Where to Find Dr. Chris Bessent Herbsmith: Explore herbs, nutritional resources, and Dr. Bessent’s work Curate the Bowl: Complete the complimentary recommendation quiz The Simple Food Project: Explore whole-food diets for dogs and cats Medicus Veterinary Diets: Explore specialized whole-food veterinary diets Herbsmith’s Curate the Bowl resource provides personalized guidance around herbs, nutraceuticals, and feeding choices, while The Simple Food Project and Medicus offer distinct whole-food nutrition options for everyday and more complex nutritional needs. Timestamps 00:00 Meet Dr. Chris Bessent 02:17 Building a bigger veterinary toolbox05:08 What holistic veterinary medicine really means 09:16 Learning to observe and listen to the animal 11:08 Tongue, pulse, behavior, and the diagnostic puzzle 13:32 Acupuncture, herbs, food, and the body’s response 16:19 Diagnosis versus a pattern of disharmony 19:17 Looking beneath allergies, seizures, and kidney disease 23:02 When Dr. Bessent realized TCVM was not a fad 26:28 The five elemental constitutions 31:35 Using warming and cooling foods 34:43 When food energetics and Western nutrition agree 36:45 Scope of practice for coaches and non-veterinary practitioners 39:36 When Western medicine is absolutely the right tool 41:32 What animals understand about their own healing 45:34 Dr. Bessent’s Chinese herbal medicine courses 48:15 Two Paths to the Summit 51:06 Curate the Bowl and where to find Dr. Bessent Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian or a qualified professional regarding your animal’s health. If you enjoyed this conversation, consider subscribing to The Whole Pack on Substack or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow The Whole Pack: Instagram: @thewholepack_ Facebook: @thewholepack YouTube: @thewholepack Connect with the hosts: Melissa Sherman – Calming Creek Website: calmingcreek.com Instagram: @calmingcreekhealing Sunny Gandara – Nacho Average Dog Health Coach Website: nachoaveragedoghealthcoach.com nstagram: @nachoaveragedoghealthcoach This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewholepack.substack.com
