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Dr. Kendra Pope attended veterinary school at the University of Florida; she began her training in holistic therapies at the Chi Institute for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and completed certifications in veterinary acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, veterinary food therapy, and Tui-na prior to graduation and board certification in oncology. Dr. Pope’s holistic training continues as an ongoing journey, with interests in herbal medicine, intravenous nutrient therapy, mistletoe therapy, as well as all innovative and novel integrative oncology approaches. Dr. Pope is currently preparing her application to become a Registered Herbalist through the American Herbalist Guild.
From a very young age you knew you wanted to work with animals, but when and how did you become interested in herbal medicine?
After a very personal experience with losing a loved one to cancer prior to veterinary school, I knew very quickly oncology was my calling. However, I also learned of the suffering cancer patients experience while undergoing conventional treatment and that dedicating myself to modalities that not only relieve this suffering but, in some instances, remove them completely is what I was meant to do on this earth. I fell down the holistic rabbit hole during veterinary school while pursuing acupuncture to manage my own stress and angina, and quickly was exposed to the powers of herbs and herbal formulas. Once I realized how vast, complex, and powerful herbal medicine was, I needed to learn as much as I could!
Tell us about your training with David Winston.
My first exposure to David Winston was during a continuing education event for veterinarians in upstate New York. While listening to him lecture, blending tradition with the available scientific evidence, I knew I had to train with him and learn all that I could from his years of wisdom and clinical practice. I completed the foundational course and realized when it ended I was not near ready to stop my learning! I am currently completing the first graduate course and look forward to enrolling in the second next year. The insight, clinical pearls, and boundless information David provides to his students never gets old.
How have you incorporated herbal medicine into your practice?
As a 100% integrative practitioner I feel grateful to have my herbal apothecary at my fingertips. Although many patients continue to receive conventional treatments with other treating veterinarians, my patients are solely prescribed herbal therapies in my practice. The apothecary is a favorite room for all the staff, as the smells immediately provide stress relief on hectic days. All patients, every day, are recommended some form of herbal medicine, whether it be a few suggestions for supporting mobility or GI health or even very advanced cancer patients that are on multimodal protocols with various formulas and treatments used to support immune system and quality of life. I feel very lucky that I get to watch these powerful plants help heal patients every day.
What are some of the H&A products you use most in your practice and why?
Hawthorne Solid Extract to support my patients with chronic valvular disease, Kidney Support Compound to help support my geriatric felines and canines with early renal insufficiency, Alterative Compound and Scudder’s Alterative to support my cancer patients through chemotherapy, Immune Adapt to support my cancer patient’s immune system function, Original Bitters for patients treated for years of reflux with conventional medications, UT Compound for patients with recurrent urinary tract infections or cancer of the bladder and lower urinary tract, Compound Arnica Oil for patient with torn cruciate ligaments and muscle pain, the various Lung Relief formulas for pneumonias, coughs, and support to lung cancer, Hops and Milky Oats for patients with separation anxiety, cognitive dysfunction and behavioral conditions as well as innumerable single herbs used in my patient’s tinctures to tailor and individualize treatment to ensure the best outcomes.
