Judith Rae Swanson - About Dr. Swanson

About Dr. Swanson

Dr. Judith Rae Swanson started working as a veterinary assistant while still a student at North Park College in March 1972 and she earned her D.V.M. at the University of Illinois in 1977. After seven years of successful conventional medicine and surgery she became frustrated with the lack of means of providing true health and began her search for alternatives. Dr. Lloyd Prasuhn, a Chicago veterinarian certified in acupuncture since 1974, became her mentor in April 1984, sharing his skills and faith with her, one on one, weekly to monthly, for 3 years. She completed the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society certification course in January 1986. She has done extensive studies in homeopathy with Dr. Richard Pitcairn (author of Natural Health for Dogs and Cats), Dr. Joel Shepperd (a local MD), Christopher Day (Homeopathic Treatment of Small Animals), George MacLeod (Homeopathic Remedies), and many others.

Dr. Swanson is an active member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association since 1984. She studies regularly with Dr. Cheryl Schwartz (author of Four Paws, Five Directions), Martin Goldstein (Nature of Animal Healing), Allen Schoen (Love, Miracles and Animal Healing), Dr. Michael Fox (The Healing Touch), Linda Tellington-Jones (The Tellington-Touch), Dr. Mary Brennan (The Natural Dog), Anitra Frazier (The Natural Cat), and many others, since 1984. (Books can be ordered at www.altvetmed.com) She accepts referrals of patients from these authors and other veterinarians, both local and far away.

Dr. Swanson currently serves as co-chair of the Human/Animal Bond Committee of the CVMA and is a volunteer for the CVMA Pet Loss Helpline, ever since its formation in 1991, and gives lectures at the training seminars for the Helpline. Dr. Swanson was the Humane Association Liaison for the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association from 1993-96 and increased communication between veterinarians and the hundreds of Chicago shelters and rescue groups.

Dr. Swanson is active with the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights and advocates for animal welfare often. She provided free veterinary care for the homeless at the Center for Streetpeople 1988-89 and has volunteered as surgeon for the AntiCruelty Society and Tree House Animal Foundation often, since 1985.

Dr. Swanson has appeared on ABC, NBC and FOX news, WGN radio, cable TV and "Rx for Pets" on ABC, and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, SunTimes and national magazines. Dr. Swanson's practice is totally holistic, using mainly acupuncture, plus homeopathy (acute prescribing only), Bach Flower remedies, nutrition, massage, glandulars, some herbs, prayer and other holistic modalities. She sees pets at her home on North Side of Chicago (Rogers Park neighborhood). A full history of the pet is reviewed prior to the first appointment (see "How to contact Dr. Swanson"). The owner is fully involved in the healing process, and is empowered to create a healthier life for their pets and themselves.