JANE L. BOSTON, DVM, CVA
I began my veterinary practice after graduating from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1989 and moving to Tampa, Florida that same year. I was trained in the Western approach to veterinary medicine and began my practice in medicine and surgery with great enthusiasm. I worked as an associate at BayCrest Animal Clinic in Tampa from 1989 to 1997, and in 1998 I opened my own practice: CountryChase Veterinary, at the intersection of Countryway Boulevard and Linebaugh Avenue in Westchase.
As a sole practitioner, I was quickly overwhelmed by the growth of the practice. After hiring my second associate, I saw the need for a larger facility and began work on building my own clinic, which opened in 2005 in a beautiful 5,000 square foot standalone building. I personally designed this facility to be comfortable and pleasing to my clients, and the least scary place to be for my patients. I continued to work there, practicing western medicine with my two associates for several years until one day…
A long-term client brought me an older canine companion who had a chronic condition which specialists had placed in the category of “there’s nothing else we can do.” I reviewed the records, the diagnostics, the treatments, the medications, and shook my head and agreed with the specialists – but I was haunted by the feeling that there HAD to be SOMETHING else I could do, even if only to provide comfort in his last days. Sadly, Western medicine had nothing left to offer to this pet and his owner.
Thus began my interest in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). I graduated from the Chi Institute (now Chi University) in Reddick, Florida in February 2009 as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA). I furthered my studies in herbal medicine in the following years, and practiced both Western and Eastern medicine from 2009 until 2019, when I sold my practice.
To continue providing service to my TCVM clients in the Tampa Bay area, I’ve opened a house call practice (Boston Companion Animal Acupuncture) specializing in canine and feline natural wellness. Providing care in my patients’ homes not only maximizes their comfort, it also allows to me to observe them in their natural environments and notice their interactions with their human family/pack. This allows me to make a comprehensive diagnosis of personality and individuality that is usually missing in modern practice, especially in Western medicine. The patient is an individual and must be treated as a whole being; s/he should not be separated into bits and pieces. I practice home-based TCVM because it empowers me to take a holistic view of not only what is happening, but also of the individual to whom it is happening.
ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture as a treatment for dis-ease has been practiced for thousands of years; archeologists believe they may have discovered a stone acupuncture tool that is over 8,000 years old. Chinese historical records suggest that the treatment has been used on humans for over 4,000 years. Gold and silver needles found in an early Han Dynasty tomb (circa 100 BCE) are the earliest physical evidence yet found for the use of metal needles. However, the first use of a metal needle may well have occurred much earlier, sometime during the Bronze Age Shang and Zhou dynasties (1600-256 BCE). Animal acupuncture was first performed in ancient China on horses, possibly as early as 3,000 years ago due to their importance in the armies of the empires, and companion animal acupuncture soon followed.
Acupuncture is the stimulation of a specific “point” in the body. Modern science has confirmed that these points are significantly different from non-acupuncture points. Testing on volunteer humans has confirmed that a measured response was noted in the brain when an acupuncture point was stimulated, while in a stimulated non-acupuncture point, no concomitant result was recorded. These points exist along lines of Qi (energy flow) in the body. The goal of acupuncture (and Chinese medicine in general) is to balance the Yin and Yang of the body by applying the Five Element (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) Theory (for detailed information, click here). This philosophy guides the practitioner in diagnosing and altering the body’s patterns of deficiency or excess, using various treatment methods to facilitate the free flow of Qi.
The stimulation of acupuncture points can be achieved by:
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the classical method of insertion of a fine needle and manipulation by hand (the dry needle method)
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the insertion and electrical stimulation of a fine needle (electropuncture)
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the use of a larger needle to deliver a liquid (e.g., vitamin B12) to the area directly above the point (aquapuncture)
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the use of Class IV lasers that stimulate without the use of a needle (laserpuncture)
All of these methods have been proven safe and effective.
Companion animal treatment involves approximately 360 acupuncture points. The skillful stimulation of these points can be effective in
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treating a local problem such as an injury to a joint
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balancing an internal organ such as the liver, stomach, or heart
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improving mood
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decreasing cough
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alleviating a stiff neck
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relieving itching associated with allergies
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treating immunodeficiency (using a combination of key points)
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providing many other wellness and healing benefits
Armed with extensive knowledge of the functions of each of the 360 points, a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) chooses the specific points to use in treating dis-ease after examining detailed patient history (consulting Western medical test results as necessary), carefully observing the patient in her/his environment, analyzing tongue color and shape, and measuring pulses. It is truly a holistic approach.
ABOUT HERBALS AND FOOD THERAPY
HERBALS
Chinese herbal medicine formulas are combinations of herbs that have specific effects on the body. They can be thought of as natural drugs, balanced to obtain maximum therapeutic benefit with minimal risk of harmful side effects. They are a vitally important element of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.
Many modern manufactured drugs attempt to mimic the effects of substances commonly found in nature, and some even contain the same chemical formulation of the active ingredients. For example, ancient Greek, European, and Chinese healers used willow bark to treat pain and fever, and the bark of the white willow tree was chewed by Native Americans to relieve pain. Modern chemists isolated salicin, the active ingredient in willow bark, and drug manufacturers now synthetically produce salicylic acid for use in aspirin, acne medicine, and other pharmaceuticals. However, this is a risky reductionist approach that focuses on one ingredient; the drug is not balanced as nature intended, and so can have serious side effects.
There are, of course, many herbs such as astragalus, St. John’s Wort, Ginseng, Slippery Elm, etc., that can be used alone successfully in medical treatment under the right conditions. However, unlike Western drugs and individual herbs, Chinese formulas are balanced with many herbs (in much the same way that a whole food is balanced with many vitamins and minerals) to help prevent the side effects that may accompany the ingestion of an individual herb. While this approach is appropriate in the vast majority of cases, it’s important to note that there are always sensitive individuals who may not tolerate a certain formula or food. It’s also vitally important to note that not all herbal formulas are equal and manufacturers must be chosen with care. Purchasers of herbal formulas must pay close attention to possible contamination by heavy metals, pesticides, and other harmful impurities.
Herbal medicines are chosen in much the same way as acupuncture points are chosen. Once the imbalance of Yin and Yang is determined, using the patterns of Excess or Deficiency and the Five Element Theory and other theories of treatment, a formula can be chosen. Also as in acupuncture, what the body is showing us may mask an underlying condition; thus, as the “layers of the onion” are peeled away to discover what lies beneath, diagnoses and prescribed formulas may change until the body has reached a balance of wellness.
FOOD THERAPY
Food is the basis of life after birth. Part of your body’s Jing (or Essence) was obtained from your mother and father and their ancestors. However, once born, another part of your Jing is dependent upon what is eaten, drunk, and breathed, as well as the characteristics of the physical and mental environments in which you exist. If these aspects of your daily life are unhealthy, the Yin/Yang of the body is constantly under duress and dis-ease is likely. In fact, modern epigenetics researchers are discovering that environmental factors can influence the regulation of an organism’s genes, yielding genetic changes that can be passed on to offspring. In other words, your wellness can affect not only your quality of life, but also that of your descendants.
A whole food diet is what nature intended and is what your (and your animal companion's) body thrives on. Manufactured food, in which the life of the plant or animal has been destroyed by over-cooking or over-processing, will not support a healthy body. Food has its own energetics and we know some of this instinctively; for example, when we’re suffering with a cold, hot chicken-and-rice soup is very appealing, and when it’s summertime and we’re hot, the offer of a slice of watermelon evokes positive thoughts and emotions. We also “feel” that ginger, onion, and cayenne pepper are “hot,” while cucumber and celery are “cold.” A skilled TCVM practitioner will select foods to help balance the body’s Yin (cold, dark, moist, reserved, etc.) and Yang (hot, light, dry, energetic, etc.), and will usually employ a combination of acupuncture, individual herbs, herbal formulas, and food therapy to help the body find the balance of wellness that nature intended for it.
TESTIMONIALS
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Dr. Boston is extremely knowledgeable and thorough; I've never met another doctor like her. She is passionate in her work and it's obvious in the first few minutes of meeting her. She loves to educate you to ensure that you can continue the best treatment plan at home for your pet. I will always trust her to care for my dogs. - Jeana A.
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I met Dr. Boston just by coincidence. My older dog has hip dysplasia and I was looking for alternative medicine to improve his quality of life. A person handed me her number and I called her right away. I am so glad I did! Dr. Boston is the most caring and honest person I have ever met. She truly heard what I have to say. She truly cared about my concerns with Domino and she really wanted to help him feel better. My younger dog got sick with IMHA and she has been holding my hand ever since his diagnosis. He needs medications but we are also treating him with oriental medication to heal him faster. Dr. Boston has a proactive approach towards medicine and that's exactly what I needed; a person who not only would treat the symptoms but find the root cause of the sickness. My older dog is now getting laser therapy on his hip and my younger one gets acupuncture. Can't say enough good things about Dr. Boston, and thank God she can come to my house. Otherwise, none of this would be possible. - Daniela B.
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As a former client of Dr. Jane Boston, I can honestly say she made a positive impact in my kitty’s life. At the end of my cat Scout’s life, Dr. Boston and her assistant Susan provided much needed relief to her. Their calm demeanor, knowledge around acupuncture and the pressure spots needed to provide relief, their holistic approach to treating the entire body, their knowledge around supplements and their knowledge around raw diets definitely made a positive impact and improved her quality of life. The fact that they traveled to my home and performed their services in an environment Scout was comfortable in, was a big benefit to me and Scout. There was no need to load Scout up in the car, stress her out with a car ride to an unfamiliar environment for a therapy that was foreign to her. Having Susan and Dr. Boston perform acupuncture from Scout‘s spot on the couch was a huge blessing to me. Although my time with Scout was cut short by renal disease, I find great comfort in knowing that her last month she felt some relief by the services Dr. Boston performed. I feel truly blessed to have been a client of theirs and I would encourage others to consider Dr. Boston to care for their pet’s needs. - Kelleigh A.
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We knew Dr. Boston from her days at CountryChase Veterinary, when our 9-year-old Golden Retriever became ill with cancer, and she spent a considerable amount of time helping me come up with home cooked meal plans for him. Trying to come up with a balanced meal plan in the right proportions was overwhelming, but Dr. Boston walked me through it and was the reassurance I needed to help my beloved dog in his last months. Two years later, after beginning Boston Companion Animal Acupuncture, Dr. Boston came out to our home to offer nutritional counseling for our 18-month-old “puppy". She took the time to look at the whole dog, using TCVM approaches to evaluate his needs, his energy levels, and his interactions. He transitioned nicely to his new diet and we feel confident that he is receiving the necessary supplements to ensure his health! - Keri M.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Are you accepting new clients?
A: Yes
Q: What are the steps I would take to become a new client?
A: First, please become familiar with the information on this website; it will help you understand the basic approach I will be using with your companion animal. If this approach appeals to you, please contact me at the email address or phone number (please leave a voice or text message) shown below. Please give a brief description of your needs, and I will contact you at my earliest opportunity.
Q: Does my companion animal have to have acupuncture to get the benefits of TCVM ?
A: No, Chinese herbal formulas can be used by themselves and can be the mainstay of the treatment whether or not acupuncture is done.
Q: Will my pet be cured after one acupuncture treatment?
A: As with most medical phenomena, it depends; however, single-treatment cures are very rare. Often times the body is showing us one thing but that is not the underlying cause. For example, a gastrointestinal (GI) problem can be the result of stress and the stress can be coming from the mind or from the liver in Chinese medicine. The body is all connected and all parts must be considered. Western medicine may treat the GI issue but not cure it and so the medicine is taken forever since it is acting like a cover-up and not getting to the ROOT of the problem.
Q: How long do I have to do acupuncture?
A: For general concerns, it is suggested that a minimum of 6 treatments, spaced one to two weeks apart, will be necessary for most problems unless they are very long-standing but, of course, the acupuncturist will work with whatever restrictions you have. Once in balance, 4 times a year is suggested to maintain balance in the system.
Q: How soon will I see results?
A: Again, it depends. The nature and duration of the problem will determine how soon results can be seen as well as how long it will take to bring the system back into balance.
Q: What happens if my pet doesn’t like the needles?
A: Cold laser treatment can be used to stimulate the acupuncture points, but it is a bit more expensive treatment per visit. Most laser machines cost the doctor over $20,000 to purchase -- much more expensive than needles.
Q: Will my cat allow you to put needles in her?
A: Surprisingly, most felines will accept needles and are remarkably responsive to the treatment.
Q: Can I buy the Chinese herbals online?
A: There are patent formulas for humans available online, but their formulation and manufacturer must be given careful consideration. Formulas designed for our companion animals usually differ from the human formulas, although the original antecedent formula may be the same.
Q: Isn’t Eastern medicine (especially acupuncture treatment) more expensive than Western medicine?
A: For chronic conditions, Eastern medicine using acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas can be less expensive. More important, it will result in a sustainable wellness balance in the body; Western medicine merely treats symptoms and very often does not yield sustainable wellness.
Q: What if my dog vomits or has diarrhea after taking the herbals?
A: I will suggest stopping the herbals for a few days, then starting back at a reduced dose and slowly increasing the amount until the full dose is obtained.
Q: How can I tell if the vitamins I bought for my dog are any good?
A: Many vitamins on the market for pets (and humans) are synthetics made in a laboratory and contain only fractions of the actual molecules. They also may be detrimental since the body is not designed to process synthetically produced molecules. Vitamins should be obtained from whole food sources, and the bottle should list those sources, such as carrot root, beet leaf juice, buckwheat leaf, etc.
Q: Can you tell me if the supplements I’m giving are good ones?
A: This is usually impossible to determine without consulting a chemist, pharmacist, molecular biologist, etc. Testimonials, if determined to be authentic, can sometimes help.
Q: My pet doesn’t like strangers; will you still be able to do acupuncture?
A: Some pets may not accept acupuncture needles; laserpuncture may be a good alternative, but if your pet doesn’t allow touching, herbals would be the mainstay of the treatment.
Q: I know raw diets are better, but aren’t they dangerous?
A: There are many misconceptions about raw diets. If you buy raw chicken for yourself and prepare it in your home, you are at the same risk for salmonella as if you were preparing the chicken for your dog or cat. Care, of course, should be taken when feeding raw: your pet's meal area should be able to be cleaned after eating, you should not allow your dog to lick you in or near your mouth, you should wash your hands and utensils well, etc. Manufactured raw diets are designed to be fed raw and these manufacturers follow stricter guidelines when checking for bacteria than your grocery store follows when processing meat for sale.
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