Holistic Veterinary Care in Green Bay, WI

From symptoms to systems: navigating holistic, integrative, and functional medicine

While these three approaches share a common goal of moving beyond strictly conventional, symptom-based treatments in veterinary care, they differ in their core philosophies and clinical applications.

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Three approaches

Different philosophies, one shared goal

A white French bulldog rests on the exam table with fine acupuncture needles and electrode leads along his back

Holistic The whole animal Holistic Veterinary Medicine focuses on the entire animal—encompassing their physical, mental, and emotional state, as well as their environment—rather than isolating a specific disease or symptom. It heavily prioritizes complementary modalities, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and animal chiropractic care, aiming to restore the body’s natural balance.

A senior beagle mix lies on a purple blanket while a technician treats his back with a therapy laser

Integrative Conventional and holistic, together Integrative Veterinary Medicine is the deliberate, coordinated blending of conventional (allopathic) medicine with holistic therapies. It does not reject standard pharmacology or surgery but expands the clinical toolkit to optimize outcomes. A classic integrative approach might involve managing a canine orthopedic injury with standard surgical and/or medical intervention like medications, while simultaneously supporting tissue healing with regenerative treatments like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and acupuncture.

A Countrycare technician works at the microscope in the clinic’s lab

Functional The root cause Functional Veterinary Medicine utilizes a systems-biology approach to identify and resolve the root physiological or biochemical causes of chronic disease, rather than just managing the resulting symptoms. It relies heavily on advanced diagnostics—such as evaluating the gut microbiome, cellular health, metabolic markers, or environmental toxicities—and uses targeted nutritional or metabolic interventions to correct underlying dysfunctions before they cascade into irreversible pathology.

Over 30 years of holistic practice

Dr. Strickfaden’s approach

Dr. Karen Strickfaden is certified in both Acupuncture and Animal Chiropractic care, bringing over 30 years of specialized expertise to her patients. Having helped thousands of animals achieve longer, healthier lives, her approach transcends traditional boundaries. She seamlessly integrates holistic, integrative, and functional medicine, tailoring each comprehensive treatment plan to the unique medical needs of the patient and the goals of the owner to provide truly individualized care.

Meet the doctors

Dr. Karen Strickfaden and a technician sit on the exam room floor with a happy black-and-white border collie

How holistic care comes together

The perfect fit for whole-pet healing

Holistic care looks at the whole animal, and the whole picture always includes you. Here’s how the four pieces come together.

Your pet

You

Together

Your pet is more than a symptom
Body, mind, and environment all play a part, so we look at how your dog or cat lives, not just what’s bothering them.
You know their rhythms
How they move, sleep, eat, and respond day to day helps us see what’s changing and tells us when a therapy is working.
We widen the options
Dr. Strickfaden blends acupuncture, chiropractic, BICOM therapy, and other holistic modalities with conventional medicine, shaped around your pet’s goals.
Together, the best of both worlds
When the pieces connect, you don’t have to choose between conventional and holistic care. Your pet gets a plan that draws on both.

What we offer

Holistic modalities we offer

Acupuncture and Dry Needling
Animal Chiropractic (Veterinary Spinal Manipulation)
Bio resonance (Bicom) Therapy
Therapeutic Laser Treatments
Medical Ozone Therapy and UVO3 treatment
PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma Regenerative Medicine
Myofascial Pain Therapy, Medical Massage and Rehabilitation
Western and Chinese Herbology
Sound and Light therapies
Orthomolecular Medicine and Flower Essence Balancing
Microcurrent Neurofeedback Therapy & Emotional Therapy

A technician cuddles a French bulldog during an electro-acupuncture session, the stimulator unit beside them

BICOM case gallery

Real results, case by case

Countrycare’s BICOM before-and-after case gallery follows real patients through their holistic treatment, showing what changed and how. It’s one of the clearest pictures of what holistic care at Countrycare actually looks like, beyond a list of services.

See the BICOM cases

Dr. Karen Strickfaden smiles at a small long-haired dog during a BICOM session, the device on the counter behind them

Conventional and holistic medicine

The best of both worlds

We believe your pet deserves a complete spectrum of healing options, which is why our clinic seamlessly blends conventional and holistic veterinary medicine. While traditional allopathic medicine provides us with life-saving diagnostics, urgent care solutions, and advanced surgical interventions, our holistic therapies focus on the root cause of illness and the overall well-being of the patient. By bridging these two powerful approaches, we can design highly individualized, minimally invasive care plans that treat the whole animal—not just the symptoms—ensuring a happier, healthier life by your side.

A cat rests in its owner’s hands during a gentle laser therapy session

Where healing meets heart

The heart of our care

“Where healing meets heart” is the very soul of our practice. For over 25 years, we have brought this holistic approach to life for families across Northeastern Wisconsin. Whether your pet is seeking restorative therapies or ongoing wellness support, you can trust us to provide balanced, deeply individualized care delivered with compassion.

See our wellness care

A boy holds his guinea pig up at eye level and grins at it

FAQ

Common questions about holistic pet care

Can holistic therapies be used alongside my pet’s current medications?

Absolutely. In fact, combining the two is often where we see the most success. This integrative approach gives your pet the “best of both worlds.” Traditional medicine is excellent for diagnostics, acute infections, and surgical needs, while holistic therapies like acupuncture and chiropractic care are incredible for managing chronic pain, reducing inflammation, and speeding up recovery. We always ensure any holistic treatment safely complements your pet’s current medical plan.

What types of conditions respond best to an integrative approach?

While integrative care supports overall wellness, it is exceptionally effective for managing chronic conditions. We frequently see excellent results when treating arthritis and joint pain, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), allergies and skin conditions, gastrointestinal issues, and anxiety. It is also a wonderful tool for post-surgical rehabilitation and palliative care for senior pets.

Does Countrycare offer holistic care for exotic pets?

By blending Dr. Heintz’s traditional exotic animal medicine with Dr. Strickfaden’s restorative holistic therapies, we offer unparalleled, integrative care for your unique pets. Together, we bridge conventional diagnostics with gentle, whole-body treatments to ensure your birds, reptiles, and small mammals receive the customized care they need to thrive.