Learning and Evaluating Holistic Animal Health Practices

Learning and Evaluating Holistic Animal Health Practices

Summary

Susan Zachnarakis-Jutz received a 2000 SARE grant to provide local farmers the opportunity to learn about holistic animal health care, to evaluate their own operations and to teach other producers the various methods. This process includes using herbal and homeopathic treatments that are naturally obtainable and are permitted in organic and specialty markets.

The process for this grant began by contacting Randy Kidd who is a registered veterinarian and uses holistic practices to enhance traditional veterinary practices. Dr. Kidd participated in two one-and-one-half-day workshops, teaching basic livestock treatment methods involving herbs and homeopathy to those who attended the workshops.

Homeopathy and Herbology for Livestock is a manual that was designed by Dr. Kidd and was used as a valuable resource through much of this project. Dr Kidd also worked through various case studies both from their own operations as well as others that he has been working on. This provided valuable information for those who had never been involved with holistic treatments. The participants were very pleased with the results from the workshop and were eager to try what they learned on their own farms.

They have shared the success of their project by giving tours and informing others of the skills that they have learned by hosting these workshops. Other producers who attended the workshops are also showing involvement with holistic animal health care, by experimenting on their farms and reporting back to the group with their outcomes.