VBMA PAST PRESIDENT RONA SHEREBRIN

I always knew that I wanted to be a veterinarian from the time that I was little, fostering orphaned wild rabbits and having a variety of pets in my house. I grew up with the tradition of European herbalism, with various teas and infusions regularly used by my mother to support our family's health. My mother's knowledge was passed down to her and then to me, by my grandmother, who was a pharmacist in the days that herbs and plant materials were the majority of the medicines used. My interest in all things Asian began in my early teens when I became a vegetarian, with cooking experiments that the rest of my family didn't always appreciate!

I received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with honours from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1991. I started my professional  life practicing the conventional "western" veterinary medicine I had been trained in, but embraced more holistic health care for myself and my family, including nutrition, Tai Chi exercise and Qi Gong meditation.  After ten years in practice the frustration of seeing so many chronic diseases in my patients led me to begin to integrate what I had been practicing in my own life into that of my patient care. I began studying Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) at the Chi Institute with Dr. Shen Xie and became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist in 2005; I have continued my education with advanced training in Veterinary Tui-Na bodywork and Veterinary Herbal Medicine. I found the VBMA early in my exploration of herbal medicine and have been a member since 2004. I have used my background in research to critically evaluate the evidence base for herbal medicine, and tend to get a bit nerdy about the bioichemistry of the plants we use medicinally. I offer integrative health care to my patients, combining cutting edge therapies such as Regenerative (Stem) Cell therapy and Platelet-Rich Plasma injections with herbal medicine, acupuncture, nutrition (whole foods and neutraceuticals), and body work.

I now lecture to both veterinarians and lay groups, and frequently mentor veterinarians interning in veterinary acupuncture. Besides the VBMA, I am active in the Association of Veterinary Acupuncturists of Canada, the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, and the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. When I need a break I walk on uneven ground in close contact with the plant world, especially in interesting mountainous places. I am looking forward to working with the other board members and hope that I can contribute something back to an organization that I feel I have gained tremendously from.

INTERNATIONAL ADVISOR BARBARA FOUGERE

Barbara started her studies in complementary medicine at university in 1986. Since then she has studied human and veterinary complementary medicine, and is certified in veterinary and human herbal medicine, veterinary acupuncture as well as veterinary chiropractic, veterinary Chinese herbal medicine and veterinary and human homeopathy. She has also explored energy medicine with Reiki and several other lesser known therapies such as prolotherapy, tui na and Chinese food therapy.

Barbara actively participates in industry related associations and committees. She was honored to have held the position of President for the Australian Veterinary Acupuncture Association (2003 - 2007), and the International Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association (2003 - 2006). She has also held the position of Policy Council Member for the Australian Veterinary Association when she was an advisor for Holistic, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (1996-2003).

In addition to being the VBMA international board representative, Barbara is the current president  of IVAS, and a member of Australian College of Nutrition and Environmental Nutrition, National Herbalist Association Of Australia (NHAA), and Australian Veterinary Association Chartered (CMAVA).

Barbara has been the inaugural recipient of the AVA Community Service Award for her role in re-homing thousands of dogs and cats through the programs and websites she developed in Australia.

Barbara enjoys sharing her passion for holistic care within the international veterinary community. She has lectured in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Japan, Canada, India and Sri Lanka and is involved in teaching veterinary Western and Chinese herbal medicine, complementary medicine and holistic nutrition. Her current involvement in CIVT is amazing. She is one of the leaders in both the Chinese Herbal course and the Western Course. This programs are truly wonderful and make learning Herbal medicine easily available to all.

Barbara is the author of two books, Healthy Dogs, A Handbook of Natural Therapies (2003) and Natural Healing for Cats and Dogs (2005), she has also co-authored Veterinary Herbal Medicine with Dr S Wynn (2006) and was an contributing author of Integrating Complementary Medicine into Veterinary Practice (2008).

She has also featured on Television programs such as Harry's Practice, Totally Wild and Creature Features, as well as in Magazines such as New Idea, The Australian Woman's Weekly, and has been published in various Newspaper articles.

Barbara shares her life with her partner Karl and their Burmese Tallulah and Sweet Pea, a lively worm farm, and more than 50 orchids. We are so very glad she is a member of the VBMA!

RECORDING SECRETARY BETH LAMBERT

Beth Lambert is the VBMA's secretary, all around great person and advisor to any herbal product or production question that comes up.  A Harvard Business School graduate, CEO Beth Lambert had a very successful Wall Street career which she left to pursue her interest in environmentally based businesses.  She was soon running a Permaculture publishing company, a community supported farm, and teaching at Rutgers.  One of her farming partners, who was taking David Winston’s two year herbal studies program, introduced her to David, who was looking for some advice on his herbal products company.  And after reviewing the business, she joined the company as his business partner.  In addition to being on the Board of the Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association, she is on the Board of American Herbal Products Association and acts as Chair of its Education Committee, which develops both industry education and educational programs for practitioners.  She is Vice Chair of AHPA-ERB Foundation, an organization working with University of Massachusetts and partially funded by the federal government to revise the Botanical Safety Handbook.  And she is on the Board of Genesis Farm, a 140 acre farm dedicated to Earth literacy, Permaculture and Transition culture.  In addition to being just a great person, Beth is a great resource and asset for the VBMA .