In early January, Dr. Steve Blauvelt and Dr. Susan Bertram opened East Wind Holistic Clinic for Animals in Bend. The pair’s friendship stretches back to undergraduate school at Humboldt State University and later veterinary school at Oregon State University.

Bertram has lived and worked in Central Oregon since 1995 and Dr. Blauvelt moved to the area in 2000.

Both doctors worked together at Blue Sky Veterinarian Clinic but were interested in starting a holistic animal clinic so that patients who wanted alternative treatments for their pets wouldn’t have to travel two to three hours to get it.

With 30 years of combined experience in veterinary medicine, Blauvelt and Bertram are now focusing on offering pets remedies through homeopathy, acupuncture and herbal medicine. Blauvelt specializes in acupuncture and herbal medicine and Bertram specializes in homeopathy and nutrition. Both vets also practice conventional medicine and say they are willing to work with patients who want to integrate the two concepts.