Authored By Staff Report

Chattanooga Holistic Animal Institute opened on the Southside’s Main Street May 10, and “the response has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Dr. Colleen Smith, CHAI’s founder.

“Many new clients are saying they have been looking for a holistic vet for years, and knew I was on Signal Mountain but couldn’t make the drive,” she said.

To celebrate CHAI’s reception by the community, the institute will have an official grand opening on Friday, June 22 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring facility tours, food, giveaways, prizes, free pet tags and many local and veterinary vendors with free gifts.

“Our massage therapist will even be giving away a free treatment session,” Smith said.

Plan to attend What: Grand opening celebration of CHAI Grand opening celebration of CHAI When: Friday, June 22, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: 918 E. Main St.

How much: Free

For more information: Call 423-531-8899 or click here

Regular CHAI opening hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

CHAI offers veterinary acupuncture, veterinary chiropractic services, nutrition therapy, laser therapy, green grooming, awake dental procedures, digital X-rays, vaccinations and vaccine titers, general medicine, canine massage therapy and nutritional supplements.

“Most of our appointments right now are for acupuncture, chiropractic and nutrition consultations,” Smith said.

The effectiveness of these treatments is sometimes apparent quickly.

“We had a sweet schnauzer that that couldn’t walk on her hind legs. She had been treated with many medications and even had an MRI to figure out what was wrong with her. After a few treatments with acupuncture and chiropractic therapy, she was not only walking, but running short distances down the owner’s driveway,” Smith said.

“Holistic veterinary medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses care of the whole animal: body, mind and spirit,” Smith said. “The practice of holistic veterinary medicine integrates conventional and complementary therapies to promote optimal health and prevent and treat disease by addressing contributing factors. Each animal is seen as a unique individual rather than an example of a particular disease. Disease is understood to be the result of physical, emotional, social and environmental imbalance. Healing, therefore, takes place naturally when these aspects of life are brought into proper balance.”