Veterinarian Dr. Carol Vavra.

Dr. Carol Vavra uses acupuncture and integrative veterinary medicine to treat pets at Best Friends Animal Hospital.  She is very happy to offer this service at Best Friends and lucky to be a part of this wonderful hospital and staff!

Dr. Vavra graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998.  She practiced in both Hawaii and Florida before moving to New Hampshire in 2006.  The move to the north was a welcome one - the Vavras missed the change of season, the snow, and opening windows to catch the breeze! 

Early in her career she realized conventional medicine could not cure all of the problems our pets have.  After researching different types of alternative therapies Dr. Vavra discovered that acupuncture had excellent results and would complement almost all conventional treatments. 

Dr. Vavra is certified in Veterinary Acupuncture from the Chi Institute for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in Reddick, FL.  She also completed additional training in Advanced Acupuncture Techniques at the Chi Institute. Dr. Vavra is honored to have studied with Dr. Huisheng Xie, founder of the Chi Institute, and have him as a continuing source of knowledge and inspiration. 

She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New Hampshire Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and is licensed in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Dr. Vavra shares her house with her best friends – she and her husband Paul come home to Gimp, a 16 year old Maine Coon cat (who loves his acupuncture when sleepy), and Madi, a 2 year old black and white (and VERY busy) cat.  They all miss their friends Friskie and Bobbie - their time to leave had come but they are still here in spirit!