what makes us different

Our Approach to Holistic Veterinary Care in Exeter, NH

As a client of Holistic Animal Healing Clinic, you can expect our full and sincere attention. When you arrive for your appointment, we will greet you warmly and invite you into the examination room, after checking your pet.

In most cases, one of our veterinary technicians will start by asking about your pet’s medical history, current condition and the reason for your visit, gathering data for Dr. Downey. The doctor will then start your pet’s examination, ask you further questions, and recommend diagnostic tests, if needed. Once all tests, which are typically run in-house, are complete, the doctor will confirm a diagnosis and treatment plan, if warranted.

Our team wants to ensure you’re completely comfortable with the information we’re providing. A veterinary technician will likely come back to complete the appointment, providing you with helpful pet care information and answering any care and wellness questions you have. Our front desk staff will then process your payment and schedule any follow-up appointments. We are excited to meet you and your pets!

Please note: Our goal is to see all clients on time. Though we have contingencies for emergencies, there are instances when unforeseen circumstances create delays.

Meet Dr. Regina M. Downey, DVM, CVA, CVMMP

Owner & Founder

Dr. Regina Downey hails from the beautiful Jersey Shore one of six Downey children of Marty, an engineer, and Helene, a schoolteacher. Dr. Downey graduated from the University of Georgia-Athens College of Agriculture in 1979 summa cum laude and the University of Georgie-Athens College of Veterinary Medicine in 1983, Phi Kappa Phi, in the top 5 percent of her class. 

Dr. Downey has certifications in classical homeopathy through the British Institute of Homeopathy, NAET (Nambudripods Allergy Elimination Treatment), Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM) through the International Veterinary Orthopedic Society, Bicom bioresonance through Regumend, certification in Applied Kinesiology through Standard Process, and Tui Na, Veterinary Medical Manipulation, and Veterinary Acupuncture, certifications all from the Chi Institute. 

Dr. Downey has been a practicing veterinarian since 1983, beginning her career at a veterinary practice in rural Virginia. She later matriculated to Massachusetts where she opened Coastal Animal Clinic in Salisbury, Massachusetts in 1990, a hallmark practice that set itself apart from area clinics for its compassionate and high-quality patient care. 

When she heard that a feral cat population was overwhelming the waterfront in nearby Newburyport, Massachusetts, she became the first volunteer veterinarian to establish a spay/neuter and routine health-care program for the Merrimac River Feling Rescue Society (MRFRS). During that time Dr. Downey developed a working relationship with Dr. Roger DeHaan, a holistic veterinarian and published author, whose practice she purchased in 1993 and who later became her mentor. From that point on, her holistic certifications grew exponentially. 

In 2005, Dr. Downey sold Coastal Animal Clinic then opened Holistic Animal Healing Clinic in 2007, to offer a truly integrative practice in an intimate non-threatening setting. Dr. Downey reconfigured the floor plan and transformed the former residence into the handsome clinic that it is today. Purposefully unassuming, skittish, or nervous pet enter Holistic Animal Healing Clinic with no reservations because of the homey appearance, atmosphere, and friendly reception. 

Dr. Downey is a sought-after lecturer and speaker for her knowledge, experience and successful outcomes using alternative treatment especially Bicom. In 2021, she provided a virtual lecture/presentation for the annual Regumed Congress on Bicom, the only American practitioner invited to do so. 

In 2019, she again, she was the only veterinarian from the United States asked to lecture at the APPEC Conference in Taiwan to educate attendees about Bicom bioresonance therapy, an international conference for both human and veterinary practitioners, and then interviewed on Taiwan television. 

In 2017, she was guest lecturer on bioresonance therapy at the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Annual Conference. She has been a past speaker at the Green Decade Coalition where she spoke on the cancer and correlation of Pesticides and Pets, and guest speaker at the New England Regional Boxer Specialty on the benefits of alternative veterinary medicine. She did a series of interviews on wsRadio.com speaking on integrative veterinary medicine as well as Bicom bioresonance therapy. 

Her expertise as a diagnostician and practitioner of alternative therapies is far reaching as she garners clients from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New York.

Dr. Downey is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), New Hampshire Veterinary Medical Association (NHVMA). She holds licensure in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Virginia, and North Carolina. And she is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and the Alpha Zeta Agricultural Honor Fraternity. 

Away from the clinic, she is an avid horsewoman and competes in Western dressage with her buckskin, is a fervent organic gardener, and fly fisherwoman and fan of the Boston Red Sox and UGA football. If all that were not enough, she is dabbles in mosaics and is a student of the art of drawing. The clinic walls are graced with some of her early drawings in charcoal, Annie, her beloved Golden Retriever who attended the University of Georgia with her, and Rosie, her pet racoon.

Meet The Staff

Meet Dr. Katharina ‘Kat’ Brandt, DVM, MBA

Dr. Kat brings an international flare to Holistic Animal Healing Clinic having studied in Spain and Germany and is fluent in a number of languages. Dr. Kat grew up outside of Washington, DC and comes from a family of medical professionals. Her father is a retired physician doctor, a brother also a medical doctor and a sister who is a radiologist. 

Dr. Kat finished her undergraduate degree at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. She started veterinary school in Munich, Germany and received her undergraduate degree from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. She finished her veterinary degree from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992 and went on to practice veterinary medicine in a variety of environments, specialty clinics, and emergency clinics.

In 2004, she moved to the Seacoast of New Hampshire and in 2007 earned her MBA from the University of New Hampshire. In 2010 she opened Seacoast Veterinary Housecalls practice. After doing relief work at Holistic Animal Healing Clinic, she came on as a full-time associate and closed her house call practice in May of 2021, having served her clients with care and compassion for 11 years. She completed study in small animal veterinary medical manipulation from the Integrative Veterinary Medical Institute and is working on her certification in acupuncture. 

Dr. Kat sums up her presence at Holistic Animal Healing Clinic saying, “Joining Dr. Downey’s practice represents a wonderful opportunity for me to continue to care for clients with the benefit of a full-service veterinary clinic and knowledgeable support staff.” She loves holistic medicine and would like to share her enthusiasm and knowledge with others. With a strong holistic medical perspective, Dr. Kat offers VOM, acupuncture, nutritional counselling and Bicom bioresonance therapy.

Danielle Henderson
Veterinary Technician and Equine Support Tech
Learn more
Danielle’s calm demeanor makes her the perfect team member to assist the doctors in office appointments. She has the uncanny ability to calm a nervous canine, feline, and equine, especially helpful when accompanying Dr. Downey on barn calls. She has spent a lifetime around horses, riding, showing and formerly managed a large horse barn.
Close
Karen Mueller
Practice Manager & Senior Veterinary Technician
Learn more
Karen brings a wealth of knowledge in integrative veterinary medicine to the Holistic Animal Healing Clinic team, having working side-by-side with Dr. Downey since 1993. Her bubbly personality coupled with her extensive knowledge in nutrition and supplements makes her an invaluable member of our team and to our clients. Karen also trained in Applied Kinesiology and is a former breeder of large-breed dogs.
Close
Sue Willumsen
Veterinary Technician
Sue is the newest member of our clinic team and brings with her 50-plus years in veterinary medicine. Sue has seen about every side of the veterinary profession, from serving as surgical supervisor in surgery and ICU at the prestigious Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston to a successful managerial career for a number of purveyors of veterinary products. She is an American Kennel Club (AKC) licensed breed judge, has successfully bred Labrador Retrievers since 1981 and has shown many of her dogs to championships as an owner handler. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts (UMass) in 1988 with high honors and attended Cornell University for two years prior to her moving over to UMass.
Close
Learn more

SCHEDULE YOUR PET’S CHECK-UP TODAY!

wave background

Leave Us a Review

5 Stars