Several years later I went to live in California where I spent many years developing my own studies on observational research with animals and aromatic oils. I noticed that when an animal had been separated from a companion, or taken from its mother too early it would normally select Neroli and when animal from a rescue home had been physically abused it would select Linden Blossom. I found that Garlic and German Chamomile would often be chosen for respiratory problems, and Carrot Seed was often selected where there was internal bleeding or cell damage, and so a pattern evolved. Not only did I find that their selection fell into a definite innate knowing but so did their application. Very often oils for internal problems were taken by mouth whereas oils for emotional problems were inhaled. This then led on to appropriate base materials into which to dilute the essential oils. Carnivores indicated their preference, and herbivores had theirs. On returning back to the UK in 1994 I set to work spreading the word of working with essential oils and animals.

Animal Aromatics works with the principles of giving back to animals the important medicinal secondary metabolites which are ‘non foods’ that are too often not understood or not made available to domesticated animals. This includes remedies such as essential oils, liquid plant extracts such as rosehip, macerated oils such as comfrey, the root of devils claw, clays, spirulina and soaked seaweed, which would be similar to that found in a tide pool on the beach.

This coincided with a change of direction for my career. I moved from the conventional Yorkshire practice in Helmsley to a newly established practice near Chichester dedicated to integrating alternative and conventional therapies in a first opinion practice.In 1998 I took and passed my membership exams for the Faculty of Homeopathy I was delighted to be able to put the letters 'VetMFHom' after my name.

Holisticvet Ltd. as the practice has now become, is based in Bath at the Apthorp Centre for Chiropractic and Holistic Therapies in Weston, near Victoria Park. I see dogs and cats here. I've established close links with the Bath Veterinary Group, a company offering practices here in Bath. TI'm the person who works with people or animals where we think a complementary approach would be best.

I travel to London to the Hyde Park Veterinary Centre once a month to do a busy surgery there. The Purton Veterinary Surgery in Swindon is a destination each fortnight on a Tuesday for another hectic afternoon. In between times I see small animal patients in Bath and horses all over the country.

Southampton University has a fantastic course in behaviour and where I am a part-time lecturer, teaching the students about homeopathy and acupuncture and how these alternative therapies can be used in treating behavioural problems. I love it! I'm writing regularly for Horse Magazine and Dogs Today magazine as a regular contributor.