When “Crazy” Means Courage: My Journey to Holistic Veterinary Medicine

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs

Today, as I turn 54, this quote by Steve Jobs invites me to reflect... Over the years, it has become more than just a source of inspiration — it’s a constant reminder of the value of believing in your dreams... even when they seem like madness.

Since I was a child, I was the quiet one - shy, bookish, a bit nerdy. I loved animals, science, and books more than anything. My dream was clear: I wanted to become a veterinarian and a scientist, someone who would care for animals everywhere, no matter their species or circumstances. I started studying English when I was 10. By 14, I would spend afternoons in the library of my English school, painstakingly copying some basic vet books and illustrations by hand, with pen and copybook. This was long before the days of “copy and paste,” and it was my first taste of dedication to learning.

When I was 17, I passed the entrance exams for veterinary school. But after just 1.5 years, everything changed. I was faced with physiology classes that included vivisection. To me, it felt like watching gladiator games in the Roman Colosseum, with animals suffering in the name of education. I couldn’t continue with that and I dropped out.

It was a shock for my family...My mother had moved to another town with me to support my studies, and suddenly, everything was upended. We moved back home, and I chose a very different path — a Bachelor’s in Economics. As I said at the time, “At least this way, I won’t harm anyone.”

I graduated, completed two MBA's in Finance, and went on to work in the oil industry and financial markets. On the surface, it was a successful career. But deep inside, that childhood dream never went away…Years later, I found myself at a crossroads. I was immersed in fast-paced, high-stakes economic analysis, but something within me was calling louder and louder. It wasn’t logical, it was emotional, intuitive, and rooted in a deep desire to reconnect with healing, with animals, and with the Earth.

So I took what many considered a “crazy” step: I left everything behind (once again) and returned to veterinary school.

I became a veterinarian, specialized in Homeopathy, and embraced my lifelong attraction to natural therapies. Not long after, I discovered Reiki and that was a real turning point…I began applying Reiki to some of my animal patients and saw incredible results. But with my logical, analytical background, I needed to understand more…I wanted to know how it worked, not just anecdotally, but scientifically. That curiosity led me back to research, something I had always loved.

And so, I began my work in Reiki research, specifically in the veterinary field. It is still in its early stages, often misunderstood or dismissed. But I believe it is the future and I am committed to contributing to this emerging area of integrative, compassionate medicine…I have already written an article sharing my vision for what I call the “Medicine of the Future”, a model that includes veterinary care, energy healing, and a more holistic, respectful approach to all living beings.

Some say I am crazy. Maybe I am...I have always been different and I still am…But I believe that "different and crazy people" is exactly what the world needs.

As Dr. Edward Bach said “Life does not demand unattainable sacrifices from us; it asks us to make our way with joy in our hearts and to be a blessing to those around us, so that if we leave the world just a little better than it was before our visit, we will have fulfilled our mission.”

Today, I am a holistic veterinarian, homeopath and Reiki Master. I work with animals, sentient beings who remind us daily about presence, resilience, and unconditional love. My path has led me into places I never imagined: Reiki research, integrative healthcare, and a deeper conversation between science and holistic healing.

Healing, I have learned, is not limited to one species...it is a universal language of energy, compassion, and respect for life in all its forms. This journey is not easy, but it is true. And it is rooted in something stronger than fear, which is love.

Why share this today? Because birthdays are thresholds. They are powerful moments to reflect on where we have been, and where we are going. They remind us that life is not linear and that changing direction is not failure, but often the boldest form of wisdom.

To anyone standing on the edge of change, whether in your career, your beliefs, or your way of seeing the world, I want to say this: Trust the voice within.

Here is to another year of growth, gratitude, and being just crazy enough to believe that we can, indeed, make a difference.

#birthday #veterinarymedicine #holisticvet #reflections #reikiandscience #reikiresearch #holisticvetpath