About Me

Hi, I’m Dr. Jacqui Snell, a veterinarian with over 30 years’ experience dedicated to the care and well-being of companion animals. My career has taken me across Wellington, England, Hawke’s Bay (where I practiced for 21 years), Tauranga, and Rotorua. For many years, I owned and operated a successful veterinary practice in Taradale, Hawke’s Bay.

I am now based in Nelson, offering holistic veterinary care through nationwide telemedicine consultations, as well as in-person visits for local clients.

As a registered veterinarian, I am an active member of the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), including its Complementary Medicine Branch, as well as the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies, Veterinary Botanical Medical Association, and The Raw Feeding Veterinary Society. I also serve as editor of the NZVA Complementary Branch newsletter and have presented at three NZVA conferences on their behalf.

My lifelong passion is helping animals live healthy, vibrant lives. Over time, I realized that while conventional veterinary medicine is essential, it can have limitations—particularly for chronic and complex conditions. This inspired me to pursue advanced training in holistic medicine, culminating in a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine through the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT). This unique blend of evidence-based natural therapies and traditional veterinary knowledge allows me to offer pets the best of both worlds.

My approach integrates science, knowledge, experience, intuition, and energy healing to create individualized protocols that restore balance and harmony to the lives of our companion animals. In 2019, I founded Veterinary Holistic Healthcare, specializing in natural medicine. I incorporate natural therapies such as herbal medicine, nutrition, supplements and flower essences to support our animals holistically, addressing many areas of an animals wellbeing. All recommendations are selected with safety as the highest priority and, whenever possible, are guided by evidence-based medicine. These modalities are designed to complement conventional veterinary care, working in collaboration with your veterinarian, to develop treatment plans tailored to your pet’s unique needs.

Holistic veterinary medicine provides additional options for supporting animals, particularly when exploring complementary approaches to conventional care. I strongly advocate for preventative care and natural approaches that reduce reliance on chemicals and pharmaceuticals, helping pets achieve optimal health and vitality. My ultimate goal is to improve quality of life and well-being for every animal I treat.

Seeing pets thrive again is what inspires me every day, and I feel privileged to walk alongside them on their journey to better health.

Dr. Jacqui Snell BVSc, Grad Dip VWHM