Helping People and Pets Feel Better Through Conscious Care
By Rebecca Shipman
Photos by Andreas Stahly
hen you practice ‘consciously,’ you commit to purposeful decision-making, staying present during appointments, and reducing medical errors,” explains Dr. Melissa Magnuson, “The Conscious Vet,” and creator of the Conscious Care™ program.
“You balance science with humanity, using evidence-based medicine while honoring the emotional and personal aspects of care,” she continues. “My goal is to treat every patient to the best of my ability, using whatever resources are available.”
Dr. Magnuson grew up on a small pig and cattle farm in southern Minnesota, where the only two people who frequented the farm were the milkman and the veterinarian, with whom she was completely enamored with.
“He did so many cool things,” Dr. Magnuson shares, “like save the lives of our cows and pigs! I thought he was magical. I couldn’t wait to grow up and be exactly like him. I wanted it all—I wanted to drive the cool vet truck, wear veterinary coveralls, and carry a stethoscope.
Dr. Magnuson initially went to college and majored in Biology and Philosophy at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Shortly after graduation, she took a job with Solvay Animal Health, where she helped develop animal vaccines. At the same time, she started working in veterinary hospitals as a kennel assistant. From there, Dr. Magnuson worked her way up to a veterinary assistant and eventually applied to veterinary school.
“Working in research and veterinary hospitals solidified my passion for this field,” she says.
During veterinary school, Dr. Magnuson worked with Mary Kay Cosmetics, selling skincare products and makeup, which taught her how to run a business successfully.
“I was good at it,” she exclaims. “I even won a car, and it helped me pay for vet school.”
After graduating from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998, Dr. Magnuson completed a small animal and emergency internship, which brought her to Boston.
“Following my internship, I did relief work because there were no full-time veterinary positions that I was qualified for at the time,” she shares. “Doing relief work exposed me to many hospitals, opening my horizons on how I wanted to structure my own hospital.”
“Initially, I started out as a mixed animal practitioner, treating both large and small animals,” Dr. Magnuson says. “However, after a colleague of mine—a horse whisperer—was kicked in the head by a horse, I realized it was safer for me to focus on small animals.
“I also had the privilege of working with Dr. Alix Kilgore for many years,” she continues. “She taught me bird and exotic medicine and surgery and was instrumental in fostering my love for treating all species in small animal medicine. Dr. Kilgore is a brilliant teacher, and after she sold her practice, she joined my team at All Pets. I love saying this because it’s a testament to her skill that my mentor now works for me!”
“I see appointments two days a week (10-hour days, about 30-40 patients per day) and perform surgeries one day a week,” she shares. “My days are jam-packed with appointments and sick animals, but I love helping people and their pets.”
Dr. Magnuson coined the name, “The Conscious Vet,” because of how she practices medicine, which is by taking a thoughtful and mindful approach to veterinary care.
“I focus on being self-aware, mindful of my emotions and reactions in high-pressure situations, and recognizing my strengths, limitations, and biases,” she explains. “This approach helps me make better and more compassionate decisions.”
“After 26 years in the profession, there’s no greater gift than passing on my knowledge, skills, and expertise,” she shares.
In the near future, she plans to expand Conscious Care™ to include pet owners as well.
“Veterinary care is advancing rapidly, and while innovations are exciting, it’s crucial to educate pet owners about the costs of care,” Dr. Magnuson states. “Pet care is expensive—whether through insurance or personal savings, planning is essential.
Another way Dr. Magnuson has connected with pet owners is through her book, Animality: How Pets and People Connect, which brings readers on a breathtaking journey that closes the gap between men, women, children, and the animal world.
“The connection between humans and their pets is far deeper, broader, and more meaningful than most of us realize,” she says.
As a mother of three grown daughters, Dr. Magnuson is proud to balance her family life while managing three hospitals, launching and growing her mentoring business, and working on her second book. She also enjoys traveling with her husband, who is a photographer, which has allowed them to visit places like Africa and Iceland and experience incredible cultures.
“My husband and daughters are the best things that have ever happened to me,” she shares emphatically. “Even though my daughters are grown, we visit them monthly—it’s a joy to watch them thrive as adults.”
As for the future of veterinary medicine, Dr. Magnuson hopes to see the veterinary space focus more on sustainability, empathy and a growth mindset, because compassionate care is conscious care.