Meet Dr. Tori Countner, Mom, Dog Mom + Integrative Veterinarian, Balanced Pet Vet & Paw Sha
We are so grateful that Tori shared her story with us…
“Hi! I’m Tori, a veterinarian, wife and mom to a 3.5 year old boy, and to two silly dogs. I have a passion for helping older dogs and supporting their families in navigating senior dog issues such as chronic pain and arthritis using alternative treatments. I created a tool and program using a Gua Sha tool, called Paw Sha, to help manage your dog’s pain at home!”
Connect with Tori Online
Our ‘As Strong as the Mother Next to Me’ weekly spotlight highlights and celebrates Moms in San Diego and across the globe who believe in building up and supporting moms.
We are excited to share Tori’s story with you today!
How did you get started with your current role?
I started off as a general practice veterinarian 12 years ago, but saw a void in vet medicine in helping older patients living with chronic pain and mobility issues. I wanted more options then just pain medications, so I became trained in veterinary acupuncture and laser therapy. As I began implementing these alternative treatments, I saw a huge improvement in their quality of life and everyday routines! Families were also relieved to see their dogs and cats playing and happy once again without the overuse of pain meds. I learned more about nutrition, supplements, and other modalities that were non-invasive to help my patients live longer, healthier lives. My aim as a veterinarian is to bring this knowledge to everyone, not just my one on one clients.
Recently, I developed a tool and online class called Paw Sha, based on Gua Sha massage, to help dogs in the comfort of their own home. Pet owners can use this tool to ease their pet’s sore muscles, improve circulation, enhance lymph flow, and calm their nervous system. It is very straight forward and simple to use!
What does “As Strong as the Mother Next to Me” mean to you?
“As Strong as the Mother Next to Me” is such a beautiful and true statement. Mothers are caretakers and nurturers of people and animals – some of my biggest support systems are women who are dog moms.
To be a good veterinarian, mother, wife, friend, dog mom, and entrepreneur I need all the support I can get! Community helps build us up, support us when we falter, and helps us keep going when we are running on empty. Because of my strong relationships with friends, family, and colleagues, I am able to give support to my clients that need guidance in navigating their dog’s golden years. I walk clients through heartbreak and to be able to give them emotional support as well as veterinary support is very important.
What strategies do you use to stay connected?
We are all pulled in different directions these days, inundated by the news, texts, emails, calls, social media etc, but it’s still important for me to reach out to my support network. Many times when I’m driving someone will pop into my head to reach out to, so I’ll either call them, or send them voice note to just say I was thinking about them.
How do you involve your children in your professional life, if at all?
My son is 3 years old and very interested in what my husband and I are doing on a daily basis – I know it won’t last! I talk about caring for all animals, especially older dogs that need a little extra love. We have a deaf 13 year old grumpy Frenchie, so we talk about giving him extra grace and TLC as he ages. My son loves using the Paw Sha tool on both dogs! The dogs relax into it, and my son is so happy he can do something that benefits them.
Can you share an example of a collaboration with another mom that was particularly successful or fulfilling?
Most of my veterinarian colleagues are moms, so we are always collaborating and helping each other on different cases, new advancements and techniques to help our animal companions, and supporting each other when the brain fog sets in and we’re running on little sleep. I have never felt competitive with other vets, we all collaborate and lift each other up.
How do you define strength in motherhood?
Strength in motherhood is the ability to be vulnerable, knowing it all doesn’t have to be perfect, and reaching out for help when you need it. We aren’t meant to go through life alone! Leaning on your support system is vital to keeping your own health and strength up.
How do you celebrate small victories in motherhood and business?
I’m still learning how to do this! I get caught in the comparison trap of looking at other mothers and other entrepreneurs that seem to have it all figured out. I’m trying to take a moment after a small victory to acknowledge it and be thankful for it.
How did you build your community of moms around you?
I’ve been lucky to still have a solid group of friends from high school, college, and now in my adult life I’ve found a group of veterinarians that also share the same views on alternative medicine and integrating it into western vet medicine. Text chains, whether you like them or not, have been great for keeping in touch and building community!
How important is it to you to surround yourself with other moms professionally and personally?
Its important to support each other as moms, whether we are moms to humans, moms to dogs, cats or whatever form of a mom that comes in. “Mothers” are all women who are nurturers, care takers, empathetic and loving women who care for others. This kindness is needed, especially in the world we live in today!
What piece of advice would you give another mom who is struggling with balancing motherhood and business?
Balance is never perfect. There will be seasons where you are tipped in one direction more than another, and that’s OK! Starting a business is TOUGH, especially when you are raising small humans. Get rid of the notion that you have to be perfect in every area of your life.
Do you have a non-profit or cause that you want us to know more about? And why are you so passionate about this?
I love the Helen Woodward Animal Center. They are a shelter and adoption center for pets, but also have many programs for humans to connect more with animals. They have a therapeutic riding program for people with special needs, and they also have therapy companion animals. The affect animals and pets have on humans is beyond anything we can measure, and connecting with horses, dogs, cats and other companion animals can benefit all of us.
What challenges do you face as a mother and businesswoman?
It can be overwhelming to juggle the role of mom, entrepreneur, veterinarian, wife, and friend. Most days I feel as if I get nothing done, but at the end of the day I write down what I accomplished, or ways that I was present for my family and I realize it was a lot! The standards we hold for ourselves can be very unrealistic, and giving ourselves grace is the biggest gift we can receive.
Tell us about a challenging time in your business or in your role in motherhood and how you overcame it?
Creating the Paw Sha (Gua Sha for Dogs) tool and course has been a big challenge. I didn’t know where to start in creating a product for dogs! There was a lot of trial and error in the beginning. Since Gua Sha isn’t widely practiced in veterinary medicine, I had to teach myself human Gua Sha and extrapolate it to dog physiology and anatomy to create the course. There were may times where I wanted to give up, but I knew that so many dogs and other animals would benefit from Paw Sha massage!
What are some of your favorite resources managing your business and/or home life that have saved you time?
There are a ton of great programs and online systems, but honestly using good old fashion PEN and PAPER has been my go to! It’s simple but it works for me and my scattered brain. I have a big weekly calendar I use to chart out the week, a daily list of my top 3 priorities, and sticky notes I keep in my purse in case I think of something while running errands or at work.
Would you like to offer anything to our readers?
If you’d like to purchase the Paw Sha course and/or the Paw Sha tool, use code DRTORI15 for 15% off! Your dog will be forever grateful!
MOMination
We become better women, partners, leaders, and friends by empowering and lifting each other up. Thank you Tori for MOMinating this women below who has inspired you.
Shannon Cunningham (Tulee Blooms)
Shannon is a wonderful friend and mother that uses her talent as a ceramic artist to create beautiful handmade flowers. She and her daughter, Morgan, have built a business called Tulee Blooms, that bring these one of kind flower bouquets to life.
Robin Taylor (MVMNT)
Robin Taylor has created a workout studio, MVMNT, that is a safe space for all woman to become stronger through the unique life stages that women go through. She is a pioneer in helping women during pregnancy, post partum, perimenopause and every other life stage!
We are thrilled to bring back our weekly spotlight that will highlight and celebrate Moms in San Diego and across the globe who believe in building up and supporting moms.
We hope that if we can debunk the idea that you have to take on this journey alone, as a community of moms, we will all walk away stronger, inspired, and raise stronger children and become better partners. We’d love to hear from you!
