Dr. Shawn Messonnier is a well-known veterinarian, lecturer, consultant, and pet care advocate. After graduating from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1987, he opened Paws and Claws Animal Hospital in Plano, Texas. At that time it was the first office in Plano to offer specialized services for exotic pets. After seeing that the number of cats and dogs afflicted with chronic medical problems failed to improve over the years with conventional medicine, Dr. Messonnier turned to alternative therapies. Encouraged by positive results, he opened the Acupuncture & Holistic Animal Health Care Center as part of his ongoing practice. In addition to authoring numerous papers and chapters of books on a range of topics, Dr. Mesonnier has written eighteen books for both pet owners and veterinarians. Currently he serves on the advisory board of the highly respected international veterinary journal, "Veterinary Forum, " and is creator and editor-in-chief of the leading publication for doctors treating exotic pets, "Exotic Pet Practice."He also lectures widely at veterinary conferences both inside and outside the United States.