Wed December 16, 2026 - 2:00 PM EST — Wed December 16, 2026 - 3:00 PM EST
Location: Virtual Event
Speaker:
Rachel Starr, DVM
Price: $0.00
Go beyond the basics of laser therapy and explore the science of light at the cellular level. In this advanced educational session, Dr. Rachel Starr will examine the principles of laser science, the interaction between light and biological tissue, and the cellular mechanisms that contribute to photobiomodulation.
Discover how specific wavelengths of light interact with cells and tissues, influence biological processes, and support the body's natural healing responses. This session offers veterinary professionals a deeper understanding of the science behind therapeutic laser applications and the role of photobiomodulation in advancing veterinary care.
Rachel Starr, DVM
Owner/ Veterinarian
Pets and Their People, Inc.
3300 Wysong Road
Traverse City, MI 49684
www.petsandtheirpeopleinc.com
PERSONAL STATEMENT
I believe that health is not just the absence of disease but optimal physical, mental, and
social well-being. I would like to be a part of changing the way that we look at health
care in our country. I believe in promoting preventative care through nutrition and
healthy lifestyle. When disease does occur, I would like to mentor others in the use of
non-pharmaceutical and non-invasive therapies
EXPERIENCE
ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN, MAPLE RUN VETERINARY CLINIC, MT. GILEAD, OH — 2000-2002
I practiced as a mixed animal practitioner in a three veterinarian hospital, taking call for large and small animal emergencies. I provided herd health for several beef and dairy cattle herds, provided reproductive services for a Standardbred horse farm,
worked with small ruminants in an Amish community, and practiced small animal general medicine and surgery.
STAFF VETERINARIAN, CAPITAL AREA HUMANE SOCIETY, HILLIARD, OH - 2003-2005
I practiced shelter medicine, focusing on prevention of contagious disease within the shelter and spay/neuter surgery (cat/dog/rabbit, guinea pig/rat neuters), as well as any other surgeries needed by the shelter animals. I taught cat spays and neuters to veterinary students from The Ohio State University - College of Veterinary Medicine, where I truly enjoyed teaching and mentoring students.
ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN, SUTTONS BAY ANIMAL HOSPITAL, SUTTONS BAY, MI - 2005-APRIL 2024
I practiced general medicine and surgery, but was able to pursue my own interests which evolved over time. From 2005-2010, I was primarily a surgeon. In 2010, I became interested in alternative therapies and trained in Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation. In 2011, I added Laser Therapy and started to integrate nutrition. By 2015, I was fully a holistic veterinarian, seeing mostly nutrition appointments and adding in non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical therapies as needed.
ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN, ELK RAPIDS ANIMAL HOSPITAL, ELK RAPIDS, MI - 2009-APRIL 2024
In 2009, the owner of Suttons Bay Animal Hospital opened a satellite clinic in Elk Rapids and asked me if I would work there one day a week to offer a holistic approach
in that clinic, too.
OWNER/VETERINARIAN - PETS AND THEIR PEOPLE, INC.,
TRAVERSE CITY, MI - MAY 2024-PRESENT
In May 2024, I opened Pets and Their People Inc, Nutrition and Laser Therapy Center to provide non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical treatment options to the Grand Traverse area community.
EDUCATION
Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI - BS - Biology, 1996
Michigan State University - College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, MI - DVM,
2000
ORGANIZATIONS
AHVMA Member - SAHVMA Committee Chair, AHVMA Strategic Taskforce Member
PUBLISHED AUTHOR
Starr, R. Nutrition Response Testing® in the Dissolution of Persistent Cystoliths and Choleliths in a Miniature Schnauzer. J Am Holist Vet Med Assoc. 2023;71:23-32.
LIVE SPEAKER AT VETERINARY CONFERENCES
Music City Veterinary Conference, March 3, 2024 - 1 hour on Laser Therapy
FETCH Nashville Veterinary Conference, May 17, 2024 - 2 hours on Laser Therapy
VETgirl NOLA Conference, June 29, 2024 - 1/2 hour on Violet Laser
AHVMA Annual Conference, September 30, 2024 - 3 hours on Laser Therapy
New York Vet Show, November 7-8, 2024 - 2 hours on Laser Therapy
FETCH Long Beach Veterinary Conference, December 7, 2024 - 2 hours on Laser
Therapy
Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Conference, January 24, 2025 - 2 hours on Laser Therapy
FETCH Charlotte Veterinary Conference, March 15, 2025 - 2 hours on Laser Therapy
Florida Veterinary Medical Association Annual Conference, April 11, 2025 - 4 hours on Laser Therapy
Mountain West Veterinary Conference, June 20, 2025 - 2 hours on Laser Therapy
FETCH Kansas City Veterinary Conference, August 23, 2025 - 2 hours on Laser Therapy
AHVMA Annual Conference, September 8, 2025 - 3 hours on Laser Therapy
Michigan Veterinary Conference, September 28, 2025 - 3 hours on Laser Therapy
Wild West Veterinary Conference, Reno, NV, 2025 - 2 hours on Laser Therapy
SKILLS
• Great Communication Skills/Training in Communication
• Enjoy Teaching/Mentoring
• Specialized in Laser Therapy
• Nutrition Response TestingTM Advanced Clinical Training Graduate (2018)
• Applied Kinesiology/“Muscle Testing”
• Extensive Surgical Experience
• Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation
PERSONAL
I enjoy hiking (backpacking), traveling, gardening, and horse-back riding. My husband, Jay, and I have three sons, (Abe, Jonah, and Ari), two dogs (Esca, Puck), and a ferret (Stix). My sister owns a USDA certified hobby farm, where I help at times. I maintain a colony of meat rabbits.
