My Story
Meet Kiyoko Hashimoto
Certified Animal Aromatherapist by Dr. Janet Roark& Canine Nutritionist by CASI
My love for dogs began even before I can remember. I was born with a Collie, and I immediately fell in love with it. Later, my father became a member of the JCC (Japan Collie Club) and began showing his dogs. He then became a breeder, raising dogs with excellent bloodlines. After owning several Collies, he gave me a Shetland Sheepdog. Her name was Norma, and she became my first dog. Like my father, I showed her and cared for the puppies. Sometimes I would draw pictures of them or write stories and turn them into books; I thoroughly enjoyed the world of Collies and Shelties. Around that time, I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. However, due to family circumstances, I had to abandon that dream and pursued a different path as an adult. Then, in 2002, after losing Monica, my Shetland Sheepdog who had shared both joys and sorrows with me, I suffered a terrible pet loss and decided never to own a dog again.
Years passed, and in 2016, I moved to Australia. About a month after arriving, I bought a six-week-old Standard Shark Bull Terrier puppy. I named her Chloe. While still adjusting to life in Australia and dealing with a dog of a different breed with different characteristics, I was initially bewildered, but I became completely smitten with her. However, through my involvement with vet care, I noticed several differences compared to Japan. Of course, I understood that different countries would have their own differences, but I later realized that this wasn’t the whole story.
In the approximately 15 years I hadn’t owned a dog; the pet healthcare and industry itself had changed dramatically.
One reason I noticed this was that, at about two months old, she developed severe allergies and frequently suffered from digestive problems. I received recommendations for various supplements and dog foods for her allergies from my friends and on social media, but after more than a year, none of them had any effect. One day, I heard that raw food was beneficial, so I gathered information and started preparing her meals. Her allergies improved in less than six months.
In 2018, a friend’s dog (a Staffy) gave birth to puppies, and I was given one of them. His name is Olympus aka Oly. He came to me when he was 11 weeks old, and I thought he looked a little thin. Less than a month later, he started to go bald, so I took him to the vet. He was diagnosed with Demodex Mang, and she gave him one Bravecto tablet. That night, he woke up in the middle of the night and started staggering around the house, urinating uncontrollably. Clearly, it was a side effect of the medication. From that point on, I stopped relying entirely on vets. I cured Oly’s Mange with diet and essential oils. This was the moment I discovered the effect of essential oils.
Since then, I’ve addressed their various health problems with a species-appropriate diet and natural therapies including essential oils. These included adrenal gland issues, joint problems, and digestive issues etc… In fact, Chloe developed CCL at the age of two. By then, I had already researched dog health extensively, so although the vet immediately recommended surgery for the CCL, I decided to treat her leg myself with natural therapies.
This is by no means a rejection of veterinary medicine; rather, it means that, just like with humans, our beloved pets have other options besides Western medicine. My family has a history of doctors and pharmacists, so I have some knowledge of medical matters. However, during my working years, I chose traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture for my care.
The same can be said for pets. Despite advancements in veterinary technology, many pets still suffer from chronic diseases (especially skin, digestive, and immune disorders). Furthermore, the sole solution to chronic diseases is long-term medication, which ultimately only worsens the patient’s condition without addressing the root cause of the illness. A different approach is needed to support animals suffering from chronic diseases. In fact, a more comprehensive approach combining natural therapies and proper nutrition has been shown to alleviate, and even cure, some of these problems without the serious side effects associated with long-term medication.
I obtained my Animal Aromatherapy Specialist certification from Dr. Janet Roark in 2021 and have helped many pets using a combination of food therapy and essential oils. Regarding nutrition, I also obtained my Canine Nutritionist certification from CASI in 2024.
Many pet owners who come to me have seen no results with conventional treatments and have almost given up, contacting me with a slim glimmer of hope. Their pets’ bodies are in terrible condition. This is the result of continuing treatments that ignore the animal’s natural healing abilities. My goal isn’t symptomatic treatment like “this for this, and that for that.” Even with the same illness, each animal is different. There are many factors at play: the environment surrounding the pet, what they eat, their lifestyle, stress, genetics, and so on. Instead of treating them in a way that puts a strain on their bodies, I aim to support their natural healing abilities and promote recovery.
Almost all chronic diseases are caused by inflammation. Therefore, by preventing inflammation in the first place and addressing the root cause of the disease, we can better support pets, alleviate symptoms, restore balance, and allow their bodies to heal naturally.
What’s most wonderful is witnessing the remarkable results I’m seeing now—pets regaining the health they should be and living vibrant lives. And I can truly say that I love this work.
