Annie Harvilicz

Annie Harvilicz DVM CVA is a veterinarian and animal rights advocate. She is the founder and chief medical officer of Animal Wellness Centers, a veterinary hospital in Marina Del Rey, California. She is on the national leadership council of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.

She has authored several studies on evolutionary genetics and biology including "Species-specific impacts of grazing amphipods in an eelgrass-bed community," which contributed to understanding the root causes of deterioration of the Chesapeake Bay. Dr. Annie is certified in veterinary acupuncture and practices integrative medicine on animals. In 2012, she conducted an unpublished study using an animal's own blood to harvest iPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells) to treat cancer. The study yielded some promising results, but was put on hold. Dr. Annie has appeared on The Pet Collective and in other various media as an expert on animal health issues and the veterinary industry.

Dr. Annie graduated with High Honors in Biology from The College of William & Mary in Virginia. She received her D.V.M. degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine where she served as president of the school’s chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and her CVA from the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine. She has been licensed to practice veterinary medicine in California, New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Like other veterinary practitioners who implement integrative medicine in animal healthcare, Dr. Annie has distilled her approach into 5-core elements: Modern Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Nutrition, Prevention, and Behavior. More information can be found here.

Modern Western Medicine Modern veterinary medicine is the branch of science that deals with the application of medical, surgical, dental, diagnostic and therapeutic principles to pet, domestic, wildlife and livestock animals. Today's veterinarians are doctors who are highly educated to protect both the health of animals and humans.

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) is the ancient veterinary treatment of animals developed over a period of over 3,500 years and is practiced all over the world. TCVM has rapidly grown as an adjunct therapeutic modality for animals. Chinese philosophical truths based on Taoism are the underpinnings that influence the practice of TCVM. The fundamental truth for health in TCVM is balance—balance within yourself, balance with others, balance with your diet, and balance with nature. TCVM practices include four major fundamental branches: food therapy, acupuncture, herbal therapy, and Tui-Na ("twee-na").

Nutrition Nutritional science investigates the metabolic and physiological responses of your animal companion to diet. With advances in the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics, the study of nutrition is increasingly concerned with metabolism and metabolic pathways: the sequences of biochemical steps through which substances in living things change from one form to another.

Prevention Preventive medicine or preventive care refers to measures taken to prevent diseases, (or injuries) rather than curing them or treating their symptoms. It is critical to preventing painful illness and reducing healthcare costs.

Behavior Dr. Annie's focus on Behavior is designed to enrich human animal interactions by promoting scientifically based techniques of training, management, and behavior modification. Recognizing the importance of addressing the behavioral needs of animals and the people they live with will enhance the lives of animals and people on a global scale.

The Animal Wellness Foundation is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, founded by Dr. Annie, which focuses on strengthening the human-animal bond. One core focus of the foundation is to provide a "last resort" when a low-income family or a kill-shelter is forced to euthanize an otherwise adoptable animal. The Animal Wellness Foundation has rescued hundreds of pets from kill-shelters in and around Los Angeles successfully placing them in "forever homes" across the country.

The Animal Wellness Foundation works with many other organizations to promote animal welfare including American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Humane Society of the United States, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Beagle Freedom Project, Lu Parker Project, Much Love, Take Me Home, and Kitten Rescue.

In 2014, the Animal Wellness Foundation partnered with Explore, a multimedia subsidiary of the Annenberg Foundation, that documents leaders around the world who have devoted their lives to extraordinary causes. One aspect of the partnership is a live stream of Animal Wellness Foundation animals available for adoption and educational videos hosted by Dr. Annie and broadcast on Explore's website.

Dr. Annie was born in Baltimore, Maryland. She now lives in Los Angeles, California with her rescue dog Izzy and several fosters. She is an avid skier and plays club soccer on a team called "Dogtown FC." She is family oriented and spends much of her free time helping animals in need.