The holistic canine
PET NUTRITION & HOLISTIC HEALTH CARE
Meet Kimberly Lloyd
Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner
Kimberly Styn Lloyd, PhD, BCHHP, CNHP, CHNP, is a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Doctor of Holistic Nutrition, Naturopath, Certified Canine & Feline Nutritionist, Certified Professional Holistic Animal Healer, and Certified Canine Raw Food Nutritionist. Kimberly holds a doctorate (PhD) in Holistic Nutrition and Naturopathy. Kimberly has been professionally certified as a Natural Health Practitioner (CNHP) and a Holistic Nutrition Practitioner (CHNP). Her professional canine & feline nutrition education from Southern Illinois University is approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). She is board certified through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) earning the title Holistic Health Practitioner (BCHHP) whereby she abides by the strict code of ethics for practitioners. Kimberly holds a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number for qualified pet insurance holders. Kimberly’s holistic education is recognized by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM) and the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT). Her education and training as an Animal Holistic Healer includes species-appropriate nutrition for canines, felines, equines, birds, rabbits, livestock, and other small animals. Kimberly practices nutrition therapy, herbal therapy, and aromatherapy on animals and people. Kimberly also holds a Master of Divinity (MDiv), a BS in Nutrition, and is a Certified Fitness Trainer.
Board Certification # 70643412
Kimberly’s Nutrition Perspective
Kimberly is a canine and feline clinical nutrition professional with a research-focused interest in nutrition, physiology, and longevity. Her work centers on applying evidence-based, species-appropriate nutrition principles to support optimal digestion, nutrient absorption, metabolic function, and long-term health.
Rather than promoting a single feeding philosophy, Kimberly approaches nutrition through individualized clinical assessment. Diets are formulated based on the animal’s biology, health status, life stage, medical history, and specific nutritional requirements—not trends or generalized feeding ideologies. Some dogs thrive on carefully formulated meat-based diets, while others benefit from thoughtfully constructed omnivorous approaches. The appropriate strategy is determined by the individual dog and the clinical context.
When raw feeding is appropriate, diets may include uncooked animal tissues to preserve nutrient integrity and bioavailability. When cooked or plant-inclusive approaches are utilized, ingredients are deliberately selected and prepared to support digestibility, nutrient accessibility, and safety. In all cases, diet formulation prioritizes nutritional adequacy, balance, and physiological appropriateness.
Kimberly has extensive knowledge of canine evolutionary adaptation and digestive physiology, including the AMY2B gene associated with starch digestion in domestic dogs. While this adaptation demonstrates metabolic flexibility, it does not imply a biological requirement for dietary carbohydrates. As noted by the National Research Council (NRC) in Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, dogs have no dietary requirement for digestible carbohydrates when sufficient protein is provided to support gluconeogenesis.
At the same time, clinical and historical evidence shows that dogs can survive—and in some cases thrive—on a range of macronutrient distributions when diets are properly balanced. The modern rise in chronic disease, reduced resilience, and declining health outcomes in pets is therefore unlikely to be explained by macronutrients alone. Instead, Kimberly emphasizes diet quality, nutrient completeness, formulation accuracy, and environmental health factors as critical determinants of long-term wellness.
Kimberly’s approach to nutrition is comprehensive and preventative, combining precise diet formulation with thoughtful consideration of environmental stressors, toxin exposure, and lifestyle factors that influence health and disease risk. Her goal is not perfection, but to give each animal the strongest possible foundation to thrive.
All nutrition plans are formulated to meet established nutrient requirements set forth by the National Research Council (NRC), Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), and FEDIAF for puppies, dogs, kittens, and cats.
Outside of her professional work, Kimberly is the guardian of three dogs who are fed carefully balanced fresh-food diets. She and her husband maintain an organic homestead where they raise poultry and provide care for rescued animals in need—reinforcing her commitment to responsible stewardship, animal welfare, and informed nutrition.
My Story
My love affair with dogs began before I can even remember. I was born into a home with a Cairn Terrier who quickly became the object of my affection. My parents later added an Australian Terrier to the family and I relished in the fun of the Terrier world. However, when we adopted a Golden Retriever, I became far more interested in the world of dogs and decided to pursue a career with animals. Our Golden Retriever encouraged my interest in dog showing and agility trials; even though she would never be a show dog, she was a great opportunity for me to learn how to train a dog to do remarkable feats. I even began learning how to groom dogs on our Golden. I soon became active in a local 4H club, and not long after entered the world of horse showing and horse ownership. When I finished High School, I immediately entered college for Veterinary Technology. I was so excited and honored as the enrollment was limited to only twenty-five students and I had been selected. Yet my enthusiasm would soon waver as we began practicing on live animals. To my horror, I watched as students made mistakes and began to injure the lab animals. When I then discovered that shelter animals were used for exploratory surgery, I nearly cried when reality suddenly hit me that those poor animals are not revived after the procedures. I couldn’t do it. My heart was broken.
We had at that time adopted another Golden Retriever, an 8 week old pup. I again rejoiced and relished in puppy care, dog training, and Golden Retrievers. It wasn’t long after that I began my career in veterinary clinics in Western NY. That inadvertently led me to learning the art of dog grooming on a professional scale. My first position at a veterinary clinic was a Veterinary Assistant. During that career, I was accidently stuck with a needle which contained an antibiotic, and unbeknownst to me, I was allergic to penicillin. That ended my career. However, I began working for a dog groomer where I was safe from antibiotics and was gratefully taught dog grooming. I took a course to become a professional dog groomer and discovered I had a talent. I was later hired on at another veterinary clinic where I became their pet groomer. I would soon, however, find the holistic path to health and healing.
My education in the holistic arts and sciences of nutrition and natural health became the center of my world. I had already been working as a personal fitness trainer for seven years when I also began working as a nutrition consultant. Now married and a mom to two young boys, I had to make the decision to pursue a career or to be a mommy. That led me to working at home and it was then that I went back to my skills in animal care and grooming. I opened my own holistic dog grooming salon and ran it right out of my home. I had the space and a great location from which to run a business and care for my growing family. Fancy Furs & Peticures became a reality.
At that time, I had become the owner of a Toy Manchester Terrier who I had acquired directly from the show ring in Virginia. He had earned himself a few ribbons. My love for dogs began to rekindle all the more. Soon we adopted our Samoyed, a 7 week old white ball of fluff. I began to train him and run agility trails with him at Western Lakes Training Club of Buffalo, and to my delight, he was a natural. Soon, my Siberian Husky entered our life, also when he was 7 weeks old. My education had also begun to grow. I had now earned my Master’s in Divinity and would soon enter my doctoral program in Nutrition and Naturopathy. Additionally, I had studied holistic health care for pets as well as canine nutrition and was soon making my own dog food. My grooming business was booming and I had dogs in and out of my house nearly daily. I was now caught between practicing holistic services and running my grooming business. Life decided for me, however.
Our lives took a turn that was unexpected leading me to a new life in Georgia. My lifelong home in New York came to a screeching halt, along with my grooming business. I began my life in Georgia and pursued the path of a holistic practitioner, and sadly left my canine talents and love behind. My Siberian Husky was the only dog I had left. He was my companion through life’s trials. It was my husband who began to re-cultivate my dog interests. I decided it was time to get back on that road. A tiny 11 week old black and white Pomeranian entered our life. It amazed me how addicting dogs can be! I began puppy training all over again, and soon I was entering back into the world of canines and naturopathic dog care. After a rescue also entered our world and whelped nine puppies, The Holistic Canine was born!
My husband and I are now officially established as holistic dog rearers and raw dog food nutrition advisors. I am a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner (PhD), an Orthomolecular Nutritionist, and a Certified Raw Dog Food Nutritionist. We are currently the owners of six amazing dogs.
My female shepherd and I are more than grateful to have found Kim! I had fed raw since the day my shepherd pup came home but it was unbalanced.
I consulted with a nutritionist prior to finding Kim that had left nutritional holes in the recipe and included proteins that don’t always get on well with shepherds.
Kim took her time to educate me on breed specific nutrition as this is my first time owning a shepherd dog!
I am so happy to say my shepherd’s issues that we were struggling with (itching, fur loss, imbalances) are GONE. She is healthier than ever, full of energy and enjoys her food at 2 years old and it is all thanks to Kim!
DIY raw can be overwhelming and working with Kim has made it so easy and manageable! Plus she is an amazing human being that always has answers. I recommend her to every person I come across!