A new chapter in veterinary medicine

Healthspan. Connection. Possibility.Discover our vision ↗
a✳American Veterinary
Longevity Association
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OUR FOUNDER / OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

Dr. Gary
Richter.

MS, DVM

Veterinarian. Author.
A voice for more healthy years.

Meet the founder of the American Veterinary Longevity Association—a California veterinarian whose work connects clinical practice, integrative care, and the conversation about animal longevity.

Explore his story ↓
Dr. Gary Richter holding a small dog
Dr. Gary Richter · Photograph from Holistic Veterinary Care ↗
ROOTED IN CLINICAL PRACTICEOPEN TO NEW QUESTIONSFOCUSED ON ANIMAL WELL-BEING

THE PERSON BEHIND THE PURPOSE

A career shaped
by curiosity.

From an early interest in wildlife to a veterinary career in California, Dr. Richter’s path has brought together hands-on care and a commitment to learning.

Born in New York City and raised in Miami, he volunteered at the Miami Zoo and worked in small-animal practice before becoming a veterinarian. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and veterinary degrees at the University of Florida, completing his DVM with honors in 1998.

After graduation, he moved to California and worked in emergency and general practice. He went on to own Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland and founded Holistic Veterinary Care in 2009.

His practice brings conventional veterinary medicine together with integrative approaches. His professional training includes veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic certifications.

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MILESTONES

Practice. Learning.
A wider conversation.

1998

A foundation in medicine.

Graduated from the University of Florida with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, with honors.

2009

A practice in Oakland.

Founded Holistic Veterinary Care, bringing conventional and integrative care into one clinical setting.

2023

Longevity, in print.

Published Longevity for Dogs and Longevity for Cats, extending his work into books for pet owners.

AUTHOR & EDUCATOR

Bringing the
conversation home.

Dr. Richter writes and lectures on conventional and holistic veterinary topics. His books give pet owners another way to engage with his work.

THE AVLA VISION

More life.
In every year.

A community built around better questions,
shared knowledge, and the lives of animals.

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BIOGRAPHY & PHOTO SOURCES

Holistic Veterinary Care · Official biography & portrait ↗College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies · Professional biography ↗