When Constance Pozniak graduated from the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine in 1979, conventional medicine was firmly established as the standard in companion animal practice and the concept of separate emergency service was just beginning to attract a following.  As a front runner from early on, Dr. Pozniak signed on to work at the Peninsula Veterinary Emergency clinic in Newport News, VA, first as an associate veterinarian, then rising into the position of Medical Director within 3 years.

            Later, opportunity knocked from a different direction.  Boulevard Veterinary Hospital in Norfolk, VA welcomed Dr. Pozniak as Chief of Staff in 1984 to refurbish the thirty-two year-old hospital.  Since that time, she has led the practice to the first in South Hampton Roads to offer ultrasound service and the first full dental operatory including dental radiography to provide root canals and dental restorations.

            On a personal level, Dr Pozniak became the first woman President of the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association in 1996 after serving several terms as Director to the Board from South Hampton Roads, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, active member of Health and Effectiveness Committee, Vice-President and President-Elect.  Concurrently, she served on the Board of Directors of the Tidewater Veterinary Emergency Clinic and Critical Care Center, and for eleven years was an Officer of the Board as Secretary. 

            One of Dr. Pozniak’s most treasured awards is Alumna of the Year 2000 from the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine, because it represents superior recognition from her professors and colleagues at her veterinary school.

            In public service, Dr. Pozniak had been selected in 1997 by the Head of the Department of Health Professions for the Commonwealth of Virginia, John Hastry ,R. Ph, to serve on an inaugural board of The Healthcare Practitioners Intervention Program,  the first in the nation to provide a dignified and effective avenue for the recovery of impaired health professionals.  She served the maximum two terms allowable under Virginia law and retired from the committee in 2006.

            Opportunities for education about veterinary complimentary therapies became available in the United States in the eary 1990’s.  Dr. Pozniak began studying homeopathy, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines as individual courses of further education in 1993.  She gained admission to the veterinary acupuncture program sponsored by The International Veterinary Acupuncture society, a study directive limited to 100 veterinarians per year and in 1999, Dr. Pozniak earned full certification in veterinary acupuncture.  A natural extension of education led to intensive study and full certification in veterinary chiropractic from The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association in 2001.  Further endeavors earned Dr. Pozniak distinguished certification in Chinese herbal medications from The Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in 2002 and a second certification in veterinary acupuncture, also from The Chi Institute.

            Dr. Pozniak integrates multiple modalities to meet each individual patient’s needs and the owner’s expectations.  At Boulevard Veterinary Hospital, she can select diagnostics ranging from blood tests, urinalysis, biopsies, bacterial cultures, to radiographs, ultrasound examinations or surgical explorations.  Therapeutics could involve Chinese herbal medicines or antibiotics or both, depending on a specific condition; dental care;  even root canal therapy; underwater treadmill exercises; chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, (dry needle, electro-acupuncture or aqua-puncture) or any  combination.  When appropriate, patients which need care beyond the scope of Boulevard Veterinary Hospital, referrals to Board Certified specialists are made.

            One particular perk of working in a veterinary hospital, that Dr. Pozniak takes full advantage of, is bringing her two rescued dogs, Tucker and Handsome, to work with her every day.  They are the hospital’s unofficial sniffers and greeters.