About Me

Hi, I’m Charis – a vet with a passion for whole-pet wellbeing and the small details that make a big difference.. In general practice, I found myself drawn to the quieter corners of veterinary medicine – the long chats with worried owners, the gentle, careful exams for anxious pets, the moments where comfort matters just as much as cure.

That’s what led me to create Firefly Integrative Care: a home visit veterinary service built around wellbeing and individualised support. I believe in meeting pets where they are, and offering support that’s both compassionate and clinically informed.

I’ve seen how much calmer and more comfortable animals can be when they’re cared for in their own space. Home visits allow us to truly see the whole picture — their habits, their environment, and the small signs they might not show in a clinic.

Originally from Southern California, I earned a BA in Biology before moving to Scotland to pursue veterinary medicine. I graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2017 and have lived here ever since, drawn to the beautiful wild scenery and the genuine people who make it feel like home.

Over the years, I’ve expanded my skills in integrative practice – completing training in veterinary acupuncture with the Chi Institute in China during vet school, and becoming Fear Free Certified.

I’ve always had a strong interest in behaviour not just in how animals act, but in how they feel. Over time, this developed into a passion for helping pets and their people navigate complex, emotionally charged situations. Whether it’s fear at the vet, changes in behaviour due to pain or age, or long-standing challenges at home, I believe in listening closely, looking deeper, and supporting both ends of the lead or purring friend curled in your lap.

In 2025, I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Animal Behaviour, which now plays a central role in my practice as a referral veterinary behaviorist.

I’m also passionate about supporting older pets, helping you understand your options, and creating care plans that are kind, practical, and grounded in your animal’s real life.

I believe that good health starts with the basics: a nourishing diet, a sense of safety, appropriate movement, and a supportive home environment. These foundational pieces shape not only physical wellbeing, but emotional resilience and long-term comfort – and they’re always part of the conversation when we work together.

Outside of work, I share life with Artek, my 8-year-old Samoyed, who has probably taught me more about resilience, healing, and comfort than any textbook. After rehabbing him through a serious chronic carpal injury that included stem cell therapy, laser & a custom orthotic - we’re now back to doing what we both love – long countryside rambles and trips to the beach, even if it’s freezing! His journey continues to inspire the care I want for every animal I see, with the occasional muddy detour.

Firefly is about lighting the way forward to offer care that sees the whole animal — and the people who love them.

Thank you for being here. I can’t wait to meet you.

Experience & Qualifications

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Animal Behaviour - University of Edinburgh (2025)

  • Bachelors of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery - University of Glasgow (2017)

  • Certificate in Veterinary Acupuncture - Chi Institute

  • Fear Free Certified Professional

  • Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Charis Lorenz BVMS MRCVS