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Dr Nicole Rous has made it her mission to integrate both modern and traditional medicine into the care plans of the animals she treats. By Tracey Porter
It was while hunting for a cure for a human respiratory issue that veterinarian Dr Nicole Rous discovered the benefits of complementary medicine for animals. “My daughter had a persistent cough one night, and I’d tried every over-the-counter cough syrup available. Feeling desperate, I reached out to The Natural Vets Facebook group and asked if anyone had any suggestions,” Dr Rous recalls.
“[A fellow vet] responded with an acupuncture point and an essential oil combination. I tried it, and to my absolute amazement, the cough stopped almost immediately. It was one of those moments that’s hard to ‘prove’, but it was enough to send me down a rabbit warren of research.”
In the years since, Dr Rous—who co-owns independent veterinary clinics Mont Albert Veterinary Surgery and Canterbury Veterinary Clinic and Hospital as well as her own natural and holistic pet care product brand, Shy Tiger—has made it her mission to look at animal health from both the preventive and curative sides.
She now takes a holistic approach to animal care, attempting to understand the underlying causes of an illness before addressing them through a combination of conventional medical treatments and complementary therapies.
The early years
Growing up with a supportive mum and dad and a sister just 20 months her senior, Dr Rous enjoyed a relatively traditional childhood.
Raised in the belief that animals were just siblings with four legs, the family’s selection of labrador-crosses as their pets of choice clearly had a big influence.“I always had a strong connection with animals, she says. “I decided I wanted to be a vet when I was six and never wavered.”
Dr Rous’s tertiary education began at the University of Melbourne, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 2003. In 2004, she headed north and entered vet school at the University of Sydney.
After graduating with honours, she completed a stint in the UK, working as a vet before she and husband Max returned home. She then spent the next decade in a busy suburban clinic while completing her membership with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Animal Reproduction.
“What drew me most to small animal practice is the privilege of nurturing the human–animal bond. You’re not just treating a patient; you’re supporting the emotional connection between a pet and their family, and that is incredibly rewarding. Being part of a pet’s journey from puppy or kitten through to their senior years is such a gift, and those long-term relationships with both animals and their humans are what I love most about this work.”
We’re in such a privileged position as vets—we get to improve lives, support the human–animal bond, and be trusted voices in a space that means so much to so many. I truly believe it’s the best profession in the world.
Dr Nicole Rous
The team environment and sense of community that comes with working in small animal practices are also key motivators, she says.
“It’s a collaborative space where you’re constantly learning from each other, and the lifestyle is well-suited to raising a family. Being close to home and connected to the community we live in has allowed me to balance career and family life in a way that feels meaningful and sustainable.”
Taking the plunge
Owning a clinic had always been a dream, so shortly after having their second child, Dr Rous and Max began exploring opportunities.
“I literally drew a 5km radius around our house and started cold-calling clinics—it was completely outside my comfort zone but turned out to be a pivotal moment. That search eventually led us to purchase our first practice, and we’ve been building from there ever since.”
They purchased Mont Albert Veterinary Surgery nearly four years ago, and took on Canterbury Veterinary Clinic and Hospital less than a year ago.
The couple employs around 25 staff across both clinics including three full-time, six part-time, and two casual vets, as well as nurses, administration and support staff.
The most enjoyable part of this, is being her teams’ cheerleader, Dr Rous insists. “There’s something special about shaping a clinic culture and then watching how both the team and the clients respond—when the staff feel supported, pets and their people genuinely flourish. As an integrative vet, I also love building a workplace that values professional autonomy, where practitioners feel empowered to share ideas and explore approaches that align with their clinical strengths.”
With Max taking on much of what she calls the “mental load” of managing the clinics’ business operations, Dr Rous says she now has more space to focus on people and patient care.
“The biggest challenge for me is maintaining boundaries and knowing when to step back—there’s always something more you could do, and the work is incredibly immersive. Still, even the parts I find harder are part of what makes the role fulfilling.”
Thinking differently
Throughout her years in practice, Dr Rous has treated countless pets with chronic health conditions. While recognising the vital role medications play in treatment, she began to get frustrated by the over-reliance on drugs alone.
“I wanted more options. Safer, gentler tools that could support true healing. The penny dropped for me one day when I thought, ‘If I took my human child to the doctor and they told me the best thing I could feed them was the same cereal every day with a synthetic vitamin and mineral supplement, I’d never believe them’. Once you see that parallel, you can’t unsee it—and it made me question how we approach nutrition and health in veterinary medicine.”
The realisation led Dr Rous to explore fresh-food feeding more deeply, sparking an interest in integrative medicine.
While aromatherapy and wholefood nutrition might seem like an odd combination, Dr Rous says both opened up a new world for her as a practitioner. Shy Tiger was launched in 2020.
Typifying the “quiet but powerful strength” of natural medicine, Shy Tiger solutions work “gently, consistently, and holistically, often addressing the root cause rather than masking the symptoms”, Dr Rous says.
“I wanted the brand to honour that softer, but no less effective, approach—especially for pets who are sensitive, anxious, or easily overwhelmed. We focus on addressing root causes, not just symptoms, and we use organic, Australian-grown ingredients wherever possible. We’re also deeply committed to education and transparency, which helps pet parents make informed decisions they feel confident about.”
Feeling lucky
Dr Rous is kept busy running the two clinics, growing the Shy Tiger product range, and doing some consultancy and ambassadorship work for a few pet health brands.
Weekends are all about children’s sport but during the week—particularly on non-clinical days—she likes to unwind by going on walks with Max and their dogs. It’s a chance to slow down, reconnect, and clear her head.
Dr Rous says she works hard to never take for granted the fact that she and Max are fortunate to have their health, to work together each day, and to have the freedom to shape a life that aligns with their shared values.
“One of my favourite parts of launching Shy Tiger has been discovering the pet business community. I’ve made so many genuine friendships. We’ve connected through social media, and while that space often gets a bad rap, it’s been an incredibly positive and supportive experience for me. They’re my cheerleaders too.
“There are so many pet parents out there just trying to do their best, and I think when vets share their knowledge openly, it really empowers people,” she adds. “We’re in such a privileged position as vets—we get to improve lives, support the human–animal bond, and be trusted voices in a space that means so much to so many. I truly believe it’s the best profession in the world.”
