I had the pleasure of meeting Amanda Jane Finnell at BlogPaws 2011, where she was an attendee at my guest speaking engagement on Getting Traditional Media Coverage for Bloggers.

Amanda exudes a natural ray of sunshine. Ever meet someone and get the vibe they are going to go far in their life’s journey? Amanda is one of those people. We chatted and were able to exchange business cards, pleasantries, and followed up post conference.

Carol, Dexter, and Amanda dish some doggone fun

In her own words, Amanda shares who she is on the path to become a “paw-er” woman in a pet-oriented industry.

“I’ve always wanted to work with dogs for a living but when I was growing  up the only option was being a vet.  Once I was old enough to understand the emotional challenges being a vet brings, I  knew this was not an option for me.  Years later, assisting in OB/GYN, I fainted a couple of different times during minor surgical procedures, confirming I didn’t have the stomach for that either.

Now I have my dream job working for www.Roscoe’s Remedies.com, providing Chinese herbal supplements to dogs and giving health information to their owners. I am also currently in an apprenticeship to become a Chinese herbalist.”

What made Amanda want to become a pet’s “Chinese herbalist?” This struck our Fidose fancy, so Amanda continues…

“About  3-1/2 years ago I started working for a local Acupuncturist/ Chinese herbalist in the Kansas City area.  I started as a patient first and got so much help that I knew I had to work with Morgan Riley, L.A.c.,  I was hired and so began my clinical apprenticeship.  Chinese herbalism and acupuncture have changed my life and is something I will support with my last breath.

Six months after starting at the clinic I was walking my dog, Roscoe, and I noticed he was having a difficult time moving about.  Missouri summers  are hot and humid.  This was the first year since Roscoe had become a senior that I noticed him having issues.  His shoulders and hips were very stiff and the higher the temps rose the worse his discomfort became.  I took him to the vet and they told me without x-rays they couldn’t be sure but due to his age he was probably getting arthritic and his German Shepherd genetics weren’t helping the situation.  They offered me some medication choices but I knew I could not afford the upkeep.  I decided there was a lot of home supplementation I could do and wanted to try that first. The vet was agreeable and gave me information on the prescriptions.

I then went to work very upset; my lifeline, Roscoe was in trouble and I didn’t know where to start for senior care.  When I explained my situation to Morgan, he was delighted to find an herbal formula to help Roscoe and get my mind back on work.  Roscoe responded quickly to the Chinese herbs and has been doing great since.

During the next year we made adjustments to Roscoe’s formula and began treating local dogs through the clinic.  Morgan and I began to talk of a new business, an online company that he would allow me an opportunity to be a major part of.  We named it Roscoe’s Remedies in honor of the dog who got us started.  We all have a dog in our life that we will never forget and touches us in a particularly special way.  Roscoe is that dog for me.”

Unexpected Surprises

“I’m very thankful he gets to be immortalized.  At the same time Roscoe’s  Remedies was being created a new life was created in me.  That’s right, just how life always does, I got pregnant at the most inopportune time.  The worst part for me was how a pregnant brain holds very little information.

Another year later and two babies are beginning life, one is Roscoe’s  Remedies, the other my son.  I’m very proud to have each in my life.

During the last year we have spent a lot time in development, design and working with the NASC (National Animal Supplement Council) to launch the site. The NASC is a new company that regulates the companion animal supplement industry.”

Fast Paw-ward

Update:  8/25/2011: ” Hooray! We turned the site on and all the time preparing was worth it.  We have great products that I believe in and I get to see my boy, Roscoe on every jar.  Learning to be a mom and a starting new business is a wonderful challenge and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I’m enjoying growing as a person and I’m very excited to be a Chinese herbalist one day.  I want to spend my life helping dogs with herbs and I have a dream to foster sick and senior dogs, helping them regain as much of a healthy life as possible with my Chinese herbal supplements.

One day at time.  I will get there.  I appreciate all the support I can get and am looking forward to getting into total dog culture.”

Learn more by visiting RoscoesRemedies.com.

If you missed part 1 of the Paw-er Women series with Abby Kass, catch up here: Paw-er Women Series Part 1: Pet Fashions with Abby Kass