Lavender Essential Oils in Veterinary Medicine: Navigating the diversity of species and practical uses.

Isabelle says "I graduated from Nantes Veterinary School in France in 1994, followed by a residency in equine medicine and surgery in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec.
After completing a research master's degree in biological signals and imaging, I gradually oriented my practice towards integrative veterinary medicine, combining osteopathy, phytotherapy and aromatherapy — a path I have followed exclusively since 2009, practising on horses and small animals.
Alongside my clinical practice, I have been involved in professional associations for over two decades. Within the AVEF (the French Equine Veterinary Association), I have served in various roles since 2001 — first as secretary of the Therapeutic Committee, then as head of the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Committee since 2014. I am also very honoured to have been elected to the Board of Directors since 2017.

Since 2018, I have been coordinating the RéPAAS — the veterinary phyto-aromatherapy network bringing together the AFVAC, AVEF and SNGTV (the three main veterinary professional associations in France), which receives financial support from the DGAL, linked to the French Ministry of Agriculture. This network aims to connect veterinary practitioners, share clinical experience and promote evidence-based approaches to plant and essential oil use in veterinary medicine.
Being part of the ANSES working group on medicinal plants from 2022 to 2026 has also allowed me to advocate for a One Health perspective on medicinal plant use. I try to promote scientific, practical veterinary phyto-aromatherapy at national and international congresses, and contribute to the training of veterinary students in several French veterinary schools.
My engagement sits at the intersection of field practice, scientific data and collegial involvement — driven by a strong conviction that integrative approaches deserve a serious and well-documented place in veterinary medicine."