Dr. Bonnie D. Wright
DVM, DACVAA
Specialist in Anesthesia and Analgesia
Dr. Bonnie Wright is a leader in veterinary anesthesia, pain management, and evidence-based acupuncture. Board-certified in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (DACVAA), she holds advanced certifications in Medical Acupuncture, Veterinary Pain Practice, Canine Rehabilitation, Canine Musculo-Skeletal Imaging and Regenerative Medicine. As the lead faculty for the Evidence-Based Veterinary Acupuncture program, she is dedicated to integrating scientific rigor into non-pharmaceutical pain management strategies.
Dr. Wright completed her DVM at Colorado State University, followed by a residency in Anesthesia and Critical Patient Care at the University of California, Davis. She has been practicing, teaching, and advancing the fields of anesthesia, pain medicine, and rehabilitation for over two decades. You can learn even more about Bonnie at her website, The Mistral Vet.
Podcasts and Interviews
Featuring Dr. Wright
Dr. Wright created the first acupuncture course for the Canine Rehabilitation Institute and recently led four continuing education (CE) sessions at the 2026 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando, Florida, hosted by the North American Veterinary Community. In an interview with dvm360, Wright discussed the prevalence of acupuncture in veterinary medicine, educational opportunities to learn this form of integrative medicine, and different types of patient cases that can benefit from this therapy.
dvm360 published a series of interviews they had with Dr. Wright:
- Using acupuncture in veterinary medicine
- Where acupuncture fits in modern veterinary care—beyond drugs
- Why acupuncture can complement pharmaceuticals in chronic disease
- The physiology behind acupuncture for bladder and pelvic pain
- How acupuncture can support homeostasis in chronic disease beyond pharmaceuticals
- How can veterinarians start offering acupuncture
- Aging with acupuncture
- A Q&A on acupuncture for pain, frailty, and cognitive change in aging patients
Scientific Proof of How Acupuncture Works
An interview with Pet Wellness Advocate, Tracie Hotchner
My Veterinary Life, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Pain Management and Career Management with Dr. Bonnie Wright
Dr. Bonnie Wright shares her journey to becoming a veterinary anesthesiologist, pain specialist, and educator in this week's My Veterinary Life podcast episode. She discusses how a life-changing car accident reaffirmed her career choice, her evolving interests in anesthesia and pain management, and her embrace of acupuncture as a science-based tool. Dr. Wright highlights the importance of adaptability, lifelong learning, and following one’s passions, while also addressing the challenges and surprises of her career. Her story encourages veterinarians to remain open to new opportunities and diverse career paths.
"Pain, Neurobiology, Beauty, and Big Cats: A Surprising Conversation on Veterinary Acupuncture."
Dr. Wright talks about neuroscience, the treatment of pain, nervous system regulation, and how medicine is beautiful.
Listen to Dr. Wright's interview with Qiological.
Dr. Wright's
Speaking Schedule
January 17 - 18, 2026:VMX Florida
June 25 - 27, 2026:
Colorado VMA - Keystone
August 15 - 17, 2026:
Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) - Nashville
September 16 - 18, 2026:
Keynote Speaker at IVAS - Iceland
November 3 - 8, 2026:
AMMVEPE Congress
November 13 - 15, 2026:
Hawaii VMA
