About MettaPets
Dr. Erin Bannink, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (oncology)
Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine | Veterinary Acupuncturist
Certified Spiritual Guide, Metaphysical Teacher, and Healer
Whole-Being Wellness for Pets
& Their People
Metta Pets was founded from a deep calling — to offer healing and hope for pets with cancer and the people who love them.
For me, this work has always been about more than treating disease. It’s about nurturing life — body, mind, and spirit — through one of the most profound and transformative journeys we can face together.
As a board-certified veterinary oncologist and integrative medicine practitioner, I’ve seen that healing doesn’t only happen in the body. It unfolds through the heart connection we share with our animal companions, the choices we make, and the growth that emerges when we allow love and wisdom to guide our path.
Through Metta Pets, my mission is to bridge worlds — modern veterinary oncology and evidence-informed holistic care, Western Biomedicine and Classical Chinese Veterinary Medicine, the science of the body and the subtle energies of the soul. This whole-being approach to cancer care honors both the precision of medicine and the mystery of healing.
While physical cure may not always be achievable, healing is always possible. Healing comes in many forms. Sometimes the greatest healing is in the lessons we learn about life and in becoming more present with our loved ones for the short time we are sharing together on this planet.
In this fast-paced world, we too often forget that the real meaning in life comes from our connections with others and the journey of learning to live more fully and authentically in each moment. In this way, we have the opportunity to view cancer as one of our greatest opportunities for growth. As an opportunity to evolve the way we think, the way we prioritize our life, the way we live with each other, and the way we approach our health and well-being.
Integrative Oncology with Heart
Each patient and caregiver who enters this space is met with compassion, respect, and individualized guidance. My goal is to help you:
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Navigate the cancer journey with clarity and confidence, grounded in sound medical knowledge and integrative support.
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Explore complementary therapies — from herbal and nutritional support to energetic and mindfulness practices — that restore balance and vitality.
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Discover personal growth and peace through this shared journey, transforming fear and uncertainty into greater presence, connection, and resilience.
Healing is not always the same as cure. Yet, in every moment of loving awareness, healing is possible.
A Bridge Between Medicine and Spirit
My journey as a healer has evolved alongside my work in oncology. In addition to my medical training, I have spent over 15 years studying the esoteric and spiritual sciences, becoming a certified Spiritual Teacher, Guide, Ritual Master, and Kabbalist in the Hermetic lineage of King Salomon.
This ancient lineage work deepens my understanding of healing beyond the physical — illuminating the energetic and spiritual dimensions that influence health and vitality for both people and animals.
It’s from this integrated perspective that I approach my work: grounded in science, guided by spirit, and dedicated to helping each being live more fully aligned with their highest potential for wellness and peace.
A Safe Space for Healing and Learning
The journey through cancer can be overwhelming, not only medically but emotionally and spiritually.
Metta Pets was created to be a safe, supportive, and trustworthy resource for you — a place to find clear information, practical tools, and heart-centered guidance as you consider treatment options and care for yourself and your beloved companion.
Here, you’ll find respect for all paths and perspectives. Whether you come from a conventional or holistic background, or are simply seeking understanding and peace, you are welcome here.
Healing for Pets and People
Every diagnosis invites us into a deeper conversation about life, love, and what truly matters. Through Metta Pets, I hope to help you and your pet find meaning and healing within the journey itself — to walk through it not only with knowledge, but with grace.
May the information, inspiration, and compassion shared here support you in creating greater wellness for both you and your pet — body, soul, and spirit.
With Kindness and Love,
Dr. Erin Bannink, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
Board-Certified Veterinary Oncologist | Integrative Medicine Practitioner
Certified Spiritual Guide, Teacher & Ritual Master in the Hermetic Mystery School Lineage
Meet Our Team
Dr. Bannink's Family
Sanity Support
and
Loving Kindness Laboratory
Unicorn Emmy
Comic Relief - Emmy is not entirely amused by Halloween, but she sure makes us laugh! And that makes her VERY excited!
Dan and Erin
My Partner in Life, Love, Learning and Laughter. Here we are enjoying the vibe before a ColdPlay show...I love my ColdPlay!
Emmy Lu
Emerald Lumerian Salad Houdini Hamburgler I-do-what-I-want Bannink (AKA Punkinhead). Here in her supervisory role.
About Dr. Erin Bannink
DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (oncology)
Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine
Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture
Dr. Bannink grew up in Rochester, Michigan, area where she lives now with her life-loving pooch, Emerald, and her adoring and supportive husband, Dan, who is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Hope College in 1998. She graduated from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. She then completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Garden State Veterinary Specialists New Jersey, and an internship and residency in medical oncology at Animal Cancer and Imaging Center in Rochester Hills, Michigan. She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, sub-specialty in Oncology, in 2008. Dr. Bannink was certified in veterinary acupuncture through IVAS in 2007 and has completed multiple advanced training courses in Veterinary Chinese Herbology including obtaining a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine through the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT).
She practices Integrative Oncology with Classical Chinese Veterinary Medicine at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Dr. Bannink is a CIVT faculty member and lectures to international audiences about integrating conventional cancer therapies with Chinese Herbal Medicine in veterinary cancer treatment. She is also a contributing lecturer for A Time to Heal Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine courses in Vermont. She received an award for Outstanding Contribution to Clinical Practice from the Southeastern Veterinary Medical Association in 2017.
In addition to her veterinary training, Dr. Bannink has had a strong lifelong interest and driving passion for personal and spiritual development. She has been intensively immersed in the study and practices of Yogic Philosophy, Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy and meditation since 2003. During the course of her residency and acupuncture training, she was also actively attending a weekly Mahayana Buddhism study group and practicing yoga and meditation. She continued to participate in this study group through the course of its 8-year existence, eventually becoming a senior teacher for these courses. She completed an immersive Yoga Teacher Training certification through the Yoga Studies Institute in 2010. She has led countless classes, workshops and retreats on topics including yoga, meditation, Tibetan Buddhist, Yogic and Christian philosophy, pranayama, kirtan and mantra. She is currently actively studying Hermetics in the Western Mystery school traditions and is a Healer, Teachers, Guide, and Magus Hermeticus (third step ritual master) with the Modern Mystery School. She provides healing sessions for people through her Divine PowerHouse Project and regularly leads classes and workshops on meditation, metaphysics and spiritual development. She attends personal and spiritual development courses quarterly, as she believes a good teacher is also a student, always.
We are never done learning.
These varied life experiences have led her on an amazing, interesting and, like all good things, sometimes challenging life journey. All these experiences have nurtured an appreciation for the rich overlap of our complex realities and the lessons inherent in all our experiences, which invite us to grow into the highest expression of ourselves. She holds a belief that it is through a path of empowerment, responsibility and love that we will come into our full expressions and live the life of our Dreams.
Her non-veterinary projects and programs include jewelry making (AiliACreations.com) and facilitating Spiritual Development for her Divine PowerHouse Community members (DivinePowerHouse.com and quantumspiritualselfmastery.com).