About Howard Owens
I’m Dr. Howard Owens ND - aka Howie or Dr. Howie. I'm a licensed Naturopathic Doctor. A proud graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine the University of Guelph. And I’ve practiced in downtown Bracebridge, Ontario - right in the heart of Muskoka - since 2002.
I focus on prevention, working with nature, and the body’s ability to heal itself.
I look to the most successful natural treatments and techniques from around the world, specifically Asian and European systems, whose healthcare solutions have been delivering proven results for thousands of years.
As an ND, I am trained in the safe and effective use of treatments combining herbal medicine, clinical nutrition, lifestyle counseling, orthomolecular medicine, physical therapies, and acupuncture.
With training in western diagnosis and research, I can speak the same language as your MD. I appreciate and utilize the strengths of modern science throughout my work.
I focus mainly on lifestyle and nutritional interventions, doing my best to limit the number of pills, other medicines, or diagnostic testing needed while being conscious of my patients’ budgets.
When I’m not hard at work healing, I always try to lead a balanced, rewarding life full of fun and philanthropy.
I’m a founding member of The Dads of Muskoka, a group of like-minded men in Muskoka who help raise funds and do projects to create facilities and opportunities for families to get active in free or cost-effective ways and to help people and families who are falling through the cracks.
For the past decade, I have been practicing monthly in a multidisciplinary health clinic on the Rama First Nation, helping indigenous people improve their health and diets with traditional methods and medicines. I also practice monthly at another multidisciplinary clinic in the Haliburton Highlands in Minden.
I travel frequently to local men’s prisons, through the John Howard Society Pre-Release program, volunteering my time teaching inmates about the positive effects of nutrition and naturopathy.
Over 7 summers, I volunteered as a summer camp doctor at YMCA Camp Kitchikewana. I’ve also volunteered for the Town of Bracebridge Parks and Trails and Recreation Committee, as well as the Muskoka Trail Council. We worked with local politicians and health officials on issues surrounding active transportation, eliminating pesticide/herbicide use, trail upkeep, and other initiatives geared towards helping Muskoka and its people.
I regularly lead medicinal herb walks for local horticultural societies, the Band members at Rama First Nation, local naturalists, conservationists, and other interested groups. Please contact me if you’re interested.
And then there’s the great outdoors – I’m an avid trail runner, swimmer, yogi, backcountry camper, paddler, gardener, foodie, cross country skier, mountain biker, and disc golf player.
