Livingston County is welcoming a new kind of pharmacy—one designed around people, pets, and the belief that healthcare should never be one-size-fits-all. People and Pets Pharmacy, located in Brighton, Michigan, is a concierge compounding pharmacy and wellness boutique created to serve the unique needs of the community through personalized medications, professional expertise, and a thoughtfully curated wellness experience for both humans and their animal companions.

At its core, People and Pets Pharmacy was founded on a simple but powerful idea: individuals and animals deserve healthcare solutions that recognize their uniqueness. From infants to seniors, from family pets to aging companions, health needs vary widely. Yet traditional pharmacy models often rely on standardized medications, limited dosage options, and high-volume dispensing that leaves little room for personalization or education. People and Pets Pharmacy exists to bridge that gap—offering customized pharmaceutical solutions alongside compassionate, relationship-based care.

A Different Kind of Pharmacy Experience

For many residents, the traditional pharmacy experience has become increasingly impersonal. Long wait times, rushed interactions, and limited access to a pharmacist for questions or education are not only common, but accepted. While these pharmacies play an important role in healthcare delivery, they are often constrained by volume-based systems that do not allow for customization or extended patient engagement.

People and Pets Pharmacy believes in a different approach. As a concierge compounding pharmacy, the focus is placed on quality, personalization, and meaningful connection. Clients are encouraged to engage in conversations, ask questions, and understand their medications fully. This intentional model allows pharmacists and staff to work closely with patients, prescribers, and veterinarians to ensure each medication is thoughtfully designed and safely prepared.

This concierge model also allows for flexibility and continuity of care. Follow-ups, dosage adjustments, reformulations, and collaborative problem-solving are built into the experience. This is especially valuable for individuals managing chronic conditions, navigating complex medication regimens, or integrating pharmaceutical care with broader wellness or lifestyle strategies.

What Is a Compounding Pharmacy?

A compounding pharmacy differs significantly from a traditional retail pharmacy. While traditional pharmacies dispense medications manufactured in standardized doses and forms by large pharmaceutical companies, a compounding pharmacy creates medications customized for an individual patient based on a specific prescription.

Compounding allows pharmacists to tailor:

· Medication strength

· Dosage form

· Ingredients

· Delivery method

· Flavor or texture

This level of customization is essential when commercially available medications are not appropriate or accessible. For example, a patient may need a dose that is not manufactured, or may be unable to tolerate common fillers, dyes, preservatives, lactose, or gluten found in mass-produced medications. In other cases, a patient may require an alternative delivery method—such as a topical cream, troche, or liquid—due to difficulty swallowing pills or gastrointestinal sensitivity.

Compounding is not new. In fact, it represents the roots of pharmacy practice. Before mass manufacturing became the norm, pharmacists routinely prepared individualized medications. Today, compounding pharmacies like People and Pets bring this tradition forward using modern technology, rigorous quality standards, and evidence-based practices.

People and Pets Pharmacy serves a wide range of human health needs through customized compounding solutions. These medications are commonly used to support:

· Hormone balance

· Pain management

· Dermatological conditions

· Pediatric care

· Gastrointestinal health

· Thyroid support

· Sleep and mood concerns

Personalized hormone therapy, for example, may involve adjusting dosages or delivery systems to better align with an individual’s symptoms, lab results, and tolerance. Pain management compounds may offer topical alternatives that reduce systemic side effects. Pediatric formulations can be flavored and dosed precisely for safety and compliance.

This personalization often leads to improved adherence, better outcomes, and a more positive healthcare experience overall. Patients feel heard, supported, and empowered in their care rather than frustrated by medications that do not suit their needs.

Veterinary Compounding: Care for Pets as Family

Equally important is People and Pets Pharmacy’s dedication to animal health. Veterinary compounding is a vital yet often difficult-to-find service, and People and Pets proudly fills this gap for Livingston County pet owners and veterinarians.

Many medications prescribed for animals are originally formulated for humans and may not be available in appropriate doses or formats for pets. Compounding allows pharmacists to adjust medications for a pet’s:

· Size

· Species

· Metabolism

· Specific health condition

This can include:

· Flavored chewables

· Liquid medications

· Topical preparations

· Transdermal applications for pets that resist oral dosing

Ingredients that may be harmful to animals can be excluded, and formulations are created with animal physiology in mind. The result is safer medications, better compliance, reduced stress for pets and owners, and more effective treatment plans.

For many families, including my own, pets are not just animals, they are beloved members of the household. People and Pets Pharmacy honors that bond by offering pharmaceutical care that reflects the same level of thoughtfulness and respect given to human patients.

Education at the Center of Care

One of the defining features of People and Pets Pharmacy is its commitment to education. Medications can feel overwhelming, especially when managing multiple prescriptions or caring for a pet with chronic health needs. The concierge model allows time for meaningful conversations that go beyond simple dispensing.

Clients are encouraged to schedule personal consultations with a pharmacist to discuss:

· How medications work

· Proper dosing and administration

· Potential side effects

· Storage and stability

· Integration with supplements or lifestyle choices

This educational approach empowers individuals to participate actively in their care and fosters trust between clients and the pharmacy team.

The Wellness Boutique: Supporting Whole-Body Health

Complementing the pharmacy is a wellness boutique designed to support whole-body health for both people and pets. The boutique features meticulously selected supplements, topical products, and wellness solutions chosen for quality, safety, and efficacy.

Every product is chosen with the intention of integrating safely alongside prescribed medications. Supplements are not intended to replace medical care, but rather to support individualized wellness goals under informed guidance.

Staff members are available to help clients understand how supplements may align with:

· Nutritional needs

· Lifestyle habits

· Health goals

· Existing treatment plans

Professional-Grade Supplements You Can Trust

The wellness boutique proudly carries respected professional and clean-living brands, including:

· Standard Process – Whole-food-based supplements rooted in traditional nutrition and supported by modern research.

· Ortho Molecular Products – Practitioner-formulated supplements designed for targeted clinical support.

· Pure Encapsulations – Hypoallergenic, research-driven formulations free from unnecessary additives.

· Thorne – Scientifically validated supplements known for rigorous testing and transparency.

· Momentous – Performance-focused, NSF-certified supplements emphasizing purity and efficacy.

· Rowe Casa Organics – Clean, toxin-conscious personal care and wellness products crafted with thoughtfully sourced ingredients.

· Just Ingredients – Transparently sourced supplements made with real, clearly labeled ingredients and no artificial additives.

· Additional vetted professional lines aligned with integrative health standards, including clean personal care, home care, snacks, and beverages.

For pet owners, the boutique extends care beyond prescriptions by offering professional-level products that support joint health, digestion, skin and coat health, immune function, and overall vitality—always with an emphasis on safe, informed use and alignment with veterinary recommendations.

The arrival of People and Pets Pharmacy is a meaningful addition to Livingston County’s healthcare landscape. Local physicians, veterinarians, and healthcare professionals now have a trusted partner to support patient needs that extend beyond standard pharmacy offerings. Residents benefit from access to personalized care without having to leave their community!

People and Pets Pharmacy is where pharmaceutical care becomes personal again. It is where people are listened to, pets are treated as family, and solutions are designed rather than assumed. By combining compounding expertise, concierge-level service, and a wellness-centered philosophy, People and Pets Pharmacy is setting a new standard for pharmacy care in Livingston County.

True wellness is not about quick fixes or standardized solutions; it is about rising into greater awareness that we are our best advocate in our healthcare needs. By optimizing your pharmacy, you take one of the most foundational steps in that process.

People and Pets Pharmacy and Rising Star Integrative Health Services invite Livingston County residents to rise into their health through integrative care and pharmacy experience rooted in customization, education, and integrative support—where care is collaborative, intentional, and designed to meet you exactly where you are on your wellness journey!

Contributed by: Stacey Roten, MS, NHT, LMT
Founder, Rising Star Integrative Health Services | Brighton, MI