by Stacy Conroy

If there is one resource guide that all dog and cat owners should have, it’s The Nature of Animal Healing: The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat, by Martin Goldstein, DVM. It was just over 2 years ago that my German Shepherd, Jade, fell ill and was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease, (AD), also known as adrenal gland failure. AD is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s own immune system attacks an internal organ, in this case, the adrenal glands. Once destroyed, the adrenal glands no longer produce the necessary hormones to maintain several bodily functions and systems. In order to stay alive, Jade must be given daily doses of synthetic hormones to mimic how her adrenal glands would function. However, due to the hormone replacement and a change to a natural diet with holistic therapies, Jade is healthier now at 8 years old than ever before. Through my research on AD, I came across Dr. Goldstein’s book, and since then it has been a reference guide that has helped both my dogs and the pets of friends and family as I have passed on much of its valuable information. The author, Dr. Goldstein, is one of the most renowned holistic veterinarians in America. For over 20 years he has used the same natural therapies to heal companion animals as those currently in use on humans. He practices in New York State, and his consultations are in such high demand that Dr. Goldstein sees mostly the sickest of animals, often brought to him from around the country, after other vets have given up on their cases. He specializes in cancer and allergies and relies heavily on nutrition and homeopathy as primary treatments. In The Nature of Animal Healing, Dr. Goldstein describes why our companion animals get sick, even though we think we give them the best care; why vaccinations can do more harm than good; and the relationship between pet foods and disease, including how the right diet can not only prevent disease, but actually reverse its destruction. He discusses ways to identify pet ailments with an easy A to Z format and makes recommendations on herbs, nutritional supplements, and natural remedies that are accessible and inexpensive compared to prescription drugs and numerous visits to the veterinarian. I found a quote from this book to be definitive of Dr. Goldstein’s approach to health in general: in his list of The Principles of Natural Healing he states, “The body does not have to degenerate or age nearly as quickly as we presume. Each body cell has the ability to replicate itself 100 percent, and the process should continue longer than we currently expect if we minimize deleterious effects on cellular structure.” He goes on to say, “It is only what we choose to do to the body both consciously and unconsciously, that leads to the premature aging we experience.” If you’ve ever loved a dog or cat, you know how wonderful it feels to see their health flourish and how desperately helpless you feel when it doesn’t. The Nature of Animal Healing is a sort of diagnostic and disease prevention interface between you and your non-verbal companion animal. Goldstein blends the technical aspects of medicine with an interesting life story format. As he describes his work, he includes true remarkable stories of supposedly terminally ill animals that have been made well with total recoveries. It’s also inspirational in that much of it can be applied to our own human condition. The Nature of Animal Healing also includes a comprehensive resource guide for holistic pet care including veterinarians, product manufacturers, books, newsletters, magazines and associations. It can be purchased at major book retailers or online. To contact Dr. Goldstein’s clinic call or write: Martin Goldstein, DVM Smith Ridge Veterinary Center 400 Smith Ridge Road South Salem, NY 10590 (914)533-6066 www.smithridge.com Riverwest Currents – Volume 1 – Issue 7 – August 2002
by Stacy Conroy