The True Spirit of Medicine
There are many catch words that get bandied about regarding holistic medicine and I would like to make it clear why I first and foremost consider myself a holistic vet.
- Yes, I use Natural treatments. This means that I work with the body’s natural abilities for self-healing. Unfortunately, the word “natural” has been so overused recently that it has become almost meaningless. Ultimately, everything comes from Mother Earth.
- Yes, much of what I do is considered Alternative Medicine. This simply means that it is not widely accepted in the Western veterinary medical community. Unfortunately, it takes too long for conventional medicine to accept helpful treatments. The lack of research regarding alternative medicine is mostly due to the fact that you can’t patent truly natural remedies, such as herbs, so it’s a losing proposition to lay out hundreds of thousands of dollars for the needed studies. On the other hand, major drug companies and pet food manufacturers have plenty of cash to pay for research that promotes their products.
- Yes, I am an Integrative vet. I have not abandoned Western medicine. Instead I use whatever combination of medicine, surgery, and holistic modality is best for each individual patient.
- Mostly though, I’m a Holistic vet. Holistic medicine addresses the patient as a whole – body, mind, and SPIRIT. There is a level of reality beyond, and yet enmeshed in, the physical, material universe. If I did not have an appreciation of the spiritual aspects of my patients and their caregivers, they and I would become little more than robots.
Don’t settle for treatment by a robot.
This is a beautiful post.
You ARE a holistic vet. But you are more, too. There is no way to put into words what that more is. But the result of more is that I had Duncan for many years. You met his health demons head on and you fought them with me. With him. I can never thank you enough. I have seen you willing to keep on fighting with me, even when in my heart I knew it was time to quit.
I have had a few furkids over the years. You have been there for all of them. You gave me Morgan. When she was going to be put to sleep , you did a surgery that you didn’t want to do, didn’t like to do and you saved her. It’s been twenty years now, and you saved her for me. Thank you. We both thank you every day.
When Fidget left me… and the others. You knew how it felt to let go and you helped us. You used everything in your bag of knowledge more than once for my furkids. I am grateful. The spirit of medicine may matter more than the trappings.
Do you have any idea how comforting it is to know that I can count on you ? And, I know that I’m not alone in feeling this way.. so, thank you. For all of us that you stepped into the trenches with, thank you.
Thanks Kath.
Dr.Doug,
I came to you with my fat cat that ate Temptations Treats. He had gained like 4 or 5 lbs in 5 months. Well, He is off Temptation Treats and I am sure he lost about 2 or 3 lbs.
Take care,
Sandy McDowell
Always avoid temptation.