Articles Index/Agility
Posted 02/24/04
Veterinary care is a topic of interest to all dog owners and it is often a source of controversy. Two books giving a fairly balanced viewpoint are Allen M. Schoen's Kindred Spirits (2001, Broadway Books, New York) and Denise Flaim's The Holistic Dog Book Canine Care for the 21st Century (2003, Howell Book House, New York).
Schoen is a DVM who has had a successful practice in upstate New York and Connecticut for over 20 years. His book is filled with stories of his patients and covers treatment including acupuncture, traditional Chinese herbs, Western herbal medicine and nutrition. He concentrates on the unique bond we form with our companion animals and offers insights on our relationships. Many of his stories are poignant, some are funny, and the book is very readable. It is particularly interesting to follow the path of a traditionally Western-trained veterinarian as he explores optional treatment modalities.
Flaim is the companion-animal columnist for Newsday. Her book is structured more as a handy reference covering such current "hot" topics as homeopathy, herbal medicine, chiropractic and other "touching" therapies. She also deals briefly with training issues.
ANTIC, December, 2003
Back to Articles Index
Back to Home Page