The Dog Doc

Integrative medicine for animals at its best. This was the opening night film for The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival profiling the veterinary practice of Dr. Marty Goldstein and his team. The film follows individual cases as well as the life of Goldstein. As an animal lover some of the scenes of cryogenic surgery were difficult to watch however the outcomes were a testament to minimally invasive treatment. The theme of Goldstein's struggle to be accepted by the mainstream veterinary community runs throughout; frustrating to witness as animals thrive when other vets had given up. Not only do I endorse this film for its excellence but it's very important message to anyone who has a four legged family member. And not incidentally for two legged as well.

It is about time for the "strictly traditional" veterinarians to give up their professional arrogance and for the "strictly alternative" folks to realize that you can't do without traditional medicine. This movie is about a vet who combines both worlds - that's why this is called the "integrative" approach. A must-see documentary for dog and cat guardians who want to do better for their pets' health - as well as for their own.

The clinic staff's compassion for dogs that everyone else has given up on is touching, but the movie is problematic. We see two successful (so far) courses of treatment, and a few others are mentioned, but we don't know overall success rates. Given the clinic's mix of traditional and holistic approaches, how can one determine in any individual case which treatments worked and which ones had no effect? Dr. Goldstein even acknowledges at one point that applying scientific rigor to his methods is not his thing. I doubt that this movie will persuade anyone who is not already a believer.

Dr. Goldstein is paving the way for the future of Veterinary Medicine and in this brilliant documentary by Cindy Meehl, we are shown the advances Dr. Goldstein has made over the years with homeopathic treatments combined with traditional medicine to enhance and lengthen our beloved dogs lives. This is a must see when the film is released in Fall of 2019. (Viewed at the Nantucket Film Festival, June 2019)

Every pet parent needs to see this film. In the plainest and most loving language Dr. Marty explains so clearly and logically why are beloved pets are not getting the best care.Western practice over medicates, focuses on curing disease, not preventing, and doesn't advocate good nutrition. Cindy Meehl showed us Dr. Marty's compassion for his patients and his passion for integrated medicine. We see what happens to pets when Dr. Marty and his team combine western medicine and traditional healing. It makes so much sense I want to find an integraterd medical vet for my dog and a doctor for me. .