Great coverage of holistic veterinary care on TV

[talkforum]

Although the percentage on homeopathy was small, it was covered and it was
fairly positive.

Saturday, August 16, 2003, Dr. Debbye Turner (a veterinarian) of CBS did a
wonderful program on holistic care for animals. The president of AVMA was
positive about the holistic approach. The coverage was very good, though not
perfect. It was the most accurate reporting I have ever seen and heard by millions.
What can we as individual holistic veterinarians do to use this
opportunity?
The following is a summary of the coverage and the request I am making to
every contact, client and website I think may be responsive. Those of you on
CAVM, AVH and other listserves have already read or heard of this and hopefully
took action. Please share the action steps you took by writing editor@ahvma.org.

Please email, write or call to voice your approval and request for more
coverage. I have summarized the show and listed areas on which to comment.
earlyshow@cbs.com

Dr. Marcie Fallek was interviewed at her practice in Connecticut. They
began with a dog paralyzed from a back problem who was now running and
playing after 3 months of acupuncture. Then they showed Dr. Fallek's dog whose
stiffness and concern for the side effects of proposed treatment led her to study
acupuncture.
Dr. Fallek said "I find holistic is the best approach for most
things."
She then spoke of homeopathy being energy extracted from different
substances and their only inaccuracy was to scan nutriceuticals while talking
about homeopathy. She spoke of taking a long time to learn all about the animal
and the relationships with other animals and with the people in their life.
Asked how she responds when people say this is all quackery, she said,
"It works. Look the results in the animal and the blood work."
They then interviewed Jack Walther, the president of AVMA. He said
that more research needs to be done but attitudes are slowly changing. As we
learn more about holistic medicine, there is more opportunity to use it on
animals. He said that veterinarian's primary responsibility is to do what ever they
can to improve the life of animals.
The next case was a cat whose owner was thrilled to be giving a
"treatment" (homeopathic remedy was not said, but implied) every few months rather
than forcing daily medications. "It was a quality of life issue."
The moderator interviewed Debbye back at the studio and she said she
was skeptical until she saw the great results that Dr. Fallek can achieve. She
said there is research being done in acupuncture, mostly on horses, and that
more research will be happening in pet animals with homeopathy, aquapuncture
and acupuncture. She was surprised that the head of the AVMA was so positive.
She said the whole profession is catching up to what the consumer wants - a more
comprehensive approach. She felt the holistic approach seems to be effective
for those who like it.
1. Thank her for the great coverage.
2. Share your experiences and practitioners names.
3. Let her know you would like more coverage on: diet, vaccines, other
modalities, etc.
4. Send her any good research on any holistic modality.

Their only goof was to show nutriceuticals when describing homeopathic
remedies!

I did tape the show.

Christina Chambreau
HealThyAnimals@aol.com
410-771-4968
"Healthy Animals Journal" due out soon.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]