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Featuring Demian Dressler, DVM and Sue Ettinger, DVM, Dip. ACVIM (Oncology), authors of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide

Recommendations for Full Spectrum Veterinarians

Updated: February 18th, 2022

Summary

Full Spectrum Veterinarians are what we call open-minded vets. They focus on what works, no matter what tradition it comes from.

full spectrum veterinariansWho’s your favorite veterinarian? Mine is Dr. Demian Dressler, author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, who started this site way back in 2008. But not everyone can come all the way to Hawaii to see him. The purpose of this post is to help YOU to find your own full spectrum veterinarian. I’ll need your help on that, in a minute. But first, let me explain what I mean by a full spectrum veterinarian.

Full Spectrum Veterinarians

“Full spectrum” is a term Dr. D uses to describe his approach to cancer care and medicine in general. Basically, it boils down to this: use what works, and forget about whether it’s outside or inside the box, particularly when it comes to cancer treatment.


Looking for calm, well-researched, balanced, non-dogmatic advice? Look no further.

As he says in chapter 10 of his book:

Full Spectrum cancer care is based on the assumption that, no matter how much time you may have left with your dog, you can make the best of it … or, as medical professionals say, optimize it. There are many steps you can take, right now, to help your dog, no matter what stage or type of cancer she has – and a lot of these steps are free. – Demian Dressler, DVM

The goal in full spectrum care is to stop worrying so much about whether treatment was something learned in conventional school. Let’s acknowledge that there are answers found in other traditions. For example, acupuncture looks like hogwash to a lot of western medical minds … but it’s been used in Asia for much longer than our style of medicine has. Why would billions of people do something that doesn’t work? There must be something to it, even if we can’t explain it the way we would like to.

When we first published Dr. Dressler’s book in 2008, we heard from lots of veterinarians who said that the dietary changes he recommends were unnecessary, stupid, or harmful. (And worse.) And now? Everyone basically agrees that a low-carb approach to diet benefits not just dogs with cancer, but most dogs.

Things change. We learn new things. And in full spectrum cancer care, when we learn better, we do better. That’s why there are so many things included in it!

  • Chemotherapy is not shunned out of hand … but asking about the real numbers behind the protocols is encouraged.
  • Supplements are not pooh-poohed … but not everything, only those that have shown REAL evidence to help fight cancer and/or address symptoms.
  • Diet and lifestyle is your first priority, not your last priority. They are the foundation of EVERYTHING. And they can make a big difference, right away!
  • The relationship between you and your dog is never, ever neglected.

Do You Have a Full Spectrum Veterinarian to Recommend?

So, do you have a veterinarian who is kind, direct, open-minded, and non-dogmatic? Want to recommend her or him? That would be fabulous because one of the most-asked questions we get is “who can I see in my area who understands what’s in the book??”

Use the comment section below to recommend your veterinarian or health practitioner. Make sure that you name your city and state or city and country, so that other people can find them. We’ll be taking your recommendations and making a sort of directory on this site. That way the hundreds of thousands of visitors every year who are trying to figure out how to optimize their dog’s life quality and longevity can find someone local who might be a good team member.

I recommend listing your vet’s first and last name, the name of their hospital, and the city/state/country.

Believe me, you’ll be doing a real good deed for your fellow dog lovers!

And if you are looking for even more advice on finding a veterinarian, make sure to read this article.

Warmest of Aloha,

Molly



Full Spectrum Veterinarians Recommended by Readers

Information provided by readers, so we apologize if this list contains inaccuracies. Please let us know if a veterinarian has moved or changed hospitals. If you don’t see your Full Spectrum veterinarian in the list, use the comment box below to add them to this list!

Alberta, Canada

Dr. Veronica Devall, Calgary Holistic Veterinary Clinic, Calgary

Ontario, Canada

Dr. Ed Beltran, VCA Blair Animal Hospital, Gloucester

Dr. Robert Butler, Guelph Animal Hospital, Guelph

Dr. Tina Hall, Headon Forest Animal Hospital, Burlington

Alaska, USA

Dr. Scott Rapp, Cornerstone Animal Hospital, Anchorage

California, USA

Dr. Vincent Baldanza, Access Specialty Animal Hospital Pasadena, Pasadena

Dr. Signe Beebe, Integrative Veterinary Center, Sacramento

Dr. Lily Chen, Integrative Pet Wellness Center, Rolling Hills Estates

Dr. Michelle Pressel, Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists, Santa Cruz

Dr Carlos Rodriguez Jr., Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center at Thousand Oaks, Thousand Oaks

Dr. Marlene Townsell, Access Specialty Animal Hospital South Bay, Torrance

Dr. Robert Woods, Integrative Veterinary Health Center, Orange

Florida, USA

Dr. Kim Neitzel, Garden Veterinary Clinic, Winter Park

Hawaii, USA

Dr. Demian Dressler, South Shore Veterinary Care, Kihei, Maui

Dr. Fran Miyake, Kapa’a Animal Clinic, Kapa’a, Kaua’i

Illinois, USA

Dr. Barbara Royal (and team), The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center, Chicago

Maine, USA

Dr. Jeff Philibert, Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care, Portland

Maryland, USA

North Branch Animal Hospital, Cumberland

Michigan, USA

Dr. John Simon, Hartrick Veterinary Clinic, Royal Oak

Minnesota, USA

Dr. Darlene Cook, The Bluffs Pet Clinic, Red Wing

New Jersey, USA

Dr. Stephen Brenn, Oradell Animal Hospital, Paramus

Dr. Kendra Pope, Dr. Kendra Pope, Red Bank

New York, USA

Dr. Karen Johnston, Hampton Veterinary Hospital, Speonk

Ohio, USA

Dr. Jim Carlson, Lifetime Pet Wellness Center, Worthington

Dr. Charles Curie, Geneva Veterinary Clinic, Geneva

Nevada, USA

Dr. Andrew Vaughan, Las Vegas Veterinary Specialist Center, Las Vegas

North Carolina, USA

Dr. Eve Boggs, Harmony Animal Hospital, Apex

Pennsylvania, USA

Dr. Alan Kirmayer, Animal Hospital of Rye, Marysville

Dr. Suzanne Martin, Northern Pike Veterinary Hospital, Monroeville

Dr. Judith Shoemaker, Always Helpful Veterinary Services, Nottingham

Dr. Fiona Tam, Avets, Monroeville

Dr. Sarah Urban, Always Helpful Veterinary Services, Nottingham

Dr. Lisa Whalen, Animal Hospital of Rye, Marysville

Rhode Island, USA

Dr. Sharon Doolittle, Dr. Doolittle’s Holistic Animal Healthcare, Smithfield

South Carolina, USA

Dr. Jeanne Fowler, All About Pets, Travelers Rest

Tennessee, USA

Dr. Shannon Dawkins, Claws and Paws Mobile Veterinary Services, Chattanooga

Texas, USA

Dr. Dan Ahrens, Veterans Memorial Drive Animal Hospital, Houston

Dr. Mary Crist, Veterans Memorial Drive Animal Hospital, Houston

Dr. Elizabeth Pritchard, Rogers Animal Hospital, Corsicana

Washington, USA

Dr. Lena McCullough, Kingdom of Basil, Seattle

Dr. Lisa Parshley, Olympia Veterinary Specialists, Olympia


Find a Veterinarian: How to Find, Interview, and Hire Your Next Veterinarian, Oncologist, or Other Specialist

 

Leave a Comment





  1. gloria sciascia on April 19, 2022 at 3:22 pm

    animal cancer care clinic, dr. evan sones, orlando florida

  2. Deb Moisenko on March 9, 2022 at 9:34 am

    I would like to add 2 vets that our pups see.
    They are wonderful vets, both with our pups & us. We are so fortunate to have them.
    They are:
    Dr. Beth Cozens & staff
    Fort Malden Animal Hospital,
    Amherstburg, Ont., Canada

    Dr. Jan Huntingford & staff, (Integrative veterinarian)
    Essex Animal Hospital,
    Essex Ont., Canada

  3. Jessica Hall on February 28, 2022 at 3:08 am

    Dr. Jonathan Block, West Delray Veterinary in Delray Beach, FL https://westdelrayvet.com/

  4. Lisa Aldridge on February 20, 2022 at 9:43 am

    Dr. Patricia Kallenbach – DVM, CVCP, LMT
    352-795-0250
    The Healing Place
    1200 NE 5th Street, Crystal River, FL
    Email: clinic@dr-trish.com

  5. Karen Pomer on February 18, 2022 at 10:21 am

    Here are two Full -Spectrum Veterinarians in the Greater Los Angeles area, one an oncologist and one a holistic vet. They uniquely is they have a history of working together, neither one of them are so DOGmatic that they reject the other’s treatment plans. They have treated both my dogs, one for MCT and the other for HSA. (NOTE: Currently both of them are difficult to get an appointment with, expect up to a month wait.)

    Dr. Avenelle Turner, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology) – Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital (MASH), Hollywood, CA https://www.mash.vet/outpatient/oncology-staff

    Dr. Richard Palmquist, DVM, American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, President, Centinela Animal Hospital, Inglewood, CA https://www.lovapet.com/our-staff

  6. Julie Kimball on February 18, 2022 at 6:42 am

    I nominate Dr. Kathy Gerrity, http://www.bouldercreekveterinaryclinic.com, of Boulder Creek, CA, USA. Dr. Gerrity goes above and beyond. She has been our vet since the mid 1980s. Most recently she tried Ondansetron for our poodle mix’s refusal of food while on palladia for anal sack cancer when the oncology specialists recommended nothing more than famotidiine which did not work. She also recommended trying some of the digestive friendlier Science Diet and Royal Canin canned and kibbled dog foods. Our dog likes them, but will turn down many others and some cooked meats. He has refused all the commercial “real” foods and the meals I’ve prepared for him. It is such a relief to have him eating again!

  7. Debbie Siciliano on February 18, 2022 at 3:52 am

    Our German Shepherd Panzer was diagnosis with Lymphoma at age 4. Our veterinarian worked with us researching and spoke directly to the drug company in California that had Laverdia just approved for Lymphoma. He did webinar’s, adjusted medication’s, called us back whenever we needed to talk. He did whatever he could with compassion. We highly recommend Dr. Chris Threadgill DVM, 100 Oakhurst Drive, McMurray PA 15317 @ Hidden Valley Animal Clinic. Phone 724-941-3900.

  8. Annette Barrackman on February 17, 2022 at 11:07 pm

    Recommended full-spectrum vet:
    Cheryl Warner-Wheybrew, DVM, affiliated with VCA North Portland Veterinary Hospital, Portland, Oregon

    I would not recommend anyone else at this clinic (which was purchased by a corporation 10 years ago) but I recommend her wholeheartedly. Cheryl thinks out of the box, is very good with older pets (knows when to stop vaccines and dentals), has diagnosed cancer in two of my dogs, thanks to her good fingers and sharp eyes and insistence on aspirating what everyone else said was “obviously” just a fatty tumor (wrong), and steered me to BalanceIt.com and a prescription homemade ultra low fat diet that has kept my dog alive for a the past year after a bout of severe acute pancreatitis (just one month post-cancer surgery) when the specialty emergency and internal medicine vets said she had little chance of survival. Additionally, Dr. Warner has recommended excellent specialty care, including oncologists, when needed (see below for second recommendation)

    Another full-spectrum vet (this one a veterinary oncologist) recommendation:
    Kim Freeman, DVM, DACVIM, Veterinary Cancer & Surgery Specialists, Milwaukie, Oregon (Portland metro area)

  9. Tanya Bannwarth on February 17, 2022 at 10:20 pm

    Hello,

    Just wanted to inform you that one of your listed vets passed away a couple years ago from cancer (early 2020). She was our dog’s vet, so I am informing with certainty:

    Dr. Maria Williams, Compassionate Care Veterinary Services, San Antonio

    Sincerely,
    Tanya

  10. Valerie Hopkins on February 17, 2022 at 7:41 pm

    Dr John Agostini and his daughter Dr Zamora of San Clemente Vet are AMAZING!!! I used to live locally but still drive the 6+ hours round trip because they are worth it!

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