 Reprinted with permission from a client…From the Blog: Times I Remembered to Write.
Last night I was looking at random videos on my computer, most of them shared a common subject- Lina, our extra-special basenji. I found a very personal one I’d taken with my old phone where I could be heard talking behind the camera filming Lina on the sofa. It was January 2009, a time when we were dealing with sadness and navigating options a few weeks after her cancer diagnosis. I’m telling Lina not to worry, that we are going to have a great year and that I would just follow her lead. She is seen confirming with her eyes and nodding in agreement. Lina nods and blinks and wrinkles her forehead in the most understanding ways when she is listening. I tell her I think she is very wise, and in watching her response, there is little room for doubt. All we really had to do was follow her lead. Lina has impressed everyone with her continuing good health. She’s been a living miracle for years now. Generally, vets and professionals say they’ve never seen a dog do this well with her type of cancer. Dr. Margo Roman, Lina’s holistic vet told me she believes Lina’s story should be shared- people should know about this and benefit from it. She asked me to write, and I recognized that I had been waiting for her to ask.
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 A very important group that I have had the fortune of being a member of for over 26 years is WAND, Women’s Action for New Direction and it celebrated its 30th anniversary. Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament was its first name and it was started to try to reduce nuclear proliferation by Dr. Helen Caldicott, an Australian pediatrician concerned about the health and safety of our world and all the children in it.  This group of grass root activist go to Washington DC to lobby for reduction of unnecessary military spendings and wants to redirect funding to women and children health, education, environmental issues and peace initiatives. For the past 20 years WAND started WiLL Women’s Legislative Lobby, which are women legislators from all 50 US states. This outstanding group of politically active women have the power in numbers to bring topics to both the US Congress and Senate. It is an empowering experience to go to Washington DC with these outspoken, intelligent, caring and articulate women and present support or objection to a particular bill or issue. It is important to be able to have your voice heard at all levels but to have the experience to Lobby as a group with an agenda that can really help change the world for the better and know that your lobbying is not big business or corporate driven but from the heart is truly rewarding. We celebrated out Mother’s Day event on Friday May 11. 2011. I have been the only veterinarian in this group for over 26 years and feel so lucky to be able to bring animal issues into these conversations Check out all the issues and events at WAND.org
Read Dr. Margo’s latest article over at Natural Awakenings. Treat Pets Holistically for Optimum Health
“Veterinarians trained in healing modalities like acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, herbology and nutrition make the best choices for those seeking optimum care for pets. These modalities can often be used to turn a pet’s health around when traditional and pharmaceutical methods fail. At home, there are many things that pet caregivers can do to jumpstart the process of treating animals holistically.”  This year on April 26, 2012, we had a wonderful gathering of concerned citizens who participated in the Lobby Day for Animals at the Massachusetts State House. We were able to meet with legislators on animal welfare issues which I will mention below.
Since I am a member of the Human Society Veterinary Medical Association HSVMA I was also able to go with seven fellow veterinarians concerned about these issues. HSVMA is a national organization of veterinary professionals – including more than 140 Massachusetts members – with a focus on the health and well‐being of animals. Members include veterinarians, veterinary technicians and assistants, and veterinary students. RE: Veterinary Support for H 458/ S786, The Massachusetts Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act. There is ample scientific evidence to support prohibiting restrictive animal crating systems. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) concluded that calves must be able to at least comfortably turn around. And the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production, which was funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and included the former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, recommended against “all systems that restrict natural movement,” including gestation crates. |
