In a small Westchester town, the unassuming offices of Smith Ridge Veterinary Center are a last hope for many of the animals that walk through its doors. The practice is the vision of Dr. Marty Goldstein, a pioneer of integrative veterinary medicine who has built a career on treating beloved pets, particularly dogs, holistically for 45 years. Goldstein boldly goes against the grain of conventional medicine by incorporating alternative therapies and cutting-edge techniques, combining the best of Eastern and Western treatments. The result is a haven for humans and their canine companions other vets have deemed beyond hope. Dr. Marty's deeply empathetic philosophy offers a vital example of how improving overall health rather than merely treating disease is transformative for all living things.
Sundance Award winner Cindy Meehl followed Goldstein and his patients for nearly three years, charting ups and downs and joy and heartbreak along the way. The stakes are high and it is often touch and go as we watch the owners, some who have traveled great distances, struggle with the reality of whether or not their pets will live to see another day. The Dog Doc is an admiring portrait that showcases the high stakes and dedication of veterinarian work while posing serious questions about conventional veterinary practices and how they might be improved.
Presented in partnership with North Shore Animal League America and Pet Health
Sponsored by: AARP Long Island
