The Spirit of Animal Healing

A friend of the family is a holistic vet, whose approach to animal care I fully applaud. So I was excited to explore more in THE SPIRIT OF ANIMAL HEALING by Dr. Marty Goldstein, holistic vet and author par excellence.

Dr. Goldstein shares the newest integrative techniques in an easy to understand fashion, gleaned from 45 years of practice. You’ll learn about:

*Healing vs. harmful therapies
*Vaccine truth
*Nutrition and supplements
*Cutting-edge cancer treatment
*Animals’ spiritual natures
*Astounding true cases

THE SPIRIT OF ANIMAL HEALING is a resource I’ll turn to again and again as I care for my beloved kitty. I’m so grateful to the author, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

Pub Date 02 Feb 2021

#TheSpiritOfAnimalHealing #NetGalley

Interesting book. I like the idea of using holistic medicine to treat our four legged, furry, non-speaking family members. Life has improved for them over the past 60-70 years- greatly-, but there remains a long way to go, I think. I think this should be a must read for all pet owners. And may our animal caretakers, too. It certainly can't hurt to look into some of the ideas Dr. Goldstein presented. To use in conjunction with standard practices certainly wouldn't hurt. I think food for our pets needs to be better made and regulated, too. I think there have been to many recalls in recent years to be healthy and often wonder what I'm feeding my "kids" when I open cans or bags. Raw diet sounds healthful, but unless I'm the one raising and killing my own animals to feed the "kids", I'm not entirely trusting of manufactures providing the best raw products. I have to admit, too, I'm not a big fan of Dr. Oz or Oprah, so if they give their seals of approval I'm always a skeptic. Still, they did give Dr. Goldstein a platform and the seal of approval, so many more people will have heard of his take on pets and their health.
Good and interesting book; thought provoking.

I was very interested in reading this book. I find Veterinarian medicine intriguing. The Holistic approach is what really caught my eye.

In this book Dr. Martin Goldstein explains both modern medicine and holistic medicine to Veterinarian care. You learn different things throughout the book like supporting the immune system. Many I will no doubt go back and refer to. This book is full of information for those seeking holistic treatment vs modern medicine. It's clear that Dr. Goldstein explains you need a healthy medium with treatment of our furry companions. Too much and too little of anything can cause detrimental damage if not careful. Sometimes a simple acupuncture treatment can cure the problem. Instead of just medicating the animal with modern medicine. I am glad I was given the opportunity to read and review this book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I give this read 4 stars.

THank you so much to #Netgally and St. Martins Press.

While, this usually the type of book I will read, I was surprised at how interested in it I was. I am the proud mama of two doggies (a 2 year old rescue and more recently a 13 week old rescue) and I was amazed at how much I learned from reading this.

I'm taking a whole different approach to the food and things I do for them and only giving them the best from now on!

Thank you so much

Why are so many pets dying from cancer and other ailments more than ever ? - is it over vacationing ? over medicating, ? poor diets ? How long have the same old recommendations been applied ? Are their other treatments that could lesson the side effects. This book will make you mad, make you think and make you demand answers.
Dr. Marty questions the tried methods of treatments and vaccinations. He argues that we are over vaccinating them, each dog’s body is different. They have different weights, different ages, different levels of retention. So why is it that a 10 pound dog gets the same shot as a 90 pound dog ? Is the little one getting an overdose ? is the large one getting too little ? That little fact alone is something to think about seriously. The price of traditional is insane for the pocketbook and on the pet’s body. The side effects for many drugs are scary.
He brings up so many great points, one is why are we not focused on homeopathic medicines that build the bodies own immunity and healing ? If you had the chance to enhance your own dog’s healing for a fraction of the cost without dangerous side effects would you do it ? Well yes, but we aren’t offered these choices at most Vet clinics.
He takes in the near death cases , the ones that other Vets gave no chance and gives them quality of life for sometimes years without traditional harsh drugs. It is amazing, years ago he was called a quack today many of his early discoveries are being used across the world. He drops famous names and brags a bit about his Star Power client list which is a bit irritating. Hey, he worked hard to be accepted he deserves to toot his horn.
If you own a pet, read this books for another perspective on a sometimes archaic system. I highlighted like crazy, questioned my vet and feel better for it. Thank you Dr. Marty for not being afraid to step on sensitive toes for our pets.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review

This book came to me at an interesting time when I recently said goodbye to my dear girl who was with us 16 years and now we are welcoming a puppy who is helping us remember the happy moments. This book is a great resource for anyone who adores their pet companion and wants to take better care of them. I was surprised at the spiritual element and thought it was interesting perspective to think about. The content if extensive and thorough, if a bit overwhelming. I think a layout that helps divide the information visually would be very helpful, but overall a great book for animal lovers.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dr. Marty's book, The Spirit of Animal healing looks at integrative medical knowledge to give us the latest insights in treating our animal companions. He knows what he's talking about--he's been in the vet business for 45 years.

In this, he discusses the current state of dog and cat disease (especially the rise in cancers), how bodies heal and what we can do to allow it to happen more naturally, whether we are over-vaccinating our pets, and more.

This book was far more interesting than I was expecting. Having been a pet parent and having taken my dog to the vet "as he was supposed to" to get as many vaccines "when and how he was supposed to," I was curious to see what Dr. Goldstein had to say in this subject. I always thought it was weird how much we medicated our animals, but what did I know? I'm a language/history person; I know next to nothing about science. I can say that these pages opened by eyes. But it's more than just the vaccines. I was captivated, fascinated by what he had to say about the body's natural ability to heal. That we do so much to our pets and ourselves that is decidedly *un*natural, when we could be much healthier if we just knocked it off. This is not new, in any sense, but putting it in the perspective of how we treat our pets gave me knew ways to think about it.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher St. Martin's for inviting me to review this advance copy. I'd highly recommend this to anyone with a pet. I certainly learned a lot.

this is an informative book, has lots of info on his back round and how he got to where he is. also tells us what to feed and not feed our fur babies. if you like to read about how different treatment can help or hurt the pets. i was given acopy of the book but thisisan honest review very well written

This was a very a informative book for pet owners. From food to treatments, and just the overall happiness of your animals. While it did give some of his background info, it mainly focused on the animals. I don't know how well some of the treatments work, because he primarily talks about them, and not the outcomes. However, I think a lot of the information in this book is important.

This is a great book that every person especially anyone who has a pet must read!
It has some amazing insight as to why our pets, as do humans, get sick and don't always live as long as they might.
It has valuable information that you will take away and want to use as I did.
Dr Marty Goldstein has cared for many animals and has done tremendous amounts of research into vitamins, healthy diets and alternative care and has found "IT DOES WORK"!
I am so glad I was able to read this and will look back often while I am caring for my own elderly pups!
Thank you so much for this book!

A deep exploration of applying holistic principles to animal care. I learned a lot from this book about the similarities between animals and humans and it makes perfect sense that you would want to take care of animals in the same way that you treat humans. This book explores multiple concepts about what is considered normal in the care of companion animals and I am encouraged to ask questions and demand answers. This book should serve an empowerment to not just settle for something because the vet says so, but really look into factors that might be impacting the well-being of your pet. I recommend this as deep reading for anyone who is interested in taking care of the whole being of their companion animals.

This was a much needed positive book about how to care for our beloved pets no matter what their species because they do so much for us! A very informative, well written and researched book. Such great information and a very moving read! Our companion animals are our everything.

Highly recommended read!

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley, Martin Goldstein and St Martin's Press Essentials for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 2/2/21

This was a great read, my first book on holistic and natural healing for pets and definitely some enlightening details for me. I will be reading the first book as well. I would highly recommend reading this book.

If you have a pet you know they are not simply a pet, they are a cherished family member. This book takes a holistic approach to caring for your pet and offering knowledgeable advice on many different topics ranging from vitamins, healthy diets and vaccinations.
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If you have a pet in your life this is definitely a book for you. I want to make sure I am a knowledgeable pet owner as I care for my sweet dog.
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Thank you to #stmartinspress and #netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance copy of, The Spirit of Animal Healing, by Marty Goldstein. This is a very informative book, like a text book. All the information you have ever wanted to know about, animals: nutrition, disease, what to feed your animal, the book also has a wonderful, question and answer section in ch chapter, Ask Dr. Marty. A great book for the animal lover.

I had not read Dr. Marty's previous work, so this was my introduction to his integrative practice of veterinary medicine. I appreciated the discussion of how he came to explore the various methods used in his clinic such as acupuncture, nutraceuticals (nutritional supplements), magnetic wave therapy, etc. Since I have friends who have used magnets in treating fibro myalgia and supplements for conditions from arthritis to acid reflux, I know that surgery and standard prescriptions are not the only ways that can be used to improve health. And I have heard of holistic and integrative vets, but have not seen firsthand how they use the various approaches for treatment.

Dr. Marty includes plenty of examples from his practice to illustrate how increasing vitamins or minerals for various patients helped to clear up stubborn issues, or how he was willing to try the Magna Wave himself before offering it to his animal patients. There are also short articles/essays by other experts that he has consulted or worked with to explain how they developed their approach and shared it with him.

If you are looking for a different way to care for your fur babies and appreciate less processed food, holistic treatment, and trying to rebalance the natural systems within your animal friend's body - then you should read this book and get some pointers on where to look for more information about products to try and finding practitioners in your area. The discussion on the lack of quality nutrition in pet food is probably worth the price of the entire book, and that is just one section within all the information presented.

I wouldn't say I like medicines; I mean, I am huge on natural healing and approach as I feel like some methods are more damaging to our health, which goes to our beloved furry babies. This book educates us on a more natural or holistic approach to ensuring our fur babies stay healthy and strong. The methods and description are not hard to follow; in fact, it is very informative. The author provided some information that I am just learning, and I am glad I did. We all can benefit from all these on how to be better pet owners or fur parents—a significant and enlightening read.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity of reading and reviewing this wonderful book. If you are thinking of getting a puppy or if you already have a dog this book is a must-read. I have had dogs my whole life and much of what Dr. Goldstein talks about I have wondered about. Vets in my area don't understand much of this. It seems like as the dog owner you are always questioning if such and such are really needed for the health of your beloved pet. For my own health, I have used homeopathic meds for colds and small things. I am not against conventional Doctors. I just feel over-medication is a dangerous thing. I feel the same way for my furry friends. Thank you Dr. Goldstein for writing this book giving me a voice for my dog.

Dr. Goldstein casts a practiced eye on the health and wellness of dogs in this comprehensive veterinarian knowledge based book for small animals. It is an enlightening look into the cloistered profession of veterinary medicine and some of the prejudices Dr. Goldstein had to overcome.

Holistic medicine has been around for thousands of years. Herbal healing and acupuncture are also thousands of years old. However, the re-introduction of these practices for animals was met with the same prejudices and resistance as they were in human medicine. The book alludes to these problems often. We really are what we eat.

The introduction of healthy diets and abstinence from genetically modified organisms is enlightening. The changing of an animals’ diet can sometimes reduce or actually eliminate tumors and other maladies of the animals being treated. Heavy metals and other results of our mechanized civilization adversely affects the well being of many animals.

Through the efforts of the worlds’ veterinarian associations, the identification of these problems and in many cases their elimination is directly sourced to vigilant practicing doctors in these fields. Doctor Goldstein is one of the doctors who works to identify and halt bad practices. Instructive and informative—and recommended. 4.5 stars - CE Williams

Dr. Marty Goldstein’s The Spirit of Animal Healing is a good resource for any animal lover. Dr. Goldstein questions everything in modern veterinarian medicine including vaccinations. While I can’t say that I agree with everything Goldstein presented, it is always good to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible.

Dr. Goldstein touches on the current hot topic of the lack of control and oversights in the pet feed industry. The topic never ceases to shock me. Unfortunately, he doesn’t offer up any DIY suggestions for preparing food for your pet. The topic I appreciated most was nutritional supplements for your pets. It was very interesting to learn about the various supplements you could give your pet and how it improved their health. Some of the information mirrored a book I recently read about human gut health!

From high-dose vitamin c to an elixir made of mushrooms, Dr. Goldstein promotes homeopathic medicine for both humans and their pets. His passion on the topic is evident in his extensive research. I loved that he referenced ancient remedies and holistic and ayurvedic medicine.

I found this book really helpful and important, we adopted a senior dog recently, and this book was just what I needed. For pet owners this is a must read, I loved his perspective on healing.

Thank you St. Martin’s Essentials for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeepleasemx

Interesting, informative, and written so as not to be boring. Very useful and knowledgeable book. Not something I usually read but I did appreciate the knowledge I acquired. I would definitely recommend for anyone who loves their animals. I was given this book to read and this is my voluntary, honest review.

A Wealth Of Information For Keeping Your Pets Healthy

I thought I had already read all the information available on pet health. This book proved me wrong. There is a wealth of information here, presented in a logical and easy to understand format. Having lost one pet to cancer 25 years ago and another to uncontrollable seizures 13 years ago, I have embraced a raw diet and healthy treats for my now 10 year old rescue dog. Cisco still thinks he is a puppy, running and playing and “protecting” us from people who ring our doorbell or just walking by on the sidewalk out front. After reading The Spirit of Animal Healing, however, I realize there is much more I can do to assure he will remain healthy for many years to come. Years that we will enjoy together in good health.

If you love your pets you will want to learn about all the ways you can contribute to their well-being that haven’t been revealed to people outside the industry before now. There are tips to help you recognize when your pet is in trouble as well as a world of information to help you head off problems that could be lurking in the future.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and author Marty Goldstein for an advance copy of the valuable information in your book.

I've had dogs and cats in my life since the day I was born and as an adult pet parent I followed all of the rules of vaccinations and food, etc. Most of them lived to a ripe old age but I always felt that something was missing in the care that was being offered. Food first and foremost. I was sure it wasn't people grade. I worried about side effects of those vaccinations, too. But it was hard to find alternatives. After reading Dr. Goldstein's book I now feel like I have a whole new arsenal at hand for the care of any future furbabies.
As I was reading this a friend had a terrible health scare with two of her cats, due to an OTC vet med - glad to say both will recover - but this is one book I want her to read. I won't stop taking my vet's advice but I will be asking a whole lot more questions and seeking out alternative treatments to try in conjunction to standard, conventional care. I will certainly suggest that my friends add this book to their to be read list.
My thanks to the publisher, St. Martin's and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Integrative Medicine for Your Pet

People with pets want the best for them, but sometimes it seems like you spend quantities of money and don’t improve your pet’s health. This book gives some reasons why.

Food is a main reason pets don’t thrive. I have read other books about the lack of quality in pet food. Dr. Marty’s solution is more raw food for your pet. I have a friend who worried that her pets might not thrive because she was cooking food for them rather than giving expensive dog and cat food. The opposite is true. Her pets have shiny coats, resist disease and even in old age are playful.

Another problem of modern medicine is vaccines. Dr. Marty points out that vaccines should not be one size fits all. The weight of the animal should indicate how much is required. Another caution is that vaccines may be given too often. Immune systems need a chance to develop protection on their own.

I highly recommend this book if you love your pet. Whether you’re already a fan of holistic medicine of not, this book will make you think. My only reservation about the presentation is that is sometimes becomes repetitive. However, since Dr. Marty has good things to say, they probably bear repetition.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

The Spirit of Animal Healing
By Marty Goldstein

Dr Marty Goldstein delivers another winning book for our most beloved animals, our fur babies, our family. I loved the stories, and how the information was delivered in very understandable and enjoyable read about how we can keep our animals healthy and living longer and healthier lives. Complementary and alternative medicines are included in this book which I find fascinating to read the about on the latest integrative medical knowledge masterfully delivered by someone like Dr. Marty and his over 45 years of experience. He has so much to share with the readers and the way the book was written and the delivery of information is what I really enjoyed the most.

This book is not only a wonderful guide for pet owners on what to do when something goes awry but its focus on prevention of diseases and chronic illness is quite fascinating and very important to read about. I feel that any pet parent should read this book. This would also make a great gift for pet owners new and old. There will always be something to be learned from this book that can help save our pets' lives and help them live healthier and longer.

This book is truly fantastic and one I highly recommend.

Thank you St. Martins Essentials for the gifted book. All opinions are my own

Though I haven’t read Dr. Goldstein’s first book, The Nature of Animal Healing: The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat, I can already say that I’m glad there was a follow-up book. The Spirit of Animal Healing is bound to have lots of new information, since the science of medicine is advancing daily, as well as holistic procedures.

The book covers so many interesting things. To be honest, I felt that some information was easy to comprehend, while other things were somewhat over my head. But I still enjoyed reading and learning.

I’m always a fan of alternative treatments and ways to possibly prevent disease. When Goldstein talked about acupuncture and dog food, I quickly perked up. Both very interesting topics.

I wish more Vets were trained in holistic medicine and that as pet owners we had more information available regarding healthy food for dogs. Marty Goldstein addressed so many topics in a way that the subject never felt dry. I found myself scurrying through the chapters with great interest.

My appreciation to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Essentials for an ARC and the ability to post my opinion.

Author: Dr. Marty Goldstein

Summary from Amazon:
The Spirit of Animal Healing is the follow up to Dr. Marty Goldstein's bestselling book on holistic veterinary medicine, The Nature of Animal Healing.

It is chock full of the very latest integrative medical knowledge (which combines conventional therapies with complementary and alternative medicine). Coupled with the vast amount of specialized expertise and learning Dr. Marty has gained from his own practice over the past 45 years, the book takes readers on a journey to the leading edge of integrative veterinary understanding to achieve greater insight into the minds and bodies of their animal companions.

However, this book is not simply a new edition of Dr. Marty's first book with some refreshed content. It is a completely new book in which Dr. Marty turns the traditional approach to animal care upside down. The Spirit of Animal Healing provides readers with the most up to-date tools and knowledge they need to keep their dogs and cats healthy and prevent disease from occurring in the first place, instead of just treating their animal companions when they are sick.

Topics covered include:
*Nutrition and supplements
*Integrative remedies and harmful treatments
*Cutting edge therapies
*The truth about vaccinations
*The latest in cancer treatments
*The spiritual nature of animals
*True, mind-blowing cases from over the years
-And much more!


Personal Review:
The cover was what drew me into this book. Anyone who knows me, knows I am always up for the healing power of animals' stories. This one was very detailed and much more than what I could have imagined. I enjoyed reading it.

Disclaimer: I was awarded this book through NetGalley. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.

Happy Reading!

This is a great handbook of veterinary medicine and holistic cures for your pets.
It is nicely written and has anything and everything you need to know about medical cures. It goes from scientific proven cures to holistic. It is full of great helps and ideas.
Greatly appreciated. Super read!

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley. I have read the author's first book on animal healing and found it informative and useful. The author has 45 years of vet training and knows of the subjects he writes of. Reading this book will help you to be a better more responsible pet owner.

In this next book the author covers natural healing and current veterinarian standards for our pets. The standards of veterinarian care in the United States do not serve our pets well and are based on a money making model..

The pet food industry chapter is horrifying and more people need to be aware of what they are feeding their pets. Vaccines and the danger of are covered here which is critical information for pet owners. i almost lost my Himalayan after vaccines and choose not to vaccinate her any longer. I was aware of the toxins but the degree of toxicity in vaccines will shock you to your core. Natural models of care for cancer and illness are inclusive here with suggestions for non toxic care of our pets. I highly recommend this book for all that love their pets.

I honestly didn't want to read this book. I have been interested in alternative food choices for my animals and have read several books on the topic - most of the advertising their "brand". Thought this would be another one. I read a few pages- put it down - then thought if give it one more shot.
I'm so glad I did! Not only was it not an advertisement - I learned so much!! One of the big things was to learn to trust myself when dealing with my pets. I've had many horrible run ins with medical doctors and veterinarians and always felt afterwards that I should have listened to my inner voice. Dr. Marty confirmed this.
I am taking several things from this book and researching further! My pups are already enjoying their home cooked meals and say thanks Dr. Marty!

I reached out for this book because of concerns I have with my aging dog, Emi. She has an autoimmune condition, so any knowledge I could gain is helpful. It seems that Dr. Martin Goldstein speaks directly to me. His wit, attitude, compassion, and knowledge are shining through on each page. He seems to realize that if you’re reading this book, you probably have a dearly loved pet in need of special care. I soaked it up, making notes of things I could correct, enjoying the personal stories (I chuckled about his interactions with Oprah), and coming away with a better understanding of what my pet has been trying to tell me.
You don’t have to have a sick pet to read this; any pet lover will find something to assist them in the care of the very animals that are actually taking care of us.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Essentials for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date was February 2, 2021.

I really enjoyed this book dealing with how to help your animals achieve a higher state of well-being. Being a long-time pet owner and lover of animals, I loved the tips and insights provided by the author in understanding your animals, and what they need from us in order to thrive. I would recommend this book for any pet-owner or animal lover.

I received an e-ARC of this book by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

As a pet lover, I was interested in the premise behind Dr. Goldstein's professional approach. His book 'The Spirit of Animal Healing' teaches you & gives you a framework for thinking holistically about your pet. Just as I think about an integrative medicine approach for my own health, it now makes sense that I should apply that same approach to my dogs and cats. Goldstein's book will do just that: teach you & give you some knowledge to help improve your pet's health from an integrative medicine approach. Excellent book.

A very informative book on Animal healing. This book is a how to on Holistic healing for Animals an Approach which I try to follow.
Several topics covered in this book including:

Nutrition and supplements
*Integrative remedies and harmful treatments
*Cutting edge therapies
*The truth about vaccinations
*The latest in cancer treatments
One topics that I am a staunch believer in is the over unnecessary vaccinations preformed by Veterinarians.
His writing comes from his 45 years in the veterinary practice and makes for an interesting read.

As pet parents, we naturally want the best for our furry companions. We research vets and read their reviews before making appointments, we ask carefully thought out questions and adapt our environments to our animal's needs and for their ensured safety. So why is that, like the pet food industry, so much of what we're told is little more than bunk? This book explains how we're often compromising our pet's health without even realizing it, blindly trusting vets who are basing their own recommendations on outdated research.
Goldstein turned to not necessarily natural means of healing, but alternatives that sometimes take decades to be approved, despite being shown to work. Even something as simple as pet massage can alleviate ailments that are only masked (or in some cases not even helped) by expensive mediations which may have adverse side-effects. While I often felt shocked and disheartened reading this book, it made me a more aware pet parent and stressed the importance of conducting our own research. He offers a wealth of information, backed up by years of research and personal stories of success, leaving the reader with a feeling of optimism and enlightenment.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy. This did not impact my review.

Very informative and a good book to have in your library. I particularly enjoyed chapter 9, Walking Through Your Pets Spiritual World.

I also took notes about the vaccines vets sometimes push at us. Are they all really necessary and so often? Dr. Goldstein gives good guidance on this and I’m glad to be more informed.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my digital copy to read for review. This is one I’ll want to own to refer to often in the future. I bought a physical copy at BAM yesterday for my bookshelf for quick reference. Highly recommended!!

This book arrived at a difficult time for me. I had lost my dachshund, Henry, after 15 years and was still grieving him. I also have an older black Lab so this book will be a resource for me now and into the future. I have always been interested in holistic healing for pets and humans, so I found this book quite unique and different from what I normally read.

If you are a pet parent, this book is definitely worth reading and using as a possible resource.

i enjoyed reading this book, it was a really well done guide. It was a interesting topic and I enjoyed how knowledgeable the author seemed.

This book is fascinating, informative, and a little disturbing, as Dr. Marty Goldstein shares the reasons why our furbabies are dealing with more debilitating health issues than ever before. More importantly, he tells us what we can do to keep them healthy.

Lots of great information here, from the basics of food choice, which is far more significant than many people realize, to treatment options for disease and the controversy of vaccines.

Goldstein’s writing style is conversational. He shares anecdotes from his personal life and practice, along with various facts and data, keeping readers engaged throughout.

I really appreciate the holistic approach in both animal and human healing. This book contained a goldmine of information that isn't always readily available for pet caretakers. I took off one star because there are a few beyond questionable assertions. As long as you clear things with a trusted vet, I recommend this book.