Cindy Meehl’s second feature documentary following 2011’s wonderful Buck (about horse whisperer and equine clinician Dan “Buck” Brannaman) focuses on another individual whose passionate work is driven by a progressive agenda concerning animals. Dr. Marty Goldstein is known by reputation to many pet owners in the U.S. as a veterinarian who practices integrative medicine, i.e., a synergistic combination of homeopathic and traditional methods.
Meehl captures Goldstein at work in his clinic, called Smith Ridge (set in South Salem, NY), as well as at home and during a lecture to veterinary school students. In the latter situation, he summarizes his life’s work and encourages these future practitioners to look into the efficacy of his controversial practice. But most of the action is at South Ridge, which is always bustling with pet owners bringing in their dying dogs and cats, critters previously dismissed as hopeless cases by several other vets.
Goldstein and another doctor employ natural tools (vitamins, supplements among others) to strengthen and stimulate immune systems in fighting illness. In extreme cases, we see Goldstein freezing tumors during surgery to weaken them, thus making the body’s task in fighting these growths a little easier. Naturally, there are many emotional mini-storylines about sick pets and the people who love them, scenes shot over weeks and months as the animals eventually get better. And, of course, there are some who don’t make it.
Goldstein isn’t offering miracles, but his brand of blended approaches to treatment often yield startling results and, what’s more, make a lot of sense when he explains them. Hovering over everything is the resistance Goldstein faces from other vets who accuse him of quackery. Rather than take a defensive posture, he just does his job and takes whatever opportunity he can to tell other doctors and the public that integrative medicine succeeds.
Meehl makes viewers feel blessed to get to know the old hippie Goldstein and to be in the swirl of activity at South Ridge. More than anything, it’s good to have our consciousness expanded about animal medicine. Strongly recommended. Aud: I, J, H, C, P.