As a pioneer of integrative medicine, veterinarian Dr. Marty Goldstein has been called everything from “maverick” to “miracle worker.” Attracting four-legged patients from around the world, Dr. Goldstein’s practice, Smith Ridge Veterinary Center, provides holistic treatment for animals after other vets have given up hope. In The Dog Doc, director Cindy Meehl (Buck) goes behind the scenes at Smith Ridge to capture the full drama of “Dr. Marty” and his colleagues’ life-changing commitment to wellness and the astounding results they achieve. Filming over a two-and-a-half year period, Meehl’s unobtrusive camera highlights the vulnerability of her subjects — canine and human — while tracking each animal’s progress. The Dog Doc combines the touching stories of families with the hard science of integrative care. By casting an intimate lens over this unique world, The Dog Doc shows the healing powers of integrative wellness, compassion, and hope.

The Dog Doc

2019 US 90 min
Festival Year: 2020
Director: Cindy Meehl
Types: Documentary, Feature, Panel Discussion
Topic: Animal Welfare, Technology & Science