Dr. Marc Smith

For starters, my main craft is practicing individualized, innovative veterinary medicine to solve problems, deliver results and make your pet feel better.

I am a progressive veterinarian continually searching for the best way to treat your pets.

But here’s the thing, veterinary medicine faces two almost insurmountable problems:

• Standardization
• Excessive pharmaceuticals
  
  

When I say standardization, I am referring to the fact that the majority of treatment and prevention strategies follow the book. They are the same no matter what veterinarian you choose.

By too many pharmaceuticals, what I mean is that throwing a myriad of drugs at the problem seldom works and can even harm your pet.

You see good veterinary medicine demands the ability to change and be open-minded to the vast array of problems encountered each and every day.

To overcome these problems, I practice with a straightforward philosophy.

First, I focus on the presenting problems and the problems most pressing to your pet.

Then, my focus changes to you, the pet parent. Our communication—what you want and your expectations — are paramount to a successful treatment.

Finally, so you don’t feel trapped, you are offered options and you make the decision.

Isn’t it nice to be in control?

Why do I practice the way I do?

Every day, people ask me this question

Yet, a better way to put it might be: “Why do you incorporate alternative medicine into your practice?”

Let me start by saying I practiced straight-up, traditional veterinary medicine for ten years. I did it all and had the good fortune to be mentored by some of the best veterinarians ever to practice in the Volunteer State.

In fact, a large part of my practice today includes Western veterinary medicine and a variety of tactics taught to me by my mentors.

But, clients ask questions and demand answers. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t know all the answers. Many pets, therefore, I could not help.

Much to my dismay and definitely due to my ignorance, I fell into the trap of assuming that if I didn’t learn it in vet school, it must not work.

I was wrong.

So, I did what I now preach.

I changed.

I went back to school to learn the answers for myself.

And after ten years and many hours of classroom study, I am now equipped with the skills to treat pets more efficiently, more effectively, and ultimately better.

Even if I chose not to use alternative veterinary medicine techniques in my practice, I am definitely a better practitioner and veterinarian because I know the options and techniques. When people ask questions, they deserve credible answers.

Non-traditional veterinary techniques have forced me to become a better communicator, a more critical thinker, and a more meticulous diagnostician.

And that’s why I practice the way I do!