A poodle gets her acupuncture treatment Photo Sophie Braccini

Rumor has it that dogs drag their owners to her clinic. A doctor like no other in the area, Karen Rettig is a classically-trained veterinarian who only uses holistic medicine with her four legged patients. Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, chiropractics, energetic balance, bio-resonance therapy, and food therapy are some of her non-chemical, non-invasive techniques.
Rettig was born, and trained as a veterinarian, in Australia. She moved to the United States eight and half years ago and started practicing here. But soon she felt that running a standard practice was not what she was supposed to be doing in life, so she started studying alternative medicines, acupuncture and Chinese Herbs, and joined a veterinary clinic in Walnut Creek. She recently decided that she wanted to have her own business, using only the holistic approach to treatment. "We are the only practice like this in all of the East Bay," says Rettig, "customers come from Livermore, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Berkeley, El Cerrito, and of course Lamorinda."
Her office is a little cottage. The rooms are bright, the atmosphere is peaceful, soothing, and there is a garden for outside consultations.
When we visited her, Linda Vendermeer of Oakland was there with her two standard poodles. The older one, a 14-year old female, suffered from two cancerous masses in her lung. Vendermeer said the dog is doing well after a few months of Retting's treatment. One of the masses has disappeared, and she has regained energy and appetite. "She wouldn't be here without Dr. Rettig," stated Vendermeer, "and she enjoys life much more." During the appointment the doctor planted needles in the dog, along her spine, and in her legs. The dog was relaxed, laying on the floor and looking completely content. "She loves coming here," added Vendemeer.
In another room, Jackie Drucker of San Leandro was waiting for Dr. Rettig with Elliott, a five-year old show dog. The little dog's hind legs were paralyzed due to a prolapsed disc in his spine. Drucker said that through holistic treatment, acupuncture and bio-resonance therapy, Dr. Rettig was able to help him regain the use of his legs and he is back in the show. "I didn't want him to have surgery," explained Drucker, "I don't like all the garbage they put in their bodies."
"The idea is that a being that is balanced can heal itself of most diseases," says Rettig, "we treat very different cases like arthritis, cancer, allergies, inflammatory bowel, and kidney failure." She puts a great emphasize on nutrition. One of her most recent feline patients displayed extreme nervousness, and smelled bad in spite of a normal hygiene practice. "Look at his tongue," she said, "it is red and dry, there is too much yin in this cat. He needs more wet food, mostly venison and fish, and no grain. Cats eat herbs in the wild, but no grain." The foul smell came from swollen glands that she released, and she prescribed calming herbs for his anxiety.
The young holistic practitioner plans to conduct free workshops in her office - the first one will be "Learn How to do T-touch on your Pet" with Patty Coggan on June 29th at 6:00 p.m. "T-touch is a way of communicating with dogs that combines massage-like touches, body wraps and physical manipulation to improve athletic performance, aggressive behavior, nervousness, fears, as well as medical problems and injuries," said Rettig.
Alternatives for Animals is located at 1042 Brown Ave, Lafayette; (925) 283-6160.

Copyright Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA