"I noticed my little Yorkie, Maxine, was having difficulty walking on her back legs. After several consultations with Dr. Bond and Dr. Thompson, an X-ray confirmed their diagnosis of Legg-Calve-Perthes. Max needed to have surgery on both of her hips as soon as possible.

Before, during, and after the surgery, the staff at VIVA were so caring, helpful, and kind. I cannot imagine having gone through something so hard without them, especially Dr. Bond. She ensured that I understood the disease, the nature of the surgery, Max's post-operative care, her rehab exercises, and most importantly, that I was making the right choice in having the surgery and that Max was going to be alright. Dr. Bond was available every day (even on weekends) for about 10 days after the surgery to get updates and provide advice on Max's recovery (in fact, the post-operative care instructions were that I call her every day with an update!). Talking with her each day was so re-assuring and comforting. For the two months following the surgery, Dr. Bond also had continued consultations with me to advise on Max's progress and to provide additional rehab exercises. Now, I am happy to report that Maxine is running and playing as hard and as fast as ever with no signs of the lameness in her back legs that she had prior to the surgery. Max is once again living a full and play-filled life, and it is all because of the exceptional veterinary care she received at VIVA.

My husband and I immensely thank Dr. Bond and the team at VIVA for healing our little Yorkie's legs and our broken hearts and doing so with the utmost knowledge, skill, and compassion. VIVA is truly a special place."

Kristi Morgan
Stowe, Vermont

"My Morgan mare and I have been through a lot in the five years we've been together. She suffered a broken jaw when she was younger and that has presented some problems with bitting and flexion. She also can be very "girthy" and has become increasingly spooky since having a foal last year. Don has treated Melanie with both Eastern and Western medicine since I got her and we have been affecting her symptoms with great success. However after her foal was born things escalated and I thought I might not be able to ride her anymore. She was unpredictable and unhappy. I made an appointment with Don after one particularly difficult ride. I described what had happened and shared my observation that her behavior was particularly spooky in the spring and fall, during her transition into and out of breeding season. Don's acupuncture treatment was so effective that in fewer than five minutes Melanie was licking and chewing, ears forward with the first relaxed look in her face in a month. We saddled her and I was able to tighten the girth without any jigging, panic or stress. Our rides since then have been wonderful. Melanie is a steady and willing trail horse again - and more importantly she is more content."

Heidi Krantz
Craftsbury, Vermont

"My mini daschund, Willie, was having a little difficulty breathing, was very lethargic, and had little appetite. I brought him to Dr. Thompson. An exam and xray showed that his back (a concern with daschunds) was fine, but his intestinal walls were quite inflamed. Dr. Thompson did some acupunture which worked to soften Willie's belly. He also gave me Chinese herbs for Willie. It took a couple more visits before the acupuncture treatments began to hold for longer than a few hours. The herbs also worked. After a couple of weeks, Willie was still not himself, so back we went again to get a different herb, which began to work in a few short days! I brought Willie into the office one day a few weeks after that so that the staff and Dr. Thompson could see the transformation! From a lethargic dog who only wanted to lie down to my small dynamo who can play fetch for hours at a time was quite a change!! Willie and I are very happy and lucky to have Dr. Thompson as his vet!"

Julie Mueller
Stowe, VT

"We started using Vermont Integrative Veterinary Associates about three years ago. We love the alternative medicine. I feel some of my horse are sound now because of the Chinese herbs and acupuncture. One of my stallions was always gimpy and several vets could not figure it out. Dr. Thompson found a compressed bone in his knee. We put "Boo" on Chinese herbs and within a month it was sound. We have a large boarding stable and several clients have seen wonders with their horses since using Chinese herbs and acupuncture with Dr. Thompson. Everyone is great at VIVA. They are all very friendly and very helpful. I cannot say enough about this terrific team."

Donna Laplume
Joe Desrochers
Missisquoi Valley Arabians
Newport, VT

"Dr. Thompson's advanced knowledge of Chinese herbs and acupuncture has dramatically slowed the progress of our dog's degenerative myelopathy and has enabled his quality of life to be extended far beyond what anyone would have predicted. In fact two years into the disease (a point where most dogs would be completely paralyzed) Tiva placed first in the 10-12 year old veteran class at the Weimaraner Nationals. I live in New Jersey and won't do anything with local vets unless it is coordinated through Dr. Thompson. There is no other vet that I trust so implicitly with my dogs' care."

Donna Davies
Morrisville, VT and Hillsdale, New Jersey

"With acupuncture and Chinese herbs, Dr. Thompson was able to give us many more months with our Shelby than might have otherwise been expected. We first came to him for acupuncture because Shelby had some sort of neurological deficiency in his hindquarters. The acupuncture helped him to move better and feel better. And then, Shelby just adapted. We would come back in for an acupuncture tune up if he seemed to be regressing.

For several years, Shelby had had a history of developing pneumonia approximately every four months. We had consulted another vet for this condition, who would then recommend antibiotics. However, in January 2009, Shelby had a severe episode with spiking temperature and racing heart, and we took him to Dr. Thompson for emergency evaluation. An EKG detected arrythmia, and on xrays Dr.Thompson saw a mass on Shelby's heart that he diagnosed as an aortic body tumor, something that the previous vet had missed. Treatment consisted of two kinds of Chinese herbs and Shelby responded beautifully. We continued to take walks in the woods, he chased his ball and loved doing his tricks. All of this right up until the night before he died.

Research online said prognosis for aortic body tumor was two to eight months. Shelby lived until October 26, 2009. I am convinced that the Chinese herbs gave us more good months with Shelby. I appreciate the knowledge of herbs as well as the diagnostic skills of Dr. Thompson and I also appreciate the kindness and helpfulness of his staff."

Caroline Mckinney
Morrisville, VT

"North Country Animal League wishes to express its sincerest thanks to Dr. Don Thompson and the wonderful staff at Vermont Integrative Veterinary Associates. For years Dr. Thompson has provided the majority of NCAL's veterinary care including spaying and neutering, vaccinations, and emergency care. VIVA shares NCAL's mission to promote compassionate, responsible relationships between humans and animals and NCAL is very fortunate to have such a dedicated group of people providing our medical care."

Sally Scott
Operations Director
North Country Animal League
Morrisville, VT

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Vermont Integrative Veterinary Associates
4706 Waterbury-Stowe Rd.
Waterbury Ctr., VT 05677
(802)882-8314
vtintegrativevet@aol.com

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