Happy Pet Stories
Read how Dr. Gladstein has helped other dogs recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions and
alleviate pain.
KLYDE, 13-YEAR-OLD GOLDEN RETRIEVER
Our pets deserve to be pain-free.
Klyde is a 13-year-old golden retriever with severe arthritis. For six months, he was
treated with acupuncture, ultrasound, manual manipulation, stretching, massage, and
with a natural inflammatory drug.
He was happy and healthy, exhibited a good range of motion, and required minimal drug
usage, he lived till the age of 15.
Moritz, 5-year-old Mini Dachshund
Moritz benefitted greatly from physical therapy and alternative treatments. Following spinal
surgery to correct a ruptured disc Moritz presented with total paralysis of his hind legs.
Ten days later he began physical therapy. The treatments included: acupuncture, external
electrical muscle stimulation, exercise using bicycles, therapeutic ultrasound, massage and
stretching.
Moritz started walking less than 2 weeks after physical therapy began. He began walking on
his own 8 weeks after surgery, and he walked with only a slight abnormality after 12 weeks.
Brock
I recently just joined Yelp. To my surprise, I found my vet, Dr. Babette Gladstein, VMD,
on Yelp with two extremely negative reviews. I find myself wanting to tell my story
which is in direct contrast to the two 1-star posts (03/21/2014 and 08/31/2014).
My association with Dr. Babette Gladstein began on June 29, 2011. I awoke to find my
service dog of 13 years 10 months (age 14 years 3 months) unable to stand and walk.
Needless to say, I was in shock. I was afraid my regular vet was going to tell me, “It
is time.” I was definitely not ready for that, given “Brockolee & Cheese’s” (“Brock’s”)
sudden decline.
A neighbor referred me to the American Holistic Veterinary Medical
Association (AHVMA) where I found 4 vets listed that met my criteria and serviced
NY/Queens. I could not get past one vet’s secretary. They were only concerned that a
pay a preliminary fee prior to service and that I fill out paperwork.
A decision on whether Brock met their requirements for treatment would be made in two weeks or more. Despite my telling the vet’s staff that Brock was an extremely loyal, dedicated, and talented service dog (and my closest companion), not to mention, I walk with crutches and have mobility issues due to cerebral palsy and live alone, the staff could not see scheduling an emergency appointment or even allow me the courtesy of speaking with the doctor.
The second vet did not have time in their schedule, nor did they feel it was just to squeeze
me in or bump a client. The second vet could see me, if memory serves me correct, in a
week and a half. The third veterinarian was Dr. Gladstein. She called back after I left
a stressful message.
Dr. Gladstein told me, “Don’t panic. It’s not over yet. Try to relax, so Brock won’t be even more stressed. Try to toilet him. Get help if you need to. Use a belt or towel to help you. I don’t have time this afternoon, but I will see you at 10:30 or 11 p.m. if you are o.k. with that?” You bet I was! The fourth called back two weeks later, upon their return from vacation.
Dr. Gladstein returned four nights later; the Fourth of July at 10:30-11 p.m. for a
follow up treatment of physical therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, and laser
therapy. Both appointments, the Doctor stayed several hours. I continued monthly and
eventually, bimonthly visits with her when it became necessary. When the time was right
we did stem cell and prolotherapy.
I found Dr. Gladstein to be dedicated, compassionate, but direct and blunt. Sometimes
the unadulterated truths are hard to hear. I credit Dr. Gladstein with helping me give
Brock an additional year and eight months of quality life. Only the last month things
were becoming more difficult. Brock passed at home, naturally, six days shy of his
sixteenth birthday.
With reading the two poor reviews, I called Dr. Gladstein, to question her because I was
upset. This was not the Dr. Gladstein that I had come to know, and I was concerned
others would read the reviews and not call a very fine vet who puts the animal’s needs
before that of the owner’s or their feelings. This is what I learned:
1. The person who called on a holiday weekend did so at 2:00 a.m. in the morning, not
with an immediate emergency, but rather asking if the Doctor would be available the
coming Sunday. In this case, the response might be considered understandable.
2. The person who was uncomfortable with Dr. Gladstein’s phrasing and or “bedside
manner”: Dr. Gladstein was direct and said that the treatment might not take. Dr.
Gladstein did treat the dog despite her being ill-prepared to enter a bed bug-infested
apartment.
The apartment was very small, with no safe place for Dr. Gladstein to hang her coat. Dr. Gladstein admits to commenting that the apartment was the smallest she has seen, but in no way did she insult the client by calling it “crap” or show disrespect to the client or their beloved companion. There must have been a great misinterpretation of words here.
I am sorry to hear of these two individuals’ experiences. I am sorry they feel
dis-serviced. I can only pass on my thoughts and experiences with Dr. Gladstein, in the
hope that others in extreme need do not overlook her expertise in the field, and her
dedication and compassion I experience with her handling of my 24 hour-a-day companion
and life aid.
If you want a no-nonsense veterinarian who knows her stuff, from my experience, Dr.
Gladstein has many areas of expertise, uses a combination of treatments, minimizes
manufactured drugs while increasing a holistic approach.
Despite the last two reviewers’ beliefs and experiences, Dr.Gladstein does have a heart and a sense of humor to boot. I have experienced it, and continue to be grateful for it. I pushed Dr.
Gladstein to take on the care of my new successor dog, “Hilti Gun”, for we are not ready
for all her talents and specialty in veterinary geriatrics. Why mess with success?
Peace and health to all.
-Marc Jeffrey Grobman