Before I had a phone consultation with Dr. Goldstein, I'd been through a lot with a dozen of holistic vets across the country. Just like anything else, there's good one, better one & the best in any profession. No doubt, Dr. Goldstein is the best in the country, I'm sure he is the best in the world too. Not just my babies(6 cats) better health, he changed my idea of "being healthy" too. I'm very grateful. read more

I have to begin by simply saying that there is no better place for veterinary care than Smith Ridge Veterinary Center. Trust me when I say that I have ample experience in this area. My pitbull Cydney and I began a long and arduous journey to finding Smith Ridge when Cyd began having seizures in early 2012. In the course of trying to find a solution as to why a previously healthy dog began having such life threatening episodes after nearly 8 years without a major health issue, Cyd and I dealt with over 100 different vets from large specialty hospitals to small practices and everything in between. After nearly a year of traditional veterinary medicine failing to make any improvement in Cyd's health and in certain instances making him even sicker, we began exploring alternative forms of treatment. We worked with a few supposedly, "alternative" practitioners for awhile who were really traditional veterinary practices no different then what we had been dealing with prior accept that they dabbled in alternative medicine but offered us again no real solutions or a return to any type of health and wellness for Cyd. Cyd and I were completely lost after nearly a year of getting nowhere with his treatment. We were pretty exhausted but knew that there had to be someone that could help us. That was when we heard about Smith Ridge Veterinary Center. After reading, The Nature of Animal Healing by Dr. Marty Goldstein, the founder of Smith Ridge, I decided to give them a call. After an amazing phone call with the Smith Ridge front desk, Cyd and I scheduled in our first appointment and from that moment a true path to healing began for both of us. From our initial appointment, thru 3 amazing years of care, time that we never would have had together if it hadn't been for Smith Ridge, Cyd's health and overall quality of life returned in leaps and bounds. In addition to the seizures, we were also dealing with repeated flare-ups of pancreatitis, a ton of food and environmental allergies, a greatly depleted immune system and the natural wear and tear of being so sick as well as aging. Under the care of Dr. Jacqueline Ruskin, a healer in every sense of the word and the amazing staff at Smith Ridge, Cyd went from being a very ill, over-drugged patient who had lost so much of himself to a vibrant and happy guy who ran, jumped, played and went for walks of up to 3 miles a day much as he had before he fell ill but with a deeper sense of true health as we addressed all aspects of his life with dietary supplementation, acupuncture, energy work, IV-Vitamin C therapy and a whole host of other integrative therapies that the doctors and technicians at Smith Ridge employ to improve the overall health of all patients whatever the issue. Along the way we had some emergencies, cluster seizures of up 17 in about 12 hours, bouts of pancreatitis where Cyd lost 20lbs, to name a few, and thru it all Dr. Ruskin and the team at Smith Ridge stood by us whether it was after hours or in the middle of the night as it seems like that is when all emergencies occur, they were there for us. Through even the emergencies that we encountered, Cyd always came out stronger than before an incident and I credit that all to the expertise, love and support that we received from Dr. Ruskin and everyone at Smith Ridge. To cite one example, Cyd once suffered an age related series of small strokes that left him immobile with no reflexes in any of his limbs. He was still himself but unable to stand or walk. Under traditional standards of veterinary medicine, we were told maybe he would walk again in a couple of months. Once we got to Smith Ridge, Dr. Ruskin and the technicians that worked with him around the clock had Cyd up and walking in 3 days. When we returned the following week for our regularly scheduled acupuncture appointment Cyd pulled his way in the front door of Smith Ridge as he always loved going to see all his friends there as if nothing had ever happened, no stroke, no problems. The day he learned to walk on a patch of grass outside Smith Ridge with Dr. Ruskin and the technicians working with him on their hands and knees was truly a sight to be behold. I will never be able to say enough about Smith Ridge and everyone, present as well as past, that has been a part of things there. I can literally name everyone there and cite countless examples of how each individual brings something rare and unique to Smith Ridge to make it a truly special place. From the front desk and pharmacy staff to the team of veterinary technicians to the doctors, Smith Ridge is populated by people whose skill and expertise in the healing arts and in the health and wellness of every animal that comes thru their door is only matched by everyone of these folk's passion, dedication, creativity and commitment to providing the very best integrative care for their patients. Smith Ridge offers a truly holistic approach for all animals and their people. They are simply the best. read more

Dr. Ruskin at Smith Ridge has been my vet for several years. She is an incredibly kind and skilled vet. She always takes the time I need to understand what is going on with my dog and how I can best care for him. She is great at what she does and I am thankful to have her. Rochelle at the front desk is also a wonderful resource and calm presence every time I have a question . Angela Wilson read more

I met Dr. Goldstein in the early 80's when he had a smaller practice just up the road. He was "holistic" when holistic wasn't mainstream and my initial experience with him was outstanding. My dog had a strange skin condition that nobody could figure out, but one look and he knew exactly what it was and prescribed thyroid medication. I had rescued the little Cairn from a vet whose previous owners had brought her down to be put to sleep because of the skin condition. He instead allowed me to take her home. I have gone to other vets over the years due to geographic convenience, and while they were all good, the vets here speak my language, so I find that even though the prices might be a bit higher, in the end, I'm spending the same or less because I get right to the source of the issue. They don't look at me sideways when I don't want to give steroids or tons of vaccinations and instead want try natural remedies. Dr. Goldstein is semi-retired, so now I work with Dr. Seo, who is wonderful also. read more

We have seen Dr Ruskin on a few occasions now. Lacey is a Maltipoo who has had reactions to her vaccinations twice now. The original vets plan was to continue with all shots while using large doses of benadryl to help lessen the allergic reaction. Without any other options we did that once and it did not work, she swelled up and had a reaction. This is when I found Smith Ridge. Dr. Ruskin thoroughly explained the purpose of each vaccination, which ones they feel only titers should be checked for and which ones where the risk of an allergic reaction and effect on the immune system outweighed the benefit. From years of experience she knew that Laceys titers would be fine as they find most small dogs are protected for years after shots given as puppies. The only shot we had to give was rabies, they put her on a protocol of a homeopathic for a week before and after, gave her a thimerosal free version and without any benadryl Lacey was fine. Dr. Ruskin even took the time to call that evening to see how her patient was doing. If you have a loved one that is having an issue with vaccinations from our experience I would highly recommend this office. read more

Where to begin...I wish there were enough positive words to describe our experience with Dr Jenna at Smith Ridge. We first came to Smith Ridge after using a vet that prescribed to traditional medicine (always resorting immediately to antibiotics, vaccinating without titers, etc) from the beginning we understood that Smith Ridge took a integrative approach to the care of animals. This in fact was why we choose them. Dr Jenna was wonderful sharing with us the approach they took at Smith Ridge and sharing research to support their practice. It was not a lecture, nor did we feel pressure to prescribe to a "new way" of doing things. They gave us information and the rest was left to us. Over the course of our relationship with Dr Jenna, she has positively transformed our dogs lives. She approaches each dog as if they were her own. There is genuine care and concern when we come to her. No question is too small. She always makes you feel like you are the most important client. Most importantly, the dogs respond to her positive care. Our dogs are truly thriving. We have seen our older dogs actually seem to turn back the hands of time, while our younger dogs are off to a great start in life. My husband and I know our dogs are in good hands at Smith Ridge both with Dr Jenna and the caring knowledgeable Vet Tech staff. From the moment you walk into Smith Ridge, the front office treats you with professionalism and helps to make the stay/visit at Smith Ridge a positive one. We seriously feel very lucky to have found Smith Ridge and Dr Jenna and would highly recommend them to any who ask. read more