Specializing in Nutritional Consultations via Telehealth !
Success stories
Missy
Many pets respond quickly to acupuncture, especially when they're painful. After her first treatment, Missy was able to get up and move more easily. She came for weekly acupuncture sessions which extended her quality of life.
Missy is 14-1/2 years old and a very smart, loving girl. The past 14 years since we rescued her have been filled with many adventures, long walks, tummy rubs, frisbees and chuck-it balls. The last six months have been a challenge, getting up, walking and especially stairs have been difficult. We were very sad watching her decline with her rear leg weakness and visible discomfort. While we were using some supplements and anti-inflammatory medications the decline was continuing. We reached out to Dr. Sue for acupuncture. It was the best decision we have made! Missy is substantially better, she loves coming to the clinic for treatments, she walks around freely, and tolerates the needles really well. With acupuncture she has been able to take long walks, manage the stairs and get up by herself once again. We cannot thank Dr. Sue and Kate enough for their skilled and compassionate care of our sweet girl. - Jeanette E.
Dickens
Dickens is a rescued stray who found his furever home just before the pandemic. When we first met him, he was nervous, had loose stools, poor skin, mattery eyes, and terrible breath. He was unable to keep down any food, and was diagnosed with acid reflux and pancreatitis. He had been taking medications that were not effective; along with medications to treat side effects of other medications. Even home prepared diet wasn't helping him. His Mom made a choice to take Dickens off all meds and to start again, still believing that nutrtion was the key to healing.
I began a frantic search for nutrition vets, and found Dr Sue and Thrive through the Answers raw food nutrition website. Nutrition Response Testing (NRT) was new to me, but it provided a systematic way of assessing Dickens. We started with a diet of only herbs and raw goat’s milk, slowly working to find a meat source that Dickens could tolerate. We cycled through gently cooked diets and ultimately have him stabilized now on raw. In the process, we tested for food sensitivities, and we tested his microbiome.
I will never forget the call from Dr. Sue saying that we “hit the jackpot” with the biome testing. Dickens’ biome profile was shocking: No good bacteria and an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. We now had an explanation and a path forward. NRT helped determine the best supplements for him and has been ongoing every 2-3 weeks across this past year to track the health of his major organ systems and to make slight adjustments to move him toward health. Working with Dr. Sue has not only improved Dickens’ health, but it has also given me strategies for managing his symptoms.
Every step has worked. Dickens has regained the weight he lost, his skin is better, his eyes are clear, and his GI system is stable and improving, as noted by the reduction of harmful bacteria and the emergence of healthy bacteria in his biome. I believe that we have turned this little guy’s health around, because with Dr. Sue’s approach we were never blindly making dietary or supplementation choices. For the first time in a year, Dickens is healthy! And now his new life can finally begin… - Victoria M.
Squirt
When we first met Squirt his energy levels were low, he had lost focus and he was battling chronic digestive issues. Nutrition Response Testing (NRT) allowed us to identify several chemicals and a heavy metal that were affecting his body and organs. NRT helped us find nutritional solutions to enable his body to detox, rebuild and recover. Now he is back to doing his nose work enthusiastically and is on the road to recovery. Congratulations Squirt!
My dog Squirt is an 11-year-old rescue dog. He has been a great friend and partner. He competes in canine scent work, is a certified pet therapy dog and works at the Ronald McDonald House and the Reading to Rover program at our local library.
Squirt has always had gastric reflux symptoms. This past year, his periodic symptoms of acid reflux became a regular occurrence and lasted longer; with excessive drooling, desperate search for grass, plants, house plants, towels, paper, and fuzz to eat. He also demonstrated some tremors and balance issues. I tried everything – medication, changing his food, changing his feeding schedule. He lost 5 pounds – about 10% of his body weight - due to withholding food and poor digestion. Basically, I was tapped out.
He has been involved in Thrive Wholistic Veterinary Care’s Designed Clinical Nutrition and Nutrition Response Testing program since February. Systematically Squirt’s food was changed, and a new supplement was added. I didn’t know what to expect, but since his involvement in the program he has had only 2 minor acid reflux episodes. He has regained 4 pounds and has more energy and vitality. The tremors have almost disappeared. I am so grateful I found this program! - Carol M.
Roman
We began our relationship with Dr. Sue almost two years ago as we wanted to ensure our 6-year old Boxer litter-mates were receiving holistic, Traditional Chinese Medicine-informed nutrition and supplement guidance. We had recently learned their breed was at high risk for DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy). When we initially brought Roman in, we only had minor issues to treat. Dr. Sue recommended a Designed Clinical Nutrition and customized supplement program (based on Nutrition Response Testing). Roman’s skin/glad/allergy issues immediately improved. In November of 2019 we learned Roman did indeed have DCM and he was just not himself. Along with the western medicine he was prescribed by his cardiologist, Dr. Sue reconfigured his entire nutrition program and Roman's overall stamina and mood returned to normal. Roman had been flourishing on his new program until November of 2020 when he started to experience evening panic attacks. No heart-related issues were found via the emergency vet and cardiologist, but through Dr. Sue’s focused, careful analysis, she was able to determine some chemical exposure and interactions and made strategic tweaks to Roman’s diet and supplement timing and items. His panic attacks stopped and he’s been thriving ever since. - Ellena R.
Roman's story is an example of how valuable Nutrition Response Testing is for finding and prioritizing body imbalances in real-time. It helped us evaluate Roman to provide the best nutrition for his heart and it showed us that his panic attacks were really a result of chemical exposure that we could handle through nutritional intervention. Way to go Roman!
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Sasha
In the beginning of May 2020, Sasha started having difficulty walking. Initially, her front right paw would knuckle over, then a few weeks later her balance and general walking without slipping became a challenge. Her hind legs soon after started to “give out” causing them to butterfly and have her collapse. Lying down and sitting up became painful for her. There were plenty of days where she was crying and shaking with simple movements. After seeing the neurologist, pain medication was given and we were told that her issue could be one of many things - cervical cancer, cervical myelopathy, or IVDD.
After discussing options with our vet, it was recommended that we try acupuncture . We started to see Dr. Sue and Kate in October this year and the results have been nothing short of fantastic! Sasha now has almost near normal gait mechanics, improved proprioception and her strength is starting to build back up. Our goal was to have her start to go on walks again and we have now started short walks with no problems. Sasha is now a happy, mobile dog again.
- Mary M.
Click on this link to see Sasha before she started acupuncture treatments:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEzWdlWVB2g
And watch her move after nine treatments:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4_YgOjCenM
Koko
Koko arrived on Thrive’s doorstep in July with an unsightly growth on her mouth that was getting larger by the day. She was subsequently diagnosed with malignant melanoma, and had surgery to remove the growth in lieu of chemotherapy and radiation. In spite of her bleak prognosis and projected life span of 2 months, Koko has outlived this prognosis and flourished with acupuncture and herbs, maintaining her sassy demeanor and playful nature.
She comes home from a treatment with Dr. Sue with the-world-is-my-oyster-attitude, tail held high and flouncing around her castle-home rounding up her subjects (1 sister). Then she stretches out languidly on the rug and relaxes for the rest of the day. It is hard for her to keep herself as beautifully groomed as she always had so Kate makes her feel as if she has had a day at the spa. Koko is a little force of nature and Dr. Sue and Kate have made it possible for her to have the highest quality of life in spite of her cancer. - Amy M.
Hank
When we first met Hank a year ago he had many issues ranging from a history of bladder stones that made him unable to urinate and having trouble adjusting to his new prescription diet, to being overweight, licking his feet raw, fighting nonstop allergies, and eventually, MRSA. He was painful and depressed. Countless courses of antibiotics started to really take a toll on his organ health. We checked his inflammation levels, and they were so high that he was a shoe in for cancer.
Hank started our Nutrition Response Testing Designed Clinical Nutrition Program, and through absolute dedication of his family to his medical care and supplement program he is a new dog!
I was at a total loss with Hanks physical and emotional health. He was very down all the time and had little to no interest in life it seemed. Since starting a treatment plan with Dr. Sue, we have succeeded in getting Hank to lose twenty much needed pounds, he is absorbing the nutrients from his food, his organs are functioning at their highest potential, his skin/coat look and feel great and you can just tell that Hank is finally living his best life.
Because of the dedication Dr. Sue and Kate have, my Hank is absolutely THRIVING ❤️ - Kristin M.
Finn
Before Finn started seeing Dr. Sue, he was a bit of a mess. The biggest issue that brought us in was non-stop itching. Even while on an immunosuppressant, he wouldn’t stop itching (to the point of opening wounds on his head) and we couldn’t figure out what was causing it.
The amazing care of Dr. Sue and Kate shifted everything for Finn. We not only learned about food sensitivities, but through NRT, and with the help of supplements and better nutrition, Finn is no longer on his immunosuppressant and his itching is minimal. Overall, even beyond the itching, Finn is a much healthier (and softer!) kitty.
We are so thankful for Thrive. - Mindy L.
Mudslide
When Mudslide first came to Thrive, she was suffering from year-round allergies. She was itching 24/7, had raw, inflamed skin from head to tail, a dull and balding coat, and hormonal imbalances causing sleepless nights. She was on three medications to treat yeast and bacterial infection.
She was miserable.
She is now 12 weeks into her program and is more social. She is happy and playing with her toys- and she sleeps better at night. Her itch is a now a 2 on a scale from 1-10, whereas 12 weeks ago it was a 10. Her haircoat is growing in sleek and shiny and she has very little dander.
Mudslide is back to being a happy, joyful and healthy labrador thanks to Dr. Sue. As her pet parent, I cannot thank Dr. Sue and Kate for their expertise, positive spirit, and care they have given Mudslide. - Mary Jo S.