•Westchester
•Rockland
• Putnam
Living Here
•
Westchester
•
Rockland
BY RICH LOGIS
(Original publication: March 27,
2003)
Drs. Phillip Raclyn and Steven Kasanofsky specialize in the art of qi.
Qi, pronounced "chee," is what the Chinese believe to be the passages, or meridians, of the body where blood flows steadily and fights off disease and illness.
When the qi becomes blocked, the Chinese use acupuncture to stimulate movement.
Acupuncture is one of the techniques that Kasanofsky and Raclyn use to treat thousands of animals each year. Co-owners of the Yorktown Animal Hospital and two animal treatment centers in New York City, the doctors combine traditional medicine with alternative and holistic medicine, such as acupuncture and herbal and dietary supplements.
Pets as family members
The veterinarians have been in Yorktown since April and have been partners in New York City since 1993. Raclyn, 49, of Briarcliff Manor, and Kasanofsky, 45, of Croton-on-Hudson, came here partly because, they said, they know the area and have a feeling that Westchester residents are like most people: They care very much about their pets.
They care for dogs, cats, gerbils and rabbits. "Anything with fur and four legs we can fit through the door," Raclyn said.
Raclyn and Kasanofsky are certified in veterinary acupuncture by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and both have had training in Chinese herbal medicine.
They treat everything from ear infections to kidney failure to lameness, a condition where foot warts make it difficult for the animal to walk.
"Take, for example, a cat with liver disease," Raclyn said. "A regular vet may use some drugs and that's it. But while we may use drugs, we may add herbs and use a specialized diet, acupuncture and nutritional supplements that an ordinary vet wouldn't use."
When they perform acupuncture on a dog, 4-inch needles are inserted into nerves, which stimulate the qi. Holding a black Corgi mix, the doctors indicated where and how a needle would be inserted into the back of the neck. Since the dog was not supposed to receive acupuncture, the vets only showed where the needle was supposed to go; they didn't insert it.
Most of the time, the patient sits calmly and shows no sign of pain, Kasanofsky said.
"When we see a dog who's diseased, we know something is (wrong) with the meridians," Kasanofsky said.
Raclyn said he once treated a dog that had an ear infection. The owner had tried several treatments before coming to Raclyn and Kasanofsky. Using alternative medication, Raclyn said they saved the dog from surgery, which could have left scars on its ear.
The cost of the treatments ranges from $50 for each acupuncture session to $15 a month for the herbal supplements. Many of their 8,000 clients have pet health insurance. Acupuncture is the costliest procedure the vets offer. The average number of sessions is five.
At the New York City facilities, they count among their clients the pets of Mick Jagger, Rosie O'Donnell and Macaulay Culkin. At the Yorktown office, one of their clients is the pet of television personality Meredith Vieira. "Most of the celebrities like alternative medicine," Raclyn said.
Influencing their field
According to the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association's Web site, holistic treatment is grounded in wholeness. It takes into account the overall health of the animal instead of just focusing on the particular illness. It also takes into account any past diseases.
Holistic treatment is often less invasive and more effective than traditional medicine, according to the AHVMA.
"Ten years ago, this was considered quackery," Raclyn said, holding a bottle of herbal supplements. "We've influenced (alternative medicine) and other doctors are relying on it. In 10 years, you'll see alternative medicine in every office.
"The more tools you have in the toolbox, the better you can treat the pet," Raclyn said.
Several years ago, the vets said they heard a lecture by Larry Tilly, a veterinarian cardiologist they consider to be the best in the world. His topic? Alternative medical treatments.
"We were sitting there listening and laughing," because they had been using such practices for many years already, Raclyn said,
Raclyn has appeared on NBC and Fox and has been quoted in The New York Times for pieces on alternative medicine for pets. He also writes a column for Natural Living Magazine. Kasanofsky has appeared on television and radio and is a delegate of the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture. Though they've had book offers, there's been little time to write, they said.
Raclyn and Kasanofsky employ 20 people at each of their hospitals. Their hospitals in the city have been accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association, and they're in the process of having the Yorktown facility accredited. The AAHA takes into account services provided and how modern the equipment is. Getting the Yorktown hospital accredited makes their practice that much more credible, Raclyn said.
There are many who may view a holistic approach as some kind of witchcraft, Raclyn said. But skeptics usually become believers once they see how effective alternative medicine is, he said. For more information, visit their Web site at www.YorktownAnimalHospital.com.
"It's a lot of talking to the client, making them feel comfortable," Kasanofsky said. "We question the owner and tell them there are different approaches. We tell them there may be better ways of treatment (than traditional medicine), like herbs and acupuncture, that have less side effects."
One of the things that makes holistic medicine work is the understanding that animals are very similar to humans emotionally and physically, Kasanofsky said.
"Pets are not just animals," Kasanofsky said. "They're part of the family. For many people, it's their first child and their only child. I've had people cancel their vacations because a pet was ill. I've had people cancel their own surgeries. It shows how the human/animal bond is incredible."
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