We are thrilled to be named 2010 Best Veterinary Clinic in Ranch and Coast Magazine!

Our Readers’ Choice Best Of 2010 results for pets

Hi, I’m Binky, the Drake Center house cat.  Aka “The Prince” or “The King” or any other name you chose that would indicate homage to my greatness.  I suppose I should describe my personality.  I am so handsome that I would stop traffic if they let me walk down the street.  I am regal.  I am fearless.  I have a love of the staff of the Drake Center and most of them love me.  A few consider me a pain in the rear especially when I try to rub on the dogs that are having their blood drawn.  In general, I am the boss around here.

The other house cat I tolerate is Maxine. She is the one who everyone finds so cute as she squishes her large body into a little mail basket that sits on the front desk.  I fail to see why that is so cute.  Nonetheless, Maxine is alright and I suppose she can be quite cute if you go for that sort of sweet cat cute act she’s got going.

The Drake Center really is quite a place.  It is filled with some amazing doctors and staff.  They really do love people, animals and their jobs.   I decided to blog on the Drake Center happenings in my spare time.  I can fill you in on medical cases and let you know what goes on around here.   It moves pretty fast but there always seems to be time for animal snuggles.  Personally, I prefer my snuggles first thing in the morning.  To make sure that I get adequate snuggles, I walk around and yowl loudly for about the first 30 minutes after the office opens up.  If you ever call in the morning and hear the lion roar of a beautiful great cat in the background…it’s probably me.  The gals up front just love it when I walk all over their key boards as they try to get their work done.   Stay tuned to my blog and let me know if you need any information on a particular topic or a scoop on a person who works here.

Soon the Drake Center will be embarking on a new journey. Several of the doctors will be starting the process of learning veterinary medicine from the tradition Chinese perspective (TCVM). This is not simply expanding our veterinary acupuncture service or adding in the use of herbs to our therapeutic protocols. Learning TCVM involves looking at the body from a very different perspective. It is a perspective of balance and harmony within the body that leads to health and the resolution of symptoms.

Does this mean we will be throwing out our Western perspectives? Absolutely not, that would be like throwing out the baby with the bath water. The Western medical perspective has greatly improved the quality of life and longevity in pets with a vast array of conditions. Our hope is to integrate the two disciplines for a complete, well rounded view of the body and its imbalances and disease conditions.

As with any health issues, there are often chronic underlying factors which can be difficult to discern. This dualist view of the body, we believe, will help us to understand and resolve some of the difficult, repetitive, chronic conditions. We will look at the body from both perspectives.

Dr. Drake has already been practicing acupuncture for over 10 years. Dr. Moore and Dr. Shotwell will be starting courses in acupuncture in the fall through The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. Dr. Boehme will be starting a course in herbology in late February through the same society. We would invite you to walk through this process with us. We will discuss with you as we learn and encourage your comments and feedback.