TODAY's Jill Rappaport, an animal lover, shares her personal account of an inspiring doctor and her own struggle to help her ailing dog, Jack: WATCH VIDEO
Doctor Jiu Jia Wen is an incredible vet. But to his very special four-legged patients, who come from all over the country to his Long Island practice, he is much more than just their doctor. He is a "miracle worker."
You see, to them, he was their last hope for survival, and in less severe cases a hope for a better quality of life. Dr. Jiu Jia Wen specializes in alternative medicine. Herbs and acupuncture. And while he also practices conventional medicine as well, his true miracles have occurred through holistic therapy.
I came to Dr. Wen when my own dog, Jack, was diagnosed with bone cancer a year-and-a-half ago. As you can imagine I was overcome with grief and fear for my beloved pet.
What I really loved about this man was his optimism and the positive attitude he instills in his patients and their owners, to NEVER give up no matter how grim the diagnosis.
I started Jack on herbs that day. He unfortunately was very resistant to the amount required since he was never a great "pill taker" anyway. Well it was really difficult for me to try to disguise the herbs in every form of delicious food I could come up with, and Jack was becoming more resistant and distrusting of me every time I would try to feed him.
Needless to say this was not working for Jack. Then to my shock, I noticed Jack's tumor in his leg was growing and my heart stopped. It went from horrible to a true nightmare, when Jack ended up suffering a pathological fracture due to the tumor eating away at the bone.
At that point I was given no choice but to amputate my beautiful dog's leg to save his life. But conventional medicine for Jack was a true blessing. Eighteen months later, after his amputation and chemotherapy, Jack's cancer is in remission and he's living a beautiful happy and healthy life.
And as you may know, he is now the "ambassadog" of hope for specialized medicine. He is a true miracle. But trust me when I tell you that I feel it is so important that pet owners know ALL their options, whether it be conventional or holistic medicine.
Whatever works for your "fur angel" IS the right answer. And special people like Dr. Wen prove everyday, that miracles CAN happen despite the odds.