Interview with Marina

The following is a brief interview I did with Marina Zacharias of Natural Rearing and Ambrican Enterprises, Ltd. Marina is a former breeder of Basset Hounds, and counsels with clients on the natural approach to raising dogs. She also carries a full line of natural, complementary products for you and your pet. Marina is certified in homotoxicology and has been involved in complementary therapies for over 18 years.

BH: Marina, how did you first become interested in complementary therapies?

MZ: When I was waiting for my first show Basset puppy, I was doing a great deal of research and I came across two books simultaneously: The Complete Herbal Handbook for Dog and Cat by Juliette de Bairacli Levy, and Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard Pitcairn. I knew as soon as I read these this is what I had to do for my dogs (at the time I had two small mixed breeds and a cat). It simply made sense and shortly after, I began to see positive results through diet change and my first experiences with using homeopathy.

BH: I also loved Pitcairn's book. I think it's a great place for someone just beginning to educate themselves on this approach. Having begun his career as a conventional vet, his perspective has great value.

BH: So tell me, how did you educate yourself about alternative therapies for both humans and pets?

MZ: Mostly self-study. I am a very compulsive learner by nature. I've attended many courses - human and veterinary on varying facets of alternative medicine. I am certified in Homotoxicology (a type of homeopathy practiced out of Germany) and Bioset (an allergy elimination technique). Certainly nothing compares to clinical experience. I personally have been doing this now for over 18 years and have been in practice for 14 years.

BH: I've always respected your vast knowledge. I'm taking classes in holistic pet care and what I am learning is both fascinating and some plain old common sense.

BH: How has your over 18 years of study and practice of natural rearing affected the way you view and interact with your pets?

MZ: I have been most fortunate to have shared my household with many great Bassets. All of them are my greatest teachers and I have been most humbled to be their student. Not only in regards to the aspects of health but in a greater path on how to live and how to die.

BH: Clearly you have a deep relationship and bond with your dogs, both past and present. If we allow it, animals can help teach us about how to care for them and they also teach us about ourselves. They can bring out some of the best of what it means to be human.

BH: What ailment do people contact you most about for their pet? Why do you think that is?

MZ: This gets split between digestive problems, allergies and cancer. These I believe are from multiple factors that range from diet / vaccines to genetics.

BH: And these are common human ailments too. Is there a health problem in pets that you are seeing more and more on the horizon that is causing you concern?

MZ: Cancer - definitely!!

BH: Again, that goes right along with human illness. You and I have discussed natural diets vs. commercial diets at some length. Considering what you just said about poor diet (among other things) leading to illness, what would you most like people to know about the differences between diet choices?

MZ: I guess the best way to answer this is to ask "Would you choose fast food for every meal of every day for the rest of your life and honestly expect to stay healthy?!!" I would suggest to read an article that is posted on NaturalRearing.com called "Its in the Bag" to really know what goes into commercial foods; then decide!!

BH: It keeps coming back to common sense. BTW, "Its In The Bag" was such a confirmation when I decided to change Nigel and Divot's diet. In fact, I remember the day I discovered what was in the food I was feeding them (at the time, a major brand of commercial kibble) I looked at their innocent faces and sobbed. I vowed at that moment to make sure that I would educate myself on these things because they are vulnerable in my hands and I am responsible for them.

BH: What effects, if any, do you see in the use of commercial diets being introduced to our dogs in the past 30+ years? Sadly our pets are being plagued with the same illnesses as us humans - (and we've been eating more processed foods in the past 30 years too) illnesses ranging from allergies to cancer, and major organ problems.

MZ: Actually I think you just answered your own question! Yes, the diets have been hugely significant in our overall downfall of health issues! Environmental factors and overuse of chemical / drugs etc. certainly add to the soup -- and we all need to take responsibility for this.

BH: Agreed. We need to take on some responsibility for our health and that of our pets instead of putting it all on someone else's shoulders. As you say on your website, "think for yourself!"

BH: Last year in "Dog Watch" Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine's newsletter, it was stated that "The practice of annual boosters... may be shifting. Growing evidence indicates protection from vaccination is longer lasting than previously believed, according to American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Information." I know you've been teaching this for years. As you stated in an earlier response, you think that there is a link between over-vaccinating and some of the illnesses we're seeing in our pets. Links such as?

MZ: No question about it - so many cases I treat are directly related to a vaccine! This is typical of what I hear... i.e. my pet was vaccinated and in a number of days or a few weeks we have a total system crash; auto immune seizures, what have you! It is what we can't see that is more worrisome!

BH: So we have this good news now finally coming out of AAHA, but the need for annual vaccination has been pounded into our heads for years now, so much so that people are afraid not to vaccinate. What would you like for those people to know?

MZ: Well it is a start in the right direction. This is mostly for the veterinarian's comfort as annual vaccines are a large part of a clinic's income so you can understand their reluctance to change. Then the client has been conditioned to expect annual vaccines and now when the vet says they aren't needed this takes time to explain. It is essentially a re-education process for all. We know from clinical experience that the vaccines can give lifetime immunity and that too many vaccines actually can do harm to the immune and endocrine functions. It is important for all parties concerned to take the time to understand these changes as they are vital to the health of our beloved pets!

BH: This is a good sign but things (and people) are slow to change. Speaking of change, there is also good news on the horizon regarding the rabies vaccine, which is a pretty big deal considering that this vaccine has law tied to it. I have read that Dr. Jean Dodds is starting to get together funding for a challenge study on the effects and necessity of the rabies vaccine in its current protocol. What do you know about this study and what would you like to see happen with the rabies vaccine?

MZ: Yes, I was very happy to hear of this study and Dr. Dodds participation. I am confident the study will be put together in such a manner to satisfy the government's scrutiny when completed. Although it will be just one study it will certainly be a giant step towards change and setting precedent for others to follow.

BH: Switching topics now, to something we do have control over... you and I have discussed the problem of obesity in pets too. Why do you think that this problem is not addressed by more veterinarians before the dog's weight becomes dangerous? What do you want people to understand about the consequences of letting their dog become obese?

MZ: We as humans take this very personally so many vets are too afraid of losing clients to even suggest it. It is difficult but somehow needs to be tactfully addressed and not ignored. The consequences lead to chronic illness and certainly a lack of quality of life; not to mention how expensive it will be to treat the animal on a long term.

BH: For the person who is reading this website, who has been feeding grocery store kibble and annually vaccinating they may feel overwhelmed with what they are learning and how they can begin to apply it. What would be your advice for someone in this situation? Where / how would you suggest they start?

MZ: Yes as you say it can be very overwhelming and disheartening. I think it really depends on the person's personality. For me once I learned the truth I jumped in all the way and switched to homemade diet etc. But for many, a conservative step-by-step approach is best as this is a lifestyle change essentially for all involved. Recognize though, in the beginning, even the smallest steps are significant and go a long way to the better health of your pet.

BH: Agreed. I'd suggest they start by reading the articles on your website and some of the books that I have listed in the Recommended Reading section of this site.

BH: I've asked some questions regarding subjects that I feel passionate about. Is there something (or several things) that you'd like for people to know about you, your approach and how a natural way can be a benefit to their dog's health?

MZ: I think honestly it is to keep a balance and perspective in life and our approach to health care. We are not saying that drugs should never be used, of course not, they save lives! I believe we need to look at all modalities of medicine and use the best of each to balance the individual patient. We need to put egos aside and work with a compassionate heart to heal.

BH: Well said. There is a time and place for all approaches.

BH: Marina, I'd like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer my questions. I thank you too for being so patient to teach me over the past few years as I've tried to educate myself about alternative therapies for Nigel and Divot. You have been such a tremendous help with several of the health issues they've had from allergies, to staving off unnecessary surgery for Divot. I'm so thankful that today they are both healthy, happy dogs.

To learn more about natural care for your pet and to find complementary health care products, visit Marina's website at: www.NaturalRearing.com.