I first met Dr. Laird Goodman when I got my first Scottie Tessa; she had Parvo.  I had had her less than 24 hours before it was apparent to me that she was very ill.  I was currently living in an apartment at the top of the Murrayhill area and Laird's facility was at the bottom of the hill. That was 12 years ago in 1991.   Laird has stuck with us through thick and thin. He has seen us at our best and our worst.

It really wasn't until a dog named Sandy that Laird decided, ok - if she says it - no matter how far fetched you might think it is - its not; she's telling you exactly what she is looking at.

I will never forget the look on his face when he saw her. I remember at the time, Laird had Sandy up on the table and another vet walked by and stated that no dog on record has ever totally healed with the extent of the condition Sandy was currently in.   Her prognosis was doubtful for complete recovery. We are happy to report that Sandy to this day is alive and healthy and 100% healed - all due to the expert guidance and support from Dr. Laird Goodman.

Over the years we have had some pretty hard cases for Laird and the team of Murrayhill to tackle. You know you have an excellent team and fabulous working relationship when they can admit to you; "you're teaching us". Murrayhill Veterinary Hospitals staff and vets are "Diagnostic Diggers" - they will go to great lengths to find the root of the problem. We have joked at times that our rescues are their ongoing teaching support for the hospital. If it can happen to a dog and a dog can survive from it - we brought it in. We have constantly challenged Laird and his staff time and time again.

Of course since Jeri and I are knowledge seekers ourselves, we always try to guess what the problem could possible be before Laird tells us. We are sometimes right and sometimes way wrong. But we have a good time trying to guess, plus it eases the tension of the crisis at hand. Puts your mind working in a positive direction.

The first few years we worked with Murrayhill, Laird was the only doctor that we really trusted. But over the years that has changed.

Dr. Andreae joined the Murrayhill team right around the time my soul mate Hunter passed away from Lymphoma Cancer. I have always used caution in my trusting of people. Jeri and I did not get to know Dr. Andreae right off the bat, but boy we sure wish we had started to get to know her sooner.

The whole ordeal of losing this precious companion was devastating to me. But Dr. Andreae was the one who administered Hunters Chemotherapy. It was a last option for him. I honestly could not stop crying long enough to thank her for all the help she gave in trying to save this wonderful companion of mine. After losing Hunter it was tremendously difficult for me to go into the Murrayhill Hospital. It was not that I thought it gave me bad memories of Hunters death, it was that this staff and team of people cared so much about US and HUNTER. It was hard to face them. They were there - they saw the tremendous pain we were going through. All we would have to do is look at them and we would all be crying. I have the greatest admiration for this team, they are always super nice - they feel our pain in hard times and the biggest thing - it's honest and sincere. They are 110% trustworthy.

Trust is not a word used lightly in ATRHC. We have really had a "no trust" policy. You can only get burned or hurt so many times before you just simply stop giving your trust out.

Dr. Andreae and ATRHC started bonding really a few years ago. We had an emergency - Boswell one of Jeri's Scotties had a blockage. Now - we already knew when we walked in the doors it was a blockage - what was the actual object was yet to be determined. Normally when you enter a veterinary hospital in panic mode and start telling the doctors what to do - you are met with attitude. Nothing new to us really, we are terrier people - we all have attitude at one time or another. Dr. Andreae was a total CHAMP !!!!!!

She looked at us - looked at Boswell - thought for a moment.......and......"well ok, let's prep him for surgery". Sure enough, out came a not so furry anymore little grey toy mouse. Panic mode over. But this experience solidified our relationship with Dr. Andreae. She is a surgical Goddess. And not even a week later - she was working on Berkeley, Samantha's Scottish Terrier. Diagnosis: Blockage - one pressed rawhide, gulped to protect it from others having an opportunity to chew on it. Ugh.....terriers. :)

Big step for us because we already knew Laird walked on water, but to have TWO veterinarians with the same status working at the same hospital.....Fabulous!!

ATRHC knows for a fact that all of the staff of Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital are the BEST. And as we meet and learn from the other veterinarians on this team we will share our experiences with all of you. But one thing can be said - If you have any doubts about the care your animal is currently receiving at a vet clinic - try this team out. They will not disappoint you - they will inspire you.

Update 3/13/04
We want to RAVE about a new addition to the Murrayhill Vet Hospital family. Dr. Sulis has been helping us out left and right with our little critters in rescue and I am totally impressed with her. She is very thorough in her inspections of the dogs, she has a most gentle hand and is sooooo good with the dogs. We recently had to take a couple dogs in that are completely feral - she was awesome - they were not threatened by her in any way and felt so comfortable they did not fight during the entire examination - Incredible. We absolutely love Dr. Sulis and are recommending her to everyone. She is simply FANTASTIC!!!