Dr. Barbara Royal and I met because I had heard of her reputation to heal very sick or complicated cases, and my beloved dog Duke, a yellow lab/white shepherd mix, was fighting for his life. At only five and a half years old, he was diagnosed with cancer and given a week to live.
Three years earlier, I had rescued Duke after he survived the traumas of being a bait dog in a pit-bull fighting ring, and I witnessed his journey from a dog who was terrified of people to a dog that loved everyone. So when I received the bad news about him, I was devastated. Fortunately Dr. Royal entered the picture. She immediately assessed the situation and guided me to make better decisions, such as discontinuing medications, adding supplements, and improving his diet. Although we were thousands of miles apart—she lives in Chicago and I live in Los Angeles—she took the time to explain her medical protocols via Skype and tirelessly monitored Duke’s progress. Dr. Royal individualized a treatment plan that, along with my cooperation and the help of a new local vet, energized us all, including Duke, and he started walking and enjoying life again. Dr. Royal was able to help him when no one else could.
After we started to get to know each other, Dr. Royal and I discovered we had connected for the right reason: both of our lives have always been about healing animals.
In the twenty-five years that I’ve been working with dogs, I have had the pleasure to meet and coach a wide range of dogs and dog “parents.” I have also become friends with many veterinarians, but I have never met anyone like Dr. Royal. Her vast knowledge of conventional and alternative treatments is matched only by her common sense and compassion for pets and their owners.
Establishing credibility as a pioneer in any field is difficult, but Dr. Royal has done just that. With her unique approach and commitment to the animals in her care, it is no wonder that she inspires such love from her many clients, including me. In her I found a kindred spirit who looks at the totality of an animal and understands that its diet, health, and behavior are interrelated. I encouraged her to write a book because I felt that every dog owner should be as lucky as I was to have the Royal Treatment. I am thrilled that animal lovers everywhere will benefit from her extraordinary expertise, practical advice, and hopeful vision.
—Tamar Geller