I first found out about Cascade Summit Animal Hospital on Aug. 18, 2011 when my dog, Mab, had been diagnosed with lymphoma by her veterinarian, Dr. Steve Haley, at the Parkway Veterinary Clinic in Lake Oswego.
In shock and fear, I followed Dr. Haley's recommendation to take Mab to Dr. Lauren Chattigre for holistic care, knowing that I did not want to pursue conventional cancer treatments like chemo and radiation.
From the first minute Mab and I walked into Cascade Summit, we were greeted by friendly, compassionate women at the front desk.
After meeting Dr. Chattigre and having her treat Mab with her first acupuncture session, I felt encouraged and hopeful. And when I could see the benefit of the Chinese herbs she prescribed, and the difference feeding good organic food and vegetables made in the way Mab looked and acted, I knew I was on the right path toward keeping Mab happy and comfortable.
Dr. Chattigre's gentle personality, and her ability to really listen to me and to Mab, have been so comforting and supportive. She always returns email inquiries and phone calls promptly, even on weekends. And Mab feels her love every time she walks into the exam room.
Now, all I have to say is "Let's go see Dr. Lauren" and Mab wags and wiggles and hangs out the car window all the way to West Linn, and can hardly wait to get out of the car to visit her once again.
The front desk staff has been interested, professional and incredibly kind, and I have already recommended Dr. Chattigre to potential new clients.
When people see Mab in the park and I tell them she has cancer, they can't believe it, as she looks so healthy and well. Her coat gleams, her eyes sparkle, and she's upbeat and engaged.
She is a walking testimonial to Dr. Chattigre's gifts and loving care.
Judith Richmond
November 18, 2011
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We would like to express our thoughts and feelings about Dr. Christine Ortner and Cascade Summit Animal Hospital located in West Linn, Oregon.
Dr. Ortner has been our family veterinarian for over five years. We have found her to be an outstanding veterinarian. She is professional, thorough, extremely knowledgeable, generous, caring, and kind. We like Dr. Ortner and we like and appreciate how she cares for our pets.
Dr. Ortner not only has a strong knowledge base as a veterinarian, she consistently attends seminars and workshops furthering that knowledge base. She consults with other veterinarians and veterinary specialists when needed. Dr. Ortner will take the time to research a condition, an illness, a drug, and/or a drug therapy, not only for her own information, but to increase the client's knowledge base as well. She is thorough!
Dr. Ortner's generosity extends to her availability to her clients and their pets. She provides longer than average appointment times so that any concerns and/or questions are addressed. The client leaves the office feeling valued.
We appreciate that Dr. Ortner has chosen a staff that is professional, knowledgeable, and kind. She insists on it! We feel that choosing Dr. Ortner for our veterinarian, we are working as a team - veterinarian and client and pets as partners. It is a team that works together for the best care possible for our pets. Dr. Ortner is not threatened by our many questions - she welcomes them! We are actively involved in our pet's care. Our pets are our children! We are meticulous about their care and who cares for them. When we moved to this area, it took us a while to find Dr. Christine Ortner and Cascade Summit Animal Hospital. We feel fortunate that we did find her. We do work well together as a team. And, speaking for our pets, they are happy we found her too.
Mary and John Kihlstrum
October 3, 2011
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I'd like to spread the word about what wonderful care Dr. Chattigre gives my cat Naomi. When she was ten years old traditional vets seemed unable to find a cause for and help her weight loss, although she was on thyroid medication. Dr. Chattigre used acupuncture, reiki, and some homeopathics to help her gain and maintain weight. Dr. Chattigre's diagnoses of food allergies probably saved my cat's life. She came up with an appropriate diet for Naomi, who no longer has any symptoms of her once very severe irritable bowel syndrome. At age fifteen she was diagnosed with small cell lymphoma. She went through a very brief chemotherapy treatment because she couldn't tolerate the drugs, but that was enough to put her in remission. Through Dr. Chattigre's care in the office, with long-distance reike, and with the prescribed homeopathics, Naomi has celebrated her sixteenth birthday and is holding her weight and her activity level. Despite a diagnosis of small cell lymphoma and an intolerance to the chemo, Naomi is in her seventh month post-chemo and in excellent health. We cannot thank Dr. Chattigre enough for this intuitive diagnosis. Naomi is definitely a fighter and a miracle kitty with a remarkable vet.
Samantha Waltz
9/24/2011
At the top of the list is Thank You All for being there - and for your grounded and compassionate professionalism and experience! Navigating the last days and weeks being with a beloved animal is territory not often traveled by some of us humans - and you were the perfect guides for our cat Princess and me as we found ourselves in those horrid rapids these past weeks! Your insightful support, the phone calls even after hours on that first Saturday afternoon, the kindness and warm welcome with each interaction, and that near-miraculous securing of an
appointment with a cardiologist on the afternoon of New Years Eve is only the beginning of the list of "what makes Cascade Summit Animal Hospital unquestionably the best anywhere!"
It's in these subtle but incredibly powerful details that happened along the way that true greatness deserves notice. From that phone call where my thoughts that Prin was indeed letting us know it "was time" were confirmed, to the "come on in" and inferred "we'll make room for you", to the calm, supportive tone everybody had with my husband Jerry and I as we walked in the door. When in any crisis, being able to lean on the experienced guiding voices around us becomes something more than a life-line, it's an absolute blessing. Your supportive manner helped immeasurably in making this part of our experience a good one. What a blessing it is to get to have found you.
Jan and Jerry Pritchard
1/25/2010
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A little over a year ago, my precious dog and constant companion "B" was given two weeks to two months to live. "B" came to me when she was six weeks old and we had rarely been separated in thirteen years. She even came to work with me and flew several times coast to coast with me, seated in the cabin of course. The news that an abdominal tumor was inoperable and would soon kill "B" was devastating. I couldn't live with the diagnosis, and when I literally stumbled across Cascade Summit Animal Hospital, I quickly decided to get a second opinion. There I had the good fortune to see Dr. Christine Ortner. We then embarked on a second round of diagnostics, and whether it was my desperation or the challenge, Dr. Ortner applied her skills and called on specialists to help where needed. After identifying the problem, a surgical specialist was found who had the experience needed and surgery was performed. Suffice to say, "B" just turned 14, she is healthy and I delight in every day she is with me. If not for the understanding, skill and persistence of Dr. Ortner and her staff, I would still be mourning the loss of my "B". At all stages, all persons at Cascade Summit Animal Hospital acted with the utmost caring and professionalism. No words can adequately express my gratitude. They are my HMO of choice.
Dell Smith
2010