The New York-based TV and film distributor FilmRise has acquired the U.S. rights to Cindy Meehl’s feature documentary “The Dog Doc” about the innovative and unconventional veterinarian Dr. Marty Goldstein, it was announced Wednesday by FilmRise CEO Danny Fisher.
Dr. Goldstein, who has been called everything from a maverick to a miracle-worker to a quack, runs a clinic in South Salem, New York, that has made him and his staff famous for their integrative and even holistic approaches to pet health issues.
Meehl, who directed the 2011 documentary “Buck,” directed the documentary film that debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival last year. FilmRise will release “The Dog Doc” theatrically in select markets in March followed by a national theatrical and theatrical-on-demand rollout.
“This documentary will no doubt have audiences realizing an alternate approach to pet healthcare. Meehl’s intimate look at Dr. Goldstein’s practice offers an insider’s view at how he and his clinic uniquely treat and heal people’s most precious pets. A film all audiences can enjoy and relate to,” Fisher said in a statement.
“The Dog Doc” follows the founding father of integrative veterinary medicine, Dr. Marty Goldstein and his colleagues at the Smith Ridge Veterinary Center. They have created a mecca for holistic care, offering hope to scores of previously hopeless animals (and their owners). Combining conventional medical training with cutting edge alternative therapies, the Center’s deeply empathetic philosophy offers a vital example of how improving overall health rather than merely treating disease is transformative for all living things. As the staff interact with animals, the stakes are high and it is often touch and go as viewers watch the owners, some who have traveled great distances, struggle with the reality of whether or not their pets will live to see another day.
“The Dog Doc” poses a serious question about whether we are over medicating our pets, our children, and ourselves, while offering an immersive view into a seldom seen world to paint a complete picture of the dedication and joy of being a veterinarian.
Dr. Goldstein has been a practicing veterinarian for more than 45 years and has appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The Martha Stewart Show” and “Good Morning America.” He’s the author of the book “The Nature of Animal Healing” and is currently working on a follow-up.
Meehl is best known as the director and executive producer of the 2011 documentary feature “Buck” about the horse whisperer Buck Brannaman. She also founded Cedar Creek Productions in 2008 and is the executive producer of “The River and the Wall,” which premiered at SXSW last March, as well as the Tribeca entry “Rewind” also from 2019.
The deal was negotiated by Max Einhorn of FilmRise and Ben Schwartz, Josh Braun and Matt Burke of Submarine.
FilmRise
FilmRise
From Wags to Riches: 11 of TV's Most Famous Dogs (Photos)
In honor of #NationalPuppyDay, we look back at some of the small screen's most recognizable canine stars.
Pal, the original Lassie, made $4,000 a week in 1954 or $51,000 in today's world. Lassie has since been played by 10 generations of Pal's descendants.
(Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Flame Jr., also known as Rin Tin Tin IV, starred in the TV hit ABC show "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin" from 1954-59. The famed dog was responsible for increasing the popularity of German shepherds as family pets and was nominated for the American Humane Association's PATSY Award for animal performers.
"Adventures of Rin Tin Tin" Season 1 Episode 12
Moose, the Jack Russell terrier who played Eddie on "Frasier" (1993-2004), earned a cool $10,000 per episode. In total, Eddie earned $3.2 million in his 11-year run. He also received more fan mail than any of his costars! Fun fact: Eddie's biological son, Enzo, took over the role after his dad retired.
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Gidget, the 12-pound chihuahua known for the ubiquitous catchphrase, "Yo quiero Taco Bell!" was propelled to stardom after landing the lucrative fast-food campaign in the late '90s. She also starred as Bruiser's mom in 2003's "Legally Blonde 2" alongside Reese Witherspoon.
1999 Taco Bell Commercial/Video Archeology
Even though Sadie isn't exactly a TV star, Oprah Winfrey's cocker spaniel was mentioned so many times on her show, she became almost as famous as her gazillionaire owner. In 2009, Dogtime.com reported that Oprah set aside $30 million for her five dogs, including Sadie.
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Cookie Frankel, "Real Housewives of New York" star Bethenny Frankel's dog, has more than 25,000 followers on Twitter. The Lhasa apso gets regular massages and is constantly fed antioxidant-rich carrots. "Everyday is a spa day for her," Bethenny has said.
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"Million Dollar Listing" star Fredrik Eklund insists his miniature dachshund, Fritzy, needs a big living room to play in. But Eklund is realistic, insisting he would never spend more than $2 million on his dog's digs. Moderation is key, people.
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Giggy, "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Lisa Vanderpump's Pomeranian, is perhaps one of TV's most pampered pups, with his own personal chef and Twitter account. He has become such a fan favorite that he now makes his own red carpet appearances, rich owner in tow.
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Stewart, a Pembroke Welsh corgi, played who played Captain Raymond Holt’s dog Cheddar for much of the run of the sitcom "Brooklyn Nine Nine" -- often featured in the show's elaborate shenanigans. Stewart died in 2019 at age 13.
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Brigitte, a French bulldog "actress," best known for her role as Stella on ABC's hit comedy "Modern Family," won Best Dog in a Television Series at the inaugural Golden Collar Awards in 2012.
The American Human Association
On the last seven seasons of “Modern Family,” Beatrice replaced Brigitte as the beloved bulldog Stella owned by Ed O'Neill's Jay Pritchard. Beatrice died in March 2020 -- just weeks after production wrapped on the long-running sitcom's series finale.
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Hollywood’s most spoiled four-legged stars
In honor of #NationalPuppyDay, we look back at some of the small screen's most recognizable canine stars.