Flower essence therapy isn’t just for people.

It just might help with your pets’ fears, loneliness, depression, or dependency. There also are herbs to fight skin, kidney, and liver disease in animals, as well as epilepsy and cancer.

Hawthorne Animal Health Carein Salem has it all covered by offering both traditional and alternative medical therapies.

Dr. Arthur Freedman has owned and operated the clinic for 30 years. After earning his degree at the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine in Indiana, he began his career at Lager Animal Hospital in Salem and bought the practice in 1986. Freedman later developed an interest in alternative medicine and studied with Dr. Richard Pitcairn, a well-known veterinary homeopath.

We talked with Dr. Freedman of Swampscott.

Q. Approach?

A. We’re looking at the whole pet, the mental and physical. Our holistic approach allows us to provide the care and treatment best suited to the pet’s unique needs, with a focus on maintaining optimal health.

Q. Alternative services?

A.We do consultations with a focus on nutrition and other alternative treatments. We offer acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and flower essence therapy.

Q. Homeopathy?

A. Regular medicine is one-size-fits-all. Homeopathy focuses on specific symptoms, and the uniqueness of the pet, and attempts to find a remedy that will help the body restore itself and remain disease free.

Q. Flower essence therapy?

A. It restores balance and supports emotional well-being. The essences we use are derived from petals sun-infused in pure water, which preserves the flower’s energetic properties. It can be put in the pet’s food, water, or mouth.

Q. Laser therapy?

A. We use low-level laser therapy to treat pain and inflammation and stimulate healing. Sometimes it’s used in conjunction with acupuncture.

Q. Clients?

A. Mostly from surrounding towns, but as far as 15 miles away. They find us on our website or by word of mouth. We also welcome referral clients for holistic consultations and will work with their vet to incorporate a new approach into the pet’s health plan.

Q. Popularity?

A. Some people don’t know about the modalities and we try to suggest them. More people are becoming open to alternative therapies. We do what the client wants.

Q. Cost?

A. Consultations range from $75 to $125. Remedies range in price.

Q. Philosophy?

A.If it doesn’t work, don’t do it.

Wendy Killeen

Wendy Killeen can be reached at wdkilleen@gmail.com.