Good Words

Spencer and I first met Graham last year when he worked at a local Oakland clinic (very convenient). He recently moved to his new San Rafael clinic (less convenient) but it didn’t take me a second to decide that I would continue to take Spencer all the way across the bridge for Graham’s healing touch. He is by far the best acupuncturist and healer I have encountered. His calm, gentle and easy going manner makes for a relaxing and enjoyable session. I love Graham! It’s Spencer here. I’m a 12 year-old Labrador Retriever with arthritis in my front ankle and general lethargy. I was miserable! Before my mom took me to see Graham, I was on a cocktail of various pain medications to alleviate my excruciating pain, but the only thing they did was to dope me up. So we decided to try acupuncture. Well, after the first few minutes meeting Graham I could tell that Graham had “the touch”. I love going there. I really do! All I have to do is lie down, Graham massages me then sticks in the acupuncture needles and within a few minutes I’m drifting off to sleep. After just one week, with the combination of acupuncture, massage and Chinese herbs, I felt so much better. In fact I hadn’t felt this good in a very long time. I didn’t mind going for a walk anymore because it didn’t hurt as much. After another week, I felt like a puppy again! I still limp (the arthritis is not going away) but I am so much happier and so is my mom! Thanks Graham!

The short of it? Graham rules and has made a tremendous difference in my life and my dog’s life. Period. If you need to know more, then read on.

My ten- year old, 90 lb., Malamute mix had been showing signs of possible degenerative myelopathy and neuropathy. She was also diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis and had surgery for that. She struggled getting herself up in the morning and had started knuckling in the front and collapsing in her hind- quarters on walks. Her back foot started to drag. Her coordination was bad. I had tried steroids with her and had negative side effects.  My primary vet George Marmalejo  (LOVE him!!) at Chabot Veterinary Clinic in Hayward suggested acupuncture as another treatment solution.

The experience? I take her once a week and is my most favorite part of my week now. It feels like both she and I are getting a spa treatment. We enter into a zen-like room. Graham greets my dog with a warm hug and smile. He sets up music, gives me tea, pillows on the floor, mood lighting. I’m not kidding, mood lighting and hot tea at the vet! I get on the floor with them. He gives her a massage and then starts in with the needles. We quietly chat, as she settles in, drawing attention and all the human worry energy away from her. Both she and I relax. Then he leaves us be, I lay with my dog, as she snores away. She also receives Chinese herbal supplements prescribed by Graham and under-water treadmill therapy once a week, all covered by her pet insurance.

The results? It takes time. My goal in this has been to keep my dog independently mobile for as long as possible. To avoid invasive surgery and harsh steroids which make her aggressive and have regular bladder infections. That’s western medicine’s answer. Aggressive. This is slow, gentle, HEALING.

And it’s working. She moves better, she’s stronger, her energy level is puppy-like again. Her coordination and movement isn’t 100% but it’s definitely better. Her smile is huge and she even jumps in excitement when she’s getting ready for her walk.

I can’t explain exactly why it’s working. But it is. I drink tea and cuddle with my dog.  I can’t imagine a better way to spend the last years of life with my favorite creature.

Hi there! Let me start by saying that Graham is awesome! My dog Parker, a 13-yo Yorkie, has been getting acupuncture from Graham for almost a year now. We first tried acupuncture because a friend of ours that works for SFSPCA raved about the benefits it can have on animals and recommended we try it out for Parker’s stiff legs/walk. On the days that Parker visits Graham, he’s literally like a puppy again. We’ve found that regular visits are definitely needed and we supplement with Chinese herbs and massage. We used to visit Graham in Oakland and now make the 30 min trek over the Richmond bridge to his new location, and it’s worth it! Parker has had some set backs along the way, we found out his discs in his neck have deteriorated with time and so we’ve made adjusts to his daily activity, however the acupuncture and herbs have helped him deal with pain and get his mobility back. He’s able to live a very complete life and continue to play with his favorite toys and two brothers.

Our kitty acupuncturist Graham Quigley is amazing! He is so knowledgeable,  gentle and patient with my Gnocchi! My beautiful soon to be 7 year old has problems with his GI tract. I immediately got the response I was looking for–yes, we can help you and Graham is your guy!! I made an appointment for the very next Saturday and have gone 3 weeks in a row.

Well, we just got through our third visit today and Gnocchi is showing improvement weekly. Gnocchi is so relaxed after just a few minutes of gentle massage and acupressure and Graham’s warm and gentle nature. He has taken 4-5 needles per visit and has stayed calm and relaxed for nearly one hour!! Graham even laid down with him last week when preferred a nook in the bottom of a desk instead of the exam table.  I highly recommend acupuncture for your beloved pet with Graham

Our Dalmatian, Mini, is extremely anxious, about everything. She has been seeing Graham Quigley for acupuncture since April and with Graham’s expert help, Mini and I are learning what she needs to be calm in this world. Mini is particularly fearful of men. On our first visit with Graham, his gentle energy and calm demeanor so soothed Mini that she was licking his ear within five minutes! Though results have not been dramatic, Mini is showing improvement with every visit. Realizing that it took her four years to become the bundle of nervous energy that she is, I’m willing to be patient and see where this journey leads us.

Graham is knowledgeable, kind, patient and engaging. My first Dalmatian saw another acupuncturist when she became older and had mobility problems. The other acupuncturist was great, and helped our dog with her physical issues, but I didn’t learn nearly as much with her as I am learning with Graham. He’s a true find!

I began taking my almost 16 year old Black Lab ‘Suzy”, after 2 1/2 years battling cancer with two series of chemotherapy is now in remission, during that time along came arthritis in her right hip. My vet recommended Graham Quigley an acupuncture specialist at Holistic for a kinder and gentler treatment compared to the traditional treatment ‘medications”, which are harmful to her kidneys, Suzy is very comfortable with Graham who is very gentle an kind!, Its like a day spa.

Graham is their acupuncture specialist who couldn’t have been more gentle, kind and understanding treated her for approximately 4 months until her passing, I feel his treatments were effective and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

Graham is a compassionate and grounded healer. We took our dog to Graham because he had been dealing with depression and hot spots. I was expecting the session to be all about our dog Brewster, but what surprised me and what had the most impact, was that the focus of the session was on the relationship we had with Brewster; when he came into my life, how it affected me, what was going on in my life at that time. It was a transformative experience that changed my relationship with Brewster in a conscience and positive way and along with some nutritional changes, that Graham recommended, Brewster was able to shift and heal his conditions. We love Graham and look forward to more sessions with him!

Graham helped me greatly when my dog was first diagnosed with hip dysplasia. He taught me about acupressure, nutrition, massage and therapeutic listening. Graham gave me great insight into what my dog was craving and needing to heal. He is still my first line of communication for any of my dog’s needs. He is truly gifted and has a magic touch!