Veterinarian Defended, Criticized

Your article on Dr. George Shaw was mean-spirited and poorly researched. This man you maligned is a beloved and respected healer in our rural community, Shadow Hills.

Always caring and responsive, he is the one this community relies on to heal and save our horses, dogs and cats, even our birds and assorted livestock. We can call him day and night and he will come to meet us at his office. And we know that he will be more than fair in his prices, always considerate of an owner’s ability to pay.

He has never even turned down an injured stray, often absorbing the cost of healing it himself.

You forgot to mention the many money-mad vets in the area who hate Dr. Shaw. Most of them charge $20 to $30 and more for shots, Shaw charges $5. He told one client that he didn’t feel he should ask more when they only cost vets a penny and a half.

One vet charged $400 for a hematoma repair in the ear flap; Dr. Shaw charges $40. Shaw asks $100 for a Caesarean section; others in the area from $300 to $400.

You implied that Dr. Shaw is old-fashioned. You bet he is. Oh, he keeps up on all the medical advances, but he is “old-fashioned” in the way a caring country doctor should be.

ANNE R. VON HELF, Sunland