Compassionate Physician • Medical Educator • Board-Certified Specialist • Advocate for the Human–Animal Bond
For more than forty years, Dr. Rick Rieser has dedicated his life to medicine. Throughout a career spanning hospitals, universities, diagnostic imaging centers, and telemedicine, he has remained committed to one simple belief: every patient deserves to be heard, respected, and treated with compassion.
Today, as Medical Director of My ESA MD, Dr. Rieser provides individualized emotional support animal (ESA) evaluations for patients whose mental or emotional disabilities may substantially benefit from the companionship of an animal. Every evaluation is thoughtful, ethical, evidence-based, and tailored to the individual sitting on the other side of the screen.
Medicine has always been woven into Dr. Rieser's life. His father and grandfather were physicians, his brother became a physician, and his sister attended medical school. What began as a family tradition soon became a personal calling.
One lesson has stayed with him throughout his career:
“Every once in a while you wake up and realize a particular patient was lucky you were there because you were the one who figured out what was wrong. It is an incredible privilege to help save someone's life.”
That sense of responsibility continues to guide every patient encounter.
After earning both his bachelor's degree and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Louisville, Dr. Rieser completed postgraduate training in pathology, radiology, and nuclear medicine, including residency training at Stanford University Hospital. He became board certified by the American Board of Nuclear Medicine in 1989.
Over the years he has served as Chief of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Director of multiple medical organizations, Assistant Professor at Loma Linda University, researcher, lecturer, published author, entrepreneur, and telemedicine physician. His background reflects not only decades of clinical practice but also leadership, teaching, and innovation.
What drew Dr. Rieser into ESA medicine was not paperwork—it was people and the remarkable relationships they share with animals.
He has seen firsthand that animals often provide something unique: unconditional comfort. They don't ask patients to justify their struggles or explain their diagnoses. They simply offer companionship, consistency, and acceptance.
He has witnessed animals helping calm overwhelming anxiety, providing stability during emotional crises, and becoming trusted partners in recovery. When medically appropriate, protecting that bond can play an important role in preserving a person's well-being and quality of life.
Every patient deserves an individualized evaluation. Dr. Rieser believes physicians should listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and make recommendations based on professional medical judgment rather than assumptions. His goal is never to simply complete paperwork—it is to provide honest medical guidance while treating every patient with dignity and respect.
One of Dr. Rieser's favorite moments is telling a qualified patient, “If anyone ever tries to take your animal away from you, call me.”
He says many patients jokingly save his number as “Dr. Dog,” “Dr. Cat,” or even “Dr. Fish.” Behind the humor is a sincere promise: when the medical evidence supports an ESA recommendation, he believes patients deserve a physician who will stand behind both the evaluation and the therapeutic value of that human–animal bond.
Medical Director, My ESA MD
“Every patient has a story. My responsibility is to listen carefully, evaluate fairly, and provide honest, evidence-based medical care. Whether I am reviewing complex diagnostic studies or conducting an emotional support animal evaluation, my commitment remains the same: treat every person with dignity, compassion, and integrity.”
Patients choose My ESA MD because they want an evaluation performed by an experienced physician who combines decades of medical expertise with genuine compassion. Dr. Rieser believes that trust is earned through listening, honesty, and careful medical judgment—not rushed appointments or one-size-fits-all decisions.
Same-day telehealth appointments are available. Speak with a licensed, board-certified physician about whether an ESA is right for you.
My ESA MD is a family-run practice. Get to know everyone who helps our patients along the way.
Meet the Full Team