Meet the Doctor: Paul Saunders, ND

Dundas, Ontario--Paul Saunders, ND may seem like a real Canadian, but he actually comes from American roots.

Dr. Saunders began his career by earning a PhD in plant ecology from Duke University. He taught for ten years at Clemson and Washington State, before arriving at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), where he completed his ND degree. Following graduation, he ran the clinic at CCNM for ten years.  He continues today at the same institution, combining teaching, his private practice, research, and clinicals.

Dr. Saunders has been teaching pharmacology, venopuncture, IV Therapy, and botanic medicine for twenty years. He teaches chelation therapy as well, though naturopaths are prohibited from offering chelation in Ontario. Some of his students come from western Canada; they are able to return and practice the therapy legally.  In his own practice, Dr. Saunders refers his patients who need chelation across the border, to Paul Cutler, MD in New York state.

In his practice, Dr. Saunders includes nutritional IVs, Chinese herbs, individualized homeopathics which he combines into formulas, and individualized botanical tinctures.

In Canada, the people who come to him are all self-pay, outside of the provincial healthcare program. A patient pays $60-100 per visit.

Dr. Saunders sees all his patients entirely by himself with no nursing intakes or additional staff. He says proudly that in Canada ND’s do it all themselves! He is a soft-spoken, unassuming man, and has a comforting, competent presence with his patients.



Naturopathy is a growing field in Canada in terms of student enrolment and patient interest. Dr. Saunders has a passion for what he does, and is satisfied with his life and career. He says, “I see the results as patients get better and I enjoy sharing that experience with students.”