| Duke takes the plunge |
Our German Shepherd,
Duke, started showing signs of hip dysplasia in his left hip about 4
years ago. His usual mile long walks turned into 6 blocks and then a few blocks. 2 1/2 years ago, we decided to give
hydrotherapy a try not having much to lose since it seemed that
Duke was aging faster and slowing down too quickly.
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We called SplashDog and another "spa" in
the area. SplashDog seemed to care more about Duke and his issues
so we took the plunge and came in for a test swim, not knowing what to
expect.
Duke got to choose a toy from the toy basket and took to the warm water
with a smile on his face. His therapist, J Linn, immediately
found his sore and tight muscles and joints and worked him over between
laps. The look on his face was the same look that's on my wife's
face after a massage. I figured he'd sleep for a week but it only
took Duke a day to recover from the massage . The result was a
revived new dog. Old Duke was gone and within a couple weeks we
were back to 6 blocks on the walk and we even had several neighbors and
passing cars pull over to tell us he looked and walked so much
better. We were thrilled and Duke was doing great.
It's been 2 1/2 years since we first went to SplashDog; Duke passed the
12 year mark (considered old for his breed and size by our Vet) and he
still comes to SplashDog most every week. When we miss a week, it's noticeable in his step and he pouts all week.
I recommend SplashDog for all dogs in need or any dog that needs a
little pampering and TLC. I honestly don't think we'd still have
Duke around without the benefits of his therapy.
J Linn is a licensed massage therapist (people too). She is also
extremely knowledgeable and active in the Seattle canine
community. But it's not really my opinion of her that matters....it's Duke's. Thank you J Linn.
Steve, Suzy and Duke Hubner
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What does SplashDog mean to Jasper?
More than most would imagine
Jasper
joined our family at the tender age of nine. We are his fourth family.
Though he likes people, he doesn't always trust people in uncertain
situations - such as the vet's office or near a swimming pool. He is
even more distrustful when those people try to touch his hips. Of
course, that's why we were at SplashDog. Jasper was diagnosed with mild
hip dysplasia, spondylosis, and arthritis shortly after moving in.
Debbie agreed to take Jasper on and we made our first appointment.
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Debbie's leadership helped Jasper
trust her enough to get into the water. With immeasurable
patience, Debbie worked on Jasper's tight fascia and got him to swim a
bit. After his first encounter with Debbie's healing touch,
Jasper was hooked. He decided to keep working on swimming in
exchange for warm water massage. It wasn't long before he was
getting into the water willingly and not putting up too much of a fuss
when the massage paused long enough to get some swimming in. When
we get home, he's an entirely different dog. There is more spring
in his step, more sparkle in his eyes and he winds himself up for a
cozy snooze much more easily.
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Jasper knows when it's time to go to
SplashDog. He loves the time he spends with Auntie Debbie.
She is a very important part of Jasper's life. The blissful look
on his face as his head leans against the side of the pool clearly
conveys his gratitude. Because of Debbie's gentle yet
confident demeanor, he is still leery of those uncertain
situations but he isn't as fearful. The difference is he now
understands that we will only take him to places that are safe...and
maybe someday he will learn to love his doctors as much as he loves
Auntie Debbie at SplashDog. We owe so much of Jasper's blossoming
physically and emotionally to Debbie and SplashDog.
Courtney Bolin-Walker
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Brooklyn enjoying “swim class"
Our practically perfect, seven-year old Golden Retriever, Brooklyn, suffered some
“sports” injuries in the Winter/Spring of 2007. She was limping and unwilling to play or even take short walks. We got her two acupuncture sessions, and
then started her at SplashDog. Now
she’s doing great! Playing with her
friends, taking us on long walks, and feeling better overall. Thanks SplashDog!
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Thank you for bringing the puppy back out in Annie
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Annie gets very excited when we tell her we're going to see you, and I
swear you can actually see her smile. The kisses we receive from Annie
after a session with you are like little "Thank You, Thank You..." As
Annie's parents, we love the way Leigh Anne connects and works with
Annie. She genuinely bonds with her and you can see it in Annie's
body language. Thank you Leigh Anne and SplashDog for helping to bring
the puppy back out in Annie.
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Sufi regains muscle and confidence
My agility/obedience competition dog, Sufi, a 7
yr old Australian shepherd had TPLO surgeries on both stifles in 2007.
In February '08 he began a weekly course of swimming with Debbie at
SplashDog. He loves swimming but he had to learn about swimming in a
controlled and structured way. Soon he was loving it and racing out of
the car to get in the pool with Debbie. He swam for 10 wks. At home
we were doing hill walking and "perch" work to engage his rear end. I
had a massage therapist working with him every other week out of the
water as well and she was so impressed with the
redevelopment/replacement of muscle in his rear as we worked through
these various therapies. We are still working on strengthening his
rear end but he has just begun (successfully) doing a single jump in
preparation for re-entering obedience competition. I am so impressed
with the value of swimming as a component of his recovery and
rehabilitation.
Deb gave Sufi great confidence as she introduced him to the therapy and
I believe the 10 wks of swimming was invaluable to his return to play
and performance.
THANK YOU SplashDog from Sufi (and Lynn Chase)
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Fun in the POOL!!!
Picture One: My name is Spice and this was my first day at SplashDog.
I didn't have any muscle tone because I was in a Vet. study and didn't
get any exercise for a few years. I'd never been in the water before so
this will be interesting.
Picture Two: After several weeks I now have good muscles and can get up
easily. I have worked hard with Deb's help and feel so much better. Deb
makes me swim hard (well, as hard as a Collie can swim) and gives great
massage. But I must say, her stretches are the Bomb! I am relaxed,
healthy and happy. I wouldn't be in this good shape with out my Debbie.
Picture Three: This is my brother and sister who get to swim with me
when I allow it! They love Deb too. We tell everyone how great SplashDog is! There is no place better!
If you have questions, you can call or e-mail my people! Deb can give you the information. Enjoy! Ahhhhh! Ciao!
Spice
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Tuppence Marie
"HRHTM"
(Her Royal Highness Tuppence Marie)
recovers from FHO
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My wire haired fox
terrier Tuppence Marie [or HRHTM, as I refer to her] was less than a
year old when her vet found necrosis on the head of her femur.
She'd been favoring her back right foot, but X-rays showed hip, rather
than foot, problems were causing her pain. A month before her
first birthday, Tuppence Marie's vet removed the head of her right
femur and I thought our troubles were over. Unfortunately,
HRHTM's deep-seated terrierness took over and she refused to use her
back right leg enough to recover from her surgery. After three
months of this, her hip muscle had deteriorated to the point she
couldn't even stand on her leg. In X-rays, her hip looked like it
was collapsing in on itself. When the vet and a surgical
specialist suggested a second surgery to remove more of the bone, I
chose to explore a less invasive option. Upon the recommendation
of our vet and our obedience instructor, Tuppence Marie started water
therapy with Debbie at SplashDog Spa.
Three months later, the suggestion of a second surgery was taken off the table.
We owe so much to Debbie and her care. Not only is HRHTM
progressing nicely in her recovery of FHO, femoral head osteotomy, but
she's fit and happy and able to run her little heart out whenever
opportunity and desire present itself. She's developed a deep and
abiding love for water [excluding her baths, of course] and has years
of active life to anticipate. She still holds her foot up when
she's in trouble, but it relieves me to no end that this is only for
dramatic effect, not necessity.
Lisa Marie McKay
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German
Shepherds feel younger and stronger
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My name is Rem and I am almost 12 years old. I have a
degenerative condition (Degenerative Myelopathy) that makes it hard for me to walk.....thats
why I love coming to the pool and swimming with Deb. In the
pool I can float and swim as well as any dog, and Deb spends time
massaging my sore spots and stretching my muscles. When I
am in the pool I feel like a young dog again.....playing with and
chasing toys then roaring at Debbie when she tries to make me behave
like my mature self. I love Deb! When I get home from the pool I
feel like a new dog, I can walk better and I sleep very soundly.
My mom knows that swimming at Splashdog has added many precious moments
to our time together.
My name is Dani. I am a rough and tumble tomboy kinda gal. Since
I was young my mom has been keeping me busy with many sports. I like
Flyball, Agility and Competitive Obedience. All that stuff, along
with my nature, has given me some sore muscles. Mom tells people I just
don't know how to be careful with my body. I just want to chase
the ball! I come to Splashdog so Deb can help me work out
the sore spots. I get to swim and chase tennis balls. I get
to bark! I get to swim and chase tennis balls! I get to
bark! Deb massages my sore spots! Then I get to bark! Mom
can tell a real difference after Deb works with me, she thinks I am
stronger, and she knows I am less sore. I love
Splashdog, not just because I get to chase balls..I feel much better
when I am done. AND I get to BARK!
Thank you,
Mary Schurr
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