Dr. James St. Clair at TopDog Animal Health & Rehabilitation,
I would just like to first off give you a HUGE Thank You from myself (michelle vickers) and my dog Spud (4-year-old Louisiana Catahoula Leopard). Thanks to your Home rehabilitation guide & step by step process we have had a huge improvement in only 1 weeks time. We started this process 2 weeks after Spuds FHO surgery due to lack of improvements and frustration. I cannot explain how happy I am that I found your guide out there on the internet (and for FREE).
I began looking for help 2 weeks after Spud’s surgery when we went to the vet to have his stitches removed and they told me they were surprised he was not doing better and more with his leg. They did give me a handout after surgery with a few of the same exercises that are in your week 1&2. They sent me home that day with the advice to work inclines with him and recommended hydrotherapy. I was pretty upset and frustrated that was all the advice I received. So when I got home I jumped on the internet in search of help.
This is when I found your guide, downloaded it, and began to use it. We began this on Tues, April 25th 2012. It has only been 6 days and we just (literally) came in from our therapy session 2 of the day (Monday, April 30th, 2012) and Spud walked the whole 5 minutes on his leg, was not tense during PROM, motion work, and totally relaxed during massage & passed out during ice time. I have followed your guide very closely and have done therapy at least 3x a day. (time-consuming Yes, Success YES) Especially with a 5-month-old baby girl, 3 other dogs, 4 horses, 2 goats, and multiple other little critters. I also use the log you made available and note after every therapy session as to what went on good or bad improvements or something different I may have tried and have found this to be very helpful!
I am going to pass your guide on to my vet to hand out to others after dogs receive this surgery. I am also going to hydrotherapy with Spud and will be taking the guide with me there to give to them in case any other pet parent is at a loss with the frustration of healing their best friend after surgery.
I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to put together such an awesome guide and making it available for FREE to the public. Your expertise and knowledge have helped us out in a wonderful way.
I am a trainer myself and it always feels good to hear back from clients about how you have made a change in their life, success stories, and that you’re helping people out with their animals. Also, this is so you know your guide is being used on the net!
Spud and the rest of my dogs are all working dogs whether obedience, agility, or therapy work. They are C.G.C. and T.D.I. and I can’t wait to get Spud back on his feet and working again! Feel free to use any of my emails so others know this really works when you put in the time.
