disabled animals

Meet Allie: IVDD Does Not Stop Her From Being Spunky!

Posted by Barbara Techel

Last week I received a very nice email from Allie’s mom, Katie.  She wrote to tell me she read my book Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog and found it inspirational as well as feeling like she was reading her dog, Allie’s autobiography.  She attached this photo, and of course, I fell in love!

I asked Katie if she would share a little about Allie so here is our fun little interview:

Barbara:  How old is Allie?

Katie:  Allie is 5.  She will be 6 in June.

Barbara:  Where did you get her?

Katie:  We got Allie from Starlight Kennel in Augusta, WI

Barbara:  When did she become paralyzed?

Katie:  Allie had her first surgery just before she turned 4 in May of 2009.  She made about a 95% recovery, but then she ruptured another disc in July of 2010. If she has enough motivation, she can walk really wobbly, but she usually uses her wheels or her parents to get around.  🙂

Barbara:  What is Allie’s favorite thing to do?

Katie:  Allie looooooooves to bury toys under rugs, blankets, dog beds, or even boxes, and then try to dig them out. We have many torn blankets and rugs because of this habit.  🙂

Barbara:  What is Allie’s favorite thing to eat?

Katie:  Allie loves to eat Caesar, the wet dog food. She used to get a little with her pills every morning after her surgery, and she was hooked. I still spoil her and give her some every morning, though she’s not on medication anymore.

Barbara:  What do you love most about her?

Katie:  So many things!  One thing I love that makes her unique is that she can smell a toy from a mile away.  We can hide new toys in the most obscure places, and she will sniff them out and bark at the hiding spot until we give up and give her the toy. She also loves to open presents. This past Christmas we saved all our scrap wrapping paper and wrapped up all her toys with it.  She doesn’t even care that it’s an old toy inside. It’s 30 seconds of heaven for her just to unwrap it.

Barbara:  What has Allie taught you?

Katie:  Allie has taught me that I have more patience than I thought! Seriously, though, she taught me not to let obstacles get in your way. With a loving and supportive family to help your though it, anything is possible.

Barbara:  Wow, would I have to agree on the patience thing as Frankie has really taught me that too!  BIG GRIN.  Thank you so much, Katie for sharing your spunky, beautiful little girl, Allie with us!  We wish you and Allie the very best always!

Note:  Allie’s wheelchair comes from Eddie’s Wheels.  A company I believe is truly dedicated to helping animals the best way possible.

 

New Website to Help Disabled Animals

Posted by Barbara Techel

I was so delighted to come across this new website, Disabled Animal dedicated to helping special needs animals find a home, as well as a resource page, that is expanding as the website gains more awareness.  If you are looking to bring a special needs pet into your life, this page might help you do just that.

When I discovered the website through a post on Facebook from Eddie’s Wheels, I was touched to learn the website is the work of a 3rd year vet student.  I just had to interview her and share this with you.  Part of the challenge with dogs diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is the lack of education among vets and society, as to the options.  Thanks to the organization, Dodgerslist and others, this is changing, but there is still much work to be done.  That is why it is so wonderful to see a young vet so enthusiastic and full of heart who wants to help disabled animals.  Thank you, Celine!!

Without further ado- My interview with Celine.

1.  Why did you start Disabled Animal website?

I was so frustrated! I chose veterinary medicine as a career and like many others, thought that I would like to share a home and help a disabled animal. I started to do research on my options and decided that I would like a wheelchair dog to adopt. It spoke to me. After deciding I started to look and to my surprise… they weren’t easy to search for! I was astounded at this and got to the point of where I was literally cold calling to California from Georgia looking for one to adopt. I hung up the phone, decided that was enough, and within five minutes was working on the website so that others wouldn’t have to do what I did.

2.  What is it about disabled animals that you want people to know?

I want people to know that they really aren’t broken. I go to school every day learning how to treat medical problems and many of them simply take a pill for them to be able to live a normal life. There are so many advances in veterinary medicine that pets are living longer and are able to be helped more than ever. A wheelchair dog can still live a normal life with an aid, too. No legs? No problem! They’re still capable of loving to me!

3.  When you are done with college and in practice as a vet how will you bring positive awareness to special needs pets?

I am done with vet school in May of 2012 and I would like to be a personal veterinarian. What I mean by that is that I’d rather not be a drive-thru clinic. I would like to get to know these pet parents and be able to connect with them and be a resource for their special needs pets. Depending on the need, there may need to be modifications to techniques such as training and that information can be hard to find.

4.  I see on your website you are looking for a two-legged dog to adopt.  Why a two-legged dog?

Actually, I just want a medium to small wheelchair dog. I called a rescue for one without back legs but he was set out to be adopted the next day. They informed me of one that was missing the front two legs and I got attached. Sadly, the foster parents said that I would not be considered for adoption due to the fact that I was going to have children and they thought that he needed someone at home for the majority of the day. That’s really the only reason – I honestly wouldn’t mind one with all four legs attached as long as they are in a wheelchair.

5.  What do you think animals with special needs teach us?

To live life! Have you ever seen a special needs pet wallow in their own sorrow? No. I believe that humans tend to think about themselves too much sometimes and feel as though they can’t do much because of a disability. Wrong. These pets are still smiling, still wagging their tails if they can. Carpe diem because life’s too short to be unhappy.

6.  What advice can you offer those wanting to adopt a special needs pet?

Do your research. Don’t look at an animal and think, “oh, you’re cute because you have paralysis,” and not know what you are getting into. You don’t need to adopt one just because you feel pity. Animal ownership is a big responsibility and it shouldn’t be taken lightly regardless of whether they are normal or disabled. With that said, adopting a disabled animal can be an incredibly rewarding experience even if you haven’t owned one before.

7.  Anything else you’d like to share?

Absolutely. A big thank you to my fiance Chris as he has helped me through my vet school years so far. I am indebted to him for all of the support he has given me. GO DAWGS and UGA VET MED!

Lemon the Duck Needs Our Help!

Posted by Barbara Techel

Thank you, Dr. Kim Bloomer of Animal Talk Naturally for posting Lemon and Laura’s dire dilema.  We have sent a letter off to Dr. Lusi with our thoughts and asking her to please reconsider.  Now we ask that you, our readers help in the campaign and ask if you could please take a moment and send a letter to Dr. Lusi to ask that Lemon the Duck please remain in the classroom.  He is truly doing a remarkable job and this would be such a shame if he was not allowed to continue his inspiring work.

From Laura, Mom to Lemon the Duck:

Dear Friends,

Recently I have been informed that Dr. Lusi, Superintendent of Portsmouth Schools, will no longer allow Lemon the Duck to be in my classroom. I am requesting your help in letting Dr. Lusi know how important Lemon has been to the children, the school, and their community. As you may already know, Lemon was hatched at Hathaway School in 2006 during a science project approved by the school department.

Because Lemon was born with a neurological disability I adopted her and she became a member of our class. She has also become a Professional Pet Assisted Therapy animal and has gone on to inspire many disabled children by her presence when visiting their classrooms and homes. Not only that she has helped children to understand handicapped individuals and how they can help them.

This year in my classroom, Lemon was awarded a Special Education Recognition Award from the Newport County Regional Special Education Advisory Committee. I think the Portsmouth School Department may not be aware of the value of Lemon’s full inclusion in the classroom and the school and I hope that you can apprise them of her contribution. Dr. Lusi is aware that Lemon’s message is valuable but may not be aware of the positive effects Lemon has had socially and emotionally to the students and may have in the future and for this reason I will be meeting with Dr. Lusi next week.

I encourage you to support me in this effort by writing a letter to Dr. Lusi. Her mailing address is: Dr. Lusi, Superintendent of Schools, Administration Building, 29 Middle Rd., Portsmouth, RI, 02871. She can also be reached by e-mail at lusis@portsmouthschoolsri.org. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Laura and Lemon