Photo: Geoff Robinson Photography
What a great story about Henry, the adorable doxie who took part in a study and is starting to walk again. Woo hoo!
It is so hard for me to hear from someone who tells me their vet has told them the only option is to put their dog to sleep if it can’t walk…. but they did research on their own and discovered they can indeed help their pet. When they find me and my story, I am so thrilled to share with them that there is HOPE, just like Henry’s story.
While not everyone can take part in such a wonderful study, I do want to let others know that there is always hope for their dogs even if they can’t be a part of the study. If fitted for a dog wheelchair it is amazing what can happen with that as well. Frankie is proof.
Though she still needs her wheelchair for longer walks, and to best support her spine, her wheels have kept the muscle tone in her back legs very strong. When she walks in her wheels you will sometimes see her back legs move. This is called spinal walk. This means her brain is not making the connection to the spine, but because of her front legs moving, her back legs will mimic following along. This has given her the ability to stand for moments at a time when not in her wheelchair, as well as hop like a bunny at times. I believe her therapy wheelchair is a big reason why she is able to have some mobility now.
What I really want to encourage in others is if you can’t afford or even have in your area a dog rehabilitation center where you can go for physical therapy for your dog, there are still so many options. I had a vet who specializes in spinal injuries in Dachshunds show me some physical therapy I could do on my own for Frankie. I also did swim therapy in our bathtub with Frankie. So where there is a will, there is a way… and there is ALWAYS HOPE.
