Teaching Kids About Special Needs Pets & How to Be Positive Despite Challenges

Posted by Barbara Techel

It’s hard to believe it is has been since 2008 that Frankie and I have been teaching kids about special needs pets, while also encouraging them to see their own challenges in a positive way. This is such rewarding work. Each visit we now do seems even more precious since Frankie is semi-retired.

Recently we visited a small catholic school, Shepherd of the Hills. It was such a delightful school and the kids were oober crazy to meet Frankie! I’m so excited to share these photos with you that the school took and granted me permission to share.  Each photo describes what Frankie and I teach the kids during our presentation.  Side note:  It was catholic school week, so today’s theme was tropical, so that is why the students are all dressed so colorfully.  🙂


This student is learning how to put Frankie in her wheelchair with a little help from me.


Student learning how Frankie’s wheelchair all fits together.


A big round of applause for this student doing such a great job in helping Frankie into her wheelchair


Explaining to the students how I have to express Frankie’s bladder since she can’t do that on her own because of her Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). I then show them a photo of how I hold Frankie over the toilet as I express her bladder. As you can imagine, this gets lots of giggles!

 

I ask for three volunteers to come up and learn how to do physical therapy on Frankie. This student is getting ready to do one of the exercises I did for Frankie when she was recovering and healing.

 

This student is learning how to do a range of motion exercise for Frankie


This student learned how to move Frankie’s leg and pretend like Frankie was pedaling a bicycle in this exercise


Showing Frankie’s dog wheelchair to the students so they can see what it looks like without her in it


The grand finale is showing the students how I trained Frankie to walk in her wheelchair. I hold a treat in my hand and as soon as I start to walk, Frankie follows me.  The students cheer and clap and this always warms my heart… right down to my toes.

 

Meet Digby a Dachshund with IVDD Inspired by Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

Digby’s Mom, Emily emailed me today asking if she would be upset if she shared a video she made of her dachshund, Digby who also has IVDD to help bring positive awareness to this disease to those in the UK where she and Digby live. She told me she used the same music I did in my video about Frankie, but was so inspired by Frankie that she wants to do to help IVDD dogs in the UK. Emily told me she didn’t want me to be upset that the video is similar to mine about Frankie’s and if I was, she wouldn’t share it. Stay tuned to end of post for touching video of Digby.

I was so touched about her concern, but I was thrilled that she wanted to do what she could to help bring more awareness to this disease that is often looked at as a death sentence for dogs. It is so far from that. I told her I was honored she did something similar and by doing so and sharing with those she knows, together we can help save even more dogs with diagnoses with IVDD. Now that is a beautiful thing.

So I asked Emily to send the video on over and I’ll share with my readers and Frankie’s fans. So check out Digby, living a quality life despite an IVDD diagnoses. Could he be any happier?  Thank you, Emily and Digby for this video that will be another extension of our work that will no doubt save more lives. Blessings! Blessings! Blessings!

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A New Wheelie Dog In Town!

Posted by Barbara Techel

There’s a new wheelie dog in town! Well at least in the town not far from me. Her name is Kahlua or a.k.a. Miss Lu or Tink. She was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor August 25th. She was given two months to live. Yup, count it out on your fingers, Christmas Day will be four months since her diagnoses. She is still pretty much the same, though her mom feels somewhat improved.

Because of the brain tumor this has affected her back legs and walking. Other than that, you wouldn’t know she has a brain tumor. Kahlua’s mom knows me well since she makes all my Frankie t-shirts and tote bags. So she knew getting Miss Lu a wheelchair was a viable option.

Miss Lu stopped over today to show us her new wheels from Eddie’s Wheels! She is still adjusting to them, but we hope in no time she will be buzzing around fast as a speeding bullet.

As far as her brain tumor, well we continue to pray for her and ask if you could send a little prayer to the big guy upstairs too. She’s a miracle so far with almost outliving her 2 month prognosis. We love you, Kahlua!