ivdd

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!

Dogs with Disabilities

Posted by Barbara Techel


Thanks to the blog Rebound Hounds I came across a website about dogs with disabilities that I did not know about, so wanted to share with you.

I love Dogs with Disabilities statement, “We can learn alot from dogs with disabilities!”  So true.  My life has increased in compassion, joy, and love ten-fold since Frankie, my dachshund was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease in 2006.  As many of you know, since then, I’ve become an advocate for animals with disabilities.  We have to be the voice for these special animals who do not feel sorry for themselves and live life to the fullest… and they deserve that chance, even when becoming disabled or born disabled.

Dogs with Disabilities has many wonderful resources and a great page on deciding on the right wheelchair for your dog.  As they said, it is a very personal choice, and I also want to add that not all wheelchairs are alike and each situation is different.  I especially liked their information on finding a vet also to care for your disabled dog.  Not all vets see disabled pets like those of us do who live with one do, so it’s important to have a vet who understands your pets needs and supports your decisions.

Last but not least, I loved the following on their home page-

Dogs with Disabilities…

  • Don’t feel sorry for themselves, we do it for them
  • Don’t know they’re disabled
  • Are accepting of what life has to offer
  • Accept as much help as their pride can take
  • Take each day as it comes and smell the flowers they can reach (and sometimes eat them)
  • Have more patience than we’ll ever have in the same situation
  • Don’t worry if we love them, they know we do
  • Do worry if we’ll take care of their needs – and shouldn’t have to
  • Don’t say what if, they just do what they can
  • Enjoy life just like other dogs, just not as rambunctiously
  • Worry about their status in the pack, it’s our job to reassure them they still have it
  • Don’t fear the future or worry about the past
  • Make every effort to do what they can to their maximum potential
  • Are not a burden, but a joy and a reason to slow down our own hectic lives