Has Integrative Pet Care made a difference in your pet's life? We would love to hear feedback about your IPC experience! E-mail us at feedback@integrativepetcare.comand share your own pictures and stories or if you want to reach even more pet owners you can review us through Yelp!
Read Lola & Bella's Story!
Read Harold's Story!
Read River's Story!
"Hershey" Cardon, Miniature Pinscher
"We
both really enjoyed massage class and our nightly rubdowns. Its
relaxing for both of
us and keeps my boy loose for the kill. Plus, the stretching exercises
and post-workout massage techniques ensure that I can indulge his lure
coursing
addiction for many more years. Also, I've also become the most popular
person at our many dog parks as Hershey's friends line up to let me
practice
the techniques I learned in class." -Sara Cardon
"Ashley" Morris, Rhodesian Ridgeback
"I can't thank Dr. Flaherty enough for the thorough examination as well
as recommendation for the x-ray. We ended up taking (Ashley) to
another ortho specialist who said that you all did a fantastic job
diagnosing the problem. Thank you Thank you Thank you all once
again!"- Jennifer Morris
"Rusty" Coleman, Yorkshire Terrier
"Rusty is a little dog with a big heart and a lot of courage.
In November 2007 Rusty was having trouble walking.He was diagnosed with a degenerative disc disease resulting in surgery on discs four and five, and a two-week hospital stay.When Rusty was released from the hospital he could not walk, or even lie down on his stomach without being propped up with rolled towels on each side of him.
At our first appointment with Dr. Mayer in mid-December 2007 we met Staci who became Rusty's main therapist and our "go to" person.In order for Rusty to have a chance to walk again, it would have to be a team effort.His rehabilitation program consisted of two eight-week programs with the sessions scheduled two times per week.Rusty's program began with electrical stimulation, veterinary Aquapuncture, and therapeutic massage with passive range of motion.Since we were always present during his sessions, we quickly became part of Rusty's rehabilitation team, with Staci showing us how to do the passive range of motion exercises.It was really important for us to do the range of motion exercises with him several times a day to keep him muscles from atrophying any further.We would also "walk" him back and forth across the living room floor in his homemade walker.This "walker" consisted of a sturdy frame fashioned from 2 x 2's with an old sheet forming the cradle with the holes cut out for his legs.This exercise could be somewhat demoralizing since we almost entirely had to move him legs for him.Our efforts paid off on a mid-January morning at four A.M. when Rusty's "dad" woke to find him standing and actually stumbling forward a foot or so.
After Rusty began taking a few steps, Staci began to work with him in the gym.Rusty had to re-learn to lie down and sit, so Staci showed us a maneuver to use at home that would help him lie down.She worked with Rusty on his balance, maneuvering around cones, walking up and down ramps and on the treadmill while we watched proudly, with more than a few questions for Staci.She never tired of answering our questions and gave us homework exercises to do with Rusty.In addition to our homework exercises we discussed some other things we might do with Rusty at home.To work on his balance, we bought a trampoline similar to the one at IPC.Along with Rusty's walker his dad also made him a balance board and a ramp so he could practice walking uphill and downhill at home.By accident, we found that the vacuum cleaner cord could be used as something for Rusty to practice stepping over (cavalletis).Around week six, Rusty began walking for short periods on the underwater treadmill.He graduated from his rehabilitation program in mid-April.
Rusty then became a member of the Fitness Club.He enjoyed seeing Staci once a week when he swam in the resistance pool and got a massage.When we arrive for his appointment, Staci always comes out and greets him and asks how he is doing.When we leave, Rusty will often walk over to Staci to "say" goodbye.Rusty will be 16 in October.Thanks to Dr. Mayer, Staci and all the folks at IPC, he is walking, knocking his food bowl around the kitchen floor, enjoying the back yard, and barking up a storm."
-Jim and Sharon, Rusty's parents
"Harold" Matsumoto, French Bulldog Mix
"Harold is in love. He's in love with the women of Integrative Pet
Care. He may have lost the use of his rear legs in February but he
never lost his joy and love of life. Thanks to the compassionate care,
incredible patience and amazing skills of the staff at IPC, he is
slowly recovering from emergency back surgery that removed a ruptured
disc. And though his surgeon doubts it, Harold may eventually walk
again through rehabilitation therapy provide at Integrative Pet Care.
But he doesn't go to IPC for therapy; he goes to play... and to kiss
the girls who give him peanut butter and massages. From the moment her
arrives and gets into his wheels in front of IPC, he is happy and
excited. He bursts into the lobby at IPC eager to greet his friends.
He's a terror toddling around in his wheels and clearly happy to be
alive.
Without IPC, he probably wouldn't be alive. Without IPC, I wouldn't
have been able to save Harold. I wouldn't have known how to care for
him. When I was most discouraged, IPC provided encouragement and moral
support and gave me hope.
IPC provided training so I could exercise and treat Harold at home
using e-stim on six different muscles. Through IPC we acquired Harold's
wheels that allow him to run wild in the park as well as around IPC.
And through IPC we learned how to use orthotics; braces and flippers
and carpal wraps that are helping Harold to learn how to walk again.
Harold is in love with Integrative Pet Care and so am I." -- Pat
Matsumoto
"Bianca" Wilson, West Highland Terrier
Click on Bianca to read about her exciting trip to the Invitational on her blog!
" A thousand thank you's for helping Bianca get healthy enough to compete at the AKC Agility Invitational... we would have never had made it there without your help. You guys are the best!" -- Tracy Wilson
"Tam," "Brownie," and "Sky" Lurz, Australian Shepherds
"I am so impressed with the level of service and the consistency of care at IPC. You hire the best people. Finding such a level of service and accommodation that is exhibited by IPC is very rare. The layout of the building is so impressive. Every time I'm there I notice some other thoughtful touch for me and my dogs. I am very proud of what you have built there and will tell as many people as possible about it!" -- Peggy Lurz
"Chloe Alex" Swanger, Labrador Retriever
"Thank you with all my heart for the wonderful care and friendship you gave to Chloe....She had a happier and longer life because of you and I am extremely grateful for that. Because of you, I learned a lot and was able to take better care of her. I will always appreciate that. She loved coming to see you and was so happy to get her treatment. It was always fun to see her bounce around afterwards and grab her Pooh. You could tell she felt invigorated. Thank you for being part of her life." -- Sue Swanger
"Porkchop" Knibbs, Labrador Retriever
"I just wanted to say thank you for helping my dog Porkchop and I this past year. You helped him get back on his feet, able to enjoy his walks around the hood again. We are taking the summer off but hope to be back in your tender, patient-centered care in the fall. You guys always made us feel so welcome and well tended. You are the BEST!" -- Sue Knibbs
"Lucy" Thomas, Rottweiler
"It gave us great comfort knowing that twice a week [Lucy] could go to Integrative Pet Care, to a staff that clearly loved her and found her as special as we did to receive treatment for her arthritis and weight. Though she always scoffed at exercise, she did love going through your doors. Her little stumpy would wiggle as the car would pull up to your office, because she knew that as soon as we walked inside, she would receive loads of affection and attention. That she was so fond of seeing your staff each week was reason enough for us to be happy she was in your care. We knew she was in competent hands when each week we would observe marked improvements from your prescribed therapies. That was so important to us." -- Allison Thomas
"Max" Broderick, Bernese Mountain Dog
"Thank you for all that you were able to do for Max over the years. It's been such a pleasure to work with you and see the great improvements you were able to achieve with Max. From the great efforts and spirit he was able to live a more comfortable and happy life and we can't thank you enough." -- Pam & Wayne Broderick
"Charly Bear" Osgood, Australian Shepherd
"Thank you so much for taking such great care of my dogs. Your compassion and hard work is very appreciated. You have made a difference in Charly and we thank you." Jennifer & Timothy Osgood
All photographs are property of Integrative Pet Care. Use without permission of Integrative Pet Care is strictly prohibited. Copyright 2010 Integrative Pet Care, Inc.
