Shelby is a 2 1/2 year old Mix rescue, she came to me as a very shy little puppy that didn't have much confidence and was petrified of strangers.  I joined a Newfoundland training group shortly after getting Shelby, and she was right at home hanging around with the giant breed.  It was then I decided that Shelby needed a sister to help her with her confidence.  Ouiser the Newfoundland joined us that November, and she and Shelby have been joined at the hip since.  Ouiser is the personal body guard to Shelby, and fends off any strangers that want to bother her "little" big sister.

Late last winter (2008) while running through the snow with her sister, Ouiser came down hard on one of her legs and came in limping.  After a visit to the vet, it was determined that she had torn her ACL.  We waited a bit for surgery, so that she wouldn't be recuperating in the snow, and Ouiser had surgery in the late winter to repair the damage.

One of the key aspects of her recovery was the need to remain active so that her muscles of her bad leg wouldn't weaken, and the muscles of her good leg weren't overstrained. It was then that Shelby and Ouiser were introduced to massage.  She responded very well to working on her injured leg that she was favoring, with each massage you could see great improvement  and she gradually began using her leg more and more, and I believe the massage made her more comfortable with using the "bad" leg.  Her good leg was equally benefited, as I noticed from hopping around she was becoming sore, and the massage brought great relief to her overworked leg.  An added unexpected bonus was that Ouiser was also cured of her cough!  All through the winter, Ouiser had a consistent bronchial cough, it would come and go, depending on how tired she was, but was pretty much a daily occurrence.  In addition to working her legs, Carolyn worked on Ouiser's chest and ribs.....and after the very first visit, the cough became less and less, and now with continued massage, it is non existent.  I also notice, if Ouiser misses one week of massage.......her cough comes right back...I am just amazed, and grateful at the improvement she has shown with massage.

Another unexpected benefit of Ouiser "Spa dates" is the progress of our big brave girl Shelby.  When Carolyn first began, Shelby would bark her head off at the stranger in her house, hiding in the hallway while Ouiser sniffed it out.  Over time, with Carolyn's patience, Shelby has grown to accept Carolyn as her friend...and even in recent weeks has allowed Carolyn to massage her.  We are still working on her progress...but by conquering her fear and letting herself relax for a massage I have great hope in the progress of bringing her out of her shy little shell.

Thank you Carolyn for the wonderful work you have done for the girls....we all look forward to the Friday night "Doggie Spa dates" !

Colleen

Carolyn, I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated everything you did for my pal Bud the last year of his life. I am so glad I found you at the dog walk. I had tried medication for his stiffness and pain, but it made him sick. I had no idea what else I could do to make him more comfortable. You remember how difficult it was for him to get around, especially up the two flights of stairs to my apartment. 

 His response to the therapy was amazing, and oh, he loved it! It was a joy to see how quickly Bud connected with you through your voice and touch. It usually took a while for Bud to pick his friends, but not with you. By the end of the week after his first therapy session, I could see a reduction in his stiffness and pain. He became more willing to go up and down the stairs, did not favor the right hind leg as much and seemed happier. As his sessions continued he got better and better. His range of movement with NO pain was greatly improved. He felt so good. He was ready to play with his toys, which had lain neglected in his basket. Once again he was enthusiastic about a walk in the woods and even enjoyed running a little. He hadn't done that in years. 

I believe the quality of his life was greatly improved and time he had left was extended due to the therapy he received from you. Thank you for that extra, happy time I had with Bud.

Gaynor