Testimonials: Accident Recovery

Penny Lane

On 3/29/11 Penny Lane was hit by a car. Dr. Morgan @ City of Angels saved her leg after the first vet suggested we amputate or put her down. 4 weeks later she started her rehab at CARE. I feel as if everyone at CARE has become members of our family and Penny Lane clearly feels the same way. In addition to the amazing loving atmosphere, Penny also received state of the art therapy, acupuncture, laser, B-12 shots, obstacle-course type therapy and hands-on stretching and massage. She has not yet experiences the under water treadmill because of a slow healing wound. That’s next!

B. Palmieri, July 2011

Ripley

CARE is a fantastic facility dedicated to the rehabilitation of animals. Ours, an adorable chocolate lab/staffy terrier mix, was hit by a car requiring weeks of crate rest before we could even contemplate physical therapy. She also had to undergo surgery where two pins were used to help fuse the pelvic bones where needed. She was a trooper. But it was really after we started taking her to CARE when her improvement really showed. Her strength, muscle tone, gait, and all around lovable doginess got better and better. Today, after 8 weeks of PT 3xs per week, our little Ripley is as amazing as we imagine she was before the accident (we adopted her post so we don’t really know). What we do know is that the staff and doctors at CARE are amazing and we are so thankful for the work they have done for Ripley. P.S. She misses everyone! Thanks CARE!

K. Fedasz, May 2011

Scooby

"When I was first asked to foster Scooby, a 70lb. German Shepherd who had been hit by a car, I didn’t know what to do. Upon receiving him into our home and lives, we were told that he needed to attend physical therapy sessions at CARE twice per week. I had never cared for a dog with a disability before and I was quite nervous. Scooby’s hind right leg was atrophied and he wouldn’t let it touch the ground as he walked. He just hopped around as if the broken leg wasn’t there.

Three months later, through the incredible efforts and hard work of the CARE team, Scooby is taking huge steps and strides on his hind leg! He now uses his leg all the time as if nothing happened! I am so grateful that CARE even exists for all of our injured and beloved pets. We need more rehab facilities such as this one throughout our state!

The CARE team showed tremendous compassion and patience towards Scooby, despite his constant whining and crying. I’m happy to say that he is now a permanent member of our family and his complaining has decreased. We couldn’t have come this far without CARE."

O.F., September 2009

Mason

"Hello, my name is Mason. I am a little scrapper rescued from Sepulveda Boulevard in Sherman Oaks after miraculously crossing the street in the dark. My mama saw me and after a few minutes, scooped me up from my hiding spot behind a tire of a vehicle. Other than being scared, starving (only weighed barely 4 pounds at 6 months old) and cold I showed no signs of injury. After being given the OK from the vet that I was not carrying anything contagious, I met my new brothers and sisters. I chased after anything that would move and enjoyed pulling myself up the 7’ tall cat tower. I couldn’t jump up but still had all around good times.

Then my “unknown” injury was discovered. I started to have a bit of a limp and was x-rayed while I was at the vet for being neutered. It turned out that I had a very wicked acetabular fracture on my right side. What that means is my pelvic bone was broken all the way across the bone near my hip socket and my leg was held somewhat in place by sheer luck. If you saw the x-ray you would cringe. My mama took me to a surgeon to have my bones plated together and the head of my femur removed (as the hip socket could not be repaired) and the procedure was mostly a success. There was a risk that the nerve to my leg may be damaged. After I was able to get up and walk around, I did so on only three legs. My right rear leg just dangled and I had no sensation between my toes. I had issues with the nerve.

Enter my wonderful friends at C.A.R.E.
I started my sessions (twice a week) with only hope of regaining at least some use of my leg back. Every time we showed up we were greeted warmly by all the friendly staff. I was really little and somewhat nervous everyone put me at ease and made my visits a comfortable, wonderful experience. Between the acupuncture and natural diet choices, thanks for the sweet potatoes, with Dr. Jessica (a silent meow to you) and all the manual therapy (didn’t like it, but had to do it) with Dr. Amy (even though she wore doggy socks) I started to use my leg a little. Only problem was I wasn’t walking properly. I was walking with my toes curled under and would not lift my foot/leg over obstacles. Well as time went on I showed some more improvement and began to have some sensation between my toes and lift my leg over very low obstacles about 60% of the time.

My mama was happy, but I wanted more. With the help of all my friends at C.A.R.E., I pushed myself and soon was working on the “big dog” therapy items, including the underwater treadmill. Yes, in the water and everyone survived unscathed. By the time I graduated, I had gained 3 pounds, increased the muscle mass in my injured leg and I was taking the stair/ramp obstacle like a pro, the underwater treadmill…no sweat and now I walk properly 100% of the time and have full feeling in my foot. I am so fast now that I almost trip my mama many times as I run from one room to another. I have discovered the hammock in the window which I can now jump high enough to enjoy. I can climb the cat tower properly and fly off of it to the bed which I promptly bounce off of to run after my brother Howard. I also chase him into the bathtub and do not care if I get wet as I do not fear the water.

Going to C.A.R.E. helped me be a true kitten and now I run around at home like nothing is wrong or ever was. The only down side to my healing success is that I no longer see all my new friends out there in Santa Monica.
THANK YOU EVERYONE!! I MISS YOU, BUT THANK YOU!!!"

November 2008

Pasha

"WHOOSH. . ." That was the sound of my finally exhaling the nervous breath I hadn’t even realized I had been holding until I walked into CARE and met its amazing staff. The love of my life, Pasha, at the tender age of four had already undergone back surgery for two herniated discs that almost paralyzed her.

Two years later, I awoke to the same heart-wrenching sound of my baby in pain. From that moment forward, I lived with the constant dread that she may have to undergo more surgery, remain perpetually medicated or, worse yet, that she may become imminently paralyzed.

Then, I found CARE. From the moment I walked through the doors into its facility, which I fondly refer to as the "oasis of tranquility and peace," I felt an immediate sense of hope, which has not been misplaced. Pasha’s recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. In less than two weeks, she was nearly back to her joyful, playful, mischievous self. And, although her back problems are chronic and she will have setbacks throughout her life, it is by no means a small measure of relief that I have CARE to turn to and lean on whenever Pasha and I need it.

It is not simply the phenomenal medical support that makes CARE truly exceptional. It is the TLC that the entire staff lavishes on your loved one and you that has earned CARE my undying devotion. So, thank you, thank you, thank you! I would be utterly lost without you.  You guys are absolutely priceless!"

S.L., October 2008

Roger

"Just want to report that Roger is doing much better since his last treatment
and evaluation. Since then, Roger is able to do 10 to 15 minute walks and he
doesn't seem to be in pain as he was before and during the treatments.

Thank you very much for making Roger get better!"

J.C., August 2008

Cleo

"Cleo can walk! Thank you CARE! Cleo was hit by a car on Jan 30, 2008. After 6 days in ICU at ASEC, she was released to me, stable but unable to lift herself, sit up or walk.

In March, Cleo began physical therapy sessions with CARE twice a week. Water therapy and physical therapy, plus exercises Cleo and I did at home. We also added vitamins and supplements, as suggested. The results were slow but steady, but all positive. Around the end of May, Cleo stood up all by herself and took her first few steps. Now, in July, only 6 months later, Cleo runs around the backyard with my other dogs. If I believed in miracles, she'd be one. I believe in supplements, physical therapy and the dedication of your staff. Cleo would never have regained her ability to walk without the physical therapy program at CARE."

S.G., July 2008

Small

"Small fell from the 6th floor in our apartment in India. He broke his 3 legs. He could not walk or move, he could only move his head. We treated him in India, but it did not work out. That is when we came to the US to try to fix him. We heard about CARE and we came. We thought the therapy looked cool.  Eventually, he started doing much better, and now he can walk on his own. I am so thankful to CARE and the surgeons at the other hospitals that helped him. We are going back to India but we will definitely keep in touch!"

Thank you CARE!
N.J.

Small's Journey to Recovery (Video)

Lolly

"After Lolly was hit by a car emergency doctors were not sure she would regain the use of her front leg but CARE staff were so positive that she improve and the care was so comprehensive that after a month she was standing on her leg and using it regularly.

The love and expert attention given to Lolly is the reason she has improved so much."

K.M.

Lilly Claire

"My brand new Yorky puppy, Lilly Claire, fell off the bed 3 days after I got her and fractured her leg. It was splinted for the next four weeks, but there were some unexpected side effects that made it difficult for Lilly Claire to bend her leg, and her knee cap was slipping in and out of her tibia. My doctor recommended doggy rehab for Lilly and I laughed. I had never heard of such a thing! If the rehab had not been available, the only other option would be to operate. This is where Dr. Waldman came into our lives to 'Save the day!' Two weeks and two appointments with Dr. Waldman later, Lilly was running around as if nothing had ever happened. I was shocked at the progress Dr. Waldman made with Lilly in such a short amount of time. Thank you so much Dr. Waldman getting my puppy back to her 'ring-tail tooter' self."

A.F.

Wily

"While under the care of a dogwalker, Wily was hit by a van. Neurologists had little hope that he would have use of his hind legs. This was April 8, 2008. He began at CARE about 2 ½ weeks later, and for the next 8 weeks, began the most amazing healing process ever. It's nothing short of a miracle what Drs. Jessica and Amy and the entire staff at CARE have done for our boy. Every single day we saw, and still see, improvement. Wily went from me having to express his bladder and using a sling, to wobbling about and falling, to now chasing our cats again and singing. We are beyond overjoyed to see Wily back on all fours and back to his spirited self – we are stunned and in awe.. and completely grateful. The combination of exercises, the treadmill (although Wily had to do it dry for a long time because he doesn't like water), acupuncture, diet, and everyone's sheer will made it all happen, and we couldn't be more thankful. We will continue for awhile at CARE as Wily still has a little bit to go. Our goal now is to get him back to the park with his friends!"

R.F.

Eddie

"Eddie has made great progress at C.A.RE. He could hardly walk when he first arrived for therapy. With much extra effort on the part of Amy Kramer and Jessica Waldman, Eddie is an active, happy dog who continues to improve."

N.D.