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Home > Testimonials Menu > Arthritis and Aging Pets
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"My 14 year old Bichon, Mollie has been coming to California Animal Rehabilitation for a year. She had a fairly disasterous case of arthritis. Mollie started out coming two times per week; then once a week, then once every two weeks.We continued for this length of time because Mollie was thriving and now behaves like a 7 year old.
Both Mollie and I are so grateful for her miraculous recovery. I plan to continue coming here since I now have a puppy on my hands instead of an old lady. These people are terrific. I couldn’t recommend them more highly. It’s a very lucky dog that comes here."
V. S., June 2010
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"Before we were referred to CARE, my 16 year old Shepherd Doberman mix, Kimberly had been diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy and severe arthritis in her lower spine. We were referred to CARE in January 2010 after Kimberly suddenly was unable to get up from a lying down position and had severe weakness in her back legs. To complicate things further, Kimberly also had re-injured her left hind knee from an old injury when she fell on our stairs several years ago, and now she could not walk. When Kimberly first started therapy at CARE, Kimberly could not put any weight at all on her left hind leg, she could not get up by herself nor walk by herself. Kimberly had to be totally lifted and supported to get up or walk. I was so worried that Kimberly’s prognosis would not be good. But after just over 1 month of therapy by the devoted CARE doctors and physical therapists, Kimberly is not only happily walking all by herself and at a quick pace, but she is also starting to get up by herself! I can tell that Kimberly is really enjoying getting back to being her energetic self! Kimberly is also enjoying her new healthy diet incorporating fresh vegetables, whole grains, and protein which was specifically recommended based on Kimberly’s situation, and now Kimberly is really wolfing down her meals! Kimberly and I are grateful for the care, expertise and devotion of the doctors and physical therapists at CARE. I know their diligence has given Kimberly a new lease on life!"
H., June 2010
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"My Chocolate Lab Coco is 14 ½ years old! At age 14 yrs, 2 months, her vet referred us to CARE due to her severe muscular skeletal problems and her arthritis. This combination of issues presented Coco with a huge decrease in her mobility skills. On a positive note, Coco is in good overall health!
I was so nervous and worried about Coco’s condition, but right at the beginning Dr. Waldman and the CARE staff reassured us that we’re not “alone”. Each and every staff member is pleasant, helpful and personable.
I was overwhelmed at the beginning of the program. Soon enough this became our daily ritual – which Coco looks forward to! Her progress is phenomenal! She has lost 8 pounds, is more agile, much happier and has even returned to some of her old habits!
Family and friends have seen Coco’s transformation and are stunned! She is an example to all of us that diet and exercise is key! We are blessed to have a happy, healthy Coco in our home. We thank CARE for helping her to meet her original goal of : increasing her mobility so Coco can truly “enjoy her golden years”.
Thank you CARE!
N.J. and D.C.
April 2010
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"The skilled, compassionate, knowledgeable, quality care that our 13 yr old Black Labrador Retriever, Shelby, received at California Animal Rehabilitation was unforgettable, and very much appreciated!
CARE should be considered Gold Standard in animal care and rehabilitation. We first went to CARE for guidance and assistance in helping Shelby with her arthritis, hip dysplasia, and hind end weakness. We didn’t expect miracles, we just wanted her to be comfortable, and learn some new ways to help Shelby at home. What we got was an increase in her quality of life, and in her comfort level and especially, an increase in strength in her hind end.
We were able to reduce her pain medication usage to an occasional dose, and instead give her a homeopathic anti-inflammatory medication for pain relief as needed (which is only a few doses a month). The combined treatment modalities at each visit worked noticeable wonders! We have tried several of the treatments before throughout Shelby’s life but only one at a time. That is what we feel makes CARE treatments so unique, and so successful. The ENTIRE staff treated Shelby, (and her parents) like royalty! They all love animals, and thoroughly enjoy helping them. They take their jobs seriously and celebrate the improvements they see in their patients, no matter how big or small.
Without fail, at each session the staff’s main goal was to make sure that Shelby left feeling better than when she came in, which is exactly the way I see them treat all of their patients. The conclusive proof of Shelby’s treatment was in the videos taken at Day 1, then half way through her course of therapy, and at her final appt, showing significant improvement in mobility and strength. We can’t express enough thanks and appreciation for all the help they have given us, and all the relief they have given Shelby!"
Sincerely,
WP and MP and Shelby too
January 2010
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"The team at CARE is amazing. My first exposure was to Dr. Jessica Waldman who was not only professional and caring but totally cool. She had a sense from the start that our dog T-bone may have had something else going on. Originally his joints were swollen, he couldn't use his left rear leg, he was feverish and barely eating and was diagnosed with a staph infection. His symptoms dissipated but then a month into his treatment at CARE his symptoms came back and she sent us immediately for follow-up care and confirmed her suspicions- that he has an autoimmune disease.
Her partner Amy Kramer and the other doctors and therapists at CARE are equally talented. They have ALL at different times offered sage advice and suggested new beneficial treatments. The support staff and assistants couldn't be more helpful and loving toward my dog. I was tentative at first about leaving my dog with strangers but they quickly became his friend and advocates. Now when we show up for appointments he runs in the door. Maybe it's the treats, but I'd like to think it's the staff.
T-bone has had a rough year but is starting to look and act like our dog again! We can't recommend CARE enough."
D.S., June 2009
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"Wish dogs could talk so Huckleberry could speak for himself and tell everyone just how genuinely loving and effective all the CARE-givers have been. Then again, the fact he can’t wait to get out of the car when we get there, says it all.
Huckleberry is only 4 years old, so it was not only devastating but shocking to discover that this sweet young Lab had developed severe arthritis in his front elbow. Quite suddenly he was in so much pain he could hardly stand. The prognosis from the two respected vets I consulted was very grim. However, both did tell me that there was a new rehab called CARE, having remarkable results with cases even more extreme than Huck’s. Same day, a good friend told me his 16 year old dog could hardly walk she was in so much pain, until he found out about CARE and now she’s feeling great.
What CARE has done for Huckleberry seems like a miracle. Actually the unique combination of medical doctors, physical therapists and dietary experts all working together under one roof is the real miracle. Thanks to CARE, Huckleberry is pain free, without using potentially life-shortening drugs. Read all of Huckleberry's Story (PDF).
I cannot thank EVERYONE at CARE enough for what they’ve done for Huckleberry’s body and my peace of mind."
S.D., May 2009
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"I’m Daisy Blanchard and I have been coming to the CARE center since April of 2008. My original graduation date was considerably delayed as, midway through my original therapy program, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I had to forgo therapy while I underwent chemotherapy.
When I returned to the CARE program I was much weaker than when I started. I was also diabetic and had an eye problem related to my diabetes. When I originally came to the center I had been diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy. That was hard enough on my 13 year old body. Little did I know that would be the least of my worries! Anyway, I came back to the center with my cancer in remission, resumed all of my therapies and finally graduated. Along the way, we got my diabetes under control and all those nasty acupuncture needles helped clear up my eye problem. I am now in my continuation course and my Mom says I am doing really well. She says I probably wouldn’t be walking now if it wasn’t for CARE. She gets all teary-eyed when she says that!
Everyone at CARE thinks I am really sweet and good but the truth is the CARE staff are the really sweet ones. They are very patient and kind and dedicated to making me as well as I can be. Best of all, Mom and I have made some very special friends and we love Dr. Jessica."
D.M.B., May 2009
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"When we first brought Lee to CARE, he was very depressed, was losing weight and could hardly walk.
Since he has been treated by CARE, he is a new "person." He is so happy, enthusiastic, and full of life and energy. He has been doing underwater treadmill, physical therapy exercises and acupuncture. Everyone who knows Lee says that he is making a marvelous recovery.
We recommend CARE for any dog with a degenerative neurological condition. Lee is now strong, happy and playful. He loves coming to his therapy at CARE. The staff is so skilled, knowledgeable and caring. Lee is going to continue his rehab indefinitely, because it is helping him so much and gives him wonderful quality of life."
L.A.C., Jan 2009
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"I do want to say how great everyone is there at CARE - what a wonderful facility. Beyond the exceptional care and rehab work that is done...for me it's the personal touch, the genuine care, fondness and desire to get licks that won me over!!
I have recommended you, and God forbid things get worse there is no other place to go but to CARE. Hopefully that will be a long way off because of the hands on therapy that you all taught me that will continue to keep my boy limber. We walk a lot more and when we are in Oregon and WA. all he does is swim and run."
C.H., Jan 2009
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"The CARE and treatment that Kayla received from the wonderful staff at California Animal Rehabilitation was life changing, not only for her but me too.
Kayla is 13 and is strong, happy and healthy due in large part to her therapy regime. I watched her go from lethargic depressed and sore, back to a vibrant, prancing and thriving.
I would recommend C.A.R.E. to anyone, because the gift of a happy, healthy
pet is the best gift I can give someone.
Kayla and her sister Ruby say thank you too!!"
T.A., November 2008
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"I am writing this as a testament to not only the miraculous healing that took place for my dog, Tucker, but for all of the dogs I have been witness to over the past year we have gone to CARE.
Tucker is a ten-year-old yellow lab who was overtaken with degenerative disk disease. When he came to CARE, he was in excruciating pain. With the help of everyone at CARE, Tucker went from what appeared to be death’s door to a pain-free, rejuvenated existence. He now looks and acts like a five-year-old lab and is also happier than he has ever been. Because Tucker loves coming to CARE, we have continued on a maintenance program.
In addition to the therapies performed at CARE, I believe one of the most therapeutic aspects is the absolute love and “care” generated by everyone who works there. They believe that every patient can not only improve but exceed all expectations. And, therefore, their patients demonstrate dramatic outcomes!
I have seen countless cases come to CARE – dogs that are paralyzed, crippled and considered hopeless by normal veterinary standards. These dogs have been miraculously regenerated back to health.
I am truly grateful to CARE for facilitating Tucker back to puppy-hood and supporting me in my belief, that I also hold for my patients, that everyone can change their life and their reality."
M.R., September 2008
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"Dickens was giving up on life due to mobility issues before we were referred to CARE. He could barely walk due to old age, arthritis + spine issues. With the love + CARE of all of the employees + therapists here he is now able to follow us around the house go on short walks, is back to stealing chips off of the coffee table and friends have stopped saying “your dog is on his lasts legs”. It has been refreshing to see a staff of people who enjoy their work so much and to see all the animal clients enjoy their therapy so much."
L.L. |
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"Dr. Waldman and everyone at C.A.R.E has performed nothing less than a miracle with our thirteen and a half year old Lab, Arlo. When I brought him in, he had just had laryngeal surgery, then pneumonia. He was terribly weak, would barely lift his head, and would not eat. He had such bad arthritis and muscle atrophy that he could not stand nor walk, on his back legs at all, and he had to be walked with a harness to keep his back legs from dragging on the ground.
Through the loving care and expertise of Dr. Waldman and Amy (I don't know her last name!) who is such a talented physical therapist, Arlo became evidence that miracles can happen. He is now able to stand and walk, wander the garden and sniff the grass, bark at birds, and really enjoy his life, something I was so worried that he would never be able to do again. When we came to C.A.R.E I
told Dr. Waldman that I wanted Arlo to be able to run on the beach, even if it were just one more time in his life. She said, "Well, let's try". I know she was protecting me from my hopes, but what I saw from there on out was great knowledge, and experience, and most wonderfully, a determination to do everything she could. She kept her promise, and put him on a regimen of acupuncture,
anti-inflamatories, physical exercises and massage. The funny thing is that Arlo, terrified of the groomer, and shaking when we go to the regular vet, gets himself up and to the door excited to go to his therapy.
The end of our story is that we have been to the beach three times now, and to watch him trot in and out of the tides and sniff seaweed and play, even though still a still a little wobbly, and not as speedy as he used to be, he looks to be just about the happiest dog ever. And I am the happiest dog owner. I do not have enough words to thank Dr. Waldman and Amy and the wonderful and amazing staff at C.A.R.E. Their commitment and caring have supported us and carried us a long way. I cannot possibly think what we would have done without them, and I will be grateful always for the life they gave back to Arlo."
D.R. |
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"Mid 2007 I first noticed Quinn my nine year female German Shepherd dragging a back leg at the end of a good walk. The symptom persisted and became more apparent until September 2007, a neurologist confirmed my worst fears: Quinn had Degenerative Myelopathy, an incurable autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system, similar to MS in humans. In addition to DM, x-rays also revealed arthritis in her lower back and knees. The future looked bleak for my constant companion. I learned that generally there is progression to paralysis in 3-6 months, when DM is untreated.
Fortunately my neurologist suggested physical therapy and referred me to CARE. At the end of this month, August 2008, Quinn will have made the 12 month mark! She is still moderately mobile, happy, well adjusted dog.
Quinn has had weekly acupuncture, hydrotherapy and general physiotherapy sessions. I am convinced that without treatment, I would have lost her within 6 months. The therapy has maintained her mobility and most important, her quality of life. Dr Waldman and Dr Kramer’s treatment has extended her life and also provided me with guidance and support in dealing with a devastating disease. The entire CARE team of professionals is amazing! Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
H.W. |
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"CA.R.E. has given ME a boost. I have a 14 year old German shepherd and her remarkable improvement and her enjoyment of her “lessons” eases my heart. Her back left leg had been giving way and twisting around her right rear leg. Now, she has more muscle and self corrects her stance. The facility and the staff have a healing energy and I have great confidence in their treatments, respect, and affection for their clients."
A.R. |
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"Although we are both in the fitness industry, we finally had to face the fact that our 4 year old Mastiffs, Atlas and Thea, were fat. Really fat. We tried different food and exercise combinations; however, we had little success. With Atlas weighing 215 lbs and Thea around 175 lbs their mobility was limited and painful arthritis was making their lives less enjoyable. Atlas was having trouble just standing up and Thea’s hips were getting worse by the day. Then we found C.A.R.E. a neighbor, who had received treatment at C.A.R.E. for her Golden Retriever, referred us to Jessica and Amy and we are so glad she did. Jessica put them a diet that not only had them shedding those extra pound, their allergies cleared up as well. Amy showed us how to work with our dogs so that after our time at C.A.R.E. we could continue their rehab on our own. We couldn’t be happier with the treatment our dogs received, nor could we give them a higher recommendation. Atlas is now a spry 193 lbs and loves being chased by his sister again, and Thea, a svelte 158, is back to tug-of-war and fetch. Thanks C.A.R.E."
R.M. and Y.L. |
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"Our mastiff, Lulu, tore a ligament in her knee. Apparently it's a common injury, and all the vets we spoke to insisted that she would need a very invasive, traumatic surgery. The only vet that suggested that Lulu might be healed without surgery was Dr. Waldman.
After eight weeks, Lulu made a significant turnaround! She walks without a noticeable limp and seems to be pain free. She puts early all her weight on her bad leg now. And we have the tools and techniques to keep working on her leg at home and make sure she stays strong and flexible.
A big thank you to Dr. Waldman, Dr. Kramer, and the rest of the CARE staff for helping our little girl feel good again."
M.D. |
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Copyright
2010 - 2012. All Rights Reserved. California Animal Rehabilitation.
3200 Olympic Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA, 90404 Map
Phone: (310) 998-CARE
Phone: (310) 998-2273
Fax: (310) 998-2274
Hours: Monday - Friday 8am to 6pm,
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