Testimonials: Knee Injuries (No Surgery)

Katie

"We are delighted with the treatment and TLC our 8 yr old Lab, Katie, has received in therapy at CARE. Before contacting Dr. Waldman I was beginning to think that major surgery was the only option for Katie's torn Cranial Cruciate Ligament. Dr. Waldman and Dr. Kramer did a thorough evaluation of Katie and recommended a program of therapy and acupuncture. They answered all my questions and sent updates to our primary veterinarian throughout her treatment. Katie has had very good results and I'd recommend CARE to anyone seeking an alternative to orthepedic surgery."

A.S.

Toshi

"Toshi came to CARE by recommendations from Brent-Air Animal Hospital.
It was either having surgery or therapy. Toshi choose therapy.

Dr. Waldman and Dr. Kramer were very helpful for her treatment and after the16 weeks session, I can say that Toshi now walks almost normal.

A very slight limp (she always had one) and now trots like before (back to being happy).

My special thanks to Dr. Jessica Waldman, Dr. Amy Kramer and the staff at CARE for all of their hard work to restore Toshi back to normal."


Thanks Again,

B.K. and S.K.

Ginger

"Ginger was diagnosed over a several month period by one of the top veterinary surgeons in Los Angeles as having a soft tissue injury which was inoperable. It was so frustrating and worried me. She was having difficulty in standing and obviously affected her mood as well-as she was always an extremely active working dog. Having been through rehab myself for various leg injuries, I went on a search for a canine physical therapist. I was pleased (and shocked) to learn that I found the ONLY certified canine rehab vet/therapist team in the entire state of California when I met Amy Kramer, and Dr. Jessica Waldman.

Since working with them, Ginger has made an amazing recovery and is now RUNNING on the beach. She and I can't thank them enough for all their professional insight, expertise and compassion they bring to their work."

M.B.

Einstein

"When we found out our 9 year old dog, Einstein, had torn the ligament in his back leg, we were obviously distraught. It’s difficult enough when you see a beloved family pet limping around exclusively on 3 legs in pain…the same pet who absolutely lives to play ball. All day. Every day. It’s even worse when you’re told by a vet that surgery is advised. Invasive surgery. The kind of surgery that doesn’t assure you of anything, except that your animal will be at least temporarily traumatized, and his full recovery can’t even be guaranteed. That’s the predicament we found ourselves up against – two highly respected, extremely competent and certainly very compassionate vets had us thinking that this might be our best and only solution. Then we heard about the angels at California Animal Rehab. And make no mistake, these folks are angels.
Eight weeks after Einstein began his twice a week therapy, consisting of acupuncture, massage, stretching tight and underused muscles, and yep, even hydrotherapy on an underwater treadmill, he’s walking almost 100% of the time without a limp. And slowly but surely, he’s returning to much of the same activity that’s made the first nine years of his life happy and healthy ones. Even better, we’ve learned to continue using at home many of the same exercises this kind and gentle and loving staff of trained professionals have patiently taught us during this adventure.

We have to admit, we really enjoy the smiles and looks we get from the many friends who hear us say “Einstein’s in rehab.” But the truth is, we couldn’t be happier that we found this haven, this wonderful sanctuary where the people who work there are totally committed to using the same techniques that nurse us humans back to health. As we were told us front, “if it works for humans, why can’t it work for animals?” We’re here to say that it does! And we can say without hesitation, we’ll continue to be “lifers,” allowing Einstein to thrive physically (and us mentally!) for as long as we’re lucky enough to have the fourth member of our family (our son’s in college, but he’s still our third!) with us."

N.B. and R.B.

Lulu

"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."

Best,
M.D.

Mylee

"Thank you so much for the love, attention, and patience you gave to Mylee! She’s our little angel and the progress that she has made is astonishing! She loves running on the beach, wrestling with her brother, Dexter, in the back yard, and chasing rabbits in the Arizona desert. Who would have ever thought that she would be capable of such activity?! She runs circles around us! We are so proud of her accomplishments and are so appreciative of all you’ve done."

B.P.

Mocha

"Ever since I was a kitten, I've had a luxating patella (dislocating
kneecap). I used to be able to shake my leg and kick my knee back into
place. At some point, I injured myself, rupturing the cruciate ligament in
my knee. Then my kneecap got stuck in a dislocated position, and scar tissue
formed. I started limping, and my muscles atrophied in my left leg. I was in
pain some of the time, and I didn't move around very much. I stopped going
upstairs. On some days, my mom had to practically beg me to eat.

My mom took me to several veterinarians who all recommended lateral suture
surgery. She didn't like the potential trauma and risks involved with
surgery, and she knew there must be a better way to help me. She started
researching alternatives on the Internet, and found CARE's amazing website.
There was a testimonial from a woman with a Labrador who had ruptured her
cruciate ligament-just like me! CARE had helped her dog without surgery.
Plus, there were testimonials from other cat moms, so they worked with cats
too. CARE was an answer to my mom's prayers. She could hardly believe her
luck, and she couldn't wait to call. My mom braced herself because so many
doors had been closed on her. She called and spoke with a kind woman named
Adriana who said they could help me. My mom was cautiously optimistic.

From the moment we walked into CARE, every member of the staff treated us
with so much kindness, compassion and warmth. They all wanted to meet me,
pet me and comment on my cuteness. I must admit I'm not a huge fan of vets,
but Dr. Jessica has really good energy. She's warm, kind and gentle with
me. She measured my joint angles, range of motion and observed my movement,
recommending an 8-week program of rehabilitation. When I met Dr. Amy, my
physical therapist, I really bonded with her. She is soothing, gentle and
loving with me. She treats me as if I'm a member of her very own family.
Sometimes I get scared and try to hide, but she's so patient with me. Dr.
Amy has a gifted touch, and I melt into her massages.

My mom and I have been driving to CARE from Orange County (more than 100
miles roundtrip) twice a week for 8 weeks. It's well worth the drive.
They've been treating me with acupuncture and a variety of physical therapy
modalities. I have made tremendous progress. At home, I'm happier, more
active, less painful. I run up and down the stairs, and I've even climbed to
the top of the tall cat tree a few times.

CARE is the perfect name because everyone who works there sincerely cares.
I've never met so many kind-hearted people in one place. They are sensitive
to my catlike needs.
My mom and I are so grateful for Dr. Amy, Dr. Jessica and every member of
the amazing staff at CARE! They are defining the cutting edge in animal
rehabilitation with compassion. It's a place where pets and their parents
come in with issues and come out with hope, love and peace-of-mind. In my
opinion, it's the cat's meow."

Purringly Yours,
Mocha and T.H., October 2008

Bosco

"Bosco was diagnosed with an ACL tear at the end of May. We were told by our vet that surgery was the only answer. We believe in having surgery only as a last resort and did a search to see if there was a place nearby that did rehab for animals. Thankfully my husband found CARE. After Bosco's first visit, we immediately saw signs of improvement.

The doctors and staff at CARE are angels. Very kind, patient, knowledgeable. We were given hope at the beginning and now after 8 weeks of visits Bosco is walking without limping, off steroids, just generally back to his old happy self.

We're so grateful to have been able to avoid surgery and have wonderful results.

Thanks so much!"

S.M., July 2008