Our 11 ½ year-old male German Shepherd, Maverick, suffered an injury last April (2009). After an MRI and consult with a neurosurgeon in San Diego, we discovered he had herniated several discs in his back. Over the course of 3 days, he went from running and playing ball to falling down 6 or 7 times a day due to his loss of muscle control and strength. We elected not to undergo surgery due to his age and size. When the surgeon suggested water therapy as a long term form of rehab for Maverick, we were delighted to find a local facility! After our first consult with Natalie, we felt like there was hope for our big guy.
We recently had some friends over who hadn’t seen Maverick since before his injury. A few of them actually asked if he’d gotten YOUNGER! We knew he’d been doing well, but that certainly made our day.
Maverick goes swimming once a week, and his lower back and legs have gotten much stronger. He looks forward to his field trips, and we’ve also even taught our younger female shepherd how to swim at the Total Dog! Even though he’ll remain on meds for pain management of his condition, we can’t believe the difference his therapy at the Total Dog Spa has made in his quality of life. We feel very lucky to have this facility available to us! Kirsten & Joe Cosgrove Oceanside CA
Bogart is our very special 16 month old Great Dane, he was in need of an improved appetite and body conditioning. As a part of his cross training program, Bogart now swims at The Total Dog three times per week. His first swim visit was very apprehensive, but now he loves it - and swims on his own. He just loves his little "Henrietta" rubber chicken. Since starting his new work-out program, including beach runs and swimming, Bogart eats heartily and performed very well at his most recent show in Burbank, and will soon be going to Westminster!. We are so exited so see our boy so happy and fit. Jim and Nancy Bailey, Oceanside CA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFBgyPffBrg
I take my dogs Kelti and Finn to TheTotal Dog Swim & Gym to swim. I like the work out it gives them. It is a safe environment where Keltie is supervised and is encouraged. Since we've been going Keltie's back is stonger, which means fewer Chiropractic visits, and she is showing better at her agility trials. Carolyn Zeisler, Encinitas, CA
When Gusto was diagnosed with an ankle/foot injury and possible partial tear in his cranial cruciate ligament in his knee, I knew his Flyball career would be on hold for many months until we successfully rehabilitated him back into competition form. His twice weekly swimming sessions with Natalie were the number one reason he was able to maintain muscle mass and cardiovascular conditioning during the three months he was on restricted crate rest. It was also the one bright spot in his life as we kept him quiet. Now that he is getting back to competing, we still swim once per week just to keep his muscles, tendons and ligaments loose, to give him a cross-training method of exercise, and to have a professional hands-on evaluation of his legs and back every time he gets in the pool. I can’t thank warm water therapy, Natalie, and the Total Dog enough! Christine Davis -- Carlsbad
Since June 2007 we brought our dog, Shadow into The Total Dog. She has problems with her hind quarters. The change has been awesome. Shadow walks much better and she even playsagain. Swimming has also changed her attitude. She is much happier. I'm so thankful for Alison and The Total Dog. Shadow loves coming for her therapy.
John & Mina Kourtessis - Oceanside, CA
I am a volunteer at the Camp Pendleton Animal Shelter. Lucy is a five year old Pitbull who had surgery on both knees. She needed extensive physical therapy. Being in the shelter is not condusive to healing as the dogs don't exercise the way they need to. The Total Dog offered their swim services to help her get non impact exercise and she is doing great. After her second session we could already see a difference in her movement. After the fourth session she was walking so well you couldn't tell that she had, had surgery. Natalie was so gentle and loving with Lucy and she did massage in between her laps in the pool. Lucy looks forward to her swims and seeing Natalie every week. Sandra Todd, Oceanside, CA
(Lucy has been successfully placed in a permanent loving home!)
I have a fourteen year old lab, Chance, that I bring to The Total Dog for a weekly swim. Natalie has been swimming him for a few weeks and already Chance is moving better. Where he use to have problems getting up and down the stairs he now climbs them with little trouble. His hind quarters had atrophied so much he had stopped going out to feed the horses with me. I'm glad to say I have my horse buddy back and he jumps over the rungs of the corrals. Swimming and Natalie have made such a difference in my little guy. I'm so glad to have her helping me keep my dog moving.
Katrina Maginn, Valley Center, CA