I have spent the last month diligently working to get a therapeutic whirlpool in place here in my clinic. Well, I am pleased to report that its grand opening is coming soon! In a very short period of time, I will be able to provide another means to help injured, older, or arthritic dogs. I have been seeking ways in which to help those dogs that are not capable of using my dog gym and I have found the perfect solution.What a great present to all those dogs in need just in time for the holidays!

How does a therapeutic whirlpool or hot tub help your dog, you ask? I shall tell you. The water in the hot tub provides buoyancy to assist your dog if she is unable to support herself. Is she too weak, too frail, too painful, too arthritic to stand on her own?  Is she recovering from surgery and unable to tolerate full weight bearing? Let the water assist. Let me and my doggie life vest assist as well. When the water is elbow to shoulder height, it reduces the need for weight bearing. Does your dog have sore achey joints? Does your dog's pain get worse in the colder weather? Don't you wish you had access to a heated pool or spa so your dog could get some pain relief? My therapeutic hot tub can do that  too. Even just standing or sitting in the heated water can increase circulation, reduce pain and make your dog feel better. Let's talk about hydrostatic pressure. That's the pressure of the water on your dog's muscles and joints. Its like a massage and a warm compress all rolled into one, while also supporting your dog's weight. And there's resistance jets. My therapeutic whirlpool has 5 resistance jets. Need to stimulate blood flow more? Need to strengthen? Take a few steps in my whirlpool while the jets are on. If your dog is small enough, she can go for a swim even! What if your dog is paralyzed? Studies show that paralyzed dogs are more likely to begin walking in water rather than on land first. Your dog can relearn to walk using my therapeutic whirlpool. Its large enough for most dogs, including golden retreivers and other large dogs, to be able to walk a few laps.

The best Christmas present I can give to any dog is the gift of pain relief. It warms my heart that I can offer this to your dog now. Come check out my therapeutic whirlpool soon!!!

Hello, all!! So today, let's talk about the benefits of fresh foods in fighting and preventing cancer. Many dogs eats dry commercial food which is highly processed and intensely cooked. In fact its cooked so much that vitamins and minerals are added back in after the cooking process to make it "complete and balanced." But nothing beats good ol' Mother Nature when it comes to providing nutrients!

Nature provides us with an array of fruits and vegetables that are rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants, enzymes and very likely still unidentified nutrients. We all know that eating our vegetables is good for us, but what about our dogs? Should they eat them too? Or should they be eating mostly meat?

The short answer is yes, your dog should be eating fresh fruits and vegetables. There's a catch though. If you haven't noticed, dogs are by nature, gulpers when it comes to their food. They tend not to chew much, and even if they did their saliva doesn't contain the enzyme that ours does that helps to break down the food and the cell walls in plants. Your dog's stomach cannot break down the cell walls in food from plants, including fruits and vegetables. Chewing our food aids in digestion for us because of that important enzyme in our saliva. Chewing won't help your dog access the wonderful nutrients that are in those fresh fruits and vegetables though. If they can't get to the nutrients they certainly can't utilize them to help prevent cancer.
 
If they can't access the nutrients, then how, Dr. Sonnet, you ask, do they get the health benefits? You must help them. Cook the vegetables as you would cook them for yourself (steam them, microwave them, etc.) Then put them in a food processor and puree them. Strain out any big chunks until it's the consistency of baby food. What you have left is pureed fresh vegetables. Puree the fruits as well (no seeds please.) Now, you are ready to feed your dog a delicious healthy treat so that your dog can get all those wonderful anti-cancer fighting nutrients! Remember to feed a variety using all the colors of the rainbow to maximize it!

Let's take a moment to return to those senior dogs out there. Yes, yes, you've heard me say old dogs are the best. (It's true, they are) But old dogs also deserve the best! After a lifetime of love and commitment to you, instead of writing off your old dog as "too old" and researching for a new puppy, I urge you to make the best of those final months  and turn it into several years!

But back to the topic at hand: degenerative myelopathy. DM, as its sometimes abbreviated, is a spontaneously occurring spinal cord disorder affecting dogs that is similar to Lou Gehrig's disease in people. It can occur in any breed but is more common in certain breeds like German Shepherds, Corgis, and Boxers. It usually occurs between 8 and 14 years of age and those dogs with the genetic mutation for DM are more likely to develop it.

Degenerative Myelopathy causes a progressive loss of nerve function and weakness in the body. At first, you will notice a loss of coordination in the back legs. You may see your dog drag his back feet or "knuckle" over in the back. He will seem wobbly and unsteady in the back legs, appearing to walk like a drunken sailor. You will notice that he is weaker in the back end. He may no longer be able to go up steps or get into the car. He may have trouble holding the position to "go potty." This will worsen over time to where your dog will have trouble standing.  As the disease advances, it will affect his front legs, and he will lose control over his urination and his bowels. Rear limb paralysis usually occurs within 6-12 months without physical rehabilitation.

While the disease is incurable and will ultimately end in death or euthanasia, aggressive physical rehabilitation has been shown to slow the progression of the disease. Physical rehabilitation can also manage any secondary discomfort that may arise due to compensations for the weakness in the rear legs. Assistive devices are necessary as it progresses and a rehab vet will be able to assist with knowing when and what to use. Ultimately, a custom cart may be in order to keep your dog mobile for as long as possible. With rehab, life can be extended by months to even a few years. And more importantly, it can be good quality life, with mobility and free of pain!

This is the last installment in our series on how Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages can be applied to dogs. We have learned about Acts of Service, Gifts, Words of Affirmation, and Physical Touch. Today we explore the final one:
Quality Time. 

If your love language is Quality Time then you feel loved when people spend time with you. There are different “dialects” of this, according to Gary Chapman. You may enjoy spending one-on-one time with someone, engaging in
conversation, or you may enjoy doing activities together without talking so much. The same may be true for your dog. Your dog may enjoy doing activities with you. Many dogs enjoy going for walks or playing ball with their owners.
Some dogs love camping and hiking with you. Some like to lounge on the couch next to you while you watch videos. Some dogs want you and only you around, while others are happy to be included in the group. My foster dog Jade loved the one-on- one attention while being brushed and pampered. She did not love when I left for work. My other foster dog Josh like being included with the rest of the family and he didn’t like to be singled out so much. Quality time I believe is a  common love language for dogs. Many of the dogs I’ve known just want to spend time with the ones they love. Perhaps that is why we receive such exuberant greetings when we return home to them, or we offer to take them with us. 
 
Yes, I think my sweet, old Belle feels loved when I am near. She follows me from room to room. There is usually a lag time in which she must awaken from her deep sleep (she is mostly deaf now) to realize that I have moved. She picks up her old bones and scuffs along the hallway looking for me. When she finds me she will lie down again nearby. She repeats this process most of the day. I don’t know about you, but it makes me feel loved too.

Yes, it's true. Overweight dogs die younger. They die an average of 2 years younger than their healthy and fit counterparts. In fact most of the medical concerns that overweight and obese people experience also hold true for dogs. That includes an increased risk for heart disease, joint disease, cancer, diabetes, and on top of that overweight dogs will experience a poorer quality of life with more physical pain likely. But does anyone care?

Annual surveys and reports indicate that the as the average American expands so do their kids and their pets. Despite a stable population, America is growing! And not in a good way! We are literally eating ourselves to death. In a nation of plenty, overnutrition is the most common nutritional disease diagnosed in pets today. Unfortunately, most Americans don't recognize it in their own pets. And sadly, when it is recognized, it is often laughed off as the pet parents tell me  eating is the highlight of their dog's day. What a sad turn of events that many pet parents wait until their dog suffers a painful injury such as a torn cruciate ligament or back pain before they even consider doing anything to help their dog. Why must we wait until a loved one experiences pain and suffering before stepping up to help?

If your dog carries even a few extra pounds (can you see your dog's ribs? If you can't make out the edges then he likely carries an extra pound or two) he is at risk for medical concerns and a shortened life span. Did I mention the fact that there is often pain associated with these medical issues too? Even your dog doesn't die young, his quality of life will be affected. Don't wait another day! Contact me immediately to get your dog started on a veterinarian supervised medical weight loss program. Show your love by keeping him fit and healthy!

Recently we have reviewed 3 of Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages: acts of service, gifts, and words of affirmation and how they apply to dogs. There are only 2 left: Physical Touch and Quality Time. Today, let’s look at Physical
Touch and dogs.

If your love language is physical touch, then you feel loved when touched. This can be a high-five from your buddies or a spontaneous wrestling match that breaks out for fun. You may like to be hugged or hold hands. My 6  year old’s love language is physical touch. He frequently crawls into my lap, or his foot must touch me as we sit at the dinner table. He’s clingy in a physical way, holding hands or touching my hair. Perhaps your dog is like this. Does your dog always want to sit in your lap or lay on your feet? Does she push her head under your hand to get your attention? Does she cling to you, stand between your legs or lean against you frequently? If so, her love language may be physical
touch!  As with any of the love languages, withholding this expression of love can be devastating to a dog whose
love language is physical touch. So don’t be stingy with those pats on the head and a good belly rub! But beware those pats on the head or belly rubs if you are mistaken and the dog you reached for doesn’t have physical touch as his primary love language!

In my physical rehabilitation work, I have had dogs in my office who climbed into my lap as soon as I sat on the floor next to them, and I have had ones who only tolerated my touch (through dirty looks and occasional snarls) because Mom or Dad said they had to! As for my old girl, Belle, the senior Golden Retriever in my life, while she really enjoys touch, it is probably her second love language. Next week, the final love language: Quality Time.

I’ve explored how the 5 Love Languages of Gary Chapman might be applied to dogs. We’ve already examined Acts of Service and Gifts. Today we look at Words of Affirmation. Perhaps today is the day I unlock my dog’s secret love language!

Words of Affirmation is a common love language among men. Men loved to hear good things said about them and what they do, it seems. So is your dog like most men? Does your dog feel loved when you say good things to and about her? I think we all can attest to how dogs love to hear our voices! They even get excited at the sound of the car pulling into the garage. Yes, our voices can soothe our dogs or get them excited. Praise is definitely key to some dogs! A  “good job” here and a “well done!” there goes a long way for some dogs. I use lots of praise and positive words in my rehab practice too. My Goldendoodle absolutely responds to words of affirmation. Most dogs with a desire to please respond well to positive words. Harsh words can have a profound negative effect on those whose love language is Words of Affirmation too. So be careful to use your power for good, not evil. The dogs in my rehab practice are given a steady stream of positive words, both from myself and from the owners too! Encouragement and praise and doled out frequently. I want them to love coming to rehab!

Yes, I believe my Goldendoodle’s love language is likely Words of Affirmation. I don’t think this is true for my senior Golden Retriever though. Not now, as she has lost most of her hearing! Two love languages remain to be
examined. The quest continues!

Okay, last time we determined that Acts of Service was probably not the love language of most dogs. There are 4 remaining love languages, again, according to Gary Chapman: Gifts, Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch and
Quality Time. I have taken it upon myself to see how they apply to dogs. My quest to determine my own dogs’ love language continues.

Today, we examine how gifts can make our dogs feel loved. The nice things about dogs is that they won’t pretend to like something to avoid hurting your feelings. If your dog likes the gift you brought him, its usually obvious. The same is true if he thinks it’s the worst thing in the world. You will know. Some dogs really like gifts. My dogs do have preferences for what types of gifts they enjoy though. Tennis balls are a big hit with my Goldendoodle. Reindeer costumes at Christmas time not so much. Little stuffed animals are loved (she shows her love for it by destroying it however) while a new food bowl goes by sadly unnoticed (unless there's food in it!) She doesn’t care about bling, new clothes or accessories (think new pink leash). New treats are always a hit with both my dogs though! I use this “love language” daily in my physical rehab practice. I dole out high-value treats readily if your dog will step onto the balance disc or do a doggie squat.

Is this their primary love language though? Is that what makes them feel loved more than anything else? Perhaps, but I don’t think this is what bonds me to my own dogs. Using treats is a form of bribery (although I prefer the word “motivation”) in my line of work and I’m sure some dogs feel very loved by these “gifts”. But next time, we’ll explore perhaps a few more ways that dogs love to be loved!

I got to thinking the other day about the loved ones in my life. I’ve read that there are 5 main love languages. They all can make someone feel loved, but usually a person feels loved in 1 or 2 of these languages best. So I thought to myself, well which one of these love languages applies to my dogs? Do dogs seem to have a preference for how they want us to demonstrate our love for them? Is it different for my 2 dogs? The 5 love languages per Gary Chapman, are Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, Gifts, and Quality Time.

Today, let’s look at Acts of Service and dogs. If your love language is Acts of Service, then you tend to feel loved when people do things for you. You may feel loved when your spouse brings you a cup of coffee in the morning or fills the gas tank so you don’t have to. What Act of Service could we do for our dogs though? What task could we do for them that would make them feel loved? Most certainly don’t seem to feel loved by their semi-annual trip to the vet’s office for a check-up! Some dogs appreciate a helping hand onto the bed or couch. My dogs always appreciate when I remove a thorn or sticker from their feet. I know one little dog who dances with joy when you retrieve the ball from behind the couch for him. Many dogs love a home-cooked meal, although I’m not convinced they understand the time and effort involved, especially for those of us who don’t even cook for ourselves!

Perhaps, Acts of Service, is not how dogs feel loved by us because they don’t truly understand what we do for them. But it is indeed a way that we show our love for dogs. From preparing special meals to seeking out the best medical
care, we do show our love for our four-legged family members this way.  The dogs I see daily in my rehab practice are usually deeply loved by their pet parents and considered an important part of the family. I know this because they choose to bring their pet to me. But do the dogs feel loved by it? I hope so. But perhaps there is a more common love language for dogs. Next time...

Frequently I am asked why rehab? Why PT for dogs? What drove me to spend my time getting dogs to stand on unlikely objects like exercise balls and wobbleboards? Why would I spend my days having dogs gnaw on my knuckles desperately trying to get the treat clutched in my hand? And so, here's my story.

I wanted to be a veterinarian since I was old enough to say " animal doctor." I gave my favorite blanket to my brother's pet rabbit so Angel could stay warm spending the winter in our garage. I spent my time studying and reading about animals and especially dogs. My mother was severely allergic so we couldn't have pets in the house. I begged. I pleaded. I read. I studied. I left messages in unusual spots asking for permission to get a dog. My parents finally  conceded. It was my best Christmas present that year - their consent to get a dog. That spring I got pick of the litter!

Fast forward. I spent fourteen years in general practice after I graduated from Purdue University's veterinary school and moved to Phoenix. I treated a variety of medical conditions, but I found that during those fourteen years the cases I really got excited about were the limping dogs, the overweight dogs, the arthritic dogs, the dogs with bad backs and sore necks and torn ligaments. I felt like these were the dogs I could really help. When I first graduated from vet school I didn't even know that physical rehab was available for dogs. That field was just being created around that time and I was just getting started in my career. After a while in general practice, I slowed down to start my family, switched to part-time to raise my little ones. When I returned to fulltime work, I decided to go ahead and follow my passion. I returned to school to get certified in canine rehab. I loved it! The timing was right and so I took the plunge to do canine rehab exclusively. 

Now I train dogs to engage their core muscles  (they think they are just trying to get a treat though). I instruct their parents on how to feed their dogs healthier to support muscle growth. I teach their parents how to do exercises at home that will help their dogs be more functional, prevent falls, or return them to their prior activities. I help improve their level of physical fitness and reinforce the bond they have with their pet parents. I improve their balance and coordination which in turn increases their confidence. I help dogs move better and feel better. And that makes me feel better too!