Starting a Rehab Center for Dogs with Disabilities by Susan Farmer Home When Kim's co-worker found a Pit Bull yelping in pain outside her new Orleans Spa, she knew she had to try and heal him. Poor thing she thought. He had been through a lot, including Hurricane Katrina. In time Dag, as he was affectionately called showed a sweet heart beneath his tough exterior. But one day Dag just collapsed. Kim quickly took him to the vet, and discovered that Dag had three ruptured discs in his back. So the vet recommended surgery. But even after surgery, Dag's back legs still didn't work. Kim's mind drifted back over her past, searching for an answer. Then it struck her! In the past, before she started her spa, she had worked in a rehabilitation center. Why not the same for dogs? Excited, Kim asked Karen Graci, a veterinary acupuncturist to work on Dag. Incredibly, after two short sessions he was on his feet. But Dag still couldn't walk. Kim didn't give up, thinking, well there's more we can try. So next came massage and water therapy. They placed Dag on a submerged, under water treadmill. Soon Dag began taking steps! Next Kim had Dag fitted with a rolling cart. All of a sudden Dag was mobile and could go anywhere! And it seemed others also knew dogs with disabilities who needed help. Kim knew what to do. She would start a canine rehabilitation center! There would be exercise mats, cozy beds, a hydrotherapy pool, gourmet treats, daycare for pups who needed round the clock care, a submerged treadmill acupuncture, and massage. So first Kim went back to school. She took classes in canine (dog) physical therapy and pain management and earned her Animal Rehabilitation Certificate at the University of Tennessee. To help her Kim enlisted the services of trainers, dog massage therapists, and dog acupuncturists. She called her new business Dag's House, after her beloved pit bull terrier. To promote her business, Kim placed brochures in Vet offices and waited. Sure enough, the disabled dogs began arriving. There were dogs who had hip surgery, dogs in wheelchairs, dogs unable to walk because of a stoke or other problems. Today, Dag's House has helped dozens of dogs and their owners. Go here to visit Dag's House http://www.dagshouse.com/welcome.html Warm Regards, Susan Farmer If you are interested in this line of work and want more information on how to become a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist or Assistant then please go here to learn more: http://www.canineequinerehab.com/general-info.asp or here http://caninerehabilitation.com/ |