b'Her Dad warned us she was a couch potato and didntmuch like exercise before the injury happened. We faced thechallenge of introducing a non-ambulatory (and possibly abit lazy) Miss Wookie to canine physical therapy.The team commenced with intensive therapeutic Lasersessions over the damaged spinal cord and acupuncture treat-ments to stimulate her nerves and initiate communicationdown the spinal cord, adding electro-stimulation after thefirst successful acupuncture session. Various types of neuro-logic stimulation exercises were added to get communicationfrom rear paws to brain and back again plus neuromuscularstimulationtotrytomanagethemuscleatrophyinherrapidly weakening hind legs.Progress was slow but, the team observed some functionin her right hind leg within a few weeks. The dreaded urinaryWookies rehab therapy included the use of a peanut ball (above)catheterfinallycameoutandherfamilyvettreatedthe in addition to the Cavaletti bars and therapy ramp.urinary tract infection that came from chronic catheteriza-tion. Once the urinary infection was under control, the team Though her left hind leg may not be as functional as heradded hydrotherapy to try to teach Wookie to walk again right and remains a bit weaker, she can now walk, step overusing an underwater treadmill.the Cavaletti bars, and scamper up a therapy ramp under herEqually important, Dad helped with a diet (she was a bit own power. Shes leaner and stronger than everand spoiledchunky when this happened) and he performed more stimu- rotten by her large extended family at Steele Pain Center aslation exercises at home on her days off from formal rehab. well as her real family at home. And this girl has some prettyAnd, of course, acted as chauffeur for Wookie to get to her serious thigh muscles now! rehab sessions. January 11th , after several months of rehabilitation ther-Oh, the excitement the first day she planted that left foot apy, we all gathered for the inevitably bitter sweet day whendown and put weight on itwe nearly cried with joy (or WookiegraduatedfromtheSteelePainManagement&maybe we did just a bit). Meanwhile, Wookie just looked at Rehabilitation Center. With cheers and tears, we pronouncedme wanting the next treat. She has renamed me Dr. Treat her ready to continue her life at home without further rehabDispenser. She hits me up for a goodie every time I see her, therapy. even if its only been five minutes. I might just have to take Well keep an eye on her (as we do all of our graduates),responsibility for teaching her that! Meanwhile, the rehab to ensure she doesnt lose ground without formal rehab ses-techs worked like crazy teaching her how to place her feet sions. Shes on her own now, ready be the wonderful Missand take proper steps, while I continued her electroacupunc- Wookie full-time and enjoy being spoiled at home withoutture and Dad kept up her home exercises. all those darn gym visits where she had to work so hardOver time, Wookie continued to progress.Shed stall for (albeit to have a better future and quality of life).afewweeks,thenmakeanotherleapinprogress. While I hesitate to use the word miracle because I thinkit had more to do with hard work, grit, determination, and adedicatedteambetweenherownerandtherehabteam,Wookieisanangelwhocanwalkagain. Wecouldntbeprouder of her and her owner. Without his dedication, noneof this would have been possible. We are most grateful for having had the opportunity toinclude the wonderful Miss Wookie in our lives and for theopportunity to help her recover from such a horrific spinalinjury. She has filled our hearts with joy, even on her mostsassy days. UElizabeth F. Baird, DVM, CVPP, CCRT, cVMA Steele Pain Management & Rehabilitation Center for Animals1412 Belcher Rd., Palm Harbor, FL 34683 727.785.HURT (4878)Wookie during electro-stimulation acupuncturewww.TheNewBarker.com THE NEW BARKER 59'