Ajji, Dachshund
Ajji, a resident of St. Barths, is a long-time GVR patient who first came to see us, paralyzed in his hind end, in July 2011 for intensive boarding rehab after having back surgery for a herniated disc. After four weeks of rehab, it was time for Ajji to go home. Much more mobile, Ajji was still incapable of walking on land unassisted, so he went home with a cart. He came back to GVR in October 2011 for a few days, and although able to move his hind legs in the underwater treadmill, he was still knuckling. At home, his "Mom" continued to work him in his cart on a land treadmill to get his hind legs moving. He returned to GVR in March 2012 for "boot camp." What was to have been four weeks turned into seven. At the end of that time, Ajji graduated, going home ambulating on his own. In late May, he came back to say "hi," and we are pleased to report that Ajji, after diligently practicing his rehab exercises at home, is now completely mobile! (link to video of Ajji: http://tinyurl.com/c5tf9ov) (Ajji pictured here, early on, with his “wheels” with GVR’s Lisa Bedenbaugh.)
Melanie Smith
St. Barthelemy
French West Indies
Chancer, Golden Retriever
While good health is important to all of our animal companions, it is especially critical in the life of a service dog. Our son’s certified Behavioral Assistance Dog, Chancer, became a beloved client of GVR shortly after having a successful stem cell transplant in August of 2011. Chancer, a blonde golden retriever, at only 5 years of age was experiencing premature Hip Dysplasia and arthritis. To ensure that we maximized the benefits of the stem cell transplant, our veterinarian recommended a vigorous course of Rehab.
We had attended GVR’s Open House soon after it opened as we had been invited through a mutual friend who was also a professional dog trainer. Not only was I blown away by the facility and all it had to offer - I had an immediate sense of confidence in the staff that I met that evening. Now, almost a year later, Dr. Orenbuch ‘s treatment plan has increased Chancer’s stamina, strengthened his muscles and alleviated severe spinal pain due to years of Chancer’s hip impairment.
Chancer has been on a robust routine of therapies; Acupuncture, Chiropractic Adjustment, Laser Therapy, Hydrotherapy, Land Rehab, herbal supplements and massage. I know. As a human, I can only imagine the benefits of any of these therapies individually, let alone clustered and focused on one incredibly much-needed canine. The therapies while helpful by their nature have been augmented by the superior oversight, experience and expertise of Dr. Orenbuch.
Since most of us love our animal companions almost as much as our own children – we invest in many ways in their well-being. As Chancer’s mom, I love coming to GVR, because it has made such a difference in Chancer’s enthusiasm as a working dog. In order to support my son, Chancer needs to feel strong and healthy. As Chancer’s handler, my confidence in GVR remains steady and my respect for their work ethic is always reinforced with every visit, every service we receive. I feel fortunate to consider the staff to be part of our extended Chancer family.
Donnie Kanter Winokur
Roswell, GA
To read more about Chancer, the “Wonder Dog” go to:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/magazine/wonder-dog.html
Harley, Dachshund
In February 2011, Harley was in much pain and was diagnosed with a ruptured disc
in his spine. Our vet gave him pain pills, along with steroids, for about 2 months. During this time, Harley got worse, and began to drag his back legs and still in pain. Finally, the vet said he had done all he could do, and it was down to 2 choices; (1) $6000-$8000 back surgery, or (2) put him down. (continue reading)
Pemba, Mixed Breed Dog
Pemba suffered a hiking accident February 2011 which damaged her spine and caused her to become partially paralyzed in both hind legs.
Pemba spent the first 24 hours in veterinary ICU. I was told that Pemba's recovery was dependent on keeping her crated and immobile for the next six weeks, allowing her out only to use the bathroom. I relayed this advice to a board-certified human surgeon; he was surprised and said it was counter to the latest medical discoveries in human science, which showed that many spinal injuries recovered most successfully when physical therapy was started as soon as possible.
Ten days after Pemba's injury I brought her to Dr. Orenbuch at Georgia Veterinary Rehabilitation. (continue reading)
Brenna, Cat
My sincere thank you for working with my little miracle kitty, Brenna, these past few weeks, and helping her with her pain and limited mobility! Brenna was my rescue kitty from CEVC, who fell from our second story to our first at approximately 7 weeks of age. Ever since, she's cried out often when picked up, and would never jump up on counters and tables like our other kitty until she worked with Dr. Orenbuch. I've seen HUGE improvement, just in two visits. I highly recommend Dr. Orenbuch to anyone whose beloved furry baby is in any pain, is slowing with age, has experienced a surgery or an accident, etc. I recommended her to my primary care vet, and would glad to be a reference for anyone considering care options for their beloved pets. Thank you again, so much, for all you've done for Brenn in such a short time. I know it wasn't that involved of a treatment for you, but I honestly believe that your help is resulting in a MUCH improved life, with increased mobility and agility, and far less pain, for this little feline I have grown to love so much. Thank you again, Dr. Orenbuch!
Jill Dotter
Atlanta, Ga
Sam, Yorkshire Terrier
I brought Sam, my seven year old Yorkshire Terrier, to see Dr. Orenbuch in the spring of 2010. He’d injured his neck, and despite having surgery to repair a ruptured disc, he wasn’t making much progress. We continued to increase his pain medications as advised, but still Sam could not lift his head up and had a hard time using his front left leg. He had also been confined to a crate for about 3-4 months. Finally, I was ready to put Sam to sleep because I could not watch him suffer any more (it had been six months). His regular vet, Dr. Bard, told us there’s "one more thing you need to try" and that is when I found Dr. Evelyn.
Dr. Evelyn adjusted him, used laser acupuncture, and gave me some stretches and strengthening exercises to do with Sam every day.
After Dr. Evelyn saw Sam once a week for three weeks in a row, I saw a HUGE difference in him. He was a new dog! Now we see her once a month, and Sam is back to doing some of his favorite things like chasing squirrels, birds, and chipmunks in the backyard, and swimming at the lake. He was unable to do these things even just a few months ago. He is also off all of his pain medications, after having been taking 8-10 a day.
Jenny Lidback
Atlanta, GA
Willow, Finn and Tara, Collies
I brought my three Collies to see Dr. Orenbuch after relocating to the Atlanta area from Pennsylvania. Thank goodness I found her! I tend to "break" my dogs.
All three of my dogs have active lives, competing in agility, obedience, and rally and enjoying sports such as chasing squirrels. All three receive regular chiropractic adjustments. Willow, who is five years old, also receives acupuncture for incontinence which showed up after she was spayed three years ago. Tara, who has had bi-lateral severe groin pulls, is six years old, and although retired from agility, still tends to re-injure herself occasionally, so she, too, benefits from acupuncture treatments when needed. Even Finn, a retired conformation dog, who can be unsure of strangers due to an unfortunate experience he had as a pup, welcomes Dr. Evelyn’s healing hands.
Sharon Naylor
Ball Ground, GA
and
Tara (Tir Nan'Og Imzadi Gold)
AKC: CGC, RE, CD, NAP
APDT (rally obedience): RL1, RL2, RL3, RLX1, ARCH
UKC: AG1, FO, RL1
HIC (herding instinct cert)
Willow (Tir Nan'Og Imzadi Special Order)
AKC: CGC, RA, CD
APDT: RL1, RL2, RL3, RLX1, ARCH
UKC: AG1, FO, RL1
HIC (herding instinct cert)
Finn (akc: Tir Nan'Og Clarion Sensation, ukc: Tir Nan'Og Imzadi Dreamcatcher)
AKC: CGC, RN,
APDT: RL1, RL2, RL3, ARCH
UKC: Ag1, Ag2, FO, RL1
Aberdeen, Dachshund
One day Aberdeen seemed to have an issue walking, had a hard time getting in and out from the step up to our house, squealing in pain when we tried to help her. After 2-3 weeks, it wasn’t getting better – it was getting worse. I finally knew we had to go to the vet.
One of her vertebrae was putting pressure on her spinal column, causing pain and worse: neurological damage. If she started to drag her legs behind her, it was a sign that (supposedly) only a $5,000+ surgery would allow her to walk again. I was sent home with pain medication
On a Monday evening we went for Aberdeen’s first visit at GVR with Dr. Orenbuch. I had to carry her in because she could not even pull her back end behind her. Her back legs would not function at all, and she looked so pitiful trying to pull herself up and then flopping over on her side. She could not stand, walk or even hold up her back end when I propped her up on her back legs….I’m in tears again just thinking about my poor dog. I truly believed there was nothing to be done.
That day she got an electro-acupuncture treatment and I was given some exercises to do with her at home, as well as a cold laser kit and some Chinese herbs.
Folks – I’m not kidding. Tuesday she rested. Wednesday she walked. Wobbly – but on her own back legs, she walked around, didn’t need help to go potty, she walked to her food – she was WALKING. Between a Wednesday visit and a visit the following Monday, she had twice daily the cold laser for 15 minutes, the Chinese herbs, an acupuncture treatment, and 2 hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill) sessions.
Today, not 2 weeks after she could not even stand, Aberdeen is TROTTING with her tail wagging away. She’ll probably never stop being wobbly, and she’ll have a difficult time with steps and stairs, but she’s walking, trotting, and by all appearances, nearly as good as ever.
I can’t believe the improvement only 3 visits has made on my Aberdeen
I cannot recommend Dr. Orenbuch or the GA Vet Rehab Center highly enough. Not only is the environment comfortable and contemporary (no 80′s fluorescent-lit dingy vet waiting room), each staff member was several notches above the standard veterinary office. Dr. Orenbuch is forthright and empathetic, encouraging and calming both for her patients and their owners. I’m impressed by the facility, the level of professionalism and their obvious skill and acumen in not only treating, but successfully improving the health of their patients. Thank you, Dr. Orenbuch and staff!!
Liz Darnell
Georgia
(see more of Aberdeen’s story at http://frugalnaturally.info/2011/03/30/pet-rehabilitation-chiropractors-for-dogs)
Milo & Peony, Pugs
In the fall of 2010, I received a disheartening diagnosis that my 11 year old Pug, Milo, would need spinal surgery on the heels of a femoral head ostectomy he was still recovering from. This additional surgery was to deal with a bulging disc that was causing instability in his hindquarters and fecal incontinence. Given his age and the fact that he had just recently had major surgery, I was not inclined to put him through more and decided to face the inevitable that I would soon have to put my "Little Man" down. Before doing that, however, I decided to reach out for alternative care and was lucky enough to find Dr. Orenbuch. She treated Milo with acupuncture, cold laser and a chiropractic adjustment and left me with a list of exercises and stretches for him. Within one short week, there was noticeable improvement so we kept on with treatment, even adding chiropractic adjustments for my second Pug, Peony, to the equation. Now we see Dr. Evelyn once monthly. Milo, who could almost not walk several months ago, is climbing stairs, playing toy tug-of-war with me and Peony and running in our backyard, his energy level belying his years.
I still have my little friends with me and they are now aged 12 and 11. They are happy, active and healthy because of Dr. Evelyn and I will always be truly grateful for the love, attention and care she gives them. But most of all, I thank her for bringing my Milo back from the brink. You rock, Dr. Evelyn!!
Gerry Lumsden
Atlanta, GA
K9 Ayla, German Shepherd
In 2003, I was faced with possibly retiring K9 Ayla at age seven due to a chronic neck and back injury. As a result of Dr. Orenbuch’s care, K9 Ayla remained sound and continued to work as a dual purpose police dog for the Delaware Department of Corrections until her retirement in 2006 at 10 years of age. Ayla is still with me - almost 13 years old!
K9 Ayla is a once in a lifetime dog. She was trained in narcotics detection, tracking and patrol work, as well as being certified as a FEMA Type 1 search and rescue dog with Virginia Task Force One, Fairfax County, Virginia. K9 Ayla and Marilyn have been deployed to the earthquakes in Tou-lin, Taiwan, Duzce, Turkey, and the 911 disaster at the Pentagon.
K9 Ayla is the recipient of the Trooper Award, a medal for heroism and bravery, given by the ASPCA.
Marilyn Arwe
Delaware
*Marilyn Arwe has been a professional dog trainer for over 25 years. She has enjoyed competing in agility, obedience, and USPCA trials. Currently she is the K9 Instructor for the Delaware Department of Corrections. K9 Ayla was a patient of Dr. Orenbuch’s at her practice in Philadelphia, Pa.
*Bailey, Jack Russell Terrier
IFCS Overall World Champion, Three time IFCS World Champion, USDAA National Steeplechase Champion, Three time JRTCA National Agility Champion
Mike has been involved with Agility since 1998 and has been competing with teammate Bailey since 2000. Well known in North America, Japan and Europe, Bailey has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments:
· '08 IFCS Overall and Three Time World Champion
· '08 USDAA Life Time Achievement - Platinum
· Three time IFCS World Team Member ('04, '06, '08)
· '03 - '08 USDAA Top 10 in all classes
· '05 Only handler/team to win 3 consecutive USDAA Regional Grand Prix Championships in the same year
· '03 USDAA National Steeplechase Champion
Mike and Bailey have been featured in magazines, newspaper and TV shows. Most recently, they were on The 10! Show in Philadelphia.
"Evelyn is GREAT! Evelyn always places the interest of her clients (dogs) ahead of her own. As a critical component of our conditioning program, my dogs see Evelyn on a regular basis as I have found they perform at a much higher level when they feel their best. I continue to recommend Evelyn to anyone who wants their teammate to feel their best! As the old saying goes, My goal in life is to be the person my dog thinks I am, and Evelyn helps me be my dogs hero when I can help her feel her best."
Mike Murphy
Pennsylvania
*Bailey was a patient of Dr. Orenbuch’s at her practice in Philadelphia, Pa.
