The following story is told by David & Cathy Lowe - the proud owners of Phillip
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Ten months ago, Phillip changed in a moment from a healthy, lively dog to a crumpled heap - unable to move his seemingly lifeless limbs, tail and head. A possible spinal haemorrhage was diagnosed: we were advised to wait two weeks to see if his nerve endings would start to heal but no treatment was possible and the prognosis was bleak.
After a few weeks, there were miniscule signs of life: he could lap a little water if heavily supported and his tail began to twitch very slightly. Gradually, over the next few months, these very small improvements continued: sufficient to allow some hope but still not enough for him to move independently. We found a physiotherapist specialising in canine treatment and, with her invaluable help, we continued exercising phillip as best we could. Although there were clear signs of sensation returning to his limbs, we faced two specific problems: muscle wastage and memory. While full movement had returned to his back legs, they were uncoordinated and too weak to support any weight, and he had forgotten how to use his front legs: one curled up tight to his body and the other stretched straight out. These problems were 
compounded by the fact that Phillip, whilst not a large dog, is too big to pick up easily and had lost all strength in his torso, thus severely limiting the nature and extent of exercise possible. This was a desperate Catch 22: without appropriate exercises his memory of coordinated movement was unlikely to return; without coordinated movement, appropriate exercise to build up muscle tone and body balance was impossible.
Then we heard about the Dog Spa. Bert and Norah Raymond have been stalwart in their support, and have used their ingenuity to devise aids and exercises to give Phillip the treatment he needs to progress. He has ben 
"swimming" with them twice weekly for the last three months and the changes in him are palpable. His back legs are coordinated and getting stronger by the week - if supported he can now take several steps. Also his body balance is returning - he can support himself on his haunches and play catch for around 30 minutes, and his curled up front leg is visibly unfurling. In the pool, he's progressed from being supported in a harness to free swimming with a floater jacket. Perhaps best of all - he absolutely loves it!!
Although Phillip is still unable to sit or walk independently, the question now is 'when' rather than 'if'. Some people think that hydrotherapy for 
dogs is pampering beyond belief - probably the same backward attitude that similar people had towards small animal vets years ago. For ourselves, we just appreciate our luck at having a splendid facility as the Dog Spa close at hand...and so does Phillip, if the now strong thumping tail is anything to go by!
tel: (01495) 221204
email: info@thedogspa.co.uk
smail: Cwmnantyrodyn, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood
