Maddie was first adopted out from an open intake shelter at 12 weeks old, then returned at 16 weeks old, lethargic and dehydrated. When her now mom saw her at the shelter she absolutely fell in love with this scruffy, awkward looking little black puppy. Unfortunately, the shelter had spent so much money trying to get her well, they actually increased the adoption fee to offset those costs. Maddie’s parents didn’t care; they had to have her.

Around the time that Maddie turned 6 months old, they noticed that she was no longer jumping on furniture and developed an unusual gait. Concerned, they immediately took her to the vet, who did diagnostics and referred her to a neurologist. Maddie was diagnosed with degenerative polyneuropathy. Polyneuropathies involve widespread nerve dysfunction and are typically present with bilateral limb weakness, ataxia, and decreased reflexes. Her prognosis was extremely uncertain, and Maddie’s parents were committed to doing everything possible to ensure that she has the best quality of life for as long as possible.

I met Maddie when she was two years old. Per their neurologist’s suggestion, Maddie’s family was exploring various therapies to support her mobility, including hydrotherapy and massage therapy. Massage proved to be extremely beneficial for her mobility, and I began to see her weekly. Her parents continued to be incredibly dedicated, and I taught her mom simple techniques that she could do at home to support Maddie. Her mom even took Canis Bodyworks Canine Massage 101: Techniques for Wellness to support her at-home work.

Fast forward, Lisa Ruthig started to promote her Art & Science of Nervescourse. I could hardly wait to sign up. The techniques I learned from this course have been complete game changers in the care that I provide for Maddie. The techniques that I use the most with her have been the nerve stretches and glides, along with the neurovascular release for the back. We also tried neurological taping with a focus on the sciatic nerve and saw an enormous amount of improvement in her rear end strength and mobility, she even started to build muscle again! Since adding these techniques to our toolbox, we have seen improvement in Maddie’s gait, strength and stamina, and a decrease in compensatory muscle tension.

Today Maddie is five years old, and honestly when I met her and her family none of us knew what things would look like for her at five. When you meet her, you can’t help but smile and feel inspired. Maddie had a rough start and has been dealt a rough hand but, in her heart, and mind she’s a happy, normal 5-year-old dog.

Working with her has been so inspiring, as her mom often says, Maddie gives us “gratitude reality checks.” I appreciate the knowledge I have gained from the Art and Science of Nerves that has enabled me to be even more impactful for Maddie. I am so grateful that Maddie found her way to such a dedicated, loving family, and that I’ve been able to use what I’ve learned to make a meaningful difference in her life. Her story is a reminder that there is always more to learn, and sometimes that knowledge can change the way we care for the animals who need us most.

A Note from NBCAAM:

Maddie’s story is a wonderful reminder of the value of continuing education. Learning new techniques can give us more tools to draw from as we support each animal’s individual needs.

Through NBCAAM’s continuing education program, practitioners can explore classes that deepen their knowledge, build their skills, and support their growth throughout their careers.

We’d love to hear from others who have taken an NBCAAM CE class! How has what you learned influenced your practice or the way you support the animals in your care?

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