|
Dr. McCauley,
It was GREAT meeting
you and your staff yesterday. I learned a lot and am very
appreciative of the skills and talent that you provide, and your
willingness to TEACH. That is so nice to see! You really have an
impressive
place and your skills
with the dogs as well as their owners are phenominal.
Everything that
everyone has said was RIGHT!!
Laura and the Iowa DoberPack
=======================================================
Hi Dr. Laurie,
I just wanted to say
thanks again for the time you spent with Jilly. You were so patient
and understanding with her and I am very appreciative of that. And
then there is Reno and he just loves you to death and not just
because you have treats. He is so comfortable when you work on him.
Even when he is concerned about sensitive areas he trusts you enough
to let you do your job and help him. You have an amazing gift and we
are lucky that you are in this area to take care of our dogs. Now if
we could just get a highway with an exit right at TOPS it would be
great. ;)
Happy New Year!
=======================================================
To everyone at TOPS,
Our beloved Molly
peacefully passed away at home in our arms Monday morning.
During Molly's initial evaluation in march, we were so relieved when
Dr. Laurie indicated Molly could benefit from therapy. Where
others gave a grim prognosis, TOPS gave us hope. Molly's
progress was inspiring as little by little she gained strength,
could stand and eventually take steps in her wheelchair. In
addition to excellent care, TOPS provided us with hope, guidance and
compassion as a determined Molly battled her physical and medical
obstacles.
We were so impressed
with the entire staff's demonstration of professionalism, kindness,
patience and interest in Molly's progress and well being. It
was a blessing to have Molly in our lives and see her reach her 18th
birthday in April. Molly's last 3.5 months were a gift that
wouldn't have been possible without the help of TOPS. While
words seem insufficient, we would like to thank everyone for
participating in Molly's care and making every time we walked in the
door such a positive experience. Please know that the work you
do positively affects so many families and truly makes a difference.
Thank You!
Darrell and Margaret
Karolyi
=======================================================
Samson's
Story
“You
are going to be really happy that you came here.”
Those were the words that we heard, from a total stranger,
upon arriving at our first visit to
TOPS
Animal
Rehab
Center. Little did we know how
prophetic those words would be.
Our
dog Samson – a lab, border-collie mix – had been run over by an
SUV in front of our home on a Saturday evening, as we were unloading
groceries. We
immediately rushed him to the
Animal
Emergency
Treatment
Center
in Grayslake.
It
was soon determined that Samson had 6 fractures to both sides of his
pelvis, but no damage to his vital organs.
He was in a great deal of pain and would require 3 separate
surgeries, with no guarantee that he would completely recover
physically. Outside of
his injuries, he had youth and strength on his side, so it did not
take us long to decide to go ahead with the surgeries.
Our dog meant too much to us to give up on him.
Samson spent a full week at the emergency center, tolerating
all 3 surgeries, pain management, and some recovery time.
Upon
his discharge to home, Samson was still weak and unstable –
particularly on his back right leg where one of the fractures
involved the weight bearing part of the joint.
This made it very difficult for him to stand or walk.
We had to support him with a sling so that he could walk
without putting any weight on that leg.
At
his follow-up visit, the emergency center recommended that Samson be
taken to TOPS in Grayslake, for physical therapy and rehab.
We did not know what to expect, but were hopeful that our
once very active dog, who could run faster and jump higher than any of
the other dogs at the dog park, would once again be able to run and
play Frisbee (his favorite game).
This
is where our story becomes a sort of miracle.
The TOPS staff scheduled Samson for a series of Pulsed
Signal Therapy. At
first it was difficult to even get him to lie down on his right
side, as it was too painful. However,
by his 3rd visit, Samson was cooperative and able to
switch sides, allowing the pulsation to have a greater effect.
We began to see improvement almost immediately.
Samson was standing longer and actually starting to put
weight on his back right leg. He
became more alert and even playful.
By the end of his 9 sessions, it was hard to believe that
this was the same dog that we had brought in only weeks before.
He was stronger, more active, and definitely ready to return
to his playful, active self. He
was even going up and down stairs on his own – we no longer had to
carry him. Now we have
more difficulty holding him back, so that he can completely recover
without fear of re-injuring himself.
Thanks
to TOPS and their PST, Samson is back to his old self, and true to
his name. He is strong,
healthy, and always looking for someone to play Frisbee with him.
Had it not been for the Pulsed Signal Therapy, along with the
genuine loving care at TOPS, Samson would never have recovered so
thoroughly from his injuries.
We are now spreading the word about the professional and
loving care that Samson received at
TOPS
. Each at every person
at their facility is a genuine animal lover and it shows in the
results that the animals achieve.
For
some dog owners it might have been easier to put their dog to sleep
than to put in the time and effort that it has taken to get Samson
through his injuries, but we had faith.
“You
are going to be really happy that you came here,” was an
understatement. Every
day we are amazed by Samson’s recovery and progress.
We can hardly believe that this is the same dog that only
weeks earlier, was at deaths door.
Thanks to AETC, TOPS and their PST, Samson has a long happy
and active life ahead of him. We
just hope that we can keep up with him!
Marty and
Karen
=======================================================
Tom,
I just wanted to drop
you a line to let you know how happy my husband and I am of the care
we received at TOPS. Fletcher gets better every day. We received 5
inches of snow this morning and he was actually
"frolicking" in the snow this morning. I am so pleased
with his recovery and hold no doubt that it is due to Laurie and her
staff. I appreciate you and your wife's willingness to work with me
and my family during a difficult time. It did not go overlooked. How
very professional and compassionate TOPS is! I have told all I know
about your facility and given them your web site. We are grateful to
have been a part of the TOPS family.
Regards,
Suzanne
=======================================================
Dr.
Laurie,
Thank
you so much for all the time, effort and work you put into rehabbing
Denali. You impressed us right off the start: you met
with us after closing and did a thorough exam. I think we were
at your clinic that night until around midnight! Your patience
and love for animals shines through.
You
welcomed Denali's brother (Balto) during Denali's sessions.
Our family cannot put into words how grateful we are that we found
you, your clinic and your wonderful staff to help us through such a
rough time!
Thank
you. Thank you. Thank you!
Denali's
leg is fully re-couped and we look forward to bringing Denali down
to see you so that you may witness the "miracle" you
performed!
Love,
Kevin,
Lisa, Denali and Balto!
=======================================================
I
was told by his orthopedic surgeon that my sheltie Keenan would
never do agility again, his leg would never be strong enough after
suffering a broken bone and resulting osteoarthritis
in his hock. After PST
therapy, hydro-treadmill, and chiropractic
adjustments at TOPS, he is back doing agility and competing again at
the Excellent level. We are even ready to try herding.
Dr. McCauley and her staff are first rate.
Rhonda
Politsch and Keenan
240
miles round trip and worth every mile
=======================================================
TOPS
put my very high drive Border Collie back together after surgery for
an injury 18 months ago. He has since competed
successfully in herding and agility, and he is also doing obedience
(all three sports in warp drive, of course). I just can't sing
their praises enough.
Gerianne
Darnell and Raymond, who can injure himself going out the front
door...
=======================================================
From:
akramer
Sent:
August 22, 2001, 9:17am
Subject:
Manda is finally Home!
Manda came home from her "multi-month
medical odyssey" yesterday and she is in much better shape than
she was before her surgery...In fact, Manda seems to feel much
better than she has in years!...And, the visit to TOPS Veterinary
Rehab did the trick...(Although in the family we refer to TOPS as
"The Spa")...Most of you know that Manda went from the Vet
hospital at MSU to TOPS over three weeks ago and the rehab services
that Manda got at TOPS allows her to walk on all four legs and to
jump up and run around (she'll always run goofey).....She benefited
from the hydro-treadmill; exercise routine; ultrasound therapy;
neuromuscular electrical stimulation; massage; passive range of
motion exercises; electrical acupuncture; regular acupuncture;
chiropractic therapy; and vitamin treatments....Although Cynthia is
SURE that the TV in Manda's (5 foot by 7 foot) "suite"
that Cynthia would faithfully set to WB when we would visit Manda is
what really did the trick!....One way or the other, Manda is home,
and she will be on her exercise regime and water treadmill therapy
for the foreseeable future......Now, I'd like to know if TOPS will
work with people....I'm sure many of us would like to check in!...
=======================================================
Dear Dr. Laurie,
I write this letter a day after what is a big
milestone for Mark, Mila, and myself -- Mila's 10th birthday.
When I think back to the very first time we
drove up to Grayslake, for the initial evaluation, both of us were
very concerned that Mila might not make it to her upcoming 8th
birthday, yet alone her 9th or 10th. We call her "Miracle
Mila", but we know her progress has been very much the result of
your efforts and that of your staff.
We are grateful for all of your individual help, and guidance
through some difficult times (the second FCE).
May you and your staff have a very happy
holiday and successful upcoming year in your
new facility. And, may there be
other "Miracles". Very truly yours,
Mark and Diane
(Mila, too)
=======================================================
Dr. Laurie & Staff,
Thank-you so much for all you did for Dudley,
for a dog that seemed not much hope to ever walk again, to a dog
that runs to the door when I come home is a miracle! I'm sure
we'll be back for treatment now and then but for right now he's
doing great. All my heart felt thanks to you and your
wonderful staff!!
Ron & "Dudley"
=======================================================
Check out this letter from a TOPS customer
at vetinfo.com. |
