TORRANCE TRIBUNE April 30, 2015 Page 5 TerriAnn in Torrance Snoopy’s Success Story By TerriAnn Ferren Photos by TerriAnn Ferren Last week former Torrance City Council Member, Maureen O’Donnell relayed an amazing story to me about Snoopy, the dog she was fostering. To tell you the truth, it was a story that seemed so amazing I wondered how it could be true. That led me to investigate the entire saga of this little fullblooded Beagle named Snoopy. On Thursday, February 5th, Maureen visited the Torrance Animal Control Office to pick up a duplicate license for her Yorkie and while she was in the office she discovered a dog rescued by Animal Control Officer Doris Cattouse. The dog was dragging his paralyzed legs behind him as he scooted along the floor in the office. Maureen told me, “The Good Samaritan saw him being abandoned by a couple with two children and as I understand it, the Good Samaritan picked him up, brought him home and called Torrance Animal Control, and as required by law, Officer Cattouse took him to an emergency vet. The veterinarian was under the opinion that the situation was hopeless and suggested euthanizing him. Officer Cattouse said no, and brought him back to the office.” Maureen went on to tell me that by Monday, no rescue group had come forward for the dog that was suffering from Intervertebral Disc Disease. Now, Maureen had had a disc problem herself and opted for physical therapy over surgery and it worked for her. That made her think. It was then that Maureen offered to make an appointment with a specialist to examine the dog. On February10th, Animal Control, along with the dog, met Maureen at the specialist’s office. This doctor also concluded that the dog’s condition was hopeless and there was only a 30 percent chance of recovery, even with surgery. So Maureen asked about physical therapy but the doctor still said – only a 30 percent chance of success was expected. It was then that Maureen said, “I’ll take the chance,” and promptly decided to take ‘Snoopy’ as she named him, to Dr. Christine Pott, who suggested acupuncture might be helpful. So Snoopy began acupuncture treatments with Dr. Jin Choi. Really? Acupuncture for a dog? I had never heard about acupuncture for animals and was completely fascinated. Was I not up to date with my ‘Dog Whisperer’ episodes? Maureen also explained that on the suggestion from a technician at the emergency vet to Officer Cattouse, that Jean Brusavich from Tranquil Pet, specializing in swim therapy, also might help Snoopy. Swim therapy? This is when I really got interested in the story. I had never heard about swim therapy for dogs either. “So, we went to see Dr. Pott on the 11th, he had his first acupuncture on [February] the 15th, and his first Swimming on the 18th,” said Maureen. I was very interested in the swimming therapy and met Maureen last Friday for one of Snoopy’s sessions. When I first saw Snoopy, I was surprised he was walking, jumping, and thoroughly excited to get into the water. Somehow, I thought that Snoopy would still be struggling to walk, but I saw a very happy pup. We met Jean Brusavich, his therapist, at the pool, who began by securing a little yellow life preserver on Snoopy. Jean Brusavich has been working with animals for about ten years and practicing in Torrance for about a year and a half with her business, Tranquil Pet. Her interest in water therapy for dogs began when her own 12 year old dog’s back legs didn’t rebound from surgery as she’d hoped. It was then she investigated swim therapy for her dog. The treatment was a success and her love of the field of water therapy grew, and she began helping friends with their pets. “I love my clients and my clients are your pets,” said Jean, beaming. It was very obvious that this little thirteenpound beagle couldn’t wait to get into the water. Jean carried Snoopy into the 87 degree water where he eagerly began moving all four legs and I watched him swim like a fish and his hind legs, which had been dragging along when Maureen began fostering, were not only moving, they were acting like propellers under the water. Snoopy, swimming back and forth in the pool, was guided along by Jean. After a few laps, Snoopy was hoisted on a platform, or landing, where he rested between laps. Jean monitored Snoopy constantly, noting his heart rate and demeanor, and gently massaged his legs during the treatment. The entire session took about fifteen minutes. “We started out the first time, his back legs were just like this [useless]. This is also like cardio work - and we would do about five minutes and then rest him in between. And he is doing ten laps before he rests [now]… now three months into this you can see - he is walking,” said Jean. She also told me that in the beginning Snoopy wasn’t wagging his tail at all. Now he wags his tail all the time and is getting feisty. Maureen said, “The first two times, his back legs didn’t move at all and we were very concerned, but by the third time he moved a little bit, the fourth time more, and he has continued to make progress. Now he swims like a champ.” This is nothing short of miraculous. Maureen shared with me that “He could barely lift his head when I got him. I was massaging him every 4 hours – I was very sleep-deprived for the first three weeks. Twice a week water therapy - once a week acupuncture. Monday, acupuncture, Wednesday/Friday swimming therapy. Everything else in my life was put on hold – housecleaning – everything.” After watching Snoopy swim, I knew I had to accompany him to his acupuncture appointment the following week, at the Lomita Pet Hospital. Dr. Jin Choi, who usually treats Snoopy, was out of the office so Dr. Sandra Kim did the honors on this particular Monday. Snoopy seemed as calm as he had been when I joined him for his water therapy. This adorable Beagle seemed to know he is being well cared for by Maureen. Snoopy was called into the operatory. After he was weighed, he sat still as the muzzle was put on, and then Dr. Kim began inserting the We Can Help You Get Out Of Debt Fast! Do you owe more than $3000? Do you want to reduce your interest rate? Want to reduce your monthly payments? We can help! 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