Gifts in Action 2007: An Underwater Therapeutic Treadmill Helps a Dog Learn
to Walk Again Thanks to Two Generous Friends of the College of Veterinary
Medicine
Extraordinary Care: The
underwater, therapeutic
treadmill allows animals to use their limbs
without bearing full weight. Their muscles strengthen
faster and with less pain, so they can
recover more quickly.
After running for months with two broken legs,
“Chocolate,” a
stray Chesapeake Bay retriever, was brought to the WSU
Veterinary Teaching Hospital from a clinic in the Kennewick,
Washington. WSU veterinary orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Steve
Martinez, performed several surgeries to help Chocolate
regain the use of his injured front legs. When the bandages
came off, Chocolate began physical therapy in a special,
underwater treadmill that allows animals to use their limbs
without bearing full weight. The treadmill, a gift to the
college from two generous donors, makes it possible to begin
the rehabilitation process earlier, which speeds recovery.
“We absolutely could not have done this without the
underwater treadmill,” said Lori Lutskas, a licensed
veterinary technician and WSU’s veterinary physical
rehabilitation specialist. WSU was able to purchase the
treadmill thanks to generous gifts by friends of the
college. “This was critical in his recovery.”
Following his remarkable recovery four months after coming
to WSU, Chocolate returned to Kennewick and now lives with a
family who can care for his long-term, special needs.
