Testimonials

Sierra

Dear Mr. Flocker:  

           This is to express our sincere appreciation for everything you did for our 13 year old Siberian husky, “Sierra”. We hope that you will add this testimonial to your website, with the hopes of helping other pet owners who feel there is nothing else that can be done to help their pets suffering from pain.   

          Sierra suffers from severe degenerative back/spine disease, hip dysplasia, and arthritis. Recently, after a bad bout of pain and limping in her front right leg over several weeks time, she suddenly could not walk at all.  She was unstable, could not get up, or stand, or walk on her own. She screamed in pain each time she tried to move her right front leg. It was rigid and she was “knuckling”. The pain was so severe, that her entire body was in spasms and tremors, much like a seizure. Finally she gave up, and just refused to move, eat, or drink. Her team of doctors at First Regional Medical Center were diligent. They did all they could to relieve her pain with a regime of anti-inflammatory and pain medications, hydration therapy, and appetite stimulants. Although, she seemed a bit more comfortable, her condition was not improving, and she still was unstable, in pain, with little mobility. After further investigation, X-rays, and testing, Sierra was diagnosed with a cervical nerve impingement in her neck. This caused the radiating pain down to her right shoulder, and front right leg. The Doctors reported that her back was “severely riddled with disease”.  Given her age, severity and advancement of disease, surgery was not an option. That was when the doctors at First Regional Hospital referred us to you, and with very high recommendations.   

          We prayed and my wife cried. We consider Sierra to be a member of our family, a child who never grows old, and love her too much to give up.  We had reservations about treatment, because the rehabilitation therapy included aquatics, and Sierra, was afraid of water, after an accidental near drowning as a puppy. She was unable to walk, and had to be carried from the vehicle to her first consultation and treatment. You valiantly took over from there. You evaluated her thoroughly, and began her treatment regime the same day we called due to the urgency of the situation.  Her physical response to the treatment was almost immediate, and the results were nothing less than miraculous on two fronts.  Somehow on the first day you were able to get her in the water for her first treatment.  Not only was she not afraid, but she was so relaxed, that she began falling asleep in yours arms during the therapy. All the while, her limbs, and upper right leg were actually moving through the water, back and forth. We were astounded. She walked to the vehicle on her own after the first session. By the end of the second session, she no longer needed a life jacket in the water and we saw even more improvement. By the third session, she was just dog paddling away on her own, with solid movement. Between each treatment we completed home care exercises designated. You gave us hope, provided instruction and a useful medical device to help her along with getting up to stand, etc. She did not even have a fourth treatment yet. We are thrilled to report that she even ran across the street yesterday (on the leash with me and a green light of course).  Her quality of life has improved tremendously. She is mobile, comfortable, playful and happy again.  We will be forever grateful for your services and to First Regional Hospital for urging us to consult you. God bless you, your family, and your canine rehabilitation practice.  

Sincerely, Sierra’s Dad, -Mesa Arizona 

Axl

Jeffrey,

I just wanted to thank you for the great job you have done with my 6 year- old Golden Retriever, Axl.  Even after months of rest and prescription anti-inflamatory meds, he was still limping on his front right leg, and possibly facing surgery on his shoulder. After two months of weekly rehabbing sessions with Jeffrey - Axl is walking pain free!

Thank you!

Rob

Milo
(Crush Injuries and Nerve Damage)

Dear Jeff, I wanted to write you to complement you on your miraculous revival of Milo, our 12 year-old black Labrador. As you remember, on Christmas day, a car hit him crushing his pelvis, contusing his right sciatic nerve and dislocating his left leg. He already had significant hip dysplasia making him limp. After the accident we thought we would have to put him down.

His veterinary orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Lange, did a superb job of putting Milo back together. Milo’s left leg was immobilized in an Ehmer sling and his left leg weakened by the nerve injury. During his convalescence, his weight dropped from 85 to 76 pounds, much of it muscle. It didn’t take a crystal ball to realize he would probably never walk again. We even looked into the carts dogs can strap on when their rear legs don’t work.

Then Dr. Lange recommended you as a physical therapist for Milo. I figured you must be the best because Dr. Lange’s practice is on the west side and your location is on the east. Anyway, I drove over and pulled Milo, in his abdominal sling, out of my car.

You might remember how much pain he was in, as well as the trauma from all he had gone through. In no time you had him relaxed while doing things I could not. Your gentleness and patience were fully understood by Milo. Your three times a week therapy schedule included a gradual strengthening program, centered around your pool. Even though he had bandages on, you could help change them and suggest ways to get him his therapy even as he was healing from his injuries.

I remember the time he took his first steps on his own. He hauled himself up on his own and took several tentative steps. I have to tell you, we were cheering him while half afraid he would fall. Over the next several weeks, his strength improved and the pain receded to the point he could walk on his own. Now, almost 10 months later, Milo is walking around the neighborhood under his own steam and even lifting up his rear leg on occasion to do some watering.

I know that without you, Milo would never have walked again. For that, Carol and I are deeply grateful. I suspect Milo would thank you if he could, although seeing him get up and pad around the house is probably his way of expressing his gratitude.

I would not hesitate to recommend you for any dog in need of physical therapy. Milo is walking proof that you can work wonders.

Sincerely,

Louis and Carol

Jetson
(Degenerative Myelopathy)

Canine Physical Rehabilitation of the Southwest was my last ray of hope in helping my Labrador, Jetson, re-gain strength and maintain her ability to walk and be self-sufficient. Jetson has been diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy and has undergone surgery and several diagnostic procedures. She was weak and growing weaker and I was very worried about her and how aqua therapy would affect her.

At the initial visit, Jeffrey was up front with me and didn’t oversell the idea or raise any false expectations on the results we would see from aqua therapy. However, we noticed immediate improvement, and I’m very happy to say the therapy Jetson has received has made a remarkable difference in her strength and overall well-being. I can definitely see a difference in her strength each time she makes a visit to Jeffrey.

I would highly recommend Jeffrey to anyone whose dog could benefit from aqua therapy. He is honest and professional, and I value and trust his opinion as much, if not more so, than many of the specialists we’ve seen. The benefit Jetson has received is worth more than anything in the world!!

Darla

Scotchie
(13 year old Golden/Lab mix who was overweight and had hip and back problems)

I want to thank you so much Jeffrey for making helping Scotchie make such dramatic changes in her life.  When we came to you, she was overweight and unable to walk even short distances or go outside to do her business.  With just a few sessions, she began walking again and we were able to cut her dosage of Rimadyl dramatically.  She lost 14 lbs as well.  I really feel your treatments extended Scotchie’s life an extra year and a half!

Scotchie and I both thank you for your caring, your compassion and the loving way you treated her.

Joan.

Baker Rose
(Post Cruciate Ligament Repair)

Baker was one of those dogs that did not believe she could use her leg again after surgery.  She would not even let it touch the ground. 
 

Nearly two years ago, Baker Rose, my fawn female boxer, experienced a left cranial cruciate ligament rupture.  After a successful TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy), the recommended 6-8 week recovery left her leg muscles severely atrophied; she was literally skin and bone on her left rear.  The surgeon recommended CANINE PHYSICAL REHABILITATION to me as a means of salvaging some hope for Baker to once again regain effective use of the limb.  What we received was nothing short of a miracle thanks to Jeffrey Flocker’s efforts.

Baker didn’t make things easy for Jeffrey.  She is a loving, trusting dog, but she was unconvinced of the need for her to do any work whatsoever in order for her leg to improve.  Jeffrey was challenged, therefore, not only by the amount of exercise he knew it would take in order for Baker to get better, but also to win her cooperation in the endeavor.  He succeeded wonderfully.  I don't know that you could ever describe Baker as a “willing participant” but she loves Jeffrey and she amiably tolerated all that he asked.  They swam together.  They trotted obstacles.  They danced.  They worked with a therapy ball.  Baker experienced mild electrical stimulation to her lagging left leg.  Two to three times per week Baker and I journeyed to Jeffrey’s facility for workouts and for encouragement.  The happy ending to this story is that Baker has rejoined her sister in full-time play and boxer activity and it would never have happened without Jeffrey’s perseverance and rapport with my dog.  “It’s a dog’s life,” and Baker’s couldn’t be better!

In short, I am honored to recommend Jeffrey Flocker and CANINE PHYSICAL REHAB without reservation.

Elaine

Dillon
(Severe Rear Leg Weakness)

The physical therapy exercises and pool therapy treatments Jeffrey administered to Dillon, my Irish Wolfhound, have corrected his posture and strengthened his hind legs and shoulders as well.

It is obvious that Dillon no longer suffers any of the pain related to his condition as he did before your treatments.  He feels better, is healthier and more capable of running and using his body with less danger of injury to his ligaments and hips.

Dillon is a handsome dog.  The added strength and posture improvement resulting from your treatments show well on him.  Dillions veterinarian recommended your services to me. 

I have subsequently recommended your program to my friends.  Dillon and I are grateful and thank you for your treatments and tender care.

Barb

Saguaro
(Arthritis)

Saguaro is 6 ½ years old now and has had orthopedic and joint problems since she was a puppy.  At 6 months, she was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia and had orthopedic surgery to remove the detached anconeal process.  She recovered from the surgery, but has had arthritis in that elbow ever since.  Saguaro’s hip x-rays at 2 showed one good and one slightly dysplastic hip.  When she was 3 ½ she had orthopedic surgery to repair a torn (disconnected) cruciate ligament in one back leg.  4 months later, before this leg could completely heal, she tore the other cruciate ligament and had it repaired.  From the time she was almost 4, she limped on 3 of her legs and was in obvious discomfort most of the time.

She was put on Rimadyl and Cosequin, which managed the pain fairly well until shortly after her 5^th birthday when (hip and elbow) arthritis began to limit her activities more and more.  Orthopedic evaluations showed no surgical solution for her elbow so Saguaro was brought to Jeffrey Flocker for “alternative” help in May.

Since her initial evaluation, Saguaro has been seeing Jeffrey almost every week for about 30 minutes.  Jeffrey uses massage, myofascial release techniques and acupressure in combination to r3elieve the stiffness in Saguaro’s joints and muscles and extend the range of motion for all of her legs.  Saguaro clearly enjoys her sessions with Jeffrey and the effects have significantly improved her quality of life.  After 4 or 5 sessions, Saguaro’s rimadyl dose was reduced 25-50% (depending on activities).  She has much more stamina and energy for hiking through the woods or playing in the yard, and is obviously happier and more comfortable than she was last year. 

Saguaro thinks she is one of Jeffrey’s miracle dogs and was proud to be the subject of a recent case study.  She easily climbs on and off “her” couch and even feels good enough to spar and wrestle with her 1 year old brother and Jeffrey’s giant mastiffs.  We have all been very happy with Saguaro’s progress and plan to continue weekly sessions with Jeffrey as long as possible.

Lauri and Frank

Moso

Sir Jesse of Olson Grove

 

 

Jesse has been competing in agility for almost 2 years.  He quickly moved up in the ranks of both NADAC and AKC.  Once we moved into the Elite competition with NADAC, Jesse was running clean and time was preventing him from the ever sought after "Q".  I knew he had it in him but I just didn't know how to get it out of him.  Then I met Jeffrey Flocker and he immediately put Jesse on a program to victory.  After swim conditioning with Jeffrey, Jesse and I competed at a SCAT trial in California and Jesse beat the judges Elite Standard Course time by 14 seconds and placed 1st out of 35 dogs.  Jesse also beat the Elite Jumpers time by 3 seconds and placed 7th.  You can bet that Jesse and Jeffrey will become very good friends as we prepare for our goal.....NATCH in 2003/2004!
 

Thank you Jeffrey for all of your help and encouragement!

Sincerely,

Kimberly and Jess

Luna

We were first introduced to Jeffrey in early summer 2002.  Luna, our newest show whippet had developed a loose “floppy” movement in her rear.  The specialists determined that this issue, while unsightly, was not a structural issue. Our hope was that she would grow out of it. To give her every chance of doing so, we were advised to seek the help of Canine Physical Rehabilitation of the Southwest.

From the very beginning, Jeffrey was honest and upfront with us. He did not try to say that aqua therapy would solve Luna’s movement problem, but he knew it couldn’t hurt. At 6 months of age, we needed exercise that would allow her to mature naturally and not damage her young joints or frame. Aqua therapy fit the ticket.

Making a sight hound swim was something of a challenge, but with imagination and creativity Jeff made physical therapy a fun and exciting activity for her. Her weekly sessions turned into her favorite pastime- who would have thought… water coursing!!!                                           

Well, it didn’t take long before we noticed that Luna’s movement was improving. Seeing the improved show and performance condition of Luna, We quickly requested aqua therapy for the other two whippets and even Willie, the new Cavalier King Charles Spaniel! 

Happily, I can say that Luna’s movement no longer shows signs of weakness. Showing dogs is a gamble. But, the one thing we can always count on is that our dogs are in top physical condition.

Both in the ring and on the coursing field, the athleticism of my whippets never fails to attract attention.

Thank you Jeffrey!!!    - Tabitha Doyle and Melanie Williams

Mato

Mato is a young Tibetan Mastiff who had hip surgery.  His other hip has dysplasia.

I  am writing to recommend Jeffrey Flocker.  I have known Jeffrey through personal and professional association for 3 years.

Mr. Flocker is an accomplished physical therapist.  He has a Masters Degree in PT and has successfully treated both human and animal clients for many years.

Working on a professional level with Jeffrey, I have seen his ability to relate with empathy to the animals in his care.  He has the knowledge and skill to assist in the rehabilitation of the dogs and cats, which I have referred to him.  His expertise especially in manipulation of appendages has resulted in the animals having a longer and more fulfilling quality of life.  In many instances these animals would have had amputations or in the extreme, euthanasia.

Mr. Flocker has been a client of our hospital as well.  He is an excellent example of a caring and concerned pet owner.

I would recommend Jeffrey Flocker without reservation.

Tammy S. Helzer, DVM

 

 

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