Tripawd Golden Mix Emma benefits from free canine rehab evaluation and at-home therapy thanks to Tripawds Foundation Rehab Grant #196. The consultation, and rehab exercises help Emma stay strong and love life on three legs. Read his story, and learn how you can get a free veterinary rehab evaluation for your dog or cat.
Yes! Tri-kitties qualify for free feline rehab too. See all Tripawds who have received free rehab sessions thanks to your support.
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Emmaline is an 8 year old golden retriever mix who we adopted at 6 weeks old. She is the sweetest girl and we are thankful everyday for what a blessing she is in our lives. In April 2024 she started limping on her right front wrist, a biopsy diagnosis was inconclusive but 100% a bone cancer so we amputated her leg in May of 2024. This was when our CT scan technician recommended Tripawds and I read everything I could. After more testing of her leg she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
Tripawd Golden Mix Emma’s Road to Recovery
When she was initially diagnosed with bone cancer (before her amputation) it was very stressful. We had to hold Emmaline back from the basic physical activities she enjoyed to prevent her from being in pain or potentially fracturing her wrist. After her amputation, I was very excited for her to start physical therapy as I have seen throughout my career what amazing things it can do.
Emmaline is rocking it! She started therapy about a month after her amputation. We recently graduated to going every other week and she is excited to go into the building which is huge for her (she tends to be scared in vet clinics)! My favorite part is that our therapist gives me detailed instructions for us to practice super simple but effective exercises at home. Really it’s her homework that will make the most difference.
Emma’s Tripawd Rehab Regimen
Emmaline does “doggie pushups” which consist of her going from slowly laying down to standing to strengthen her back legs (she skipped the sit to stand!) twice a day for 7 reps. Another simple daily exercise is standing with her front leg on a pillow to work on stability while she eats twice a day. Again, this is strengthening her muscles in a very motivating way. She also does “cookie stretches” once or twice a day where we guide her head using a treat to the left, right, up, and down to keep mobility in her neck as our therapist warned us she will be getting a very muscular neck – one of the most interesting things we learned.
To help keep her left front leg from turning inward she also works on turning in a complete circle to the left 2 times a day doing 5 reps. While at therapy, including all of the above activities, she walks on an underwater treadmill and gets a massage! Our therapist is really impressed with Emmaline’s progress and her muscles are significantly less tense then when she started. We have also noticed that Emmaline is so happy; she has so much more energy, goes on walks, chases crows and squirrels, barks and plays with our toddler again, wants to play fetch again, and is happily “dead bugging” on her back constantly. I am so grateful that she is able to enjoy life comfortably without us holding her back and I do attribute a huge piece of that to all the guidance through physical therapy!
~ Rachel and Emmaline
How to Find a Rehab Therapy for Tripawd Dogs and Cats
At Home Front Limb Tripawd Rehab Program