Tripawd Henry benefits from free canine rehab evaluation and at-home therapy thanks to Tripawds Foundation’s Rehab Grant. The consultation, and rehab exercises help Henry stay strong and love life on three legs. Read their 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.
Henry came into our life as I was running transport to a vet appointment for our local rescue.
We already “foster failed” with one precious pooch and the second I picked up Henry to put him in the crate in my car, I knew he wasn’t going back to the rescue.
Tripawd Henry’s Unique Beginning
Henry is a 13 month Great Pyrenees/Shar Pei+ mix from Taos, New Mexico. He was born without a right rear paw. Before we met him, the rescue, after three vet consultations, decided the best outcome for our sweet boy was to amputate the leg.
He is a delightfully smart but, true to the breed, independent torpedo who loves to play with his ten year old rough collie sister, Mala.
Tripawd Henry Faces New Challenges
As he’s gotten bigger, he’s about sixty-five pounds, we began to notice that it was becoming more difficult for him to keep up his hind.
He mostly sits or lays down when he’s not chasing the bunnies or squirrels in the backyard. We help him up our stairs with a sling and realized that we really need to get that back leg strengthened.
Tripawd Henry Begins Rehabilitation
We were glad to find the Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Group and Dr. Linda Hansen. Her expertise during the evaluations and her gentleness and love were welcomed and put us all at ease.
Tripawd Henry’s Daily Exercises
Our exercises include daily massages:
- shoulder
- thoracolumbar
- hip
- hamstring
- iliopsoas
We also do:
- mattress walking
- forelimb balance on a disk
- rear limb balancing on the disk
- walking across cavaletti rails
Luckily we have friends who lent us their rails.
Tripawd Henry and His Beloved Footstool
One thing he really loves is his footstool.
By complete accident he was passing by the footstool one day and paused placing his hip on it. Since then it has become his footstool in the evening as we watch TV.
And even though he is not laying down, he comes to me wanting me to massage him every night. I can actually do all of the massage exercises with him sitting on the footstool.
He is calm and even smiles. Really, he does.
Tripawd Henry’s Progress and Joy
We are all getting better at doing these exercises.
They not only seem to make him happier – especially the massages – but gets some of that velociraptor energy out. Mala especially appreciates that.
Grateful for Tripawd Henry’s Care Team
We are learning about how our boy’s body works and what we need to make his life the best it can be.
We are forever grateful to Dr. Linda Hansen and the folks at the Canine Rehabilitation & Conditioning Group in Englewood, Colorado.
— Lexanne and Henry
How to Find Rehab Therapy for Tripawd Dogs and Cats
Check Out the at Home Tripawd Rehab Program
(created by veterinary rehab therapist Dr. John Waterhouse)