Tripawd Sima benefits from free canine rehab evaluation and at-home therapy thanks to Tripawds Foundation’s Rehab Grant. The consultation, and rehab exercises help Sima 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.
Tripawd Border Collie Sima Undergoes Front-Leg Amputation
Read about Sima’s recovery journey after amputation surgery, as told by her mom Natalie
Our dog Sima is a Border Collie mix, likely 8-10 years old.
A soft tissue sarcoma was found on her front right leg in December 2024 and, after seeing several specialists, amputation was determined to be the best and most curative solution.
Sima became a Tripawd on 2/5/25.
Trouble with Stamina After Amputation
While she’s been doing very well overall, she’s really having trouble with stamina on walks, so we took her to a rehab specialist on 5/1/25.
The staff at the rehab clinic were so kind and very thorough.
The consultation was about 2 hours long (which we were told in advance) and involved moving her joints around, analyzing her movement and gait, determining any potentially painful areas, and going over her medical and surgical history in detail.
Rehab for Tripawd Sima Begins!
We were given the following exercises:
Shoulder touch
With a treat, lure your dog into a standing position and then lure the head from side to side to promote range of motion in the neck and shoulder area
2 reps of 10, twice a day
Step Over
Position a pole or other low object at a low height. With a treat, lure your dog to jump over the pole/object to promote active range of motion of the limbs
2 reps of 10, twice a day
Front Limb On / Hind Limb On
With a treat, lure your dog such that their front limb is on a box/object while their hind limbs remain on the ground. Support under the abdomen if necessary
5 reps of 15 seconds each, twice a day
Hind limbs on: with a treat, lure your dog such that their hind limbs are on a box/object while their front limb is on the ground. Support under the abdomen if necessary
5 reps of 15 seconds each, twice a day
Skin Rolling: Neck
With the fingertips, gently lift the skin of the neck in different directions to promote myofascial release
5 minutes, twice a day
Circle massage
With a gentle, kneading-lime motion, massage the area around the incision line
5 minutes, twice a day
Scar massage
Gently place fingers over the scar. Using a small circle motion, gently glide the skin over the connective tissues underneath to decrease scar formation
5 minutes, twice a day
At-Home Rehab Solutions for a Sensitive Tripawd
These exercises were given to promote both strength and range of motion which will hopefully improve Sima’s stamina on walks and reduce any pain.
We are focusing on at-home solutions because Sima is carsick and has car anxiety, making in-office treatments like hydrotherapy or acupuncture more complicated.
We saw Dr. Kim Huppe at Cleveland Veterinary Rehabilitation
— Natalie and Sima
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)