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Testimonials We decided to utilize our knowledge, experience and love for our canine companions to open Aqua Dog Rehabilitation. We thought we would help impove the quality of life for injured and aging dogs. Thankfully, our clients regularly confirm that we made the right decision, writing to tell us how well their companions are doing. Please find some of their letters below, listed by category. Neurological Halo
Hi Petra A year ago my mom brought me to you and thought maybe you could help put me back together. I had had cancer surgery and follow-up but Mom said we can do much better. So off I went to the water tank. I know I gave you all a hard time during my walks in the under water treadmill, but that's my style. My twin, Presto, is much better about these things and of course is the good twin and I play the part of the evil twin, but boy do I ever have fun. At any rate, I want to thank you for putting me back together in such a way that the good muscle/nerves began to work and compensated for the injury that was giving me such fits and starts. Of course, Mom has my pretty yellow egg at home now for exercise and has learned how to do the stretches I need (of course not as good as you can do). We also have a couple of other pieces of equipment to help Mom with my training program. So how has
this all helped? Well, a year ago Mom retired me from all performance
venues after I earned my ARCHEX. Can't really do herding or agility
safely anymore. However, I did strike up a deal with Mom and suggested
we start back in obedience (which is NOT my favorite venue) and Rally
once again. We spoke to you and here we are one year later. I earned my
ARCHMX (APDT Rally Master Champion) title a couple of weeks ago ....
hey, just look at the size of that ribbon! To get this title I had to
earn 10 triple Qs with a score of 195 or better for each Q. The first
nine legs I earned were consecutive with all kinds of placements and
perfect scores. When I went for the tenth leg, my bad leg cramped when
I got to the jump and I NQed, something I don't take lightly. Mom was
concerned, but I told her we've come this far let's go for that last
leg. On 5/20/11 we did, and did so in style. I placed in every class,
earned my veterans championship title (after all I may not look or act
it but I AM 11.5 yrs old) and brought home that great big 4 foot ribbon
to commemorate the achievement. We, Mom and I, couldn't have come so
far so fast without my therapy and the supporting training we received
to manage my progress at home. Halo & Karen
Shadow
Dear Dr. Kris, Thank you so very much for giving me my quality of life back. I may not be running yet but I am walking and thoroughly enjoying life due to your efforts and knowledge of what was best for me when I first became lame. THANK YOU! --Shadow Vasquez
Callee
On May 5, 2008 Callee was at a local groomer getting groomed so pictures could be taken when the spring flowers arrive. There was an accident at the groomers that damaged her spinal cord and left her with a great deal of paralysis’s in the lower back and back legs, especially the back left leg. After a week at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, Callee returned home to begin recuperation. A few weeks later, under the care of Dr. Kristine Conway at Aqua Dog Rehabilitation in Flanders, New Jersey, Callee began therapy treatments three times a week. These consisted of cold laser therapy, range of motion, electro stimulation and balance exercises. By the end of the year Callee was running, more like a rabbit than a dog, and chasing the squirrels, rabbits and birds. Therapy is now down to one day a week with Callee work on gate and balance utilizing the underwater treadmill at Aqua Dog Rehabilitation. Callee and I would like to thank Dr. Kristine Conway at Aqua Dog Rehabilitation for her dedication and expertise in the entire rehabilitation process. --Don Moschner
Daisy
Petra, Daisy is doing pretty well, we're still using the e-stim unit on her, she goes for a 3 mile walk every morning, plus 3 or 4 other walks throughout the day. We got her a flotation vest, so she can swim again, and she loves that. We've put her on a "grain free" dog food and add the Longevity Formula by Springtime to it and some Apple Cidar Vinegar. Her weight is holding at 65lbs. She is amazingly strong and healthy and happy. I also wanted to thank you, so much, for all you did for Daisy and us. Out of everyone we've dealt with through this whole thing, you we're the most helpful, most concerned and caring person, we will never forget how wonderful you were to Daisy and us. --Nancy Bacci Grady
Kris and Petra,
Bailey
Petra, It
was hard to believe Bailey and I finally achieved MACH 1 back on May
10, 2009. With all of the chronic issues involving his neck and
shoulder, I didn’t know if we would be able to continue agility long
enough to realize MACH 2. Weekly visits with you, follow ups with
the chiropractor and also acupuncture at the vet office kept him going
and on Nov. 21, 2010 we did it…MACH 2 Bailey. Hailey
Petra, I know I will be seeing you soon, but just wanted to let you know that Hailey earned her ADCH this past weekend in Saratoga... as well as taking Bronze on her Dog Agility Masters Team. You are one of the many people to credit for her success in the sport of agility. Thank you for helping to keep her sound and healthy. I am VERY proud of her performance. L M Stein, VMD
Lacey
Hi Petra, I just wanted to let you know that Lacey has been doing so very well. Last year she had shoulder surgery and a long rehab process. Lacey was tied up with this injury, the surgery and rehab process for over 18 months. Thanks to you and with lots of rehab, she regained her strength. Your patience and instruction were invaluable in her healing process and I can't thank you and the rehab Vet enough. Lacey started to compete last Feb. in 4 months, she earned her EX A JWW and Open FAST titles, her Rally EX title anda Novice Retrieving Dog Title. Thanks to you and Dr. Canape, Lacey has gotten her life back. She is now running, playing and swimming and enjoying the good life. --Sandy
PAM, UCD, SG Berta vom Quasliner Moor HGH SchH 3, HICs, CD, CGC, TT
Berta came into my life at the age of 9 months, and together we started the adventures of a lifetime. Training for the HGH (German Herding Utility Dog) with flocks of 250 or more sheep, I quickly learned what a TRUE working dog she was. After titling 4 times in the HGH we started training in Schutzhund at the age of 6. Schutzhund is a sport that means “Protection Dog” and it involves tracking, obedience and protection. It tests a dog’s ability to work independently in tracking, in a controlled manor in obedience, and in all out force in protection – all while under control of the handler. Berta got her Schuthund 1 & 2 at the age of 7 but in training for the highest level 3, I noticed that she wasn’t jumping the meter jump (39 inch jump that all Schutzhund dogs must jump in obedience) as well as she used to. She was also a little grumpy. At first I thought well she is 8 years old almost 9 – maybe she’s too old now. I took her for a thorough check up – and found that she had badly strained illiopsoas muscles. Off we went to Aqua Dog and after 3 months of laser, massage, and water treadmill therapy with Kris and Petra, Berta and I achieved her Schutzhund 3 at the age of 9 years – almost unheard of in the Schutzhund world! She has now received the Performance Award of Merit from the German Shepherd Dog Club of America (PAM) and is still out showing in AKC going for her CDX! Thank You to Kris & Petra! --Daphne Carey
Bali
Kris & Petra, Thank you so very much for finding the cause of Bali's soreness & helping me to reach my goals with her. As I'm sure you remember I had just about given up on competing with Bali when the physical issues that she was having were causing her to be too sore to compete comfortably. I had taken her to a few veterinarians & to other therapists & while they found areas of concern none of them were able to detect her underlying problem & fix it. By late summer of 2007 I was very disappointed, thinking that I would not be able to get Bali back into either the obedience or agility rings. At this point she was 3 QQs from earning her UDX & 7 QQs from her MACH. Aside from earning her titles, I was upset that we would not be working again as a team & I so love being her teammate. At about the same time you had decided to start your wonderful new venture & begin Aquadog. After just one or two sessions with you the cause of Bali's problems became evident to you & you were able to help her condition. The exercises that you showed me how to work on her were fairly simple & were of tremendous benefit. It wasn't an overnight miracle but, after several weeks I could start to see that Bali was beginning to stretch better & wasn't as sore. With your advice we slowly started back into competition, at first doing just one class on a weekend. After awhile I was able to resume our normal show schedule. I stretched her before each time in the ring & iced her afterwards all on your advice. In May , 2008 Bali qualified in both Open B & Utility B to earn her final leg toward her UDX at the Memorial Day Cluster in Freehold, NJ. Needless to say, I was so very happy. In July, 2008 just two months after finishing her UDX, Bali earned her final QQ for her MACH. I am so very grateful for the care that you gave to Bali. You were always available to fit her into your busy schedules when she was in need of treatment & you were always so concerned & interested in her well being. You are fantastic & I know that if you hadn't been there for us I would not have realized my dreams for Bali. Thank you. --Jody Hedderick
Molly Hey,
Molly took first place in late March during her first trial since last winter!!!!! So - Kudos to you for locking in on the problem and helping us to fix it... ...So, thanx to you, I've got my champ back running with me and enjoying every minute of it... ...you worked a miracle. Take care, Hope you and your dogs are well. --BiBi, Rich, Molly and Danci Blu
After one year of surgery and 7 months at AquaDog he is running through a foot of snow with no problem. Thank you for all your work and support to get Blu back on all four paws ! I think he misses you Dr. Chris ! :) Theresa
Molly
Hi Dr. Kris, When we found out that Molly ruptured both of her cruciate knee ligaments, her surgeon advised us that, after surgery, she would walk again, but that she most likely wouldn’t run again. As you can see by her picture, Molly now runs like the wind, and, if you can imagine, even better than before. We have no doubt that this was due to the excellent rehab she received from Dr. Kris and Petra at Aquadog Rehab. Molly began rehab with them within days of her surgery and was on the water treadmill as soon as her stitches were out. She has now graduated, but we plan on bringing her back for conditioning during the fall and winter months. I can’t imagine what we would have done after Molly’s surgery without the care and guidance of Dr. Kris and Petra. --Lauren
Super Senior “Maddie” says “Thank you, Aqua Dog!”
Teddy
Petra, Our Teddy had a very bad weekend. He couldn't get up by himself and walking was no better. It took both of us to hold him while he was outside. We met with the vet yesterday and along with his legs his prostate was enlarging so we made the decision to let him go. We just didn't want him to be in pain. We wanted to thank you and your folks for all you did for him over the past 10 months. I truly believe he enjoyed coming to Aquadog and I know he always walked better after one of your sessions. On weeks that we missed a session he was always a little weaker. This was not an easy decision, however, we would do it again in a second. Thanks again for your efforts with Teddy, I know it helped give us more time with him. Regards,
Hi Petra and Kristine, We were eager to get home after Puppy Power and get started. Pointing out structure examples from the attendees helped alot. That made it easier to see how how the exercises work and why they were important. I also liked the steps in building the coordination and body control exercises with both simple props or the more elaborate equipment. Let me know when the DVD comes out because I've already forgotten a few details. I told a few people to sign up for the September seminar even though their dogs are a little older. I'm sure they'll get plenty out of it. --Steve Kuhn
Petra, You asked for feedback about the puppy power seminar. I thought it was fantastic and I learned so much that I've been applying to my puppy and my four year old. My peanut ball is on its way. I would like to see a follow-up session in a year for people who attended the puppy power seminar where we could review what we've been working on. You could point out anything we're doing wrong, we can talk about what we may need to adapt now that our puppy has grown, etc. I saw you're doing another seminar and I highly recommended it. --Jennifer Seidel and Brooke
Hi Petra! Great seminar today! Fisher and I have lots of stuff that we can work on! Your presentation was very interesting and informative. Keep them coming! --Terry 2012 DECEMBER NATIONAL OBEDIENCE INVITATIONAL PEPSI Petra,
When I contacted you about our invite, you thoroughly explained all these physical and mental demands that a competition of this magnitude would place on us. To prepare us, you designed a program which was so easy to follow for the months leading up to the competition. Not only did Pepsi get in the best shape EVER, but I got an added bonus by also getting into shape and loosing weight in the process; what more could you ask for! Much to my surprise, when we arrived in Orlando, the walk from the hotel to the Convention Center & then to the obedience area was over a mile walk each way. We then had to be at our best & required to compete in each of the 8 rings; a total of 20 exercises per day. Over the 2 days we completed 40 exercises in total. Sometimes we had to run from ring to ring without getting a chance to barely catch our breath. As a result of your conditioning program we were able to walk briskly there, show in each of the 8 rings and walk briskly back to the hotel, never once getting tired. Pepsi was up, happy and full of energy through the entire 2 day event, and so was I. Without your program I doubt either of us could have endured this or done as well. At the end of each day when Pepsi and I returned to the hotel, she would run around the room with her toy in her mouth snorting and wagging her tail as if to say, “What else can we do today?” She held up both physically and mentally, all due to the wonderful program you designed for us. Thank you for everything. We were able to go to the event feeling and knowing we were prepared and had all the tools we needed to make it a successful event; and it was. We cannot thank you enough. Karen & Pepsi P.S. I have attached videos of 2 of her runs.
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...I
wanted to say again - THANK YOU!!! so much for pinpointing Molly's
problem, and for turning me into a "proper" agility dog mom who
stretches, warms up, massages, cools down her working dogs! 
