Media

TheraVet in the News

"Alternative Pet Therapy" reported by Katrina Irwin of WROC Channel 8. Original airdate May 7, 2007.

If you have a pet, you know how much love they can bring into a home.  But watching them grow older can be difficult.  There may be a way to turn back the clock.  Some treatments, normally reserved for humans, are putting the spring back in the steps of some dogs.

Bandit the dog is on pins and needles, and it's not because he's worried about his visit to the vet. "There's about 300 points, acupuncture points in the dog," says Kristin Browne, DVM. 

She is treating Bandit with acupuncture, to help ease some of the aches and pains that come with being 14 years old.   "With Bandit, he suffers from chronic arthritis in his back, in his wrists, and in his hips.  So we're trying to focus mostly on those areas," Browne says.

Bandit's owner Angela Avallone tried traditional medications.  She found they weren't working.  "He was getting sore, couldn't get into the car and was having trouble, so it's just time to do the next step.  I think he's got a couple years left in him. So I want to keep him going," says Avallone.

She came to Dr. Browne's practice TheraVet Acres. Browne provides a range of alternative therapies for pets. "There's other things you can do for these guys instead of just prescribing drug after drug."

Browne says treatments like acupuncture are becoming more and more popular in our area. "We're seeing some really significant wonderful effects from it and people are kind of catching on saying hey, this is really great for my animal as well."

The dogs don't get prickly about the treatment at all.  "When he leaves he is so much more comfortable," says Avallone.

Along with acupuncture, some other treatments here are also making waves. Jolie the dog just had her hip replaced and is making some great strides towards recovery on the underwater treadmill.  Her owner Christine Porter says, "she's our baby and she's part of the family.   After a while you just kind of make the decision what would you do for yourself."

The pets at TheraVet Acres are lucky.  They have owners who are willing and able to go the extra mile, for man or woman's best friend.  "His favorite thing in life is to walk, so we've got to do it."