Client Name: Angie Morrissey
Patient Name: Sansa

Brief History of Pet

We adopted Sansa when we lived in Phoenix, AZ, about seven years ago as a companion for our other mastiff. She was very shy and unsure of herself at first, but she has blossomed into the overly confident, incredibly loyal, sassy pain in the butt that she is today, and we wouldn’t change her for the world!

“Sansa is a beautiful and sweet Mastiff. She came to us after a diagnosis of cervical disk disease, and she was having some difficulty walking. We started therapy, and she has improved her ability to move around, and she is more comfortable overall. We enjoy our visits with Sansa and are so glad she is doing well.”

Dr. Amber Ihrke, Veterinarian

Why VSMR?

Sansa was diagnosed with Wobbler’s Syndrome a little over a year ago, which is a degenerative disease that causes compression of her cervical spinal cord. This makes her “wobbly” and unstable when she walks and, without anti-inflammatory/pain medications, causes her a great deal of pain as well. I found VSMRHG online, where they came highly recommended with many great reviews.

Favorite Motivator

She hates the green beans and thinks they’re a waste of space that could be taken up by more Pupperoni sticks.

How VSMR has helped Sansa

VSMRHG has been a game-changer for Sansa since this all started. Due to her limited mobility, hydrotherapy has been a realistic way that she can fight her disease in a safe way that does not cause as much strain or stress to her spine. I strongly believe that without this option, her condition would have deteriorated. This, combined with her backyard obstacle course in the warmer months and a blend of Eastern/Western medicine, she has found a good balance in dealing with her Wobbler’s.

She gets very excited about going to her weekly “pool” sessions, seeing her favorite people, and being handfed Pupperoni (even if she grumbles and blows bubbles through it most of the time!)

I believe it truly does almost as much for her mentally as it does physically. On the rare occasion that we have to skip a session, she will spend the rest of the week moping around the house.

“What can I say about Sansa? She is a character! I never know what her attitude is going to be like before she gets here, and it is always an adventure working with her. She keeps us on our toes and does not let her issues slow her down. Whether she is eating all the treats in the clinic or refusing to walk in the water, I always enjoy her sessions.”

Katie Neforos, Rehabilitation Technician

Non-Profit Organization

At VSMR, we ask the owners of our Patient of the Month to choose a non-profit to be featured and donated to. Sansa’s owners have chosen Will County Humane Society, Will County’s original no-kill shelter which has been serving the area for over 40 years with a single purpose: to provide a safe haven for homeless pets and help them find their forever home.