Client Name: Valarie
Patient Name: Teddy

“Teddy has been a patient of VSMR for about a year and she is a favorite.  She has some mobility issues with her pelvic limbs due to arthritis and neurologic dysfunction but is always a smiling face when she comes for treatment and at the age of 13, shows us the meaning of aging gracefully.”
Dr. Amber Ihrke

Brief History of Pet

My mom adopted Teddy from Great Lakes Golden Retriever Rescue in 2012. For almost ten years I kept hearing Mom say, “you should have Teddy.” In 2022 due to behavioral issues Teddy came to live with me. Teddy just needed space with no young kids in her house.

Why VSMR?

 Teddy has really bad arthritis. Just after Thanksgiving 2023 she stopped being able to go up the stairs to the second level of the house. I first brought my other Golden, Bentley, to VSMR and they did such a great job I wanted to see if we could help Teddy at all.

Favorite Motivator

AS long as she has a comfy blanket and love from everyone in the room, Teddy is happy!

How VSMR has helped

VSMR has helped to maintain Teddy’s mobility in her front including setting her up with a cart and helped both of us learn how she can be differently mobile. A few weeks ago, Teddy even had the confidence and strength to go up to the second level for a bath with me helping her back end with the harness She them went all the way down again without hesitating. It’s been over a year since she’s done those stairs with any independence of her own.

“Teddy is truly a princess! She loves being pulled around in her “throne.” I get such a kick out of her polite demands for more pets during her session. We will happily continue to do as you say, Teddy!”
Dr. Brittany Ludwig

“Teddy truly knows how to command the attention around her. She is one of the most relaxed patients I have ever had! She truly loves being the center of attention wherever she goes. She is a joy to work with and is treated like a queen whenever she comes to visit.”
Kat Holich

Addition Information:

Teddy has anxiety she’s medicated for and the funniest thing she’s done is break the window screen out of my mom’s front window and sit on the sill barking until she came home. Teddy turned 13 this year, something none of the Goldens in my family have done. Since Teddy is, of course, a queen, I put together an Alice in Wonderland tea party for my dogs and she was Queen of Hearts (for Halloween too). She loves wearing her crowns. She has at least three. Teddy has her own wagon that we decorate every so often (her castle and carriage). We haven’t tested the wheels in sand, but they do well in snow. Lastly, and most importantly, she is the #1 Swiftie!

Non-Profit Organization:

Great Lakes Golden Retriever Rescue (located in Grand Rapids MI)