September Patient of the Month: Snickers Meyer

by | Sep 3, 2021 | Blog

Client Name: Irene Meyer
Patient Name: Snickers

Brief History of Pet

We’ve owned Snickers since 2013.  We purchased him through a Sheltie breeder we’ve known for years.  My husband and I have owned Shelties for all of our married life… 40+ years.  We enjoy the kindness and sweet nature of Shelties. Snickers received his AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title in 2014.   He started competing in agility back in 2014.  He entered his first AKC National Agility Champion Trial in March 2019.  In August 2019, he earned the MACH title.

“Snickers is a sweet boy who came to us after a neurologic injury to his left hind limb.  He did a great job with his rehabilitation and continues to improve as he heads back to his agility career.”
Dr. Amber Ihrke, Veterinarian

Why VSMR?

February 2021, he was diagnosed with FCE (Fibrocartilaginous Embolism), affecting his rear end, mainly his left rear leg.  After being diagnosed, we took him for consultation at Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation of Homer Glen, IL (VSMRHG).

Favorite Motivator

Snickers loves his freeze-dried green beans!

How VSMR has helped Snickers

They have helped him tremendously. Besides doing therapy in their office twice a week, we were given exercises to do with him at home.  He’s about 98% recovered, which is much better than when this all happened to him.  He still needs to strengthen his rear left leg as he doesn’t pick it up completely.  We hear him dragging it when he’s walking.  Because of that, we will not let him do any agility trials until we feel comfortable for his safety. We still do therapy at home with him. 

My husband and I thank VSMRHG from the bottom of our hearts for helping Snickers to be where he is today!  We highly recommend this facility. Hopefully, he’ll be doing agility trials by the end of this year. Hopefully, he starts picking up his leg a little more than he is at this time.
“Where do I start with Snickers? He made my day every time he came in! He did not let his injury slow him down and was always up for whatever exercise I threw at him. As an agility dog, he is never nervous about new exercises or equipment and is always eager to please. And he always looked so cute!”
Katie Neforos, Rehabilitation Technician

Additional Information

As everyone knows, Snickers DOES NOT know the word SLOW.  He believes he must do everything FAST even though there are times it’s not appropriate.  When I say not appropriate, it’s when he takes food or treats from your hand.  You really must tell him to be easy when taking the food or treats. Besides that, he’s very lovable, fun and aiming to please Sheltie. 

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. Snickers’ owners have chosen Central Illinois Sheltie Rescue (CISR), a nonprofit organization that takes in any Sheltie that needs them, addresses all their needs and then place them in good new homes.

“Snickers is a wonderful boy and a joy to work with during his rehab sessions. He was always ready to work and show us all the things he knows during his exercises. He really enjoyed his time with us and gave as much love as he received.”
Kat Holich, Rehabilitation Technician

Snickers Gallery