The Guestbook
Letters from the dogs (and their people).
Hi Everyone! My name is Ben, and I'm told I'm a handsome rottie/shephard mix who is now almost one year old! About 8 months ago, something bit me in my hind leg and I couldn't use it anymore... When Mom took me to meet Holli for the first time, I was sooooo scared! But who was this nice, friendly lady in the pool, waiting for me?!? ... Holli was my savior! She never left me alone... Before I knew it, I was swimming to her and playing fetch... When I started with Holli, I could hardly use my back legs, but now I am so strong, I leap across the water and have lots of fun chasing toys and swimming around in the pool! Thank you, Holli, for your magic and giving me my legs back!
Ben
My lab mix, Max, is recovering from knee surgery and rehabbed with Holli at Aqua Dog, Inc. Not only does he love to swim--despite being a little timid at first--we have noticed a great leap in his recovery. Holli's compassion and knowledge for dogs have shown through each swim session, not to mention Max has taken a great liking to her! Since he started swimming, Max has much more energy compared to the lethargic dog we had after his injury and surgery. I truly believe Holli restored my dog's life, I can't thank her enough for all she has done for my Max!
Hi my name is Hope. I am a 7 month old Rottweiler with Hemivertebrae... I had almost no use of my back legs. If I tried to walk my back would fold and I could only drag my back legs. The nice people at Chicagoland Dog Rescue saved me and took me to Purdue University... the doctors recommended hydrotherapy. That's when I met Holli !!!! ... After just 6 weeks I am able to walk and run in the yard with my foster family. I even play fetch with the ball. I am standing on all four legs and enjoying life. Thank you Holli for working your magic on me.
Hi Everyone! My name is Codie, and I am a golden mix who is 15 3/4 years YOUNG! ... Over the years I have developed really bad hips, arthritis in my back legs and probably lower spine... I start pedaling my front legs before I even hit the water! It's pretty much the only enjoyment I get these days. I get soooo excited when I get in the car because I know I am going to see 'my Holli'... When she floats me on her chest in between laps I am so relaxed that I turn my head and rest it on her shoulder facing backwards. My mom says it touches her heart every time she sees this. I don't know how much time I have left, but my mom and I both think I wouldn't have made it this long without Holli!
I met Holli in 2011 when my very special boy Reno needed some TLC. He was having some problems with his back end and warm water swimming with Holli was incredibly helpful. Reno loved to swim with Holli. I could see in his eyes the trust and love he had for her... Shortly after that I started taking Gidget to swim with Holli. She too had an injury that needed some special attention. LIke Reno, Gidget also fell in love with Holli and was always excited to swim with her.
I met Holli in Aug. of 2012 with my yellow lab Abby Rose who weighed in at 90 lbs. Abby could not walk a block without having to rest... her vet told me her weight was life threatening... Holli started swimming Abby twice a week, in the first two weeks she lost 4 lbs. I loved the fact that Holli only swims one dog at a time. So Holli give each dog her full attention. Abby is now down to 68 lbs .... a 22 lbs weight loss and acts like a puppy all over again... If it wasn't for Holli I'm sure my dog wouldn't be here now... Aqua Dog is a really awesome place and really clean.
We are so greatful to Holli for her patience with our power-house lab, Willy. Swimming has been the only way our 9 year old can release some of the energy she has pent up... Now she picks up her leash on swim days because she just can't wait to get there. Holli is in the pool waiting when we arrive... Then she is gently lowered into the warm pool...all 85 happy, wiggly pounds of her! ... Willy is now taking short walks and playing with her lab sister. Thank you Holli. Dog's CAN smile.
After experiencing swimming at other pools, I was pleased with how compassionate and attentive Holli was to my dog's particular needs! Rusty has severe hip dysplasia and has a hard time walking. Since swimming with Aqua Dog, he has more energy and seems less painful... Thank you for putting a spring back in Rusty's step and helping him to feel more himself! He is playing with his dog toys again and hasn't done that in over a year!
Coda, our 8-year old Entlebucher, went from an active dog to one that could barely stand yet alone walk. Her rapid degradation was due to a ruptured disc in her spine... Timing was such that ten days after Coda's surgery the Chicago Tribune ran an article on Holli's water therapy program... Coda started with Holli two and a half weeks after her surgery. Coda is not fond of strangers or water. Holli has a special gift that enabled her to connect with Coda. With time Coda grew to trust Holli... after swimming with Holli for five months Coda is now walking and running again. Thank you Holli for your kindness, patience and support.
As my collie "Heidi" grew older (10), she developed many medical problems. Arthritis and joint weakness caused her mobility issues. She often dragged her hind legs when walking, to the point of grinding her nails down, and then bleeding occurred. To my surprise, Heidi immediately loved swimming... In a short time, she stopped dragging her hind legs and had no more bleeding issues... Swimming and floating in the water was wonderful medicine for her... Holli and Aquadog certainly helped extend her life for which I am very grateful.
I was able to swim my girl Reba at the lake often, and walk her twice a day! ... As she got older she didn't seem to want to walk as far! ... Reba had hip displazia that I was told about when she was 6! ... Once she got in the warm water swimming with Holli after just 4 swims she had a pep in her step! She had been swimming twice a week and continued with Holli at Aqua Dog til her passing 6 months later! ... p.s. Reba did not give kisses but, she seemed to thank Holli with a kiss and always left with her tail wagging!
After my dog's tightrope surgery to fix her knee, I brought her to Aqua Dog for rehab. I was very pleased with the results from swimming my dog here! Chelsea loved coming here for her twice weekly swims and without it I'm sure that we would have had a longer recovery. Thank you for the personal attention and loving care that you showed to my dog!
