SIZZLE
VIC
Gifted La Luna Pet Stroller
Community Underwriting Grant
June 2022
Sizzle has been his owner’s best friend and companion since he was 3 months old. Through the hardest and challenging of times, he has never left her side, never missing the opportunity to lick tears away. He truly is a special boy.
Happy healing Sizzle, love from the Team at DISA
WILLA
NSW
Gifted Rehabilitation Sessions
Community Underwriting Grant
May 2022
Willa is an adorable little 7-year-old from Newcastle NSW Australia. In May, after greeting her family when they returned home, she lay down in pain and sadly within a few short hours paralysis had set in, she was unable to stand.
Eventually, after seeking a 2nd opinion from a veterinary clinic that understood IVDD, she was diagnosed with high-grade IVDD. Willa’s family (2 adults, 2 young kids 4 and 5) were heartbroken at her diagnosis and future prognosis. Her fur-brother Bane just sits next to her cage and is literally her carer when the family aren’t around.
Willa’s family weren’t prepared to say goodbye to their little chocolate dapple girl and set about researching treatment options. A conservative pathway was adopted working alongside a Qualified Rehab Specialist to give her the best chance at living a happy new normal. Conservative treatment is essentially a course of action where the affected discs are given time to heal and regenerate, and often coupled with allied therapies, supplements, and lots and lots of patience.
To give Willa a “little leg up” IVDD Assist has gifted 2 x rehabilitation sessions to aid her healing journey, you got this Willa, with love from your friends at DISA.
SKIPPER
WA
Gifted Pet Stroller & IVDD comfort pack and aids
Community Underwriting Grant
April 2022
From living on a yacht for 2 years, going off-grid for an adventure in the country, to currently overseeing the building of a custom built by his owners Nick & Adele in the historic town of York WA, Skipper the 5-year-old short-haired mini-Dachshund has lived a life of adventure, love, and companionship.
None more so when in 2019 Skipper became the constant companion to 7-year-old Mia Lorraine (Nick & Adele’s granddaughter) who sadly lost her battle with an aggressive and rare cancer 9 months later. Mia Lorraine wanted to be a vet when she grew up and the love between them both knew no bounds, he understood her more than words. He would visit and sit with her when she was so sick and unable to speak, he knew how she felt and would just lay by her and give her comfort.
So, when Skipper recently went down with high-grade IVDD (4-5) his family were devastated and financially not in a great place. But knowing how much he had helped during their darkest days they knew that letting their boy go wasn’t an option. With the guidance of a knowledgeable vet and after reading through our website (www.ivdd.org.au), they decided to adopt a conservative management pathway which has proven time and again to provide positive results, particularly when owners, professionals and dogs collaborate and dedicate themselves to the cause. As we often say, “never say never to a Dachshund”.
To help Skipper on his recovery journey, IVDD Assist has gifted him a Buddy & Belle Pet Stroller, DISA Stroller Badge & LickiMat and because it gets very chilly in York over the winter months, a Cuddle Therapy Pack (Cuddle Sack & Heat Pack). We hope you enjoy your outings with your family Skipper, heal gently, sending love and warm hugs from your friends at DISA.
Footnote:
Mia’s family have been raising funds for a therapy dog for the Perth Children’s Hospital. If you would like to help this worthy cause, we welcome you to visit https://www.mycause.com.au/p/240105/furever-perfect
LARRY
SA
Gifted Alternative Therapy Sessions
Community Underwriting Grant
March 2022
Larry is a 6-year-old Dachshund from South Australia who was recently bitten by the IVDD bug when he started to show some typical signs of an impending IVDD episode, tight stomach, knuckling and wobbly walking.
His fur-mum set about researching the possible options available in the management and treatment of an IVDD episode and it was decided, with the guidance of a great “holistic” vet, to approach his IVDD management conservatively (non-surgically).
Conservative treatment requires patience and time. It’s all about healing and pain management where nature is allowed to take its course and the affected area is encouraged to heal through extended rest and accompanied by gentle modalities such as acupuncture, laser, and even diet and supplements. Larry’s vet has been performing numerous modalities, including acupuncture on “bad backs” within the veterinary field for many years so IVDD Assist has gifted 3 x Acupuncture & Therapy Sessions to aid Larry in his treatment plan.
Patience is the key to conservative treatment and of course lots of cuddles and love, gentle healing Larry.
CONNIE
VIC
Gifted La Luna Stroller
Community Underwriting Grant
January 2022
Connie lives with her best friend Pedro and her awesome family in
Gippsland Victoria.
Connie went down suddenly with Grade 5 IVDD in August 2021 and was rushed to Southpaws in Melbourne, 2 hours by car. She underwent surgery that night where a major discectomy was performed. After discharge, due to the rural location and lack of rehabilitation services in the area, her family has lovingly undertaken her rehabilitation and ongoing care, forever hopeful that she will one day walk again.
She is a feisty determined girl and as we see often with these tenacious little hounds, never say never. She still has no independent bowel or bladder control and cannot yet walk, but she has her best mate Pedro and a family who truly loves her.
After receiving Connie’s application, we just knew that we needed to give this family a little leg up. We decided on a stroller as we understand how important mental health is when coping with a disabled dog, for all members of the family, and of course, Connie and Pedro could once again enjoy outings together. It was a no brainer!
This week Connie and her family became the recipients of a La Luna Stroller, made possible by the generosity of Community Underwriting https://www.communityunderwriting.com.au/ who awarded our organisation a grant to assist owners struggling with the burden of being owned by an IVDD Dachshund. To be able to give owners a little leg up brings sunshine in what can be a truly difficult time, both emotionally and financially.
Now a final word from Connie’s mum ….
The pram has arrived, and it is amazing!
And even better is that Connie absolutely loves it. She now scoots over to it and barks as if to say, “mummy take me out!”
DAISY
FNQ
Pay it Forward Donation by a generous Supporter
Re-gifted La Luna Stroller
January 2022
HONEY
NSW
Gifted Rehabilitation sessions
December 21 & January 2022
CINNAMON
QLD
Gifted GingerLead walking sling
September 2021
RUBY
QLD
Gifted IVDD Aids
September 2021
BOYS FAMILY
NSW
Gifted Pet Gear Stroller
Jan 2019
DIGBY
VIC
Gifted EMS Machine
Jan 2019
PEANUT & SNICKERS
QLD
Gifted Pet Gear Stroller
Jan 2019
PHILLIP
VIC
Gifted Pet Gear Stroller
Apr 2019
NEVILLE
VIC
Gifted Pet Gear Stroller
June 2020
JASPER
QLD
Gifted AirLift Harness
June 2019
STRETCH
QLD
Gifted Pet Gear Stroller
June 2019
MISHKA
VIC
Gifted AirLift Walking Harness
Feb 2019
JOLIE
QLD
Gifted Rehabilitation Sessions
March 2018
WILLOW
QLD
Gifted WiggleLess Back Brace
June 2018
MAX
QLD
Gifted WiggleLess Back Brace
April 2018
LUCIA
QLD
Gifted Pet Gear Stroller
December 2018
CHLOE
VIC
Gifted Aussie Wheels
Feb 2018
FRANK
QLD
Gifted DISA Custom Drag Dag
April 2016
LEONARD
NSW
Gifted Custom Aussie Wheels
May 2015
JOSHIE
VIC
Gifted Walkin’ Wheels
Nov 2014
(Crossed the Rainbow Bridge Sept 2020 – Always in our hearts)