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Jo
has been seeing Maria for massage for
several years. She was diagnosed with
Cushing's disease exactly 5 years ago and
was given 2 years to live. Since her
Cushing's diagnosis, over the past few years
she was also diagnosed with Heart disease,
Hypothyroidism, a Herniated Disc and Spinal
Arthritis. Jo still has a great
quality of life thanks in large part to the
care that she receives from Maria. Jo
loves to get massages, they keep her feeling
good and give her back range of motion. The
Cushing's causes severe muscle loss so thank
God for Maria's massages because she helps
what little muscle Jo has to feel good,
healthy and able to sustain her so that she
can still get around just fine on her
own. Jo still enjoys trotting around the
yard (even on the coldest day) and playing
with her sister, Reba. Jo's muscles
get really tight and sore and Maria works
out all of the tightness and makes Jo feel
good. Jo is not a snugly dog.
She barely likes to be petted. Yet, Jo
melts in Maria's lap the second she sees
her. She cannot wait for her rub
downs! I really believe that Maria has
extended Jo's life because she is giving Jo
the quality of life we want for her so that
she can keep going!
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 Slammer was
a very motivated, athletic Clumber who had
achieved her OA/OAJ and was competing in
Excellent when she had her puppies in 2004.
After her puppies were born, she seemed to
be back to her old self, but she suddenly
began going around jumps, skipping weave
poles or dropping bars. Those of us who knew
her thought she might be sick. I immediately
took her to the vet and had her thoroughly
checked out. They found nothing wrong. When
I was finally able to connect with Maria, it
was obvious to me from her reaction that
Slammer was VERY sore. That day, after
having skipped the weave poles and contact
obstacles in the morning, she was within the
last two weave poles and a jump of q'ing in
Jumpers, with only that very first massage.
Since that time we have seen Maria on at
least an every-other-week basis. She earned
her AX/AXJ and then MX/MXJ and is still
running at nearly 11 years of age, earning
her Preferred titles in 2008 and seven MJP
legs. I am convinced she would not be
running if it were not for the superb care
from Maria!
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Maria Duthie has been
administering weekly massage treatments to
Summer, our twelve year old golden retriever
this past year. It was during this time
that Summer was diagnosed by a veterinarian
with an irreversible degeneration of her
spinal chord. The effects of this illness
include the loss of control, strength and
muscle mass in her hind legs.
Maria’s massage
treatments have been critical in our efforts
to manage Summer’s disease and provide her
comfort in her latter years. These massages
reduce Summer’s spasms, and increase
her flexibility and energy level. Maria has
also alerted us to other possible health
concerns or medication changes to discuss
with our veterinarian.
After each session,
Maria suggests a plan of treatment to
include exercises and/or activities that we
can do with Summer. It is this
advice that we sometimes find to be the most
valuable; because, as our golden struggles
with her serious illness, we aren’t left
with a feeling of helplessness.
With Maria’s guidance
and assistance, Summer continues to be our
faithful companion and she is able to carry
on with her therapy dog visits.
Jane Norton
Marty Robinson
Lazy Days of Summer
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Scooter and Abby
have been seeing Maria monthly for quite
a while.Both are Yorkshire terriers. Scooter
had a tumor removed from her intestines in
December 2005 when she was 11 ½ years old.
As a result she had multiple health issues
over the next 3 years. She loved her
massages and they obviously made her feel
better. The look of peace and gratitude in
Scooter’s eyes as Maria massaged her little
body spoke volumes. Maria came to our house
in December 2008 so Scooter would not miss
her massage. Little did we know that it
would be Scooter’s last. She became very
sick early in January and lost the battle on
February 24. Abby, who will be 18 in July
2009, is a real miracle story. Rescued from
a back yard breeder at the age of 5 she had
leg-perthes disease in both hips. One leg
was frozen up under her belly and required
surgery. Shortly after the surgery she
developed other health issues and by age 10
she was totally blind and is also now
deaf. The other hip is now full of
arthritis but Abby is not a candidate for
surgery. Pain pills were not controlling
the pain, plus the medication gave her a
bleeding ulcer. Since Maria has been
massaging her she has been much less
painful, and has not had any limping for
many months. She is now able to take a
milder pain medication that is easier on the
stomach. Some people laugh when we say we
are taking the dogs for their massages. But
if they could see the contentment in their
eyes as Maria works out the aches and pains
they too would be believers. Thank you
Maria for helping take such good care of our
little ones.
Susie Thomas
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