Therapy

My golden retriever, Gabriel, can be pretty hyper and intense, so it’s amazing to see him literally melt in Cindy’s arms as she works her magic touch. However, it isn’t just Cindy’s expert ability to work with Gabriel’s oh-so-tight muscles that impresses me. She also has a wonderfully fine attunement to Gabriel, sensing the very fine nuances of his emotions and behavior. This understanding helps guide her as she works with him, eliciting the very best results. And Gabriel absolutely …

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My dog Dick, a Shepherd Mix, is 10 years old. His back end is, of course, getting weaker with age. Although he’s a good swimmer, it’s difficult to find the perfect place and situation to make that happen.When I started with Cindy my intent was prevention. To keep him moving and try and stave off the inevitable weakening as long as possible. What I didn’t realize is that along with the desired result of helping Dick would come a wonderful …

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Lexi is a 5-year-old German Shepherd, who has been coming to see Cindy since July of 2002. Lexi has always had sensitivity issues with her tail/rear end. Since the pool therapy, Lexi is no longer tail/rear sensitive. Her whole demeanour towards other dogs has vastly improved!!! I am sorry we didn’t come to see Cindy sooner!!!!

My Pug BB is 15 years old and suffers from a degenerative neurological condition that has caused weakness in her rear legs. As a result she has great difficulty in walking. BB has been coming to La Paw Spa weekly for almost 2 years, and the swimming and massage work that Cindy does with her has made a significant difference in her leg strength. After her spa session, her legs are noticeably stronger and more flexible. At first I didn’t …

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The effort of caring for a geriatric dog can be emotionally and physically exhausting. To have this unique place to bring your dog, this oasis in the week, where you can see your dog’s eyes light up as they swim in the pool with Cindy, where you can laugh for a few moments and be rewarded for work of caring with this big smile on your dog’s face is truly a wonderful experience.

Our experiences at La Paw Spa were truly enlightening. Otto, our 14 year old, arthritic lab-mix had developed stiffness and discomfort in his hips and paws. In our attempt to help relieve his pain we sought out Cindy at La Paw Spa since we had read about the healing effects of hydrotherapy for dogs. Our initial visit was filled with wonder and amazement. Otto, who throughout his entire life maintained a very reserved, “don’t touch me” disposition with all strangers, …

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Finding Cindy Horsfall and her unique warm-water-spa-swimming-massage ministry for dogs has meant that our Annie went from a 3-legged canine to walking AND running again … using all 4 legs! Annie is a darling Husky/German Shepherd mix who had developed arthritis in both hind legs. ACL replacement surgery in one leg had helped some, but the other one was getting noticeably worse with rapidly progressing, rather severe arthritis. Aspirin and glucosamine helped some, but vets and canine surgeons could offer …

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We all know that bulldogs sink like stones… the question was when Sandy brought Brodie to the spa is can a bulldog learn to swim? To everyone’s surprise, Brodie fetches tennis balls in the pool and swims like an Olympic athelete! We’re all amazed at his swimming style and passion for the water. Brodie now not only swims on his own but retrieves tennis balls! You can see our surprise when he snatched his first tennis ball from the water!. …

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Before I met Cindy Horsfall, I was at the end of my emotional rope. My precious two-year old Golden Retriever, Max, has suffered an injury to his right hind leg (both bones broken, spiral fractures, etc.). After three surgeries over a four-month period, and complications caused by a systemic bacterial infection, Max had gotten very used to not using his atrophied injured leg. We tried the underwater treadmill, but Max still could not be persuaded to use the bad leg. …

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I sought out canine water therapy for my paralyzed 11 year old pug. In the end, it was hard to say which of us benefited more. Dugan had lost the ability to walk due to a degenerative nerve disease. My hope was that the warm water therapy would help him keep some muscle tone, encourage his failing circulation, and provide him with a sense of movement and relaxation. Pugs are not exactly water dogs, and Dugan himself was a bit …

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