I bet you can imagine the wide range of calls I get to assist pet parents and their pets. Today, I want to share with you a little about Charlie, because the story of Charlie really shares how important a Pet Medical Doula can be.
Charlie was a big, beautiful fun-loving rough coat Saint Bernard. He truly loved his family, and they loved him. That is why Charlie’s mom was referred to me when the doctors could not find out what was going on with him.
Charlie loved walking and investigating the back yard, around the pool every morning. He was interested in who had visited the yard during the night. But the owner noticed he was not himself; he wasn’t quite so excited every day. Some days he was himself and others he was a bit listless and hung his head, panted a lot. Charlie’s pet parent, Nancy was concerned so she did the right thing and scheduled with her veterinarian for a checkup.
Nancy and Charlie visited multiple veterinarians, had lots and lots of tests ran but they could not find out what was going on. Nancy and all her family were at a loss, they were worried about Charlie and worried that the problem may not be discovered in time to help him.
Nancy was sharing her concerns one day with Charlie’s massage therapist (Yes, they do exist and are wonderful for older dogs. More on this subject another day). Charlie’s therapist asked Nancy: Have you considered speaking with a professional animal communicator? Nancy had not heard of animal communicators, so the massage therapist shared how valuable she thought my services were to her. And added: What do you have to lose? You have tried so many tests and specialists and the last specialist said: unless we see Charlie while the problem is happening we cannot in good conscious treat him. Then the therapist shared my contact information with Nancy.
The next day Nancy called, and we scheduled time to speak with Charlie. He came to the office full of heart and excitement. Nancy and I spoke about all they had been through and about her worries. Then I spoke to Charlie. He was concerned too! He did not understand how he could feel good and then all of the sudden his heart felt like it was going to pound right out of his chest. I told Nancy what Charlie said. I then asked Charlie for all the other things he was feeling. Including asking him if he had any idea when he knew this was going to happen? Did he feel different? Did he go somewhere where he felt safe? Was he willing to tell Nancy how to help her help him?
Charlie wanted to help! Yea! He was able to tell us how he felt. What he thought before it happened. He told us how woozy he felt before he was in his scared moment. Where he went to feel safe. And he was even willing to go to Nancy and nuzzle her hand.
Nancy left that day with Charlie and as they were walking out the door, I asked her to keep me updated. She called me a couple weeks later to tell me Charlie had gone back to the cardiologist and his cardiologist said Nancy could call and tell the office they were on their way. Arrangements had been made, make the call, come in and Charlie would be seen immediately. Well, the day came that Charlie walked up to Nancy and nuzzled her had repeatedly. Nancy finally realized this wat the moment he had said in my office he would nuzzle her hand. The call was made to the cardiologist and off they went. Charlie got into the lobby and a technician was waiting to take him to the back, just like the cardiologist had promised. About 30 minutes later the cardiologist came out to speak with Nancy. He said Charlie was in tachycardia (really really fast beating heart) and that now they knew what to treat Charlie for.
Charlie was then treated for his heart condition, and he lived for an additional 3 years. His cardiologist said they would never have found the condition if Nancy had not come in that day. Then Nancy shared she had spoken with me and what Charlie had shared in my office.
Nancy, her family, and Charlie were to grateful Charlie was given a voice. He was able to live a happy life with the assistance of the treatment from the cardiologist.
If you are interested in any of my Pet Medical Doula sessions visit my website. Even easier here is a direct link to the scheduling page for an hour consult.
