Izzy
Our elderly dog, Izzy was first introduced to warm water pool therapy years ago after being diagnosed with an arthritic condition that left her with much difficulty and discomfort during movements – much so, that we needed to turn her while sleeping (to prevent pressure ulcers and sores) and hold her upright during potty time. Warm water pool therapy was our last attempt to allow her to have some quality of life. Although she usually hated water, it was very apparent during her first visits with Claire, that there was a special caring, compassionate, and trusting therapeutic relationship that soon developed between Izzy and Claire. Although Izzy was never really able to run again, the benefits of pool therapy gave her the strength and endurance to stand on her own, walk, climb a few steps, and turn herself during sleep. This was more than we ever could have imagined. By making this possible, I must say had probably added 3+ years to Izzy’s life at a time we thought would be only weeks/months. We had Claire to thank for what we called, “a special miracle”. If anything, Izzy greatly looked forward to her time in pool therapy and seeing Claire – which made the world of difference to Izzy’s happiness and quality of life, while at the same time, gave us additional years to have Izzy in our lives. We since started pool therapy for our 2nd dog, Oliver who still gets around at the age of 19 years old. Claire has a special gift. You and your pet are very fortunate to come to know her!!
– Chris B.
Issaquah, WA
Willie
Claire was always so kind and caring when I brought my blind dog, Willie, to swim with her. He went blind in the last year of his life, and I wanted to make sure he still got to swim even though he could not see anymore. Claire was great with Willie. I knew he was in good hands with her, and I could tell that he knew he was in good hands with her too. Claire will love your dog as much as you do.
– Jim Moore
Boudreaux, Mac, Kira, and Jackson
Somewhere around fourteen years ago we took our aging black lab to meet Claire for his first warm water swim therapy. Claire was kind, welcoming, and very professional. She had an obvious love and connection with animals. Within two weeks she had our boy running ahead on trails and showing energy that he had lacked for at least a year prior. After that Claire worked with Mac, who had spinal surgery and a TPLO. Mac was only seven (ish) when he had those surgeries, and he lived a healthy happy life all the way to fourteen! We continued to take each of our dogs to her for various ailments and issues, including our most recent retriever puppies – simply to learn to swim and enjoy hanging out with Claire.
– Brett and Tanya Eliason
Ace
Ace started swim therapy with Claire back in early 2015; age 9; after we noticed his hind end was becoming weak and he was not able to exercise as he once did. We didn’t want to lose muscle tone and provide a lower impact exercise, so we decided to do swim therapy. He continued with swimming off and on for several years. The swimming was greatly beneficial, and we saw him back to a more normal amount of energy and motion with consistent schedule of exercise and massage this way.
In 2018 we noticed that his left back side was weaker, at that point we decided to add land massage in conjunction with water therapy. In the fall of 2019, when Ace turned 13 yrs old we had him diagnosed from Seattle Rehab Services in Shoreline he had two Achilles Tendon Ruptures. Claire was present for the diagnosis, we wanted her to hear things firsthand. We also discussed with the Dr. the therapy Ace had been receiving, we wanted to be sure that we were supporting him as best we can with his condition. The Dr. told us if he hadn’t had the therapy, his life with the injuries he has would have probably ended a year or so earlier.
Spring 2021 age 14 ½, Ace’s mobility has decreased over the years, however with Claire’s help through land massage, water therapy and guidance with nutrition we have been able to keep Ace in a comfortable state of motion and health.
As Ace approaches 15 yrs old we realize that we are now providing palliative care, and keeping him as comfortable as possible. Claire’s role in this care is essential, without her knowledge and experience with massage and Reiki coupled with the overall diet and health guidance she provides Ace would certainly not have been able to stay with us for this long. Thank you Claire, we cherish you and your healing touch!
CJ, Bob & Acer!