Marti

After Marti had spinal cord surgery two years ago, it seemed unlikely that she would be able to walk again -- but thanks to Amie, she has. Amie provides her patients just the right blend of challenge and compassion to maximize their potential.  She is fully engaged with her patients’ families, always honest in her assessments and willing to answer questions and to provide information on exercises to build strength at home between therapy sessions. The TLC that Marti gets from ForPaws plays a major role in keeping her healthy and happy.

- CJ Jaynes

Gideon

I took my dog, Gideon, to Next Step Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness to use the underwater treadmill to get him fit. Amie was great! She took the time to stretch & massage him each time before he exercised. She was always interested in how he was doing between visits, making sure that what we did the last time was not too much for him. Gideon was not too thrilled about the underwater treadmill at first because it meant “work.” He really seemed to enjoy that everyone treated him like he was the best thing that had happened to them all day, taking in the petting & attention, &, of course, all of the treats he could con out of them. He felt that all that was worth the little work that was expected of him. I only wish that I had not moved away from the area before the expansion. It must be an awesome place now!!

-Sarah

***Gideon dropped from 60 pounds to 42 pounds through his conditioning aquatic exercise program at Next Step, a “sensible diet”, & a rigorous training program, allowing him to effortlessly leap the jumps on the agility course & earn his CDX in obedience and AX, OAP, NF, and NJP in agility.

Carson

When I learned that my beautiful German Shepherd had degenerative myelopathy & had an average life expectancy of six to nine months I was filled with despair & dread that my loyal companion would have to experience such a terrible end. Then our veterinarian referred us to Amie Hesbach of Next Step Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness where I found hope that with help, Carson could live much longer than previously thought, maintaining mobility & good quality of life. Two years & two months ago the first symptoms appeared & at this date (September 3, 2007) he can still get up & walk by himself. Because of Next Step, we are able to take wonderful walks together in our field where he tracks the fox, woodchuck & deer. Other times we walk up to the road where he marks our mailbox & along the edges of our property. It’s a big job. We are spending wonderful precious time together thanks to Amie Hesbach & the team at Next Step Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness. Everyone at Next Step & MASH has been gracious, helpful & kind, but more than that, their genuine care, concern & affection for Carson & me have given us the courage to face & fight this hideous disease. My gratitude, respect & love for these wonderful people is enormous.

-Lynne P. Hone

Doc

Several years ago, our field trial Labrador Retriever, "Doc", sustained an injury during a training session, She came up lame & it looked like her career was over, just as she was getting ready to start competing. After meeting with several veterinarians, & trying to collect as much information as we could, we decided to take her to MASH, & have Dr. Oakley perform her surgery. Our vet said he could do the surgery, but felt that since she was a competition dog, she would be better served somewhere else. 

On the day of her surgery, we found out that the original diagnosis was not correct. & that the opposing ligament was damaged. We were told it was a rare injury. Our vet said he would not have had a clue what to do if he had found this when operating (!) & we thank him for his honesty.

After Dr. Oakley repaired her leg, we started working with Amie for Doc's rehabilitation. We live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland & had to travel about two hours each way. My wife & I both work, so this meant time off from work for each trip. So after a few weeks with Amie, we talked with Amie about doing some of the rehab ourselves, with her guidance. We decided to get started & see how it went from there.

Once we started working with Amie, we were both so impressed. Doc loves her too. In today's fast paced times, you often feel overcharged & short-changed with everything. You can rarely pay anyone to do a job & feel as though you really get your money's worth. This could not be further from the truth when it comes to Amie. She gave 110% each time we met with her. It's rare in business to find people who care & understand. There was never a question about her dedication. She often extended our sessions if we were having a problem, & offered a few times to come in on her day off to meet with us when we were short on vacation days from work. She is such a rare find in today's times. She always returned our phone calls promptly & we also communicated frequently by e-mail. We never felt rushed & always felt welcome. We both cannot say enough good things about her & her innovative techniques & exercises.

Doc later returned to her work & won a Field Trial. She is doing great & is enjoying a good life, still training & competing. She's had 2 litters of pups, & has 22 children.

Thank you so much Amie, Dr. Oakley, & all of the good people at M.A.S.H.

-Allen & Linda Willey