DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. ā A South Florida physical therapist who typically works with humans in now nursing a paralyzed puppy back to health, who a pet rescue organization says was severely neglected and nearly starved to death by its previous owners.
According to Good Karma Pet Rescue, the dog named Goldie has a deformed spine and paralyzed legs, and an at-home amputation left her tail badly mutilated.
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āGoldieās veterinarians had never seen a case like it, and were limited in what help they could provide her,ā volunteer Deven Soto said. āWe werenāt ready to give up.ā
The organization took Goldie to Athletix Rehab and Recovery and she is now in the car of Kyle Krupa.
āGoldie is suffering from a tremendous loss of bone mineral density, muscle atrophy and poor motor control of her hind legs,ā Krupa said.
The Deerfield Beach physical therapist is using modified techniques used for his human patients to help Goldie, including swim therapy and guided exercises.
āOnce her hind legs are strong enough we can start encouraging her to walk more frequently with proper form, starting with a narrow box/tunnel, then having her observe and play with other dogs that she can mirror,ā Krupa said.
Goldie is currently being fostered by one of the pet rescue organizationās volunteers, who is also a patient of Athletix Rehab and Recovery.