Canine Underwater Treadmill to be shown

Pet Fair is Saturday in Springboro.Veterinary Clinic hires rehab expert.

Contact this contributing writer at PamDillon@woh.rr.com.


How to go

What: Fifth annual Family and Pet Fair Open House

Where: The Marketplace at Settlers Walk, Bigger Road Veterinary Center, 718 N. Main, Springboro

When: Noon-4 p.m. Saturday

More info: www.biggervet.com, 937-435-3262 (Kettering) or 937-514-7702 (Springboro)

A stray golden retriever was struck by a car on Interstate 70 about 10 years ago. Thanks to Mary Savage of Englewood and Carmen Kolz of Dayton, he now has a name and a healthy life.

Clifford was rescued by Savage, who took him to a vet in Troy for surgery on a fractured pelvis. Savage is a dog trainer working at the Dayton Dog Training Club in Moraine. And fortunately for Clifford, she started bringing him to Kolz for underwater treadmill therapy.

Kolz worked in England for the U.S. Air Force. She came over to the U.S. in 2002 after she retired. When her friend had a dog who was hit by a car, Kolz remembered all of the canine hydrotherapy clinics in England.

“I said to her, ‘Oh, no problem, we’ll just put her in an underwater treadmill,’ but no one over here had ever heard of one,” said Kolz. “We finally found a clinic in Maryland that had a therapy unit imported from England.”

So Kolz also purchased an underwater therapy unit from Norfolk County, England, and founded Canine Underwater Treadmill in 2003. So Clifford had the benefit of that unique underwater therapy, and it took her a few months to rehabilitate him. Now 11, he continues to enjoy the underwater exercise for arthritis issues and senior maintenance.

She has recently been hired by the Bigger Road Veterinary Clinic to provide canine physical therapy programs. She maintains a therapy program at the BRVC’s Springboro office’s new Pet Spaw facility.

The specialized unit is designed to reduce stress on muscles and joints, maintain healthy weight and contribute to overall fitness. This therapy has helped dogs suffering from hip dysplasia and patients recovering from ACL surgery.

To celebrate the opening of the new facility, the Springboro Dorothy Lane Market and the Bigger Road Veterinary Center are hosting a Family and Pet Fair and Open House noon to 4 p.m. this Saturday at the Marketplace at Settlers Walk and at the veterinary center, 718 N. Main St., Springboro.

The Pet Spaw facility is designed to simulate a walk in a park with indoor trees, a sky-blue ceiling, winding walkways and cottage-style examination rooms.

“We’re excited about bringing Carmen’s unique service to our center, and we’re pleased to provide the only canine underwater treadmill program in the Miami Valley,” said Dr. John Talmadge, co-owner and veterinarian at Bigger Road Veterinary Center.

Kolz’s accomplishments in physical therapy have been featured in local, national and global media outlets. In addition to her work as a canine exercise therapist, she teaches an adult education course at the University of Dayton on complementary medicine for animals.

“It is a privilege to join the Bigger Road team as we provide advanced methods of pain management and relaxation techniques,” said Kolz. “I look forward to helping patients and clients gain access to innovative technology and wellness services offered at our new Pet Spaw.”

Aside from its Springboro location, the Bigger Road Veterinary Clinic has its original location on Bigger Road in Kettering.

Kolz’s will be at the Springboro location, and her hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays.

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