• Happy 1st Birthday Rowan !

    Our newest therapy dog turns one!

    We were so excited to celebrate Rowan’s first birthday with all of you! Everyone who visited during the week of his birthday received homemade paw print cookies that said ROWAN.

     

    Rowan is the third therapy dog to join our staff but the first puppy. Rowan was born August 21, 2023 in Las Vegas. From the time he was born it was easy to spot him among his siblings, he was the one always sleeping on his back! He still loves to be on his back, but now it is so he can get belly rubs!

    Long day at the office…

     

    Learn more about Rowan and his total obsession with shoes, plus lots of pictures…

     

     

     

    Rowan is an 18 month old Cavalier King Charles puppy who joined the office in November 2023. He came from Heaven Sent Cavaliers in Las Vegas. Kelly and her children poured a lot of love into him his first 3 months, holding him and playing with him, and because of them, he is a very friendly and confident little guy. He loves everyone and is always excited to meet someone new. He and his siblings were all named after trees.  In Celtic Mythology, the “Rowan” tree is considered to represent power, vision, balance, healing, mystery, connection, protection, and transformation. He couldn’t have been given a better name!

    As a puppy, Rowan was very “chill” and could be spotted among his siblings as one who was always on his back asleep (he is wearing the orange collar). Today, you can still catch him sleeping on his back, or rolling over when approached to encourage a tummy rub!

     

    KONA TURNS 10 YEARS OLD!

    Kona, our second therapy dog, turned 10 on August 27, 2024. Kona is a rescue from the Big Island of Hawaii, and came with his name. He is “semi-retired” and comes around the office  to visit with patients from time to time.  He has taken a break while Rowan has been “in training.”

     

     

    Goodbye to Charlie

    It is with a very heavy heart that we share with you that Charlie passed away February 4, 2022. He was 14 years and 5 months, and after being diagnosed with a heart condition at age 8, we treated every day as a “gift.” For those who knew him, he was a very special guy, a rescue turned therapy dog, who was in the office every day. Charlie loved attention and tummy rubs, and especially the kids who gave him treats. He loved to hunt for lizards and looked forward to the kids who took him on adventure walks. He spent most of his “Golden Years” sleeping and snoring and enjoying the company of people. He was a great listener, and when he lost his hearing, he learned to “listen” with all his senses. 

     

    Charlie had his share of “old man” issues, including mitral valve disease (common in Cavaliers), seizures, and intervertebral disc disease for which he took a variety of medications and supplements. In the Summer of 2021, Charlie was in physical therapy and he built up his leg strength on an underwater treadmill (see pictures and video below). Unfortunately he developed seizures which further weakened his back legs and he had to stop his therapy. During his last 8 months, he had a few “sleepovers” with staff at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital, including New Year’s Eve 2021! 

    Charlie was a happy, loving companion right up till his last day, which he spent at the Del Mar beach park, and then at home, eating his favorite foods. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He brought joy to everyone who knew him, and we all miss him greatly. His picture still hangs in our waiting room. 

    Charlie's Underwater Treadmill

    August 27, 2021

    We were so excited to celebrate Charlie’s 14th birthday in August 2021! Diagnosed with a heart condition at 8 years old, we have approached every day as a “gift” and every birthday as a cause for great celebration!