How one rescue dog found new life in rehab at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Lera VanMeter never thought the rescue organization would actually put a dog in a van and send her to West Virginia.

She had spotted the listing online — a yellow Labrador retriever dumped on the streets of Texas.

"I filled out the little form behind my husband's back," VanMeter said. "I'm still in trouble for that one, even five years later."

The dog was Chrissy. She arrived on a transport van headed to the northeast. Lera VanMeter and her husband Mark Kelley now live in Charleston, West Virginia. They figured Chrissy was about 5 when they got her. They've had her for nearly five years since. 

For most of that time, Chrissy was calm, happy, and laid back — content to be loved on and not much else. She didn't chase balls or roughhouse, but she loved carrying a single toy outside with her — her own quiet version of play.

But last fall, things changed. Chrissy's mobility declined, and the signs became harder to overlook — she was reluctant to walk and preferred to lay down.

Her local veterinarian suspected something neurological and referred Chrissy to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. A consultation with neurology resident Leanne Jankelunas identified some neurological concerns, which are being managed. But the team determined that the most compounding problem was severe osteoarthritis in both rear knees and a front elbow.

Jankelunas consulted with Florence Bliss, chief of small animal rehabilitation at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, that same day. 

"She was having trouble just standing for even just a few minutes," Bliss said.

Between her weight, pressure sores on her elbows from limited mobility, and pain medications that weren't providing enough relief; Chrissy's compounding conditions had caught up with her. Euthanasia was part of the conversation early on.

"It's all about quality of life," VanMeter said. "If she wasn't flourishing and just didn't want to walk, we couldn't keep her around for us. It has to be for her."

But VanMeter and Kelley weren't ready to stop trying. They wanted to explore every option before making that decision, and the rehabilitation team gave them a path forward. 

"My husband and I are the people that are going to try anything we can," VanMeter said. "And I think it was important to try."

Addressing pain first

Bliss approaches rehabilitation patients by assessing three things: pain level, functional mobility, and quality of life. Given Chrissy's pain level, the team knew they needed to address her comfort before introducing any exercises.

"People think rehab is just the underwater treadmill and exercises," Bliss said. "But sometimes it's managing pain, managing owners' expectations, and setting reasonable goals."

The team tried laser therapy and shockwave therapy. The shockwave treatments helped enough to pinpoint where Chrissy's worst pain was coming from. From there, Bliss recommended joint injections — a 2.5% injectable polyacrylamide hydrogel combined with platelet-rich plasma.

"It's kind of like an implant," Bliss explained. "It coats the lining of the joint and allows the body's own tissue to create a healthier environment. The platelet-rich plasma is basically bringing in the army to calm things down, reduce inflammation, and help rebuild."

The treatment has been used in equine and human medicine for years but is newer in small animal veterinary care. Bliss thought Chrissy was the right candidate, but she was careful to set realistic expectations.

VanMeter was told to wait two weeks before expecting any change. She noticed a difference in five days.

"I was sending videos and calling saying, 'Unless I'm crazy — we are absolutely seeing it,'" VanMeter said. "She started picking up her toy again. She wasn't just laying down the moment she got outside." 

Inside the clinic, Bliss saw it too. Chrissy could stand for longer than a few seconds. The team introduced low-impact exercises and eventually the underwater treadmill — something that had been impossible when Chrissy first arrived.

"I think it exceeded even maybe her expectations on how good it has worked," VanMeter said.

Over three months, the team also tackled Chrissy's weight with a strict calorie plan. She went from a body condition score of nine out of nine to near ideal. She went from multiple pain medications down to a single anti-inflammatory.

And the euthanasia conversation? Gone.

"That's not even in the lingo right now," VanMeter said. "The conversation has completely changed."

More than the dog

VanMeter and Kelley drive two hours each way from Charleston to Blacksburg for Chrissy's appointments. Bliss said their commitment has been a major factor in her progress.

"The owners have been 100 percent on board with everything," Bliss said. "That makes a huge difference."