HONOLULU (HI Now) - Teddi, a senior dog rescued from the desert outside San Diego in 2012, has spent her life swimming in Mission Bay, paddleboarding off Oahu and hiking with her owners, Sarah and Jeff. So when Teddi’s legs began shaking and she started slowing down a few years ago, her care team at King Street Pet Hospital took notice.
As Teddi’s veterinarian, Dr. Audrey Bolaños had been monitoring her through regular wellness visits and monthly injections for arthritis. Over time, Dr. Bolaños noticed Teddi’s range of motion in her hips becoming more limited, sensitivity to touch and muscle wasting. These changes, combined with Teddi’s age and heart condition, suggested that medication alone wasn’t going to be enough.
“It’s about monitoring trends for patients and catching things early,” Dr. Bolaños says. “What may be small changes in [pet owners’] minds actually may be warning bells that we pick up on.”
Dr. Bolaños recommended physical rehabilitation at VERC (Veterinary Emergency + Referral Center of Hawaii).
“The referral process was very easy,” Sarah says. “They called me to schedule an appointment and were flexible.”
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At VERC, Teddi first saw board-certified surgeon Dr. Chi-Ya Chen for a full exam and review of her medical history before starting a rehabilitation plan with technician Amy Honeychurch, CCRP, GDVA. The team explained the therapies available, asked about
Teddi’s symptoms and the family’s goals, and built a plan that included targeted exercises and acupuncture.
“We were surprised that there were so many options available,” Sarah says.
What sets Teddi’s care apart is how connected it has stayed. VERC shares Teddi’s progress with King Street through an online portal and email updates, giving Dr. Bolaños visibility into the exercises and goals guiding Teddi’s rehab.
“Communication with VERC is pretty easy,” Dr. Bolaños says. “I think goals are important, and communication helps achieve those goals.” Sarah agrees: “I love that they can share information. Both are very good with communication, and I feel like Teddi is in great hands.”
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The results have been meaningful. Teddi’s legs have stopped shaking, she’s able to sit again, and she’s back to hiking Oahu’s shaded trails with her family.
“Seeing her get stronger was really rewarding,” Sarah says. “It motivated us to keep going.”
For Dr. Bolaños, Teddi’s progress is a reminder of what’s possible when a general practice and a referral hospital work as one team.
“Having access to VERC is a breath of fresh air,” she says. “It’s nice to be able to refer patients that need additional care I cannot provide, and owners are extremely thankful to find answers for their pets.”
Visit verchawaii.com or call us anytime at (808) 735-7735. Follow us on Instagram @verc.hawaii and Facebook @VERCHawaii for tips, updates and behind-the-scenes looks at how we keep pets safe 24/7. Because when it matters most, VERC is the place to go.
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