The Power of Support Groups for Pet Owners

What causes dog paralysis? How do I take care of my dog when she can’t walk? Where do I find a dog wheelchair? What treatments are available? These are some of the questions that you can get answers to when you join a support group for pet owners of disabled dogs.

Support Groups For Disabled Pets

Support groups are a great way to get educated about the care your pet requires and to surround yourself with the support you need now and in the future. 

• Disabled dogs offer unparalleled love and courage. They also require more of your time and financial resources. As a result, taking care of their needs can feel overwhelming, especially as you’re getting used to their new lifestyle.

We’ve all heard the saying, “You have to take care of yourself before you can care for anyone else.” Support groups exist to help us take control. If you share your life with a dog who has a mobility problem, there are many reasons to take part.

Goals of a support group for pet owners

There are good days and hard days when you’re the caretaker of a handicapped dog. Being a member of a support group provides a pet owner with the opportunity to talk with people who are going through the same experience.

Members are there to:

• Provide emotional support and compassion

• Learn daily living skills

• Get educated about products for disabled pets

• Share ideas about treatments and therapies

• Hear the concerns of members

• Offer hope

The group is a place to gain information to help your pet and a place where you can take time for yourself.

How to choose the right support group

Many pet parents find the right support group through their veterinarian or canine rehab specialist. It’s a good starting point.

If the veterinary professionals in your life aren’t sure where to turn, search through social media sites, like Facebook or LinkedIn. Both of these websites pride themselves in serving members through support groups.

Do a little research before joining a group. Most organizations list their mission statement and goals on their websites and social media pages. Read through the descriptions and select the support group with goals that meet your needs.

• Another important aspect to finding the right group is to decide if you prefer meetings to be held in-person or if it’s okay to be held online. For instance, the Dog Wheelchair LIFE Group meets virtually, on Facebook. We offer a Weekly Pro Tip, educational guides, referrals to clinical trials and reviews on products. 

The mechanics of online groups

Online support groups enable pet owners from around the globe to take part. The process to join includes answering membership questions and being approved by a site administrator.

Once pet owners are approved to be a member, they are free to ask a question, share an experience, post a photo or offer advice.

Group moderators are always present to monitor discussions. They offer their expertise and recommendations about everything from products to treatments and medical procedures.  

In addition, members can interact with each other whenever they need. One of the benefits of an online support group is that members have 24-hour access to ask for help. They don’t have to wait for a live meeting to bring up a question.

Both in-person and online groups provide education, moral support, treatment tips and resources. Many groups also use videos and guest speakers to instruct members. 

Group discussions cover topics such as:

• Daily care – Subjects discussed range from how to manually express a dog’s bladder, to getting your pet used to their wheelchair and how to bathe a paralyzed dog.

• Products – Members talk about items such as dog wheelchairs, support harnesses, paw protection, orthopedic beds, diaper products and more.

• Rehab therapies – Pet parents learn about specific rehab treatments and where to find them in their city. These include: hydrotherapy, acupuncture, physical therapy, bodyworks and chiropractic care.

• At-home treatments – Moderators educate members about canine massage, at-home exercises, and light therapy.

• Veterinary specialists – Support groups are a place to get recommendations for veterinary specialists. With a name in hand, you’ll be ready to discuss a referral with your dog’s vet.

• Clinical trials – Support groups are often notified by universities about upcoming research studies. It enables them to alert members and recruit canine participants. Dogs who participate receive cutting-edge treatments and potentially improve the lives of future dogs with mobility issues.

Support groups with one focus vs. many

Another condition you should weigh before joining a support group is to decide if you want a group with one main focus or many. Some support groups limit the scope of their education to a single mobility problem while others choose to include several.

For instance, the Paralyzed Pet Sitting Network, is a support and networking group for pet owners who need someone to stay with their dog while they’re away. Pet owners join the group and exchange pet sitting services with another owner in their area. The group fills a gap for pet parents and has flourished since it started in 2022.

Dodgerslist is another single themed support group that focuses on Intervertebral Disc Disease. Because so many dogs are diagnosed with IVDD, the group focuses on in-depth information on that one particular health problem.

This is helpful if your dog’s been diagnosed with IVDD, but if your dog’s disability is caused by another condition, the information you learn, might not benefit your pet.

A support group that focuses on a variety of mobility problems and treatment options will include these topics:

• Neurological diseases

• Orthopedic conditions

• Diagnostic tests – MRI, CT scan, x-rays, ultrasound, bloodwork, and the reasons for these tests

• What to expect when a dog undergoes a procedure

• The latest equipment and rehab to help your dog 

Advice from a veterinarian

Melissa Shapiro, DVM, owner of Visiting Vet Service in Westport, Connecticut, credits advances in equipment, medicine, and social media with improving the lives of disabled pets.

Dr. Shapiro is also the founder of the social media phenomenon @pinkpigletpuppy, which features her deaf and blind dachshund-Chihuahua mix. 

Shapiro advices pet owners to include their dog’s veterinarian in their support system. She believes that attitudes toward handicapped pets are changing.

Veterinarians play an important role in guiding pet parents toward the resources and support they need to care for their animals.

Melissa Shapiro, DVM

The takeaway

Caring for a special needs dog is rewarding and challenging. Thanks to advancements in medicine, technology, attitudes, and social media, pets with disabilities are living longer, happier lives with their owners. But caring for a handicapped pet requires support. You will find your life easier to navigate if you have a trusted veterinary team and a network of like-minded people to guide you.

Lauren Lee – Contributing writer for this story

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