In April 2013, Leslie Gallagher, founder of Two Hands Four Paws, received a call from Doberman Rescue regarding a paralyzed Doberman named Kenny.
Kenny had suffered a traumatic event to his neck, possibly due to a kennel gate being dropped on him. The injury left him paralyzed in all four legs, completely unable to move.
Due to the potential costs of a proper diagnosis and restorative surgery, euthanasia was proposed, and they contacted Leslie for advice. Leslie subsequently offered to take Ken in and try to work her magic one more time. The odds were not in their favor.
The staff at Two Hands Four Paws worked diligently for a month to get some functionality back into Ken’s legs but were met with minimal success. The hopeless dog had to be carried everywhere, unable to urinate on his own, and in terrible pain.
At the end of the first month he developed cancerous tumors that needed to be removed, but while recovering from surgery Kenny developed pneumonia which landed him back in the hospital. After spending several days under the watchful eyes of hospital staff, Kenny recovered and came home.
Kenny desperately needed an MRI and probable neurosurgery, so a fund-raising campaign was established, spreading word about Ken’s situation and gathering a total of $9,000 in contributions, which came in from around the world!
Dr. Wayne Berry, a leading neurologist analyzed the MRIs and performed the surgery in early May. Immediately, Ken’s pain diminished, and his limbs regained some flexibility. A major hurdle had been crossed
After a slew of intensive, focused rehabilitation, massage therapy, hydro and laser therapies, acupuncture, and exercises, Kenny took his first few steps. He soon regained his ability to urinate and defecate on his own. He started to try to play with other dogs even though he was so unstable he fell down constantly.
Today, Kenny is stronger than ever. He runs down hallways, bright spirited and charming everyone he meets!
