Capping a significant recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and major surgery on his left knee, Puli agility champion Baldwin the Rocket Dog has returned to form and has been chosen by Pedigree Dog Food to travel to Mexico City for the World Dog Show in May.
In November 2006, Baldwin tore his ACL and had to undergo major surgery on his left knee. His recovery and upcoming participation were helped by post-surgery therapy he received at Dog Paddle Hydrotherapy & Wellness in Pasadena, Calif.
As soon as his stitches were out, Baldwin began a regimen that included underwater physical therapy, stretching, massage, acupuncture, and pulsed signal therapy, a patented system used to direct a signal through a low-level electromagnetic field to injured tissue, telling the body to repair and replace damaged cells.
Baldwin’s owner, Susan Hartzler, credits pulsed signal therapy and the complete rehabilitation course with Baldwin’s speedy and full recovery.
“I was worried because I had heard that there is an 80 percent chance that the other knee will also tear within a year. Thanks to his physical therapy, Baldwin is back to the shape he was in when he was the No. 1 Puli in Agility in the U.S.,” Hartzler said.
Today, in addition to his training, Baldwin works as a therapy dog in the Los Angeles area, visiting children at County USC Hospital, Children of the Night and Monroe High School’s Special Education Program.
He and his classmates from the Contact Point Agility Center in Los Angeles will perform at the World Dog Show before 100,000 spectators for four days, from May 24 to 27, in Mexico City.