by Mary Wilson, mwilson@jcadvocate.com
All Stanley wants for Christmas is to walk on all four legs.
A two-year-old English bulldog, Stanley has spent his entire life overcoming
obstacles. Born with a bilateral cleft lip, he underwent correctional surgery
in March of 2015. He also had deformities in the bones in his legs, and his
family was originally told there was no way to fix them. However, despite the
initial setback, in July of this year, one of his hind legs was operated on to
fix the disability that prevented him from walking. A few weeks ago, the other
leg was corrected with another surgery.
“He was born with his hind legs tucked under him,” said
Stanley’s mom, Deborah Pack. “So, with these surgeries, he’s learning to
straighten his legs out and build the strength to stand and walk.”
Pack hopes that Stanley can be an inspiration to children
with disabilities. Currently an ambassador for the Smile Train organization,
Stanley helps to raise funds for children across the world to receive cleft
palate surgeries.
“We want to show that Stanley is working hard, doing these
exercises to build his strength,” said Pack.
Stanley visits the Animal Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in
Grandview weekly to go through exercises and be monitored by Grandview Animal
Hospital veterinarians. At the ARC, he also receives acupuncture and laser
therapies. He’s undergoing therapy to ensure equal weight distribution on the
corrected legs.
“When he first came to us, he was not wanting to put any
weight on his back legs at all,” said Dr. Jill Clark, of Grandview Animal Hospital.
“He is doing significantly better from where he was. We move at the pace of the
dog, and each rehabilitation schedule is tailored to the individual.”
Before the corrective procedures, Stanley worked with what
he had. He ate, with the help of his brother, and he got around in whatever way
he could manage. During his recent surgeries, it was discovered that Stanley
also has a curve in his spine, and he’s working on different methods to
compensate for that disability, as well.
“That’s how children are, they work with what they have,”
said Pack. “So, when they find out they have a friend who actually knows what
they go through, it can help encourage them. It’s important for children to
understand they’re not alone.”
Armed with a Santa hat, Stanley feels confident to get
through his different therapies put before him during each visit to the ARC.
“The hat encourages him, in a way,” said Pack.
Whether it’s a hat, food, or another type of motivation,
Stanley is encouraging to watch. Working three times each day at home, his
family is pushing him to reach the goal of walking by Christmas.
The Animal Rehabilitation Center provides care in weight
loss, family walks, playing fetch, post-operative exercise or making the most out
of the time families have with their pets. Located at 1012 Main Street, Suite
B, in Grandview, they can be reached by calling 816-492-6061.
“It’s a very unique thing they do here (at ARC) and we were
very blessed to find them,” said Pack. “He’s worked really hard, and we think
he can be an inspiration to others. While he’s not to that point yet, he’s
trying.”
Like most two-year-olds, after his therapy sessions, Stanley
has half of a McDonald’s cheeseburger. According to Dr. Clark, Stanley is not
the only ARC patient that leaves and goes to get a cheeseburger. He also enjoys
seeing Christmas lights, and when it’s nicer out, he likes watching boats and
birds. You can follow Stanley’s story on Facebook, and cheer him on along his
journey to walking by Christmas, under Stanley The English Bulldog Puppy
fan-page.
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