Aqua Dog, Inc

Hi Everyone! My name is Ben, and I’m told I’m a handsome rottie/shephard mix who is now almost one year old! About 8 months ago, something bit me in my hind leg and I couldn’t use it anymore, because the bite attacked my leg muscle. I was so scared! I was hobbling around on 3 legs and was so tired!
Then Mom told me I was going to go swimming (what’s that?!?) with Holli to try to build my leg muscle back …

When Mom took me to meet Holli for the first time, I was sooooo scared! But who was this nice, friendly lady in the pool, waiting for me?!? And what was I supposed to do?!?

Holli’s assistant put this light, comfortable vest on me, and when I was first lowered into the water, I didn’t know what to do! It was scary! But Holli was my savior! She never left me alone, never let me go far or long in the water without rescuing me again, until I knew what I was doing! Before I knew it, I was swimming to her and playing fetch and loving every visit with Holli! I especially loved her massages in the water, and I would give her lots of neck hugs and kisses!

When I started with Holli, I could hardly use my back legs, but now I am so strong, I leap across the water and have lots of fun chasing toys and swimming around in the pool!

Thank you, Holli, for your magic and giving me my legs back! I am running strong, and up and down stairs again and jumping and playing with all my puppy friends!

Love and Hugs Forever,
Ben

My lab mix, Max, is recovering from knee surgery and rehabbed with Holli at Aqua Dog, Inc. Not only does he love to swim--despite being a little timid at first--we have noticed a great leap in his recovery. Holli's compassion and knowledge for dogs have shown through each swim session, not to mention Max has taken a great liking to her! Since he started swimming, Max has much more energy compared to the lethargic dog we had after his injury and surgery. I truly believe Holli restored my dog's life, I can't thank her enough for all she has done for my Max!

Hi my name is Hope. I am a 7 month old Rottweiler with Hemivertebrae. That means I was born with a deformed spine that compromises my spinal cord and I had almost no use of my back legs. If I tried to walk my back would fold and I could only drag my back legs.
The nice people at Chicagoland Dog Rescue saved me and took me to Purdue University to be evaluated. I was too young for them to even consider surgery so the doctors recommended hydrotherapy. That's when I met Holli !!!!
I started swimming two days a week. I am now swimming one day a week with my best friend Holli. After just 6 weeks I am able to walk and run in the yard with my foster family. I even play fetch with the ball. I am standing on all four legs and enjoying life.
Thank you Holli for working your magic on me. Can't wait to run in and go for my next swim with you!!!
Love, Hope

Hi Everyone! My name is Codie, and I am a golden mix who is 15 3/4 years YOUNG! I have been with my family since I was adopted at six weeks old. Over the years I have developed really bad hips, arthritis in my back legs and probably lower spine. Our vet told my mom about Holli and AquaDog and I have been
swimming here twice a week for about a year. I think I am the oldest dog Holli has right now. At first Holli told my mom she didn't think I would ever be able to swim, but with her help and patience I am bicycling thru the water and doing an amazing job, and my legs feel sooo good after my session! As a matter of fact, I start pedaling my front legs before I even hit the water! It's pretty much the only enjoyment I get these days. I get soooo excited when I get in the car because I know I am going to see 'my Holli', as I like to think of her. I can't hear very well either, but when Holli says 'ready' (meaning to start my lap in the pool), I somehow hear her. When she floats me on her chest in between laps I am so relaxed that I turn my head and rest it on her shoulder facing backwards. My mom says it touches her heart every time she sees this. I don't know how much time I have left, but my mom and I both think I wouldn't have made it this long without Holli! We are so grateful to her and all that she has done and continues to do for me. We have truly never met anyone as special as she is! I know she loves me, and I love her right back! I hope any of you parents out there who have a dog with orthopaedic problems will seriously think about swimming your pet at AquaDog. It will be one of the best things you will ever do for him or her . . . .

I met Holli in 2011 when my very special boy Reno needed some TLC. He was having some problems with his back end and warm water swimming with Holli was incredibly helpful. Reno loved to swim with Holli. I could see in his eyes the trust and love he had for her. He was so excited every time we went swimming. Holli did a fantastic job taking care of Reno. Shortly after that I started taking Gidget to swim with Holli. She too had an injury that needed some special attention. LIke Reno, Gidget also fell in love with Holli and was always excited to swim with her.

I met Holli in Aug. of 2012 with my yellow lab Abby Rose who weighed in at 90 lbs. Abby could not walk a block without having to rest, at one point she ended up with heat stroke, her vet told me her weight was life threatening and she had to lose weight or she was going to die and she was just 2 years old.
Holli started swimming Abby twice a week , in the first two weeks she lost 4 lbs.
I loved the fact that Holli only swims one dog at a time . So Holli give each dog her full attention.
Abby is now down to 68 lbs .... a 22 lbs weight loss and acts like a puppy all over again and can walk 2 miles without a rest :) If it wasn't for Holli I'm sure my dog wouldn't be here now.
I don't have enough words to say Thank You Holli for all you do, plus I think she loves every dog like her own. Aqua Dog is a really awesome place and really clean . Thank You Holli for saving my dog's life you are really a special lady :)

We are so greatful to Holli for her patience with our power-house lab, Willy. Swimming has been the only way our 9 year old can release some of the energy she has pent up. Diagnosed with arthritis and joint issues at age 3, her body can no longer keep up with her mind. Now she picks up her leash on swim days because she just can't wait to get there. Holli is in the pool waiting when we arrive, so Willy can be guided, by Vicki, to Holli's firm hold. Then she is gently lowered into the warm pool...all 85 happy, wiggly pounds of her! It's heartwarming to see a dog so eager and engaged. I absolutely recommend Aqua Dog and Holli Berger to evaluate and work with your dog. Willy is now taking short walks and playing with her lab sister. Thank you Holli. Dog's CAN smile.

After experiencing swimming at other pools, I was pleased with how compassionate and attentive Holli was to my dog's particular needs! Rusty has severe hip dysplasia and has a hard time walking. Since swimming with Aqua Dog, he has more energy and seems less painful. My experiences at this pool have been positive and I wouldn't hesitate recommending this facility to anyone looking for water therapy. Thank you for putting a spring back in Rusty's step and helping him to feel more himself! He is playing with his dog toys again and hasn't done that in over a year!

Coda, our 8-year old Entlebucher, went from an active dog to one that could barely stand yet alone walk. Her rapid degradation was due to a ruptured disc in her spine. Fortunately, we were able to get her the medical attention she needed to prevent permanent paralysis. After a successful surgery the next step was to start a course of water therapy to aid in her recovery. Timing was such that ten days after Coda's surgery the Chicago Tribune ran an article on Holli's water therapy program. After talking with Holli, I knew where I would be taking Coda for water therapy despite the fact that the drive would be over 50 miles round trip. Coda started with Holli two and a half weeks after her surgery.

Coda is not fond of strangers or water. Holli has a special gift that enabled her to connect with Coda. With time Coda grew to trust Holli and started to relax during her swims. Holli's holistic approach to treating Coda ensured that her mental well-being was just as important as her physical well-being. In addition, Holli has educated me on Coda's health needs moving forward. Because of her compromised state, Coda's lifestyle will not be as high energy as it was prior to her injury. But, after swimming with Holli for five months Coda is now walking and running again.

Thank you Holli for your kindness, patience and support. Coda's recovery has been an amazing journey with you.

As my collie "Heidi" grew older (10), she developed many medical problems. Arthritis and joint weakness caused her mobility issues. She often dragged her hind legs when walking, to the point of grinding her nails down, and then bleeding occurred. To my surprise, Heidi immediately loved swimming, and the warm water weightlessness encouraged her to relax and use her muscles with little effort. In a short time, she stopped dragging her hind legs and had no more bleeding issues. As her Trust, bond, and love for Holli grew, she developed muscle strength and could swim many laps at once. Swimming and floating in the water was wonderful medicine for her, she looked forward to her twice a week swimming until her passing. Holli and Aquadog certainly helped extend her life for which I am very grateful. I saw all the benefits both physical and mental that warm water therapy did for her! I wouldn't hesitate to bring another dog to Aquadog. Thanks!

I was able to swim my girl Reba at the lake often, and walk her twice a day! We use to walk miles and miles. As she got older she didn't seem to want to walk as far! She would lie down 1/2 way around the block to rest before finishing. Reba had hip displazia that I was told about when she was 6! She was in great shape at 12, she was just alot slower. Once she got in the warm water swimming with Holli after just 4 swims she had a pep in her step! She had been swimming twice a week and continued with Holli at Aqua Dog til her passing 6 months later! I truly believe my girl lived a much more comfortable life with warm water therapy and I tell everyone I know what a great experience we shared!!! p.s. Reba did not give kisses but, she seemed to thank Holli with a kiss and always left with her tail wagging!

After my dog's tightrope surgery to fix her knee, I brought her to Aqua Dog for rehab. I was very pleased with the results from swimming my dog here! Chelsea loved coming here for her twice weekly swims and without it I'm sure that we would have had a longer recovery. Thank you for the personal attention and loving care that you showed to my dog!