North Canterbury News: February 20, 2020

NEWS
North Canterbury News, February 20, 2020
19
Business is going swimmingly
By SHELLEY TOPP
Acar accident which left Valerie
Nixon’s much­loved black
labrador Dexter seriously
injured wasthe catalystfor a
canine water therapy business.
Nature’s Way Pet Care was
establishedfour yearsago and is
runbyValerie at herhome in
Balcairn, usingacustom­built
pool to offer recovery and
rehabilitationfor dogs after
injury, surgery or illness.
Thetherapy also helps dogs
suffering fromhip and elbow
dysplasia, osteoarthritis, cruciate
ligament injuries, tendonitis,
muscle sprains, and obesity.
Dexter, arescuedog, was left
paralysed in both back legs after
inexplicably climbingout of the
window of amoving car.
‘‘It was avery warm day, so I
hadthe back windowopen alittle
more than usual,’’ Valerie said.
‘‘Suddenly,hejust leaptout of
thewindow.
‘‘Istill don’t know whyhedid it.
It was verytraumaticfor bothof
us.
‘‘Luckily, Iwasn’tgoingvery
fast.’’
Duetocomplications, Dexter
spent almost aweek in hospital
after the accident, resulting in
considerable musclewastagein
hisfront legs.
During his rehabilitation,
Valerie began taking Dextertoa
dogswim spa in Christchurch.
She saw immediatebenefits,
withthe watertherapy
rebuilding musclemass and
improvingstrength in Dexter’s
front legs,soshe eventually
decided to get acustom­made
pool built for Dexterattheir
home.
The hydrotherapy business has
evolved from that decision, with
word of mouthand veterinary
recommendations spreading the
word about the effectiveness of
water therapy for dogs.
‘‘I’m so grateful to have had
such amazingsupport from the
local vets,’’ Valerie said.
She spent4 1 ⁄2years caring for
Dexterafterthe accident but he
died in October 2018.
‘‘ThisisDexter’slegacy;his gift
to other injureddogs,’’ Valerie
said.
It is also aperfect business for
Valerie, who no longer has adog
of herown but canenjoy meeting
and working with her clients’
dogs.
‘‘Animalsare my passion, with
aspecial place in my heart for
dogs.They give us so much love
and companionship, it reallyisa
joy to be able to give something
back to them.’’
With morethan 16 years
working in the boardingkennel
industry,Valeriehas an
Paddle power ...
Steve, aborder collie
owned by Faye and Rex
Miller, of Fernside,
undertakes his first
hydrotherapy session
with help from Valerie
Nixon. Faye and Rex’s
daughter, Sharyn,
looks on. PHOTO: SHELLEYTOPP
extensiverangeofknowledge
and experienceincaring for
manydifferentbreeds, and dogs
withspecial needs.
‘‘I have acommon­senseyet
intuitive approach to animal care
thatisbasedonrespect,
understanding and compassion
for all life.’’
To learnmore,visit
natureswaypetcare.com.