Extraordinary Dog Award nomination for ‘brave’ three-legged terrier from Southwater

Sophie Ebney from Southwater rescued Diesel, a patterdale terrier cross in September last year, and signed him up to agility sessions at Galen Therapy Centre founded by Julia Robertson in Shipley to help channel his energy.

However Diesel was diagnosed with an extreme food allergy and became chronically lame on his left front leg as he suffered from a painful congenital deformity, leading to the amputation of his foreleg.

But thanks to myotherapy he started agility training just six weeks after his operation.

Sophie said: “I wanted Diesel to see Julia at Galen Therapy Centre to support his recovery and make sure he wasn’t restricted by tight muscles and scarring.

“I am a great believer in preventing muscle problems in particular in a very active dog who’s balance has been so drastically altered at such a young age.

“Diesel loved his treatment and demanded Julia continued whenever she stopped to talk to me.

“She identified areas where he was tight and sore, taking time to show me appropriate techniques so I could continue to help him at home.”

Myotherapy is a holistic treatment for reducing pain and tension in dogs and compensatory issues are extremely difficult to avoid after an amputation.

Julia added: “Luckily for Diesel his owner recognised the importance of preventative treatment which has significantly speeded up his recovery and return to the fun things in life.

“He started agility training only six weeks after his operation. He is an amazingly brave little dog.”

Diesel is continuing his course of preventative treatments with Julia. His touching story has led to him being nominated for Galen’s annual Extraordinary Dog Award which will be presented on the Galen stand at Crufts in March 2015. This year at Crufts, the award was presented by TV vet Marc Abraham to Tiga the tracker beagle who had reunited more than 70 lost dogs with their owners.