High Performance Testimonials
Judy Walker and The "Moon Man"
Show Dog
Judy Walker, Owner of Moonie - Churchill's Treasured "Moon" / Bloodhound
"I am the lucky owner of a fabulous bloodhound named Moonie. Moonie has exceeded all of our expectations as a #1 Showdog in his Breed with credits of winning Best in Breed at Westminster, Eukanuba 2006/2008, his National 2006 Specialty and Multiple Best In Shows.
At a young age, Moonie was diagnosed with a bulging back disc just as he was embarking on his show career. He was in severe pain and dropped his tail. After many diagnosis from arthritis to dysplasia, we visited a neurologist who pinpointed immediately Moonie's trouble. After surgery and a few weeks isolation and concern, we were exposed to the wonders of Trish Penick and Cutting Edge K-9 Rehab.
We were told by Moonie's surgeon that he might not ever be a showdog again and that his magnificent gait might not return to normal. We were OK with that. We just wanted him out of pain.
Trish and I set a goal to rehabilitate Moonie and get him ready for his 2005 National Breed Specialty in Washington State and we had 4 months to do it. After the initial rehab at our Vet's office; Moonie had recovered enough to be discharged from the rehab program and the Vet released us to resume normal activities. We had heard of other show dogs swimming for cross training and we knew we wanted to try it so Moonie enrolled in Trish's "Training with Trish" program. He swam with Trish (literally WITH her initially as he learned to overcome his fear of the swim situation).
Trish's dog Takara helped after Moonie didn't need Trish so much--- swimming ahead of Moonie; challenging him with toys to retrieve--- Moonie became quite the enthusiastic swimmer ( Who would have thought) and we saw a remarkable change in his muscle tone and he appeared stronger than ever before!
We attended that Nationals show in Washington. Moonie was splendid as he moved solidly around the showring, displaying a new confidence which brought us all to tears. He went on in the next 3 years to win almost every dog show award possible and we give so much credit for his welfare and success to our friends, Trish and Takara. Thank you so much for giving our precious boy, Moonie, a second chance to become the 'showdog of our dreams'."
Cloud
Hearding Competitor
Dr. Janet Moyer & Eiichiro Ninomiya, Owners of Cloud / Shetland Sheepdog
"Cloud is a five year old Shetland Sheepdog who has won 6 sheep herding trial titles. He is now competing in intermediate classes which require longer outruns in pastures. We brought him to "Training with Trish---Personal Training for Dogs" for cross training to build leg muscles and increase endurance for herding. We have been very pleased with the results.
Cloud added a 1/4" of muscle the first month he was swimming. He is a strong, athletic dog with the ability to run and herd over long distances. We recommend cross training swimming for performance dogs who are doing fast action and high impact sports such as Frisbee, agility, flyball, and herding."
Juliette
Agility Competitor
Owner of Juliette, Border Collie / Australian Cattle Dog Mix
"Juliette is a very competitive 15 year-old Border Collie / Australian Cattle dog mix. Juliette has been a long time client of Trish Penick's "Training with Trish" program. Her swimming and personal training program is amazing for all dogs; but the best thing ever for those getting older. The non-weight bearing exercise has enabled her to continue her love of competing in Agility and Flyball.
We see so many dogs unable to continue to compete that are years younger than Juliette--- we feel Juliette is a great example of showing what cross training in the water and a good nutritional program can do to give more quality of life---and active years to our k9 friends... Swimming keeps her muscles strong and her body healthy."
Zak ~ Police Dog
Sue Noel, Owner of Zak
"Zak is a member of the Escondido Police K9 Unit. He was injured in the line of duty and after completing rehab his handler wanted to get him back in top shape for work.
He started with our "Training with Trish" program and after 3 months of intense swimming and training, Zak was able to return to full duty with his partner, Sue Noel."
Nikita ~ Search & Rescue
Owner of Nikita / German Shepard
"Nikita has been doing Search and Rescue (SAR) for over 6 years. During disaster agility training, she fell about 10 ft off a wooden plank and tore her right ACL and had a chip fracture of her left hip. She had knee surgery (TPLO), for her first injury and had a gradual recovery with return to normal activities and eventually to her SAR work. We had little to no guidance for rehabilitation through this process. I found out about Cutting Edge K9 just before her 2nd surgery for the chip fracture of her hip. Though it was a different procedure (Darthroplasty), I was told it had the same recovery time. Nikita started therapy with Trish 3 weeks post-op and after only a few visits I really noticed a great deal of improvement in her muscle mass and movement. She was cleared to return to her SAR work 3 months post op.
One year after that, Nikita was training in the mountains and tripped in a gopher hole....I knew right away she had torn her left ACL. We went to the vet and he confirmed what we already knew and we set her up for a second TPLO surgery. I immediately called Trish and set up appointments for Nikita to start therapy with her following suture removal. Again, within a few appointments, Nikita showed remarkable improvement in her muscle mass, gait and function. Nikita's recovery time was greatly shortened. She was back to SAR after only 3 months.Thanks to Trish at Cutting Edge K9, Nikita is back to working full duty....and even gained a few more certifications since then."
Vicki Armstrong, Owner of Foster / Australian Cattle Dog
"Foster is an Australian Cattle Dog rescue. He is 5-7 years old. When I got him, he desperately needed a job, so he learned agility and to play Flyball. His passion is Flyball. Say the word, and he heads for the car. In order to keep him fit and avoid injuries, he works out with "Training with Trish --Personal Training for Dogs " What a great concept! As owners we should join them; Trish could get us all in shape."
Foster
Flyball Competitor
Flyball Competitor
Stephanie, Owner of Dragon / Whippet
"A few months ago, I started taking two of my flyball dogs to "Training with Trish" once a week. I wanted to give them a safe way to stay in condition, blow off steam, and build muscle for the tournaments that we have this fall. I have been thrilled with the results! Both dogs are running faster than ever and both have put on significantly more muscle... all without the worry of torn pads that we get when running at the beach or at the park. At our last tournament, our team set a new personal best time, with my two swimming dogs in the lineup!
Trish and her crew are always great at providing as much or as little assistance as we need during our 30 minutes of constant water-fetching. I have signed my dogs up for weekly swims as far into the future as Trish's calendar allows - it is awesome!"
Sadie
Flyball Competitor
Lori Elder, Owner of Sadie / Border Collie
My first trip to Del Mar Dog beach with my three year old border collie Sadie was so much fun! Sadie had never been in the water before and would only barely let it touch her paws when a ball was involved. On one of our dog beach trips when I saw Sadie chasing a bird without a care in the world, she didn't know she was about to fall into the drop off trench of water; and when she disappeared into and under the water I saw the panic in her as I ran after her. The water under that bridge was moving fast, but luckily I was able to get a hold of her.
After I grabbed her from what I saw could be a potential drowning, I knew I had to take her to swimming lessons. To all Dog owners, don't assume your dog automatically knows how swim, dog drownings are real!
At the time of my stressful beach adventure, I was new to competing in Fyball and Trish was on the team. I took Sadie to swimming lessons, which for a border collie (at least mine) was not a natural feeling, but after about two weeks with her favorite orange ball, she became a dog-fish and her facial expressions turned from fear to pure joy.
From then on, our dog beach trips were the best ever! She jumped in the waves swimming after her ball, and when she fell into that trench again, she knew to swim back to the edge with confidence! Throughout our Flyball career, Sadie kept conditioned and strong by swimming regularly and getting chiropractic adjustments. I believe those things added to her long and healthy life. Thank you Trish for contributing health and joy to my Sadie's long life. Sadie joined her Flyball team in the sky on September 19, 2023, where I know she is also flying with those beach birds.
Trish’s love of sports medicine has carried over into the K9 population. Competitive dogs participating in dog sports like Agility, Fly Ball, Obedience and Rally, represent a large number of the clients she works with. Like humans, dogs can develop injuries and need to maintain their bodies for a long and healthy life. To reduce recovery time and maintain fitness, Trish developed an innovative water rehab program that allowed her dog patients to train through their injuries and return to competition.
