Tymber: the black dog who started it all!

Meet THE black dog who started it all! Darcy's dog Tymber inspired her to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and found her namesake Black Dog Rehab. Tymber was a classic lab/herding breed mutt, full of enthusiasm and ever the "fun police". While in her prime - and mid-frisbee catch - Tymber was struck with a fibrocartilaginous embolic myopathy (FCE); a blockage in a blood vessel that supplies the spinal cord and results in instant paralysis. Darcy frantically scooped up her 75 pound dog and rushed to the Veterinary ER where unremarkable x-rays were taken and euthanasia was recommended. Not accepting this final answer, Darcy drove hours to a spine specialist who correctly diagnosed FCE. When asked what they could do, he shrugged and said, "I don't know, most people put their dogs down".

Darcy had completed her undergraduate degree and was strong in anatomy and neurology, so began a canine rehab program similar to that for human spinal trauma patients. She did PNF patterns for spasticity, assisted standing for strength, and daily assisted swims in a river eddy with Tymber in a life jacket (this was pre-Underwater Treadmill era). Within a few months, Tymber recovered, and although she had a funny gait, was back to her old self; chasing squirrels and herding her canine friends. Tymber lived to be 12 years old, with mobility and zest for life.

This experience and Darcy's affection for dogs led her to complete Canine Rehabilitation Institute class work to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CRT) in 2011. Darcy is happy to be able to share her skills to improve dogs' physical capacity and quality of life. Tymber is memorialized in the Black Dog Rehab logo. Use our form to share YOUR success story! Return to Success Stories.