Vet Praise
“I often recommended Wellsprings-K9 to my clients but now I’ve not only seen the results in the animals I treat but also in my own dog!”
Lena McCullough, DVM
Dr. Kenneth R. Sinibaldi
DVM, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Animal Surgical Clinic
“Hydrotherapy for post-operative orthopedic and neurological patients is extremely beneficial for recovery and return to function. Sheila does an excellent job with my patients and has a wide range 
of expertise and experience with techniques. I enthusiastically recommend Sheila’s services for many of my post-op patients!!!!”
Tamara Norquist
DVM, AVCA Certified Veterinary Chiropractic, IVAS certified Veterinary Acupuncture, Renton West Veterinarian Clinic
“For years now, I have been referring pets to Sheila at Wellsprings-K9, ranging from older dogs to those recovering from surgery. In every case, I have been extremely pleased with the results, thanks to Sheila’s knowledge and ability to work with these patients. Her background as a nurse, a veterinary technician, and as both a human and canine licensed massage therapist enables her to provide a very unique and outstanding level of supportive for veterinary care.”
Donna Kelleher
DVM, AVCA certified Veterinary Chiropractic, AVAS certified Veterinary Acupuncture, Whole Pet Vet
“Sheila is an absolutely excellent champion for the animals, whether they are on the mend following treatment or just in need of exercise, (like my two dogs Smudge and Sugar). Her compassion and expertise could not run deeper.”
Sean Sanders
DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology & Neurosurgery), Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle
“Swim therapy is an excellent method for preventing postoperative muscle atrophy, and increasing strength and function in patients that cannot fully support their own weight. Additionally, the best way to recover from a neurological injury is to use the muscles and nerves as much as possible. Hydrotherapy and massage stimulates blood flow to muscles, improves joint mobility and prevents tissue contraction from disuse. Sheila Wells of Wellsprings-K9 is a highly skilled Swim and Massage Therapist and makes my patients and clients feel at ease”
Lena McCullough
DVM, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Seattle
“My older dog, Jake, hurt his front leg a few months ago and in order for it to heal he had to rest. He had been starting to get some arthritis in his hips and back but nothing that restricted his activity. He would still go to the dog park and run and play and people were often surprised to learn he was twelve. After a couple weeks of rest, he started to lose the muscle in his back legs, but if I tried to walk him more, he would come home limping on his front leg.
A month after the injury he was only able to walk half a block before he would have to rest and could no longer make it up the stairs in our back yard without tripping on his feet. I called Sheila and we made an appointment at Wellsprings-K9. After the first session, he was already feeling better (even with being afraid of the water). Within a month he was completely back to his regular self. It was amazing how fast his muscle came back with the water work and how much better he felt. I often recommended Wellsprings-K9 to my clients but now I’ve not only seen the results in the animals I treat but also in my own dog!”
Dr. Selma Sholes
DVM
My German Wirehaired Pointer, Lexi, had hip surgery. After 2 months, she decided it was much easier and quicker to keep her rear leg tucked up rather than walk on it. She had severe muscle 
atrophy, and would collapse if forced to put weight that leg.
Lexi was a champion titled hunter before all this.
I had heard about Sheila Wells of Wellsprings-K9 and sought out her help to try to get Lexi walking on all 4 legs again.
It was remarkable, 3 days after her first session with Sheila she was walking (slowly on leash) on the leg!! She went for swimming and massage once per week, and after the 3rd week she was doing an occasional trot step. After the 4th week she was trotting! So much so that I could not adequately exercise her just on leash walks. I started to use a bicycle to keep her at a trot for a longer period of time. Her stamina has increased greatly due to her swimming. After 2 months of swimming with Sheila her muscle mass was back to 80% of normal, and she was using her affected rear leg 85% of the time when not leashed.
I can’t thank you enough, Sheila, for getting Lexi back to what is now 3 months later to a fully functioning rear leg.
Dr. Michael Keast
DVM Medical Director, West Seattle Veterinary Hospital
“Sheila and her staff at Wellsprings-K9 have made a huge positive impact on the quality of many of my patients’ lives. Whether recovering from orthopedic surgery or coping with the limitations imposed by neurological disease or chronic arthritic conditions, the opportunity for dogs to be active, maintain and build muscle mass, exercise and receive massage in the face of these limitations is invaluable. The availability of such facilities as Wellsprings-K9 has dramatically altered the way we approach the management of these patients. The physical and emotional benefits of this therapy to pets cannot be overstated.”
