Friendship’s dedicated Pain Management Clinic, led by Dr. Nicole Karrasch, specializes in massage and physical rehabilitation.
Operating as usual
GET A GRIP: Keeping Seniors, Injured, and Weak Dogs Safe at Home
Older dogs and those with injuries or balance issues can have trouble moving around the home, especially on slippery surfaces like tile or wood floors. Some dogs react to slippery floors by not wanting to get up or walk - they lack confidence and will elect to
This is why we ask that you call us directly to check in for Rehab appointments - to help alleviate just a small amount of calls coming to our main line. PLEASE READ THE APPOINTMENT CONFIRMATION EMAILS/INSTRUCTIONS WE SEND!
Fun Fact: ☎️ Our team is receiving 1,565 (give or take) incoming calls to the hospital, every 24 hours. That's crazy! #themoreyouknow 💫
Big shout out to our client care staff on the front lines!! 🥰
In related news, we're about a week into 2-way text appointment check-in. How is it going for everyone? Any and all constructive feedback is welcome!📱
Please be kind to our staff. We are all doing the best we can during these difficult times.
*Long post ahead*
One year ago, our beloved DC metro area was in the throws of yet another hot, sticky summer. Many of us were on vacation, coming home from one, or excitedly anticipating that quintessential summer time retreat 🏖
🩺👨⚕️Life at Friendship was business as usual: everyone giving their all, 24-hours a day. Social gatherings outside of work inevitably turn to swapping tales - of the puppy who made a remarkable recovery. Or the senior cat 🐈 who would only allow you to pet her if you brought a gift of food. And the german shepherd, as tall as the technician caring for him, who liked to stand on his hind legs and give hugs 🐶
Of course, there was sadness too 😔 The sick, abandoned kittens found under a porch. The tragic accident no one saw coming. The family saying goodbye to their spunky, 17-year old mutt, along with the doctor who has cared for him since puppyhood. We feel that loss as our own. We feel them all 💔
But that's vet med. It's what we signed up for. It's what we went to school for and what we have dedicated our careers to 💕
Enter, 2020 🦠
When whispers of the novel coronavirus began, there were varying levels of interest but, like a year ago, business carried on as usual - just as it had at Friendship for the past 85 years. But by March, we were facing a new reality. One filled with fears and anxieties. Nearly 250 employees - all concerned about their health, the health of their families, and their ability to work in the face of illness and school closures. Will Friendship have to close temporarily? Will Friendship have to close for good?
Making the right decisions in the face of so many unknowns is not just stressful - it's almost impossible. Friendship has been incredibly lucky to have weathered the initial storm but it has not been without its casualties🌪
Necessary updates to our processes and protocols have kept us safe but have created significant bottlenecks and challenges in our day-to-day routines 🚦
🏥With many nearby primary care clinics booked out for weeks, our urgent care team has seen an unprecedented spike in the number of patients walking in for non-routine care. Our call center is receiving more than 500 calls a day for scheduled check-in/check-outs alone (while also fielding every other call that comes in) 📞 As Dr. McMurphy recently wrote, we work on during this difficult time, within this altered climate, through fear and loneliness, with the hope that we can continue to bring comfort to those tremulous patients who continue to need us...and with the understanding that this too shall pass.
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‼️Throughout it all, our staff is getting berated, belittled and bullied on a daily basis 😞
We understand your frustrations. Truly. Because we share
many of them. But this is unacceptable. Period. 🚫
There is a person on the other side of your anger who is trying to do their job 🧑💻 Like you, that person is working through their own personal struggles - the same fears and frustrations we are all facing.
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💌To all our clients who have demonstrated the utmost patience and understanding - THANK YOU!
We know you're on hold for far too long. We know the extended waits for appointments and hospitalization updates can be excruciating. We know that you, too, are struggling with changes to your routines - both at home and work - but you recognize we share a mutual goal: keeping your pet healthy.
At the end of a long day, your ability to recognize our challenges and show kindness means the world 🌎💫
Thank you, from all of us! It's because of you, we persevere 💪
✊🏾✊🏿✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽
Be kind, wear your mask, and stay safe🥰
Our good friend Rio graduated last week. We will miss him but we are happy he can return to full activity. ❤️ #underwatertreadmill #caninephysio #caninephysicaltherapy #caninerehab #caninerehabilitation #dogsofdc #tplosurgery #postoptplo #canineexercise #fearfree #friendshiphospital #friendshiphospitalrehab
We would like to wish our friend Maya a happy 15th birthday! Maya is partying responsibly at home while practicing social distancing. We have been reassured that she will still receive ample birthday snuggles and that her home is fully stocked with treats. Happy birthday Maya!
Friendship Hospital for Animals
UPDATE TO CLIENT GUIDELINES
Due to ongoing concern revolving around COVID-19, Friendship will be implementing additional guidelines and protocols to ensure we can continue caring for your pets
Friendship leadership has been meeting around the clock to evaluate the dynamic nature of the situation facing our community. After much thought and consideration, we will not be allowing clients into the hospital, effective March 17th.
All scheduled wellness visits, non-routine exams, surgery/dental drop-offs and specialty appointments:
-Call the hospital at 202.363.7300 when you arrive. Remain in your vehicle or outside, if on foot.
-Our call center will check you in by phone, and transfer you to the department your pet is scheduled to see.
-Our team will collect the necessary information needed to proceed with your pet's appointment, and then retrieve your pet. If your pet is being seen on an out-patient basis, you can remain in your car or nearby and wait for follow-up from the veterinarian.
-If your pet is going to be admitted to the hospital, an estimate will be brought to you and payment of your deposit will be collected by phone.
-Discharges will be done over the phone prior to returning your pet to your vehicle, along with any medication to go home.
-Take home information and invoices will be emailed. Payment may be collected over the phone or completed at friendshiphospital.com/payonline
Emergency, urgent care, and walk-ins:
-Please call ahead if you are able.
-Proceed to the front patio of the building to check-in at the triage tent during daytime and evening hours. Overnight, please proceed into the lobby area.
-Our team will ensure we have the best number to reach you and authorization for initial diagnostics if needed. After the doctor has completed the exam, he or she will contact you by phone to discuss next steps.
-If your pet is going to be admitted to the hospital, an estimate will be brought to you and payment of your deposit will be collected by phone.
-If your pet is here for an outpatient visit, take home information and invoices will be emailed. Payment may be collected over the phone or completed at friendshiphospital.com/payonline
Friendship remains committed to our team and our community. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we navigate this together.
ADDITIONAL REMINDERS:
Medication Refills - If your pet needs a medication refill, please call 202.363.7301, email [email protected] or submit online.
You can pay for your medications ahead of time at friendshiphospital.com/payonline. When you arrive, please call from outside or from in your car, and a member of our team will run the medication out to you.
When In Doubt, Call! - If you're unsure whether your pet needs to be seen on emergency, please call us to help you assess the situation.
If you're feeling ill or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please call us for guidance as we may have additional protocols to ensure our safety while still meeting your pets' medical needs.
Handshake Free Zone - Our staff strives to provide outstanding in-person communication. However, at this time we feel that it is best for the safety of our entire community to limit face-to-face communication and physical contact, such as shaking hands.
Our hospital is continuing to disinfect and deep clean throughout the day and overnight. We will continue to keep you updated as any additional precautions become necessary.
Thank you for your help and understanding during this ever-evolving situation.
Piper is 3 weeks post op from her TPLO surgery. Yesterday was her first time in the underwater treadmill and LOVED every second of it. LOOK AT THAT FACE! #westiewarriors
We will miss Mocha but we are so proud of her!
*Cue Graduation by Vitamin C*
Congratulations to Mocha for graduating from Friendship Rehabilitation and Pain Management after her TPLO surgery! We are going to miss her around the hospital but love seeing how well she is doing!
Friendship Surgical Specialists
Even one week after Thanksgiving, we are still enjoying some Turkey. Meet Turkish the Cane Corso! He is visiting Friendship Surgical Specialists for an evaluation of a limp. It is also very important to know that he is a very very good boy!
Hazel enjoys her weekly cuddle sessions with Juan during her laser therapy treatment. Hazel is recovering from TPLO surgery.
We asked Ocean if he was ready for his workout. This was his response. #caseofthemondays
Happy Taco Tuesday!!! Meet Taco, she is 9 weeks post op from her TPLO surgery. Taco enjoys endless amounts of peanut butter and posing for the camera!
Tongue Out Tuesday: Miller edition! Miller the #terriermix enjoyed his first underwater treadmill session. WAY TO GO, MILLER!
Meet Jasper (@jasperislington) our Friday night regular who #aintnobodygottimeforDM
He is saving some peanut butter for the road for those post workout gains 💪🏽
We had a Halloween visitor in Rehab for underwater treadmill. He had a lot of legs to strengthen. #halloween
Happy 15th birthday Stella! Stella comes twice a week so she can maintain her mobility and keep up with her 2 sisters and 2 brothers at home. While she has retired from hunting, she is still on her game when it comes to retrieving treats in the treadmill.
Bess is famous! ❤️
Pictures from around the world...including our own little Bess in the treadmill 🌏
We are kicking off #sharkweek2019 with Bella! She was so excited to be our first shark week pet, she fogged up the window. #sharkweek #underwatertreadmill #caninephysio #caninephysicaltherapy #caninerehab #caninerehabilitation #dogsofdc #canineexercise #fearfree #friendshiphospital #friendshiphospitalrehab
We just saw Junior again today for underwater treadmill and he is doing great!
This handsome little dude is Junior!
Junior is very active and enjoys hiking with his people in the great outdoors. On a recent hiking trip Junior accidentally took a tumble off a cliff sustaining a fractured spine, compression of the spinal cord, fractured/luxated wrist (carpus) and severe pulmonary contusions.
Following this trauma Junior was safely transported to Friendship Hospital for Animals on a stretcher made by his owners from tree stumps and coats. If it were not for the quick thinking of Junior's owners, the injuries to his spine and spinal cord could have been worsened by too much movement during transport.
Spinal fractures can result in severe trauma to the spinal cord including swelling, compression and or laceration. Depending on the severity of the spinal fractures it is possible for animals to lose function to one or multiple legs. Pulmonary contusions are bruises in the lungs secondary to accumulation of blood and fluid in the lung tissues. Fractures and pulmonary contusions are some of the most common in juries in severe cases of trauma. With oxygen supplementation as needed to reduce the stress of breathing and time to rest pulmonary contusions will heal.
Junior underwent emergency surgery with Friendship Surgical Specialists. Due to the severity of his bone and lung injuries, Junior spent his time being treated in the Intensive Care Unit.
Being the rock star that he is, Junior, started walking on his own within 5 days of surgery. Junior continued his care with Friendship Surgical Specialists and a carpal arthrodesis was performed to stabilize his fractured carpus (wrist). Junior has been getting stronger by the day with the help of the Friendship Rehabilitation and Pain Management and at home physical therapy. Junior now wears a superman cape to ensure he continues to recover as fast as a speeding bullet and spends his days under the watchful eye of his sidekick Bash (see photo).
Happy 13th birthday Tensing! #seniordog #seniordogs #seniordogsrule #underwatertreadmill #caninephysio #caninephysicaltherapy #caninerehab #caninerehabilitation #dogsofdc #canineexercise #fearfree #friendshiphospital #friendshiphospitalrehab
Kylie received laser therapy after her surgery today. We are honored to be a part of helping Kiley on her road to recovery.
#DCsBravest #dcfireems
#caninephysio #caninephysicaltherapy #caninerehab #caninerehabilitation #dogsofdc #canineexercise #fearfree #friendshiphospital #friendshiphospitalrehab
“Today #DCsBravest Special Ops K-9 Kylie & partner Sgt. Gene Ryan were assisting with a search when Kylie suffered a severe injury in a wooded area. She was flown by @usparkpolicepio helicopter to an animal hospital, is undergoing surgery, and prognosis is very good.”
Tongue Out Tuesday, Baron Edition. Today was Baron’s first time in our underwater treadmill after his TPLO surgery. WAY TO GO!
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#underwatertreadmill #caninephysio #caninephysicaltherapy #caninerehab #caninerehabilitation #dogsofdc #tplosurgery #canineexercise #fearfree #friendshiphospital #friendshiphospitalrehab #toungeouttuesday
Phoebe Update: Remember Phoebe the Lab pup that came to see us for Coonhound Paralysis otherwise known as polyradiculoneuritis which causes progressive paralysis starting in the rear legs and eventually the front limbs?
PHOEBE GRADUATED TODAY!
Phoebe started seeing the rehab department only able to lift her head. Now she is walking on her own and romping around with her brother Gus!!!
WAY TO GO PHEBS!!!
#dogsofdc #coonhoundparalysis #coonhoundparalysissurvivor #caninephysio #caninerehab #caninerehabilitation #neuromuscularelectricstimulation #caninept #hydrotherapy
Doggie Bootcamp results are in!!! The winner is... 🥁*DRUMROLL*🥁Johnson the Dachshund! Johnson lost 5.8% of his body weight in 6 weeks! #dogbootcamp #doggiebootcamp #biggestloser #weightlossjourney #caninerehab #caninerehabilitation #dachshund #dacshundsofinstagram
Wednesday’s with Reese , 3 weeks post op TPLO is hanging with us for protein packed work out! #peanutbutter #peanutbutterbreath #underwatertreadmill #caninephysio #caninephysicaltherapy #caninerehab #caninerehabilitation #puggle #dogsofdc #tplosurgery #canineexercise
Phoebe’s road to recovery wasn’t an easy one. She presented to the rehab department only able to lift her head. Our goal was to maintain her range of motion, build muscle and assisted standing exercises. #caninephysio #caninerehabilitation #dogsofdc #nmes #isometricexercise #rangeofmotion #coonhoundparalysis #coonhoundparalysissurvivor #puppylove
Meet Phoebe, she has been dealing with suspected Coonhound Paralysis otherwise known as polyradiculoneuritis which causes progressive paralysis starting in the rear legs and eventually the front limbs. The good news is, she is on her way to recovery and she loves her #underwatertreadmill exercises! #dogsofdc #coonhoundparalysis #coonhoundparalysissurvivor #caninephysio #caninerehab #caninerehabilitation #neuromuscularelectricstimulation #caninept #hydrotherapy
Bess is getting ready for beach weather! Bess finds relief from her arthritis in the #underwatertreadmill . She has been at it for months and makes it look so easy! #catsofinstagram #uwtm #felinerehab #felinerehabilitation #felinerehab #felinephysio #felinephysiotherapy #maincoon #osteoarthritis #osteoarthritisawareness
On Wednesday’s , we wear pink! Sophie getting her workout on! #mplsurgery #medialpatellarluxation #caninerehab #caninephysio #dogsofdc #fitbone #caninephysiotherapy
PB’s 1st time in the underwater treadmill for our weight loss boot camp! He did great for his first time! #uwtm #caninephysicaltherapy #caninerehab #caninept #canineweightloss #fatcamp #doggieworkout #diettime #underwatertreadmill #underwatertreadmillfordogs #timelapse
4105 Brandywine St NW
Washington D.C., DC
20016
| Monday | 7am - 7pm |
| Tuesday | 7am - 7:45pm |
| Wednesday | 7am - 7pm |
| Thursday | 7am - 7:45pm |
| Friday | 7am - 6:15pm |
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Tongue Out Tuesday, Baron Edition. Today was Baron’s first time in our underwater treadmill after his TPLO surgery. WAY TO GO! - #underwatertreadmill #caninephysio #caninephysicaltherapy #caninerehab #caninerehabilitation #dogsofdc #tplosurgery #canineexercise #fearfree #friendshiphospital #friendshiphospitalrehab #toungeouttuesday
Wednesday’s with Reese , 3 weeks post op TPLO is hanging with us for protein packed work out! #peanutbutter #peanutbutterbreath #underwatertreadmill #caninephysio #caninephysicaltherapy #caninerehab #caninerehabilitation #puggle #dogsofdc #tplosurgery #canineexercise
Meet Phoebe, she has been dealing with suspected Coonhound Paralysis otherwise known as polyradiculoneuritis which causes progressive paralysis starting in the rear legs and eventually the front limbs. The good news is, she is on her way to recovery and she loves her #underwatertreadmill exercises! #dogsofdc #coonhoundparalysis #coonhoundparalysissurvivor #caninephysio #caninerehab #caninerehabilitation #neuromuscularelectricstimulation #caninept #hydrotherapy
Bess is getting ready for beach weather! Bess finds relief from her arthritis in the #underwatertreadmill . She has been at it for months and makes it look so easy! #catsofinstagram #uwtm #felinerehab #felinerehabilitation #felinerehab #felinephysio #felinephysiotherapy #maincoon #osteoarthritis #osteoarthritisawareness
PB’s 1st time in the underwater treadmill for our weight loss boot camp! He did great for his first time! #uwtm #caninephysicaltherapy #caninerehab #caninept #canineweightloss #fatcamp #doggieworkout #diettime #underwatertreadmill #underwatertreadmillfordogs #timelapse
Meet Gertie the Leonberger. Gertie is 4 weeks post op TPLO and enjoys her rehab sessions! #caninephysiotherapy #underwatertreadmill #caninerehabilitation #caninePT #dogsofdc #TPLO #uwtm #leonberger
Fonzie loves getting hydrotherapy...and an occasional peanut butter treat! #caninephysio #physiotherapy #underwatertreadmill #uwtm #caninerehabilitation #hydrotherapy #tplo
Happy 15th Birthday to our buddy, Gus!! He stays young with weekly laser therapy!
It might be #sharkweek at Discovery Inc but it’s #catweek here in rehab. Which one is worse to encounter in the water.... 🦈 or 🐈? #catrehab #catrehabilitation #catsinwater #catsintheunderwatertreadmill
When you get a new set of wheels and you want to test them out, you go to the roof at Friendship Hospital for Animals.
Anyone else feeling like they're in slow motion on this rainy Monday?
They're all winners! #wiener500
Ghloe has the best time playing while in the underwater treadmill! They say the best kind of exercise is one you enjoy.
Blue had so much fun at his first underwater treadmill appointment! Blue is recovering from a knee surgery performed by our Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Mathieu Glassman.
Our good friend Bowser was in last week for hydrotherapy! He liked to ride a little more than walk at times.
We know snow is more the Great Pyrenees, Schuyler's, speed but she got some rehab in today before the storm! Schuyler had bilateral knee surgery with Dr. Glassman just six weeks ago!
Today was Gradey's first underwater treadmill appointment after his bilateral elbow surgery. I think it is safe to say he likes it! He should be ready to chase squirrels by spring!
This is our friend Barney at his first underwater treadmill appointment. He liked the use of treats to keep him moving forward!
Here is our big friend Bailey at his first underwater treadmill appointment. We hear he doesn't really like water but he could have fooled us! Bailey is recovering from a knee surgery performed by our Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Mat Glassman.
Juno is enjoying her first post operative physical rehabilitation!
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