A Young Dog's Journey Back to Confidence: Coda's Story
By Happy Pets
When MJ brought home Coda at just four months old, he was everything you would hope for in a young puppy—healthy, confident, energetic, and eager to learn. He was already enjoying beginner agility exercises and seemed destined for an active life.
Then, everything changed.
About a month after coming home, Coda slipped on a wet floor. Within just a few days, MJ noticed a change in his gait. He intermittently "paddled" while walking, and although he didn't appear overtly painful, something clearly wasn't right.
Concerned, MJ sought answers from three different veterinarians. Each reassured her that Coda's joints were still developing and that he would likely outgrow the issue. Despite these reassurances, MJ trusted her instincts and knowledge of the breed. She knew something was not right and became increasingly frustrated that she was unable to help him.
Determined to help Coda, MJ mentioned the issue to her Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor. She referred her to a canine/equine bodyworker who also provided Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy. From an initial video, the bodyworker confirmed that Coda’s gait was off. Sessions started every two to three weeks and Coda quickly showed significant improvement. The sessions continued for about a year until the bodyworker took maternity leave, ending his treatments. Although Coda was much better, he still paddled occasionally, and it was considered that the movement pattern may have become habitual.
Everything changed again when Dr. Lisa Pesch Marinho joined the community.
MJ had been offered human chiropractors for Coda, but she wasn't comfortable working with someone who was not specifically trained in treating dogs. She was excited to discover a veterinarian trained in animal chiropractic care and attended one of Dr. Lisa's first walk-in clinics.
"The way Coda immediately trusted Dr. Lisa told me everything," MJ recalls.
Coda began regular chiropractic appointments, combined with laser therapy, every two to three weeks before transitioning to house calls every other week.
Over time, MJ noticed remarkable changes.
The bumps she had felt along Coda's spine gradually dissipated. Before treatment, Coda struggled with tasks like sitting squarely or moving comfortably through tight figure-eight turns, and he tired easily during activity. As his treatments continued, those limitations faded.
Today, Coda performs these movements comfortably. When he runs at full speed, his gait is smooth and effortless.
Dr. Lisa explained that if she had never seen Coda running normally, she might have assumed he had a permanent injury. Because he is capable of moving with a perfectly normal stride, the occasional paddling is very possibly a learned movement pattern rather than an ongoing structural problem.
With regular chiropractic care, Coda now has greater stamina and ease of movement. Combined with strengthening exercises and improved proprioception (body awareness), MJ hopes the paddling will eventually be eliminated altogether.
"Dr. Lisa has been an absolute gift to us and our community. She take the time to truly listen and meets people where they are. She respects your goals and the treatments you're comfortable with. Anyone looking for an alternative or more integrative approach to veterinary care will appreciate how uniquely qualified she is."
Today, Coda is thriving. He celebrated his fourth birthday in March 2026, and with thanks to Dr. Lisa, is continuing to enjoy the active, happy life every young dog deserves.
Coda Being His WONDERFUL Self!
Every patient has a story. At Happy Pets, our goal is to help pets live their best lives through routine preventive care. To help them move comfortably, heal naturally, and enjoy the best possible quality of life through individualized, integrative veterinary care.