We are so lucky to be able to offer Post-Operative Rehabilitation Care for our guests who require it – but what exactly does that mean? Let’s dig into the details of our post-operative accommodation and care!

💛 What is Post-Operative Rehabilitation Care at We Love Dogs?

Once your dog has completed their surgery at the vet and is ready to be discharged into your care, this is where We Love Dogs can step in to help.
Regardless of the type of surgery your dog has had, we can accommodate them. Most dogs recovering from surgery need to be isolated from other dogs, have restricted movement, attend follow-up specialist appointments, receive medication, and be closely monitored.
All of these needs can be challenging to manage at home, especially if you have other dogs or work outside the house. We can take care of all of this (and more!) for your dog.
Our loving team of Doggy Doaters will manage all required home-style care right here at the Resort, including transportation to and from any necessary vet or specialist appointments.
We work in close communication with your vet, surgeon, or specialist to follow your dog’s ongoing treatment plan. This may include:

• Confinement
• Exercises, physical therapy, and on-leash walks
• Medication administration at any time of the day or night
• Wound cleaning and bandage changes
• Transportation (to and from vet visits, specialists, or therapy sessions)

Our team monitors and keeps detailed daily notes for all post-operative guests. These notes are used to keep you and your vet updated on your dog’s progress. Notes include time stamps of feeding, medication, and exercise as well as recording when urine and bowel motions pass and if anything is out of the ordinary. With a senior staff member living onsite, all guests are attended to 24/7.

🛏️ What is the accommodation like for a dog in Post-Operative Care at We Love Dogs?

Our post-operative guests enjoy the comforts of our luxurious 7-star suites, each fitted with heating and cooling for year-round comfort. Every room is customised to suit the individual needs of your dog and their stage of recovery.
This ranges from crate confinement (for guests immediately post-ACL or spinal surgery, for example), to limited-movement spaces for dogs nearing the end of their recovery.
Guests are taken for short leash walks for toilet breaks throughout the day and night. These walks are gradually increased with vet approval based on recovery progress.
Each suite also features a TV for comfort, and mental stimulation is offered through puzzle toys, slow feeder bowls, and interactive food toys. Bedding is low to the ground for easy access, and slip-proof mats are placed on the floor.
We also have specially designed rooms with small undercover outdoor courtyards for dogs at the later stages of recovery. These allow for some free movement while still keeping safety a priority.

🚐 Transport and Vet Visits

Our K9 Limousine Service is available for all post-operative guests. Your dog can be safely collected from your home at the start of their stay and returned at the end. They’ll travel in their own secure crate and be lifted in and out by our Doggy Doaters—no jumping required!
If your dog has follow-up vet visits, specialist appointments, or needs therapies like hydrotherapy, Bowen therapy, or acupuncture, one of our team members can accompany them. We’ll transport your dog, attend the appointment with them, and bring them safely back to the Resort.
You're also always welcome to attend any appointments and meet us there so you can be involved in your dog’s recovery process. 

🐶 Can I visit my dog during their stay?

We understand that being away from your dog is hard—especially when they’ve just had surgery and you’re at home without them.
While we absolutely welcome dog owners to visit their pets during recovery, we do assess this on a case-by-case basis.
Here’s why: If your dog has stayed with us before, they may associate seeing you with going home. When you visit and then leave without them, it can cause confusion or stress. Stress is the last thing we want to add to a post-operative guest’s day, as it can slow their recovery.
Some dogs, however, handle visits just fine and settle back in easily. That’s why we assess each situation individually and always keep an open line of communication with you. If a visit seems beneficial, we’ll gladly welcome you.

💌 Reach Out Anytime
If you ever find yourself in a situation where your dog requires surgery and you’re unsure or unable to manage post-operative care at home, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We’re here to answer all your questions and would love to welcome you down for a tour of our Resort to see what we offer for our post-operative guests.

The Kelpie is a sturdy, fast, and determined breed of dog. From the farm paddocks to the couch, they are guaranteed to entertain and love unconditionally.

🐶 Origin
The exact origin of the Kelpie’s creation is still unknown. Some theories suggest they are a cross between the Australian Dingo and the Border Collie. However, further investigations indicate the breed may have developed from Collies brought from northern England to Australia, which were then bred together.
The Kelpie has been recognised as its own breed since the late 1800s. Their name comes from the novel Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, which mentions the mythical 'water kelpie.'

🐕‍🦺 Purpose
The Kelpie was bred as a working herding dog and has always excelled in this field. Even today, they still work as sheepdogs and are capable of controlling cattle, goats, poultry, and even reindeer.

🧼 Coat Care
The Kelpie has a smooth, short double coat that is easy to maintain. They only require brushing as needed and should be bathed only when absolutely necessary.
Being a breed developed to work outdoors in all kinds of weather, the Kelpie’s skin produces natural oils that repel water and dirt. Overbathing can break down these oils and cause that dreaded ‘dirty dog smell.’ They are average shedders.

🐕 Appearance
The Kelpie is a small, compact dog with a broad chest and solid hindquarters. They are only slightly longer than they are tall, which contributes to their agility and speed.
They can grow up to 51 cm tall and weigh up to 20 kg. Their coat comes in a variety of colours including black and red, black and tan, red, tan, fawn, chocolate and blue.

🧠 Temperament
The Kelpie is a driven working dog through and through. They are exceptional herders and can run and work all day long.
They are not suitable for non-active families, as they require hours of physical and mental stimulation each day. Kelpies thrive when given a job and are perfect for working farm environments or very active families.
Without enough stimulation, boredom sets in quickly—and a bored Kelpie can become destructive or mischievous. Because they are still bred for work, their herding instinct can kick in at any time. When excited or in "working mode", they may nip—just as they would when moving livestock.
They are highly agile and excellent jumpers, which can make them escape artists in suburban backyards. While not naturally aggressive, they are capable of protecting and defending when needed.
This is a highly intelligent breed that learns quickly. Kelpies excel in obedience and respond well to confident leadership.

❤️ Health
The Kelpie is generally a very healthy dog. The most common hereditary condition found in the breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), so it's important to check this when buying a puppy.
Their average lifespan is 10–14 years, but the oldest recorded Kelpie, living in Victoria -  Australia, reached an incredible 30 years of age! A true testament to the hardiness and resilience of the breed.

Do you have a beautiful Kelpie you want to share with us?
We love to see your pooches!
Share them with us at our Facebook or Instagram pages! 
📸​📱 

What Is Pancreatitis?
The pancreas is an organ located in the abdominal cavity of a dog. Its role is to produce digestive enzymes, which help break down food as it passes through the digestive system. When something disrupts this process and overstimulates the pancreas, it can cause inflammation, leading to the painful condition known as pancreatitis.


What Causes Pancreatitis?
There are three main causes of pancreatitis:

1. A high-fat meal or diet 🍖
2. A dog getting into food, waste, or scraps they shouldn't have 🗑️
3. Idiopathic (the cause cannot be determined)

Certain breeds are also predisposed to pancreatitis and are at a higher risk than others, including Beagles and Miniature Schnauzers. In some cases, medications can also contribute to the development of the condition.


Signs of Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis can present in two forms: acute (sudden onset) and chronic (long-term illness).
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis:

• Abdominal pain (dogs may stretch out in a "praying position" to indicate discomfort)
• Ongoing vomiting
• Severe lethargy
• Persistent diarrhea 💩
• Dehydration
• In some cases, collapse and shock

Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis:

• Abdominal pain (again, the praying position may be seen)
• Continued vomiting
• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Low to no interest in food 🍽️

If your dog displays any signs of pancreatitis, they should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible, as their condition can deteriorate quickly.

How Is Pancreatitis Diagnosed?
A vet can often diagnose pancreatitis through a clinical examination. If necessary, further testing, such as an ultrasound of the pancreas, may be conducted to rule out other health conditions.

Treatment of Pancreatitis
Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the flare-up. In most cases, care involves supportive treatment at home. Your vet will assess your dog’s diet, and if they are on a high-fat food, it will be adjusted. A bland diet is usually recommended during recovery to ease the strain on the pancreas.
Medication may also be prescribed, including:

• Anti-nausea medication 🤢
• Pain relief
• Appetite stimulants
• Antibiotics (if needed)

In severe cases, hospitalisation may be required for IV fluids and close monitoring.

When to See a Vet
If you're ever concerned that your dog may be showing signs of pancreatitis, don’t wait. Seek veterinary advice and a full examination promptly to prevent the condition from becoming more serious.

Berry Street School in Ballarat, Victoria is a very special place. It’s where children who have experienced severe trauma in their young lives can go to heal. At the school, they are shown what they can achieve. They are made to feel loved and valued. Phoebe is now a vital member of this little school community.
She brings so much fun, laughter and happiness to the kids. She’s also teaching them responsibility and empathy. They adore her, and the feeling is mutual. Students who are normally aggressive or introverted open up to Phoebe. She can often be seen rolling around on the floor with them as they allow themselves to just be silly. They talk to her like a person – the person they wish they had to talk to at home. Phoebe curls up in a corner and listens intently while they tell her all their problems. She also has a knack of wandering to the student who is the most troubled and offering her paw, or ‘visiting’ them. She gives a lot of hugs every day.
The students adore Phoebe. They have bought her gifts; which considering how little most of them have for themselves is quite remarkable.
Phoebe is always there when students have to talk to DHS or the police, and patting her has certainly helped to soothe them during these difficult times. Phoebe has a lot of personality and can be quite cheeky, but this is something the students adore. A ‘teacher’s pet’ would never fit in at Berry Street School. They love to watch her zoom around the yard during breaks, and they laugh over her attempts to get them to feed her by using the world’s saddest dog face.
Staff and students at Berry Street School tell us Phoebe is a gift to every single day.

It's no secret - Assistance Dogs are amazing and bring positive support to so many lives. 
If you want to keep up to date on Phoebe's amazing adventures  - be sure to follow her HERE! 👈📸
To learn more about Assistance Dogs Australia, the amazing work they do or to see how you can support them, visit here! ❤️🦮