But when it was appropriate and both dogs were comfortable, staff could use her presence to make certain transitions less difficult for Ranger.
Instead of repeatedly urging Ranger toward a doorway, they could allow Echo to move naturally through it first.
Then they waited.
No dragging.
No rushing.
No expectation that Ranger had to cross within a certain number of seconds.
Echo simply stood on the other side while Ranger made his own attempt.
Sometimes he followed quickly.
Other times he needed longer.
The important thing was that he was moving voluntarily.
Rehabilitation Meant Relearning Small Movements
For a dog recovering from neurological injury, progress can be much less dramatic than people expect.
It may be measured in paw placement.
Balance.
Controlled weight transfer.
The ability to turn without falling.
The ability to negotiate a slightly different surface.
Or the ability to cross one doorway without freezing.
Ranger's rehabilitation therefore focused on function rather than spectacle.
Safe, controlled movement mattered more than speed.
Appropriate traction could reduce unnecessary slipping. Short sessions could help avoid fatigue. His response to exercise needed to be monitored so that difficulty was not mistaken for something he should simply βpush through.β
Neurological recovery can also vary considerably depending on the location and severity of an injury.
There was no responsible way to promise that Ranger's affected leg would return completely to normal.