max and Dr. Janice Nadeau
Congratulations to our client and friend Dr. Janice Nadeau and her remarkable dog Captain Maxwell lll for receiving the Professional Service Dog Award from the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association.
Three years ago Max, a beautiful German Shepherd was diagnosed with megaesophagus. This is a debilitating disease that makes it difficult to swallow. Most dogs with megaesophagus do not live long. With the love and support of his partner, Max is a survivor.
Given his disability, this award is even more special for all of us. Congratulations Janice and Max!
The Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association has awarded Captain Maxwell lll, a 10 year old German Shepherd from Stillwater with the Professional Service Dog Award for his work with grief and family counseling. The award was given at the MVMA’s annual meeting in Minneapolis on February 9, 2013. Max, a specially trained Emotional Support Dog works with his owner and partner, Dr. Janice Nadeau. Dr. Nadeau is a Ph.D Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in family therapy and grief counseling in Minneapolis.
Max was nominated for this award by Dr. Ginger Garlie because of the tremendous contributions he has made to support patients, family and friends of Dr. Nadeau as they have navigated their way through grief and pain. Max’s innate abilities to comfort and support patients, have allowed them to open up and achieve emotional breakthroughs that otherwise may not have been possible.
In recent years Max has not only provided support but he has also been an inspiration to those who know him and Dr. Nadeau. Three years ago Max was diagnosed with megaesophagus. This is a condition in which the muscles of the esophagus no longer function properly. Max has trouble swallowing and requires a veterinary therapeutic canned venison diet. Anything else makes him sick. He is fed high moisture foods with his feet propped up on the back of a chair so the food will slide down the esophagus without the usual help of the swallowing muscles we all take for granted. He can not swallow water. Getting enough hydration is always a challenge. Often a meatball of food is used to push the water into his stomach. That and other little tricks have helped Dr. Nadeau to keep Max alive. Dr. Nadeau’s dedication and support of Max have kept him active and working with her patients.
Max’s condition has added enormous costs to his care. When he first became ill he required extensive diagnostics and care by a veterinary specialist, Dr. Eric Goullaud, to determine he had megaesophagus. Max spent four days in intensive care and looked as if he would not make it. Without Dr. Goullaud’s talent and expertise Max would no longer be with us. He has had relapses requiring hospital care but so far has bounced back.
Max’s success was only possible because of the love and determination of his caring owner and partner Janice. Max is an integral part of the work she does with patients. He also provided the emotional support she needed when she suffered her own loss of a daughter and her husband.
Rivertown has created a fund for Max to assist with his medical and nutrition needs. If you would like to help please give us a call at 651-430-2229 or send us an email.
Click on the link if you would like to know more about megaesophagus.
For more information about Max please visit his website.
Dr. Ginger Garlie