Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice – Photizo to the Rescue

The Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice provides responsible, compassionate and dignified end-of-life care to terminally ill companion animals. Its sister charity, the Karass Sanctuary helps farm animals who would otherwise die in a slaughterhouse.

Founded by Alexis Fleming in 2016, both charities are voluntary run and have helped hundreds of animals die peacefully, in comfort, with friends close by.

As the first winners of the ‘Photizo to the rescue’ campaign in 2017, Alexis admits she has found Photizo’s modern Phototherapy device invaluable.

One of the first residents to benefit from Photizo was Bran a Staffie mix, who arrived at the Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice in 2016.

Alexis explains: “Bran had been dumped with advanced cancer of the spleen and was only expected to live six weeks. In our care, he lived happily for another three and a half years, and surprised us all, not least the vets. He was one of the first residents to benefit from Photizo. As his arthritis took hold of his old bones, I used Photizo daily. It worked like magic to soothe his symptoms, and worked deep inside the muscles to build strength. Clearly alleviating pain as Bran remained mobile until he passed away in August this year aged 20 and a half!”

Proving an asset to the Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice, Photizo Vetcare’s pocket-sized design and its pre-programmed doses of evidence based LED red and near-infrared light couldn’t be simpler use. Another bonus for Alexis is there’s no need to wear any protective laser goggles.

She enthuses: “It’s just ‘press and go’, it couldn’t be easier to use. Plus its flexibility means we can use it out in the field, in the stables and in our front room. I’m currently using Photizo on a Blue-Faced Leicester sheep called Gimli. He’s a new resident at the Kanass Sanctuary. Gimli was born with a twisted spine and misaligned hip, so he has trouble with mobility and keeping stable. As part of his physiotherapy care plan, I use the Photizo every day to help ease the trigger points on the muscles along his spine. I often plan a Photizo session while he’s having his lunch in the barn. Gimli is enjoying life and remains mobile.”

Alexis sums up: “I’m delighted to have access to this treatment which I’ve seen help ease discomfort, speed up wound healing, and increase mobility in many of my animal pals. We’re so grateful to Photizo at The Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice, as the first recipient of ‘Photizo to the Rescue’, your kindness has helped a lot of animals as they’ve neared the end of their lives, and that’s a great gift to give!”

Ruth Milner, MD of Photizo’s sole UK distributor explains: “Apart from offering re-conditioned units to charities and not-for-profit animal welfare organisations at a reduced cost, our ‘Photizo to the Rescue’ initiative is also a bid to reduce our impact of the environment, minimise waste and maximise sustainability. And we’re delighted to have helped a host of animal rescues in addition to Maggie Fleming’s Animal Hospice, including London-based All Dogs Matter, Dogs on the Streets, Cinque Port’s Rescue, K9 Holistic Rescue, Wolf Dog Rescue, and we’re committed to help more!”

Since Photizo’s Vetcare’s launch in 2013, its success offering non-invasive treatment for musculoskeletal conditions and wound healing is being embraced by vets, vet nurses, animal physiotherapists, and health practitioners alike.

Designed also for use at home by a pet’s guardian, either in-between physiotherapy sessions or combining Photizo into a pet’s healthcare routine, Photizo Vetcare promotes wellness, mobility, flexibility, joint strength, pain management, and all wound healing.

Ruth adds: “Photizo is a modern phototherapy tool that uses the advancements in LED technology to maximum effect. From years of research, it delivers scientific evidence pre-programmed doses of red and near-infrared light at the power levels proven to stimulate regenerative cellular effects. Its success out in the field at home and abroad is down to its handy size and portability. But not least to the fact that LED light source is incoherent and therefore completely safe to use without the need for laser goggles. The science is building on the power of Phototherapy (photobiomodulation) as an infinitely adaptable and complementary modality.”