Wellness Wednesday:  Cathy Burke & Charlie Brown

Inspired by her dog Charlie Brown, Cathy Burke was able to overcome injury and achieve so much more.

Cathy Burke of Bath, Ohio, was on the verge of tears when the doctor said she would have to stay off her foot for several months after surgery. Diagnosed with avascular necrosis of the navicular bone, she needed a bone graft and two screws in her right foot.

Cathy and her dog, Charlie Brown, were so close to a championship; she just couldn't give up on that achievement! So - she didn't. She took to the agility course on her knee scooter to continue Charlie's training and earned their championship. In the process, she also learned a lot about keeping her dogs and herself fit to be able to compete. 

"Agility is a pretty active sport. When I had the problem with my foot a few years ago, I had to think about how atrophied my leg would be and what I was going to do to get back into agility. Also, how could I keep my dogs fit when I couldnt walk them or work with them? Its the same for people and dogs knowing how to stretch, cross train, not overdo it, build and maintain muscle, keep yourself (and your dogs) as fit as you can." 

Charlie is now retired from agility, but Cathy continues to pursue her passion for a agility with her dog, Flash Gordon; meanwhile, her youngest dog, Peppermint Patty, is just getting started. All are rescue dogs.

Cathy is a surgical specialty care coordinator and nurse at Cleveland Clinic/Akron General Medical Center. She also teaches agility to beginners Medina Swarm Agility.