LITCHFIELDWith a name inspired by a Celtic goddess who could manifest magic for the good of others, an Elkhound mix that suffered the depths of animal abusenearly to the point of deathis benefiting from cutting-edge veterinary medicine at a practice in Bantam.

Rhiannon, whose name derives from the Stevie Nicks song about the legendary goddess, is one of two patients helping to make veterinary history in Connecticut through the states first in-clinic stem cell regenerative therapy treatments.

Such loving care stands in stark contrast to the condition Rhiannons owner, Edward Milne of Cheshire, found the 14-year-old in the first time he saw her.

I found her hanging by her neck from a tree as I was driving along a back country road in Northford, CT when she was about two years old, Mr. Milne wrote in an e-mail to the Bantam clinic, Animal Health Practice Inc.

When I confronted the owner, Mr. Milne wrote, he admitted that he had not fed her or provided her with water for some time, and when she didnt die, he hung her from the tree to finish her off. I guess it was fate that brought us together.

Another type of Rhiannon-esque fate brought the dog to a vet who is performing a ground-breaking procedure to treat severe arthritis in her elbow and back.

Rhiannon is the first dog to receive MediVet Americas non-controversial adipose regenerative stem cell therapy, according to a release sent by the company. MediVet is a global leader in veterinary science located in 29 countries. The company develops advanced cellular treatments and natural herbal remedies designed to maximize animal performance, repair, recovery and general wellness.

Were very excited to be the first veterinarians in Connecticut to offer this new technology, said Dr. Angela Erickson-Greco Monday morning.

In addition to Rhiannon, Dr. Erickson-Greco is also administering the treatment to Dakota, a Bernese Mountain Dog and Great White Pyrenees mix, who has bilateral ACL tears, which means she has torn a crucial ligament in both of her knees.

New Milford resident Cathy Morsey said Dakota had a limp in her front leg in the shoulder area at 6 months old. In January of last year, we had a wet snow and she slid on the snow and tore a cartilage in her knee, said Ms. Morsey. Continued...

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Rhiannon, an Abused Dog, and Dakota, Get Stem Cell Therapy in Litchfield