Meet the Author 

Sandy Ross Smith 

A long-time resident of Burlington Ontario Canada, Sandy Smith puts the needs of others before her own. With degrees in Psychology and Early Childhood Education, she demonstrated a strong dedication for special needs and at-risk children in the years that she taught kindergarten. She has also worked in Montessori education and in resource and learning centres on behalf of special needs students in both primary and secondary schools. Sandy has done considerable fundraising on behalf of children's educational programs.

Animals have always been an integral part of Sandy’s life. A mother of three girls, Sandy’s family is not complete without the sound of paws clicking on the floor. From the time she learned about syringomyelia two years ago, Sandy has been an active advocate for education, research and support for families who have been affected by this disease.

Special Contributor:  

Clare Rusbridge BVMS DipECVN MRCVS 
European and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Neurology


Clare Rusbridge started her veterinary training age 16 at the University of Glasgow and graduated in 1991. She spent a year as a small animal intern at the University of Pennsylvania, and some weeks at North Carolina Veterinary School Neurological department. In 1993 she joined the Royal Veterinary College, completing a BSAVA/Petsavers residency in Neurology under Dr. Simon Wheeler and then spent one year as a Staff Clinician in Neurology. In 1996 she was board-certified by the European College of Veterinary Neurology and since August 1997 she has operated a neurology referral service at the Stone Lion Veterinary Referral Centre in Wimbledon, gaining Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Specialist status in 1999.

She came across her first “scratching Cavalier” (Beau) at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. She vowed to the students under her instruction that she would eventually find out why Beau had the problem that he did. It wasn’t until two years later when spinal MRI was available for animals that she determined he had syringomyelia. It rapidly became apparent that syringomyelia was not as rare as once thought and over the past 8 years, Clare continued to research this disease, focusing on the genetics, pathogenesis and treatment. She now combines full time referral neurology work with working towards a PhD on occipital hypoplasia/ syringomyelia based at Utrecht University. Her other professional interests include epilepsy, feline neurology and magnetic resonance imaging.

Please visit: http://www.veterinary-neurologist.co.uk to learn more about Clare.

Other Contributors:

Pet owners whose lives have been affected by syringomyelia share a sad, yet common bond. Through the Arnold Chiari support group, they ask questions, share information and receive love and support from each other. Dog owners from Great Britain, France, USA and Canada have shared their experiences in Part II of this book.