Physical therapy for animals that adapts human physical therapy techniques to increase function and mobility of joints and muscles in animals. Animal rehabilitation can reduce pain and enhance recovery from injury, surgery, degenerative diseases, age-related diseases, and reduce obesity.

There are several reasons why your pet could benefit from rehabilitation:

• Increase their rate of recovery post-injury/surgery
• Prevent injury or disease
• Decrease and manage joint and muscle pain
• Decrease swelling/edema
• Lose Weight
• Decrease risk of future injury
• Maintain an active lifestyle
• Build proprioceptive skills (i.e. spatial awareness, balance, sensation)

Any animal looking to live a healthy lifestyle, lose some weight, or recover from injury/surgery.

It will depend on your insurance provider. There is often an additional rider that will cover costs of rehabilitation sessions.

Yes! Rehabilitation is a team approach and you are critical part of that team as you spend the most time with your pet day to day. An initial assessment with our clinic rehabilitation therapist will provide information to create an individualized program for your pet that will include clinic-based and home-based exercises. Home exercises in conjunction with clinic sessions will ensure your pet has a well-rounded recovery. Rehabilitation appointments are beneficial to monitor your pets progress, adapt exercises through their phases of recovery, and incorporate many modalities that are not available at home.

A combination of a clinic and home-based program is ideal for your pets return to function as studies show dogs enrolled in this type of program have significantly greater range of motion and muscle mass than dogs in a solely home-based program. All home programs are explained and demonstrated by the therapist and are followed by practice time, so owners are comfortable with the exercises involved in the home exercise program.

There is no requirement for equipment. We try and incorporate common household items (i.e. towels, stools, stairs, pillows) into treatment programs so that it is possible for the owner to complete exercises with the animals at home. However, the FitPawz equipment available at our clinic is designed specifically for conditioning and will enhance home program efficacy. Our therapist will recommend equipment that will best suit your pet’s recovery regime and will provide explanation and demonstration of its use.

Of course! The therapist works closely with owners to create rehabilitation goals that suits your pet’s lifestyle. We want to create a stress-free environment as animals work on their road to recovery and having their owners present gives pets the safety and comfort they need to participate in our sessions. It is an amazing opportunity to bond with your pet and have some fun!

This depends on a variety of factors and is different for every case.