What is Rehabilitation?

Short Answer: The action of restoring something that has been damaged to its former condition.

Rehabilitation is treatment to restore & maintain mobility and function.

Longer Answer: Rehabilitation is defined as a set of interventions designed to optimize functioning and reduce disability in Pets with health conditions that restrict or prohibit interaction with their environment.

It includes injury prevention, maximizing strength, health, fitness and overall wellbeing.

Every Pet may need rehabilitation at some point in their lives, following an injury, surgery, disease or illness, or because their functioning has declined with age.

Rehabilitation can help your Pet get back, keep, or improve abilities that they need for daily life. These abilities may be physical, mental, and/or cognitive (thinking and learning). Your Pet may have lost them because of a disease or injury, excessive weight gain or loss or simply getting older.

Why your Pet may need physical rehabilitation.

Orthopedic physical rehabilitation: Your Pet may need physical rehabilitation if they have injuries and functional limitations involving the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Conditions such as fractures, sprains, tendinitis, or recovery from orthopedic surgery can all benefit from a tailored rehabilitation program.

Senior physical rehabilitation: Aimed to boost the physical, mental and/or cognitive function of older Pets who develop conditions that affect their ability to participate in their daily activities.

Neurological rehabilitation therapy: Custom rehabilitation for Pets with neurological conditions, such as IVDD, FCE and many more. Neuro Rehab aims to increase limb responsiveness, improve movement patterns, manage muscle tone, improve strength, and promote balance. The ultimate goal being to improve independent mobility and return to the activities they love.

Additional benefits that may result from rehabilitation therapy:

Pain management.

Improve the speed of recovery.

Improve quality of the healing tissues.

Safer return to activity, reducing the risk of re-injury.

Most dogs enjoy their rehab sessions! Plus working on exercises at home with their Owners often strengthens their bond resulting in a wonderful experience for all.

It all starts with….. Rehabilitation Assessment:

The Rehabilitation Assessment (60 minutes) is a comprehensive evaluation performed by our Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP). This information together with the overall treatment goal(s) will formulate an individualized treatment plan to restore the Pet’s function, alleviate pain and improve their overall quality of life.

In addition, an individualized exercise program will be provided for the Owner to work on at home.

What is involved in a canine rehabilitation session?

After the initial assessment, the Therapist will schedule rehabilitation sessions. These may include a combination of therapeutic modalities such as Laser therapy, underwater treadmill and/or therapeutic ultrasound. Progressive, function based and targeted exercises will be reviewed, and pending improvement, new exercises will be added so that the Owner will be confident to do them at home.

As always, Client observations, feedback and participation (at home) are instrumental in the success of the rehabilitation journey. The Therapist will champion regular communication and education with the Owner throughout each rehab session to ensure they understand each phase of the therapy plan and their vital role in the dog’s care.

Is a Veterinarian’s referral required?

YES. All new Pets require referral by their Veterinarian. Before we can begin a physical rehabilitation program we’ll need the Veterinarian to provide medical history and a diagnosis. Link to Veterinary Referral doc