Interventions

  • Exercise

    Therapeutic exercise is used to address deficits in strength and mobility. You wil be educated on a home program to maintain strength and mobility in between appointments.

  • Manual Therapy

    Manual techniques are used to address soft tissue deficits, including stretching for tight muscles, soft tissue mobility for painful muscles, and scar mobilizations to address adhesions from surgical procedures.

  • Neuromuscular Re-education

    Neuromuscular re-education includes work on balance, proprioception, and coordination. This can include exercise on uneven surfaces as well as manual techniques.

  • Modalities

    Modalities are used to address inflammation, pain, and tissue healing. Modalities such as cold laser, PEMF mat, and IFC are used per your therapist’s discretion.

  • Bracing (Fitting/Training)

    Measurement and ordering of over-the-counter and custom braces for orthopedic/neurologic conditions such as CCL tears, Achlles ruptures, degenerative myelopathy, brachial plexus injury, and carpal hyperextension injury.

  • Wheelchair (Fitting/Training)

    Measuring and ordering of custom wheelchairs (front or rear wheel) for conditions such as IVDD, brachial plexus injury, degenerative myelopathy, and amputations.

Appointment Types

Evaluation

The initial visit will last approximately 90 minutes. Prior to the visit, your therapist will obtain vet records to review your pet’s condition. During this visit, information will be obtained from the owner’s regarding the dog’s behaviors, medical history, functional limitations, and goals for treatment. A physical evaluation will be completed on the dog to determine strength, range of motion, neurological status, and soft tissue limitations, if any. Treatment will then be performed as appropriate. Evaluations will be sent to your referring veterinarian.

Treatment

The follow up visits will last 45-60 minutes and will consist of treatments and modalities catered to your dog’s case. This may involve a combination of manual therapy for stretching and soft tissue tension, therapeutic exercises for strength and mobility, and/or neuromuscular re-education for balance, proprioception, and stability. It may also include modalities such as cold laser, pulsed electromagnetic field, and TENS/NMES as appropriate for pain management, tissue healing, or retraining of muscles.

Progress Reports

These visits will be completed at the end of your dog’s plan of care (every 6-8 weeks on average) to determine progress and alter the plan of care as needed. These appointments will take approximately 60 minutes. Progress reports will be sent to your referring veterinarian.