The goal of rehabilitation is to help pets suffering from pain, injury, disease, movement abnormalities, or recovering from surgical procedures, and return them to normal function and previous level of activity as possible. We also offer conditioning programs that can help prevent injury, or  reduce or eliminate the need for medical or surgical treatment. Through our expertise in movement and function, we strive to expedite and optimize our patients' recovery. We are able to provide diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation at one location. 

Physical therapy has been recommended for human patients for decades to manage chronic, painful conditions and facilitate recovery from musculoskeletal injuries, orthopedic surgeries, and neurological disorders. Our small animal companions suffer from the same or very similar conditions, and deserve the benefit of physical rehabilitation to ease their suffering and return to more normal function.

The rehabilitation process begins with a thorough evaluation of each patient, including medical and surgical history, current medications, gait analysis, physical examination, review of home environment, and discussion of owner expectations and rehabilitation goals. This allows the owner

and Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner to understand what is going on with the pet in order to determine an appropriate, realistic rehabilitation program. Programs are designed to improve weightbearing, strength, balance, coordination, and endurance in order to regain and maintain health of muscles, bones, and joints. Owners are encouraged to take an active role in the pet's recovery by following an individualized therapy program at home.

Patients benefiting from rehabilitation programs range from family pets recovering from injuries debilitating conditions, to national agility, obedience,

Cases that respond well to physical rehabilitation include:

   Orthopedic conditions   

v  Arthritis   

v  Cruciate ligament tears/ruptures   

v  Patellar luxations   

v  Tendonitis, muscle strains, ligament sprains   

v  Post-surgical and arthroscopic recovery   

v  Fracture fixations    

v  Hip replacement or salvage procedures   

v  Joint replacement

v  Amputation

"  Neurological conditions   

Intervertebral disk disease

Wobbler's Disease

Spinal stenosis

Lumbosacral disease

Fibrocartilaginous embolism

Degenerative myelopathy

*  Congenital and degenerative

Hip/Elbow dysplasia

Spondylosis

Osteochondritis dissecans disorders

Treatment plans may include:

Manual therapy   

• Massage
• Joint mobilization   
• Stretching   
• Hydrotherapy   
• Underwater treadmill   
• Swimming   
• Low level laser therapy   
• Therapeutic exercise   
• Range of motion   
• Cardiovascular conditioning
• Strengthening   
• Balance and coordination  
• Progressive weightbearing and transfer training  
• Functional activities   
• Gait training   
• "Job tasks"   
• Activities of daily living  
• Competitive activities   
• Modifications to the home environment

Benefits of physical rehabilitation

** Pain relief and improved comfort

** Decreased swelling and inflammation

** Enhanced recovery after surgery, injury, or illness

** Improved joint range of motion and flexibility

** Prevention of muscle loss

** Increased strength

** Retraining use of limbs

** Earlier return to functional activities

** Improved cardiovascular fitness

** Weight loss

** Positive psychological effect (for pet and owner)

** Reduced chance of further injury

** Improved quality of life

What else you can expect ?

* Qualified professional guidance to support you

and your pet during the recovery process

* Improved outcome and recovery from injury, illness, or surgery

* Conditioning and maintenance for senior pets lo increase

strength and stamina, and improve balance, coordination and

mobility to reduce stumbles and falls and boost confidence

* Individualized strength and conditioning programs

for working dogs and athletic competitors

* Conservative management to support healing and function

while awating surgery, or when surgery may not be an option

* Cardiovascular exercise programs tailored for weight loss or weight management

Barb Guse, PT, CCRP

Barb is a licensed physical therapist and 1 986 graduate of

Northwestern University Medical School Programs in Physical

Therapy. She has specialized in orthopedic, sports, and work-

related injuries, and since 2001 has partnered with veterinarians

to work exclusively in small animal rehabilitation. She was in

the first group of professionals to become certified as canine

rehabilitation practitioners in 2003.

Rehabilitation appointments are scheduled:

Tuesday and Thursday 10:00a.m. - 7:00p.m.

Wednesday and Friday 10:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Saturday 9:00a.m. - noon

Estimates for recommended rehabilitation

programs are provided after initial examination.