Canine Culture: Canine Rehabilitation Therapy

Did it ever occur to you that your dog may need rehabilitation after a surgery just like you or I, or that you can actually help your pooch prevent certain injuries with canine rehabilitation therapy? Whether for injury treatment or prevention, canine rehabilitation therapy is a great way to ensure your dog has a happy, healthy life.

You may not have heard of canine calisthenics, but exercises similar to those used in human physical therapy can help your dog warm up and stretch to prevent injuries during play or performance sports, such as agility. Play bows, spins and twirls, puppy pushups, and sit-to-stands are all examples of such exercises.

Dr. Christie Carlo of Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex has researched and studied canine rehab for three and a half years. She received her Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) training through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in Florida. Today, canine rehabilitation is among the many services offered at Avondale – both for injury prevention and post-surgery rehab to regain normal function.

When “infraspinatus tendinopathy” caused lameness in Loki’s left front leg, canine rehab helped him regain full mobility. It’s also critical in helping patients, both large and small, recover from knee surgery. Levi, a Pomeranian, is jumping and climbing over objects that were not previously possible.

Canine rehabilitation therapy can also provide other health benefits, such as weight loss to improve your dog’s mobility and longevity, and endurance building for competitive athletes. An UnderWater Treadmill (UWTM) is helping Radar and Metje improve their strength and stamina for their Shutzhund sporting events.

Whether your dog is a family pet or athlete in the making, consider canine rehabilitation to keep him in optimal condition for years to come.

Classes starting soon!

If your New Year’s resolution is to have a happy, well-trained dog, there’s still time to get in on Canine Craze classes starting in January. See www.CanineCraze.com for details and enroll online – basic obedience, agility, nosework, treibball, Reactive Rovers, Ultimate Canine, Therapy Dog and more!

Ask the Trainer:  Renee Jetter, ABCTC, CPCT

• Professional dog trainer; 2006 Animal Behavior College graduate and co-owner of Canine Craze Performance Center in Urbandale – the metro's largest indoor professional dog training and events facility.
• Expertise: puppy development; positive reinforcement training; obedience; competition; agility; tricks; freestyle; scent detection; canine good citizen/therapy dog testing; service dog trainer.