Questions for Canine Rehabilitation, Wellness, and Fitness Centers
from Concerned Pet Owners

| Part I | Part II | Part III | PDF Version (full article) |

By:
Amie Lamoreaux Hesbach, MSPT, CCRP
For Paws Rehabilitation, LLC
Mid-Atlantic Animal Specialty Hospital, LLC
Huntingtown, Maryland

Part I

As pet owners, we have become more aware of the need for appropriate and safe diet and exercise for ourselves and for our canine companions. Certainly there are informal recreational exercise opportunities, for example, walks down the block and Frisbee in the park, and more formal, organized events, such as recreational field trials, and agility and flyball competitions. There are even fitness centers for dogs, offering swimming, treadmill walking, and exercise, for fitness, wellness, or for rehabilitation following injury or surgery. The pet owner and handler, however, must be educated and aware of the service that is offered as well as the training of the staff involved in the care of the animal companion. The following is a list of questions that you might ask prior to enlisting the services of a fitness or rehabilitation facility for your dog.

What services are available?
Aquatic exercise or aquatic therapy is an option that might be offered by a rehabilitation center, fitness center, or kennel. Swimming in a pool allows for non-weight bearing exercise for range of motion, strengthening, and conditioning without joint stress. It can especially be appropriate for animals with arthritic conditions. Use of an underwater treadmill system is appropriate for gradually increasing weight bearing, especially for animals following orthopedic surgery. It is a great transitional activity to land-based exercise and allows for a focus on range of motion, strength, and endurance. Aquatic exercise might be performed at a fitness center in which you are responsible and liable for your own pet’s actions. On the other hand, aquatic therapy might be performed in a rehabilitation center and should only be provided by a trained, skilled individual.

Manual therapy includes massage, joint mobilization, and other specialized techniques. The application of these techniques is certainly not without risk and should be performed only by a trained, skilled individual.

Physical modalities should only be utilized by a trained, skilled individual and can cause damage if used incorrectly. Therapeutic ultrasound provides a deep heating for pain relief and improved flexibility and extensibility of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It also might stimulate healing processes. Electrical stimulation is used for a variety of reasons: to strengthen muscles, to relieve pain, and to reduce swelling. Cold or low level LASER might help to relieve pain and stimulate healing processes.

A variety of exercise equipment might be found at a rehabilitation or fitness center, including a treadmill which might be mechanical or electrical and possibly equipped with rails or harnesses for additional safety. It should have a varying speed, long belt length, and varying incline. Use of a treadmill should be supervised in order to protect the animal and to prevent injury. Special equipment might also be available which is used to enhance balance, strength, proprioception (sense of joint and body position), and range of motion.

Who performs rehabilitation or fitness training?
Some fitness centers might allow you, the owner or handler, to use their equipment independently, while others might require supervision of staff members and even others will require that your dog only be handled by staff members and that you remain a safe distance away from any equipment. This might be for liability reasons or for the safety or comfort of your animal. Certainly your dog might be more motivated to exercise or swim with your encouragement, but some animals might become more anxious or distractible with you in the immediate area.

When considering a fitness or rehabilitation center for your dog, ask the staff members for their credentials, experience, certifications, and licensure, if applicable. In most states, treatment of animals must be under the supervision and direction of a veterinarian. Additionally, there are physical therapists and assistants, who, following extensive training, have completed the Canine Rehabilitation Institute or Northeast Seminars/University of Tennessee Certification Programs in Canine Rehabilitation. Additionally, the staff member might have a certain specialty or expertise in, for example, sports medicine, orthopedics, neurology, etc.

Who supervises the treatment?
A veterinarian should, whether directly or indirectly, supervise all treatment of an animal. Even fitness centers, which are usually run by laypersons who are not licensed or certified by any board or university, should have some type of relationship with a local veterinarian.

Is a veterinarian referral necessary?
A reputable facility will always ask for referral from your primary care veterinarian or specialist, including a statement of your animal’s ability to physically withstand the rehabilitation or fitness activity prescribed.

If you are pursuing rehabilitation or fitness following your pet’s surgery, consultation with your veterinary surgeon is essential. Consider the surgery to be an investment, not only a financial investment, but also an investment into the health and well-being of your pet. A reputable facility will not consider pursuing post-surgical rehabilitation with your pet, unless consultation has been made with the surgeon. Your pet’s surgeon might have a specific protocol to be followed.

Certainly you should consult your veterinarian prior to beginning any exercise program for your pet. A seemingly normal animal without obvious problems, after a 10-minute swim, might have more obvious problems with limping, lameness, or injury following that swim.

If the facility requires a referral, more than likely, the staff will be reporting your pet’s progress to your pet’s veterinarian.

Continued

| Part I | Part II | Part III | PDF Version (full article) |