How
can my pet benefit from rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation can benefit your pet by
addressing lameness and strengthening issues that
may be effecting your pet’s ability to reach and
maintain his/her full potential. At our facility we
incorporate Aquatic therapy (swimming and underwater
treadmill), Massage/Stretching, Electronic Stimulation,
Therapeutic Ultrasound, Shockwave Therapy, and Corrective Exercise.
Together these complementing
techniques help guide our therapists in bringing
your pet through the rehabilitation process. Why another vet exam when I’ve
been through so much already?
Dr. Michael Stewart examines the history of a
patient through the owner’s perspective and through
previous veterinary diagnostic material. This exam
is used to help the owners and therapists set appropriate goals
for the pet’s condition and ability.
Our team strives to quickly and efficiently return
your dog to his/her best functioning state possible
with a minimum of complication and pain. In order
to accomplish this mission we must determine the
physical capabilities and psychological nature of
the patient by asking them to perform the tasks we
expect of them.
How long will the visits take?
The initial visit takes approximately 1-hour. During this time the pet is examined and evaluated
by Dr. Stewart and a certified therapist. This
assessment will help the therapist(s) to formulate
your dog’s individual plan.
Introducing the animals to the different aspects
of therapy can take time, as each animal is an
individual and all react differently. Future
therapy visits take approximately 30-45 minutes, at which time the individualized therapy
program is implemented. Bathing is required (at no
extra charge) and adds an extra 15 minutes to each
session.
What is the cost associated with
therapy?
Our programs are individualized to the specific
needs of each patient. Please call for more information.
How long will my pet need
therapy?
Every animal is an individual therefore the
effects of therapy are different for each pet.
Depending upon your pet’s presenting condition and
the desired goals, therapy can last anywhere from from a few visits to a few months,
leading to a maintenance schedule for at home or in
our facility. Although our goal is to help your pet
reach his/her full potential in the quickest and most
efficient way possible, there are animals that
will benefit from a longterm maintenance program.
What are the hours?
The therapy center is open Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday, and Friday 12pm- 7pm. Wednesdays are for
assessment appointments only.
Will I, the owner or
caretaker, be involved?
Yes, involving the owner(s)/care taker(s) in our
therapy program is the key for your pet to reach
his/her full potential. In our facility the owners
are involved in swimming and coaching their pet
through alternative exercises and strengthening
techniques. At home the owner(s)/caretaker(s) are
responsible for conditioning, stretching and
other exercises advised by the therapist. Together, as
a team, we work on enhancing and maintaining your
pet’s flexibility and strength.
What if my pet can’t or
doesn’t swim?
Hydrotherapy is very beneficial, however for some
dogs non-water therapies are conducted for the dog’s
comfort and hydrotherapy can be introduced later in
the program once the dog is able to feel
secure in the therapy environment. The therapy begins in a relaxed and caring way. Flotation jackets
are available for dogs that need them.
What if my pet is hard to
handle (size/aggressive/trust issues); can you still
work with him/her?
YES
The facility is equipped to handle dogs of all
sizes.
Aggressive dogs are handled carefully, with owner
participation, to keep the dog comfortable and calm.
In our experience, a dog that is aggressive in
certain settings maybe aggressive during therapy
initially because of pain, stresses, or fears. Once
the dog becomes used to the therapy setting the
aggression may be minimized.
* * We do ask if the dog has any history of
people or animal aggression during the initial phone
conversation.
It is especially important to notify us of these behaviors because there are multiple dogs in our facility throughout the day. If
we are notified in advance proper measures can be
taken, in keeping the staff, clientele and your dog
safe!
Dogs with trust issues are handled
similarly. Dogs are much more comfortable because the
owner/handler is participating in the therapy.
How soon after surgery can my
pet begin therapy?
As soon as the stitches/sutures are removed and
with the surgeons approval. Some surgeries require a
post-surgical rest period. Post-surgical recovery
time may vary from 2-6 weeks before we can begin
physical therapy. The appropriate rest time is
important, giving time for the tissues to heal
before therapy begins.
Is there anyone that is
not a candidate?
In some instances we do not recommend therapy or
we may discontinue therapy. However, special
considerations should be given to the following
conditions: Congestive heart failure, Enlarged
heart, Epilepsy, Diabetes, Bleeding (internal or
external) and Asthma. Notify your therapist of
any conditions your pet may have and together, under
veterinary supervision, we can approach the
concerning issue(s).
Will the pool chemicals
hurt my pet?
We have not had any adverse affects from the
chemicals used to maintain our pools. However, all
animals are thoroughly bathed and rinsed before
leaving the facility. It is important, and the
responsibility of the owner, to properly dry the dog’s
hair coat to prevent any skin irritations that can
occur from excess moisture.
* * If your dog has an existing skin condition
please let us know so we can recommend a shampoo to
meet your pets needs.
If you have any further questions or need further
explanations please call our office and a staff
member will be happy to assist you. |
