SMALL ANIMAL REHABILITATION
THE PURPOSE BEHIND OUR ACTIONS
A big part of the special bond between pets and their people comes from the feeling of togetherness experienced during walks, play, and cuddle-time. It can be difficult to know how to best assist your pet as they recover from injury, learn to walk again, or stay strong in their senior years. Our experienced Rehab Team works closely with you, other specialists, and your family veterinarian to provide improved comfort and functional mobility so your pet can be where they belong… right by your side!
Underwater Treadmills
Hydrotherapy Pool
WHAT IS REHAB?
“Physical rehabilitation is the diagnosis and management of patients with painful or functionally limiting conditions, particularly those related to the neurologic and musculoskeletal systems. The goal of rehabilitation is to achieve the highest level of function, independence, and quality of life possible for the patient.” – American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians (AARV)
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HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT HELP YOUR PET NEEDS TO RECOVER?
The path to recovery begins with the Initial Rehab Assessment. Our Rehab Vets gather detailed historical information about your pet from you and your family veterinarian. This history is paired with careful observation (including Gait, Transitions, Posture, and Stance Analysis) and a thorough musculoskeletal palpation (including Joints, Muscles, Fascia, Tendons, and Ligaments) to localize and quantify any pain and dysfunction.
When needed, additional diagnostics including X-ray, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, and advanced imaging with CT and MRI are all available in our hospital.
Based on the results of the Initial Assessment, our Rehab Vets will prescribe an Individualized & Multimodal Treatment Plan for your pet. At this point, you can book Therapy Sessions with our Rehab RVTs.
HOW ARE REHAB THERAPISTS AND PRACTITIONERS TRAINED?
Our DVMs and RVT Rehab Team have achieved education and certification through these accredited programs:
– Canine Rehabilitation Institute & Colorado State University
– Veterinary Academy of Higher Learning and University of Tennessee
All team members are committed to continually updating and adding new diagnostic and therapeutic skills.
EXAMPLES OF REHAB MODALITIES
During therapy sessions, specialized tools and techniques are employed to accelerate healing, provide pain relief, and improve functional mobility. These include:
Manual Therapy: joint mobilization, myofascial release techniques, PROM stretching, and massage
Photobiomodulation (Laser) Therapy – Companion CTX-IQ
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) and TENS/EMS Therapy – Magnawave Julian Duo & Assisi Loop
Therapeutic Ultrasound – Chattanooga Intelect Mobile 2
Shockwave Ultrasound Treatments – PulseVet (Focused Extracorporeal)
Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Sessions – Model SV500 SECHRIST Hyperbaric Veterinary Chamber
Regenerative Medicine & Targeted Injectable Therapy
Evidence-based therapeutic medication, nutrition, and supplement guidance
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
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WHAT KINDS OF PETS CAN WE HELP?
We assist patients with:
Early onset or congenital conditions like hip/elbow dysplasia, shoulder OCD, angular limb deformity, and cervical instability (wobbler’s disease)
Joint, bone, and muscle injuries like fractures, ligament sprains/rupture, and muscle/tendon tears and strains
Neurological conditions like intervertebral disc disease, FCEM (spinal stroke), degenerative myelopathy, spinal subarachnoid diverticula, and lumbosacral stenosis
Immune-mediated, metabolic, or cancer-related muscle and joint diseases
Senior and progressive conditions like osteoarthrosis, degenerative joint disease, and muscle atrophy
Mobility support and guidance for working and sport dogs
EXAMPLES OF TARGETED EXERCISE STRATEGIES
Therapeutic Exercise: Directed strengthening, range of motion, and stability activities
Hydrotherapy: Pets get weight-supported, pain-relieving, low-impact, resistance workouts by walking in our underwater treadmills and swimming in our therapy pool.
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Exercise Room
OUR DOCTORS
DR. KARYN JONES
BSC (HONS), DVM, CCRT
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist
Dr. Jones has a BSc in Wildlife Biology from the University of Guelph (1994) and completed her DVM at the Ontario Veterinary College in 2001. Interests in pain management and musculoskeletal conditions led Dr. Jones to complete Certification in Canine Rehabilitation Therapy in 2017 with a Rehab Internship at Colorado State University. She is also a Certified Cat Friendly Veterinarian. Her clinical practice focuses on assisting lame, unstable, weak and painful patients by providing detailed diagnostic testing, manual therapy & therapeutic modalities. Dr. Jones is also passionate about Sport Dog performance medicine. She has served as President of the OVC Alumni Association, held Advisory Board positions with the CVO, OVC, UofG and is currently Vice Chair of the OVC Pet Trust. Dr. Jones was also recognized in 2021 with the OVCAA Volunteer Award.
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DR. MICHAEL ROWLAND
DVM, CCRP
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner
Dr. Rowland, DVM, CCRP, is a small animal veterinarian who was born and raised in Southern Ontario. His previous education and work in human kinetics made animal rehabilitation a natural and exciting addition to his skill set as a veterinarian. By the time of graduation in 2008 from the Ontario Veterinary College, he had already attained certification from the University of Tennessee as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, which led to great opportunities both during and following veterinary school. Rehabilitation has returned as a focus of his clinical practice over the last few years, and he looks forward to helping develop the diagnostic side of the field while continuing to work to improve the quality of life for our pets managing mobility challenges.
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