RECOVER. REBUILD. REKINDLE ADVENTURE.
physical therapy for dogs of all ages and abilities so they can return to the activities that make them happiest—exploring the world right beside you
-In the comfort of your own home-
The ins and outs of canine pT:
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Canine PT can help with strains/sprains, post-op recovery after surgery, and even neurological and chronic conditions.
Some common diagnoses/surgeries we treat include but aren’t limited to:
Osteoarthritis
TPLO surgery after CCL tear
IVDD (disc herniations)
Hip dysplasia
Amputations
Another way to look at it is if you’d see a physical therapist for something similar, chances are your pup can benefit too!
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Historically when dogs got injured or showed pain, they were given medication and put on crate rest then released to normal activity.
While rest and meds can help initially and are necessary at times, stopping here is doing a disservice to your dog. The lack of movement causes further weakness and muscle atrophy, putting them at risk for further injury.
Structured physical therapy is needed to address strength and mobility limitations so your dog’s body is ready for the activities they love.
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First, a comprehensive evaluation is performed to determine what discomfort your dog may be having and what limitations need to be addressed.
Based on evaluation findings, individualized treatments may include:
hands-on manual therapy techniques
research-based modalities
therapeutic exercise
nervous system stimulation and retraining
assistive device fittings (harnesses, wheelchairs, braces etc)
Together, when appropriate, these help to reduce pain, improve mobility, increase strength, and achieve your goals for your dog.
All sessions performed by a licensed, certified Doctor of Physical Therapy in the comfort of your own home!
We understand that you likely want to know more about cost and availability before booking a canine physical therapy appointment. If you’d like more information, click the button below and fill out a short inquiry form:
Check out the healing power of PT!
Brown had surgery on his neck from C2-5 for IVDD. When he first came to PT, he couldn't hold his head up long, sit, stand, or even lay on his stomach on his own. Watch his amazing progress through rehab!
All rehab was performed by Dr. Kristen while employed at Canine PT and Me in Portland, OR. Shared with the consent of Brown’s owner and Canine PT and Me.
Happy dogs. Relieved Owners.
We’d be asking these too…
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Some signs that your dog is experiencing discomfort or weakness and could benefit from physical therapy include:
slowing down on walks or hikes
difficulty getting up
limping or stiffness
reluctance to jump, run, or climb stairs
dragging or scuffing their feet
frequently changing positions
stumbling or difficulty with balance
sudden behavioral changes
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Absolutely! In the same way that humans can benefit from physical therapy to mitigate the effects of getting older, your dog can too.
Therapeutic modalities and hands-on treatments can help reduce aches and pains associated with aging, while progressive exercise can improve strength and stability to support their joints.
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Yes.
Surgery addresses the actual physical structure that was injured. However, it doesn’t address the muscle atrophy and lack of strength from necessary crate rest or mobility limitations that can result from your dog not wanting to use the repaired area.
That’s where physical therapy comes in! We focus on improving mobility, getting them to use the repaired body part normally, strengthening and returning to normal activity the right way where your dog’s body is prepared.
Dogs are very good at finding the path of least resistance and will compensate their way through life. You don’t want to have gone through that whole process of surgery only to end up with more issues down the line!
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Yes.
Every treatment plan is tailored specifically to your dog’s condition, age, and current activity level/ability to ensure therapy is both safe and effective.
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Our initial evaluation is 75-90 minutes long to give plenty of time for a full history, examination, and their first treatment.
Subsequent sessions are around 45-60 minutes long and will include any treatments deemed necessary and appropriate.
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There are a number of benefits to having an in-home service!
Less time commitment from you, which means less time out of your busy schedule!
No need to manage getting your dog in/out of the car, especially if they’ve recently had surgery.
Your dog doesn’t have the typical anxiety that can be associated with vet clinics. They get to stay in the comfort of their own home.
We can directly assess your home environment and give instruction on how to navigate both home exercises and daily life.
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Correct. Though this doesn’t mean your pup receives anything but the best care.
While under water treadmills (or hydrotherapy) can be helpful in some specific instances, we find it’s not ideal for the vast majority of dogs in rehab.
The buoyancy effect of water in the treadmill works to reduce the effect of gravity by off-loading a dog’s limbs. But dog’s live their normal lives with full gravity, so we prefer to rehab in the same conditions. We have other ways of off-loading particular joints as needed and appropriate without under loading your dog’s entire body.
In addition, while water resistance can indeed have a strengthening effect, it only allows movement in one plane—forward to backward. But again, normal daily life isn’t lived in one plane of motion, so we want to exercise in all directions.
We are more than happy to discuss the benefits vs limitations of hydrotherapy further, so feel free to reach out!
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A lot of dog’s can be nervous with physical examinations or even just new people in general. That’s perfectly okay!
The length of our initial evaluation is designed with this in mind. We start off chatting to let your dog get comfortable with us on their own terms. Then the physical examination is done at your dog’s pace. We aren’t trying to force anything they’re too uncomfortable with because we want your dog to have fun with physical therapy!
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Yes.
For continuity of care and to be compliant with Idaho statutes 54-2103 (35) and 54-2104 (2)(p), we require a vet referral prior to initial evaluation. This allows your veterinarian to establish the need for therapy and to manage medical conditions while we focus on our area of expertise- biomechanics, movement science, therapeutic modalities, hands-on treatments, and progressive exercise programs along with education to help you take an active role in your pet’s recovery.
Establishing this veterinarian-therapist-client relationship allows for open communication and helps address your pup’s needs in the most efficient, effective, and comprehensive way. We are all on “Team Fido!”
You can find a PDF of our veterinary referral form at the bottom of every page or your veterinarian can fill out the online form via our Veterinarians page.
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The first step is easy! Just shoot on over to our Contact page to fill out some quick information about your dog. From there, we will reach out to you for next steps.