Physical Therapists for Dogs

A dog physical therapist, also known as a canine rehabilitation therapist, works to improve the quality of life of dogs through physical therapy. Whether the dog is recovering from surgery or injury or requires chronic pain management, a canine physical therapist can help.

More than just basic physical therapy, canine physical therapy requires an in-depth assessment of the dog’s condition. Following this, your dog’s physical therapist may use techniques such as massage, joint mobilizations, and targeted exercises. They will also create a tailored plan of care specifically for your dog, allowing for progressive increases in activity as your dog’s condition allows.

There is an enormous range of conditions that canine PT can help with. Many of our furry patients are recovering from surgeries, requiring tailored exercise programs and other treatment options to ensure a full recovery. Canine physical therapy helps your dog return to the activities they love after a surgery, and also helps to prevent re-injury.

Canine physical therapy also treats specific conditions such as hip dysplasia, CCL tears, and arthritis to name a few. In addition, physical therapy can be extremely useful for neurological conditions like IVDD and also for managing obesity.

Many dog parents choose physical therapy for their pups rather than surgery. Ultimately, it’s about improving your dog’s quality of life and allowing them to safely build the strength they need to live their best lives.

As every dog’s injury or condition is different, physical therapy session durations may vary. Typically, sessions run for around 60 minutes, depending on the level of treatment being administered. Most dogs aren’t known for staying in one place for too long, so we try to make sessions as effective for your dog as possible. Here at Canine PT and Me, we also aim to educate dog owners so they can help their pups with stretches and other exercises at home. Education is a large part of the session too, so don’t worry if your dog can be uncomfortable around new people. We make you both feel right at home.

Every physical therapy session is different at Canine PT and Me. That’s because we take an individualized approach to all treatments. Naturally, your dog’s specific condition and goals guide the session. A therapy session for an older dog with arthritis may look very different to one for a much younger dog with less severe injuries.

During a canine PT session, you can expect a full assessment of your dog’s condition. We may offer any combination of massage, stretches, joint mobilizations, PEMF, shockwave therapy, electrical stimulation, cold laser, balance and coordination training and more. We’ll develop a tailored home exercise program that compliments what each session entails, so you can help your dog at home too.

Canine physical therapy should never be painful for your dog. This therapy aims to improve your dog’s movement, alleviate pain, and provide a better quality of life. If your dog shows any signs of pain during treatment or exercises, your canine therapist will adjust the treatment. Just like physical therapy for humans, treatments aren’t designed to cause pain. Rather, it’s about increasing movement gradually over a period of time that suits your dog. Every dog’s recovery is different, and we always ensure pain-free therapy for your furry friend.

You certainly can, but only as guided by your dog’s physical therapist. We promote education for dog parents, so we’ll teach you the right way to assist your dog through their recovery. For example, your physical therapist generates a tailored exercise program that involves daily stretches and exercises. We’ll teach you exactly how to do these exercises with your dog in a safe and controlled way.

We strongly discourage varying from the provided program in any way, as the exercises have been recommended specifically for a certain stage of your dog’s recovery. Pushing too hard can result in re-injury or permanent damage.

There is no set number of physical therapy sessions your dog will need to attend. It depends on many factors including your dog’s specific condition, age, and response to treatment. Dogs should never be pushed to do more than they are able to. This can be difficult because most dogs need to be held back from increasing their activity too early. Your therapist will determine the optimal number of sessions, but this can change along the way depending on how your pet progresses and recovers.

Again, there is no definitive answer here because all dogs are unique. If you think about it from a human point of view, people recover from illnesses at different speeds depending on so many factors such as lifestyle, age, and more. It’s no different with your dog. It’s likely that you’ll begin noticing improvements quite quickly, but remember, improved movement and comfort don’t always mean a full recovery. Always consult your dog’s physical therapist before allowing your pup to return to full, unsupervised activities.

Absolutely! In fact, that’s the main goal of canine physical therapy. Canine PT can help reduce pain, improve your dog’s range of movement, and generally improve its physical and mental well-being. Whether it’s a young dog with a full life ahead or simply giving older dogs a more comfortable, pain-free life, canine physical therapy definitely improves the lives of our furry friends.

Every pet insurance company is different, and most of them have varying levels of coverage. Canine physical therapy may not be a standard inclusion on all pet insurance policies, so it’s best to do your research first. If you believe your dog will need physical therapy in the future, always check whether such treatment is covered.

When browsing through pet insurance options, check for higher-level policies that may include canine physical therapy. These policies typically cost a little more, but you can find a good deal if you shop around.

Scheduling an appointment with Canine PT and Me is simple! You can contact us online by clicking right here. If you’re searching for a ‘dog physical therapist near me’, you’ll find us at 728a SE 20^th Ave, Portland, Oregon. Otherwise, call or text us on 503-839-0394, or send us an email at rehabinfo@canineptandme.com. We’ll be happy to book your dog in for their evaluation.