Kelsey Jonas, PT, DPT, CCRT started her physical therapy (PT) career wanting to treat athletes and help rehab them back to their sport. However in her first year out of PT school, working for a large corporate company, Kelsey quickly realized that she could not treat people for the entirety of her career. She was already burnt out in just her first year of practice! In 2019, she used all of her paid time off to achieve her Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) certification from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. After completing her CCRT, Kelsey opened her own mobile canine rehab business (Canine PT and Me) in Portland, Oregon.
The growth of canine rehabilitation has been remarkable and Canine PT and Me has been able to expand their team to help more pups. The number of patients being treated has more than doubled with the growth of the team. Kelsey now employs several other canine rehab therapists and administrative staff members. A multidisciplinary team of therapists (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Physical Therapists) adds a lot of value to Canine PT and Me.
One of the main differences in Canine PT and Me’s treatment approach is not utilizing an underwater treadmill. This seems to be the “shiny object” that most people think of when it comes to canine rehabilitation. The underwater treadmill is a great tool to have for neurologic patients, it helps offload joints for senior patients, or it can assist a dog learning to walk again. However, this piece of equipment is not a one-stop-shop for canine rehabilitation. Canine PT and Me does not have an underwater treadmill and likely never will. The canine rehab therapists utilize their manual therapy skills, therapeutic exercise prescription, PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) bed technology, shockwave, cold laser therapy, and a few other modalities to treat patients. This is what makes Canine PT and Me stand out from other practices to achieve exceedingly outstanding results in all of their patients. Canine rehabilitation is an entire wellness approach and should include a variety of treatment techniques to reach the goals set for each patient.
Kelsey Jonas, PT, DPT, CCRT
Dr. Kelsey graduated from the University of Delaware in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a concentration in Exercise Physiology. She went on to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Northeastern University in Boston, MA and shortly thereafter, relocated to Portland, OR. After practicing in outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine for over 2 years, Dr. Kelsey became aware of a growing need for canine physical therapy.
Dr. Kelsey decided to combine her physical therapy knowledge with her love of dogs and completed her certification in canine physical therapy from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. Her desire to reach this canine population led to the establishment of Canine PT and Me, implementing rehabilitation and wellness for dogs to help them return to their activities.
In her free time, Dr. Kelsey enjoys exploring restaurants and craft breweries in the greater Portland area. She is an active gym member and participates in rock climbing, yoga, running, hiking, and she loves to travel. She is also an advocate for local dog rescues in the Portland-metro area.
Lauren Bacsalmasi, PT, DPT, CCRT
Dr. Lauren studied general biology at the University of Sydney and the University of Washington prior to completing her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Franklin Pierce University in 2019. At the Canine Rehab Institute, Dr. Lauren learned to combine her passion for dogs with her extensive knowledge in physical therapy. Dr. Lauren joined Canine PT and Me with a mission to help improve the quality of life of as many dogs as she can.
Dr. Lauren spends most of her weekends hiking and swimming with her own dogs. She travels frequently, and she loves exploring new countries. She loves meditation, yoga, arts and crafts, going to the gym, watching movies, drinking coffee and tea with friends, and spending time in the water.
Dr. Jennifer Wade, DVM, CCRT
Dr. Jennifer Wade graduated from Willamette University with degrees in Psychology and Chemistry. She then went on to graduate from Washington State University Veterinary School in 2019. After vet school she completed an equine surgical internship in Tulsa, OK before moving back to her beloved Pacific Northwest.
During general and urgent care practice, Dr. Wade cultivated a passion for the rehabilitation medicine space and joined Canine PT and Me. Her particular areas of focus include aging and drug-free pain management. In her spare time, Dr. Wade enjoys her two pups (Rockie and Hank), surfing, swimming, hiking, and horse back riding.
Katelien, Client Experience Specialist
Coming Soon!
Careers
Physical Therapist
Background: Physical Therapists or DVMs (other backgrounds such as PTAs or veterinary assistants can be considered on a case by case basis)
Salary: Competitive with human PT positions locally, dependent on experience and if already certified in canine rehabilitation
Are you a physical therapist or veterinarian who knows there’s more to helping dogs than passive modalities?
Canine PT and Me is a growing canine rehabilitation practice in Portland, Oregon focused on helping dogs regain strength, mobility, and independence so they can keep exploring life with their humans.
Our approach is rooted in manual therapy, progressive exercise, and client education, not cookie-cutter protocols.
If you’re someone who wants to think clinically, build real relationships with clients, and see meaningful long-term outcomes in your patients, this is likely the role you’ve been looking for!
This is for you if you:
✨ Love working hands-on with dogs and truly enjoy building trust with each patient
✨ Want to focus on real strength, mobility, and function, not just passive modalities
✨ Take pride in clinical reasoning and tailoring each session to the individual dog (no cookie-cutter plans)
✨ Enjoy building relationships with clients and being a trusted guide throughout their dog’s journey
✨ Like educating owners so they feel confident continuing the work at home
✨ Appreciate seeing long-term progress and meaningful outcomes, not just quick fixes
✨ Are naturally curious and want to keep improving your skills in manual therapy and exercise progression
✨ Value a slower-paced environment where quality of care comes first
✨ Are proactive, take ownership of your work, and like being part of a growing business
✨ Feel fulfilled helping dogs stay active, independent, and doing what they love
You’ll be:
🐾 Helping dogs move better, feel stronger, and stay active in their daily lives
🐾 Using manual therapy and progressive exercise to create real, lasting changes
🐾 Evaluating each dog’s movement, strength, and mobility to create individualized treatment plans
🐾 Progressing exercises over time to safely build strength, stability, and confidence
🐾 Guiding owners so they feel confident and consistent supporting their dog at home
🐾 Educating clients on what’s actually going on with their dog and what will truly help long term
🐾 Building strong relationships with clients that keep them engaged and committed to the process
🐾 Creating a low-stress, positive experience for every dog using thoughtful handling techniques
🐾 Tracking progress and adjusting care plans based on each dog’s response and goals
🐾 Collaborating on ways to improve patient outcomes and overall client experience
🐾 Keeping clear, timely documentation so care stays consistent and effective
🐾 Playing a role in a growing practice where your work directly impacts both dogs and their humans
Why Portland:
Living in Portland means access to endless trails, parks, and dog-friendly spaces, making it the perfect place to help dogs get back to doing what they love most!
Client Experience Specialist
Pay: Compensation aligned with local veterinary receptionist pay rates
Our growing canine rehabilitation practice is always open to connecting with the right Client Experience Specialist who loves people and dogs when the fit is exceptional. This person understands that the front desk is more than just admin… it’s the heart of the client experience.
This role is perfect for someone who is organized, proactive, and genuinely enjoys building relationships while keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes.
This is for you if you:
✨ Love talking to people and can easily build rapport with anyone
✨ Are naturally organized and enjoy keeping things running smoothly
✨ Take pride in delivering an exceptional client experience
✨ Are comfortable talking about money, value, and helping clients make decisions
✨ Follow through on tasks and don’t let details slip through the cracks
✨ Are proactive: you see what needs to be done and just handle it
✨ Enjoy a fast-paced environment where priorities can shift throughout the day
✨ Love dogs and feel comfortable around them (even the nervous ones)
✨ Want to be part of a growing business where your role truly matters
You’ll be:
🐾 Creating a warm, welcoming experience for every client and patient from the moment they walk in
🐾 Building real relationships with clients so they feel known, supported, and excited to return
🐾 Managing scheduling and keeping therapists’ calendars running efficiently
🐾 Following up with new clients before and after their first visit to ensure a seamless experience
🐾 Having confident conversations about pricing, plans of care, and payment options
🐾 Supporting therapists during sessions when an extra set of hands is needed
🐾 Keeping the clinic clean, organized, and fully set up for each day
🐾 Handling calls, texts, and emails and making sure no client falls through the cracks
🐾 Tracking client communication and staying on top of important details
🐾 Processing payments, managing payment plans, and sending receipts
🐾 Assisting with light marketing tasks like photos, videos, and client touchpoints
🐾 Maintaining inventory, stocking supply areas, and supporting overall clinic operations
Why Portland:
Living in Portland means access to endless trails, parks, and dog-friendly spaces, making it the perfect place to help dogs get back to doing what they love most!
What Pawrents Say
“My dog had bilateral MPL surgery at 8 months old. Dr. Kelsey Jonas was very instrumental to his exceptional recovery. She was very thorough, committed, and most of all caring to my black lab Otis! Thank you so much Dr. Jonas!!”
–Andrea V, Otis’ mom
“Dr. Kelsey is amazing! She helped our dog Pam immensely! She’s kind, gentle, and can get creative when it comes to getting the job done! She earned Pam’s trust quickly and helped heal an injury that was not going away on its own. I cannot recommend Canine PT them enough!!”
–Robin E, Pam’s mom
“We took our elderly pup to Kelsey and it was a wonderful experience. She helped our little guy so much. His walking was much improved after only a couple of visits. We highly recommend her. She is caring and really knows her stuff.”
–Kathy Z, Henry’s mom