One day you are walking your dog down the sidewalk, when all the sudden a cat runs past you on the other side of the street. All at once you dog goes nuts and the nightmare begins, your dog slips out of its collar and runs across the suburban street to go after the cat. And is struck by a car and breaks it pelvis and has nerve damage.
After the pelvis is fixed you find that the dog has a very bad limp and you think that maybe it will get better in a month or two? But it does not! What could be wrong?
What could I have done different?
Is there anything I could do?
Yes There Is, “Physical Therapy” (PT) and as little as $25, an amount that most devoted pet owners would call reasonable. And what do you get for that? How about: 30 minutes of swimming followed by 15-30 minutes of massage and exercises to strengthen the legs and joints and improve balance. And you play an important role in it too!
Across the country, many veterinary practices are employing techniques used in human rehab, from underwater treadmills to customized orthotics (paw supports) and much more. Every pet can benefit from PT, from injuries, surgery to aging. There are lots more ailments that can benefit from PT also, Hip Dysphasia, Arthritis, Gait Problems and Tendentious.
Over the year’s lots of Universities that study animals is finding that rehabilitation is working for animals just as it does for human’s athletes. If you or some one you know has been hurt or injured themselves 9 out of 10 times they will follow up the injury with PT. Take one of the most common sports injures in humans “Torn ACL” in the knee, it’s also affects many dogs and horses.
Now is every vet certified for PT? NO! And there is only One University in the USA that has a certificate program for canine rehab. University of Tennessee. And David Levinea a certified PT is teaching there. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, a lot of vets say that they’re certified and are not! So what to do? You have to remember that rehab is unregulated, so make sure to ask about a practitioner’s training.
I have asked Mr. Levinea to give me more INFO about “Animal Physical Therapy” and other alternative therapy such as “Acupuncture and Chiropractic’s” so as I get more INFO about PT, I will be adding to this page.
LINKS:
David Levine ~ Homepage
David Levine, PhD, PT, OCS
UC Foundation Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Board Certified Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Graduate Program in Physical Therapy
You can find Facilities Providing Animal Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation
around the U.S.A. and the World here
Please Note:
Facilities are listed as a service but are not an endorsement by the University of Tennessee or by any individuals employed within the University.
