Canine rehabilitation helps dogs get back on their paws

Much like physical therapy for people, canine rehabilitation has become a growing trend amongst dog owners looking to improve their pets' health and quality of life.

Many, like Wendy Mason and her five-year-old West Highland terrier Archie, see it as an alternative to surgery.

Archie suffered a herniated disk last December. Before Mason brought him to the Pierrefonds Animal Hospital for rehabilitation therapy he could barely walk.

“Honestly, within five days he had movement again in his back legs,” she said.

Canine rehabilitation practitioner Maria Cecere said more pet owners are choosing rehabilitation as a way to avoid surgery, adding that treatments like a water treadmill help to reduce pressure on aging or injured joints.

“Owners are trying to find a way to help their pet stay more active to stay more comfortable, without having to feed them several pills all the time,” said Cecere, who added that over the past five years dog rehab has become more popular with pet owners.

Many of the treatments aren't much different than physical therapy for humans.

“The only thing that really differs is the anatomy and the fact that you’re dealing with a patient that you can't really explain to, that the procedure may hurt a little bit or maybe be a little uncomfortable,” Cecere explained.

Some treatments help prevent injury as well.

Competitive agility dog Foxsee does rehab to help deal with the wear and tear of training.

“We find out if we have a little problem and we try to correct the problem immediately,” explained Michel Brunet, Foxsee’s owners.