The goal of canine fitness is to achieve, maintain and improve optimal physical states of wellbeing for our dogs.
This in turn allows us to maximize our dogs’ quality of life.
As we age, or undergo injury, our bodies can begin to weaken.
Since the biomechanics of the body are inter-related, weakness in one
area often results in compensatory strain in another. Thus begins the
snowball effect of sub-optimal function, and a reduction in that quality
of life.
Through personally tailored fitness programs, we can help guide
our dogs’ bodies to maintain maximal functioning potential. We can also
preserve that function to help protect against future age related
changes and decrease risk of future injury. Canine fitness programs can
help reduce discomfort, increase strength and flexibility, and maximize
endurance.
Similar to our human fitness regimens, consistency is key for
canine fitness. Short durations of consistent, gentle, controlled
exercise is more beneficial than infrequent long bursts of high impact
activity.
Though ideally we could all bring our dogs in person to
participate directly in canine fitness programs, sometimes it may not be
feasible due to time or financial constraints.
My goal is to help bridge that gap – when there would be benefit
from a fitness program, but not the ability to participate in one
directly. My goal is to educate you, as your dog’s caretaker, on safe
ways to conduct a home fitness program for your dog that you can do
yourself at home.
My 20 years experience in human rehabilitation has taught me
that we are usually more successful in creating long term lifestyle
modifications when we incorporate a transition to a home program
component that can be done independently or with a family
member/friend. This allows for short sessions at times that are
convenient to you – and that results in more consistent participation.
It is easier to continue something long term that only requires short
periods of time that conveniently fit into our lives. It is that
consistency that will bring about improvement, and the ability to
maintain that new level of achievement.
My goal here is to help those dogs who would benefit from a
fitness program – due to age, weight issues, decreased daily activity,
chronic injury that has already been diagnosed and treated by their
veterinarian, etc. – but
– do not live close enough to directly see a certified canine rehab practitioner/therapist
– do not have the financial means to directly see a CCRP/T
– do not have the time in their schedule to directly see a CCRP/T
– do not feel their dog can comfortably travel to directly see a CCRP/T
It should be noted that if your pet is experiencing a new acute injury, they should first be seen by your primary veterinarian. After veterinarian diagnosis and treatment, every effort should be made to see a Certifield Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner/Therapist in person so that they can directly look at, listen to, and feel
your animal for a full functional assessment. They will also trial
how your unique dog responds to specific interventions and carefully modify the program over time
according to their response. In addition, they may have complimentary
modalities to offer such as theraputic laser and/or supplemental
exercises such as underwater treadmill during the early stages of
recovery.
While a fitness program can help maintain and improve function
for an otherwise healthy pet, acute injury requires rehabilitation to
safely regain function that has more significantly declined or been
lost.
Please see the “Resources” section on this site to locate a certified
canine rehabilitation practitioner/therapist in your area.
At this time, Fitness Consultations are being done only through referrals.
Please feel free to email me or look on the resource page for a certified canine rehabilitation practictioner in your area.