FAQ

At PUP, our physical therapist will spend 90 minutes of one-on-one time with your dog providing a comprehensive evaluation to determine your dog’s issues and needs. The evaluation assesses multiple things such as:

1. Stance
2. Gate
3. Quality of movements
4. Conformation and body alignment
5. Joint health and mobility
6. Range of motion
7. Flexibility
8. Muscle strength
9. Tendon and ligament integrity
10. Neurologic status
11. Abilities to utilize proper movement patterns and perform daily activities
12. Endurance
13. Weight/body composition
14. Injury/Athletic history
15. Owner/Handler experience

Your pet will then receive appropriate treatments that same day to best address your pet’s current needs. Some of the treatments your pet might receive include laser therapy, dry needling, manual therapy, PEMF, and exercises. Based on the exam findings and your pet’s response to treatments, an individually tailored home program will be created for you. The team approach of therapist and owner offers your pet the greatest outcomes. After the session with your pet, our physical therapist will sit down with you and review the findings and her recommendations. She will create an individualized treatment plan that works best for you and your pet to achieve your goals.

Upon completion of the exam, an overall assessment and diagnosis will be determined, and a therapy program will be developed based on the evaluation findings. Treatments are individually tailored to meet each pets’ and owners’ needs.  When applicable, PUP therapists will consult with a treating veterinarian in an effort to develop a cohesive plan to achieve the highest results for each patient. Additionally, recommendations for medications, supplements, nutrition, assistive devices, and/or home modifications will be provided.

If possible we try to work with your pet one-on-one in order to help foster a trusting relationship that strengthens the therapist/patient relationship and maximizes our full focus on your pet in the time spent with it. During Covid, we found treating the dogs without the owners present really improved the chances of this as the pet looks to us for guidance and assurance, and treats of course! We use positive methods to ensure your pet is happy and comfortable in our care. In each session, videos will be made of the therapist working with your pet and demonstrating anything we would like you to know or do at home. This also gives you the opportunity to see how your pet interacts with the therapist.

However, there are times where it is best for your pet to work with the therapist with you present. Our main goal is to help you and your pet, however this needs to be achieved. In this case, the rehabilitation practitioner will cover with you policies and procedures for observing and/or participating in a treatment session. Additionally, part of PUP’s approach to treatment is owner instruction. Owner instruction is individualized by the dog’s needs, your capabilities, and other plan considerations. You will be taught appropriate activities like strengthening exercises, massage, and stretches.

An important part of PUP’s approach to treatment is owner instruction. The team approach is crucial to a dog’s recovery and health. Owner instruction is individualized by the dog’s needs, your capabilities, and other plan considerations. You will be taught appropriate activities like strengthening exercises, massage and stretches. Rehabilitation is not effective if there is no carry through at home, so we count on our owners to be a crucial part of the team in order to expedite recovery. PUP will provide videos, photos, forms and/or written material to accompany verbal instruction.