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SERVICES
We are dedicated to the care and exercise of dogs who require rehabilitation after surgery, those who need to loose weight, show and performance dogs who need to be in top condition for the ring and for your family companion who needs exercise for their own well being and longevity.

 
Manual Therapy
Stretching:
  • Loosening tight muscles

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    Baxter Black
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    Dobbler 3wk post
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    Massage Stella
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    Stella
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    Ceasar
  • Improve range of motion

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    Jenn and Casey Winter 2011
           
  • Encourage use of limbs

  • Decrease lameness

  • Strengthen the body

  • Get the patient back to “normal” quicker

Therapeutic exercises:
  • Cryotherapy

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    Desi icing knee lat
  • Moist Heat Therapy

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    Maverick May 2010
  • Theraball
    Core conditioning

  • Weight shifting
    Limb lifts

  • Sit to stand

  • Caveletti poles

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    Madison
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    Tatoo
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    Yukon
  • Weave poles
    Ramps/ hills
    Uneven surfaces
    Dancing

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    Keena dancing

    Wheel barrowing

Hydrotherapy:

Pre & Post Op Rehabilitation

  • ACL repairs

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    Zack
  • Total Hip Replacements

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    Murphy
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    Briar
  • Post Disc surgeries

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    Ruby
  • Amputations

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    Dean
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    Kody
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    Tess
  • Elbow Arthroscopy and/or surgery
    Other orthopedic related injuries or surgeries

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    Molly

 

Geriatric Programs:
  • Geriatric rehabilitation addresses many of the same conditions experienced by people. The warm water helps restore, improve and maintain mobility. Hydrotherapy decreases pain and improves an older dogs overall fitness. We focus on rear leg weakness, degenerative myelopathy, and arthritis.

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    Harley
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    Chloe
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    Banjo
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    Max
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    Tyler

 

Osteoarthritis:
  • Osteoarthritis is a painful degenerative joint disease of primarily the elbow or hip joints. Osteoarthritis is most commonly seen in large or giant breed dogs but can be seen in smaller breeds. It is often an older dog disease but can be seen in dogs as young as 6-10 months. There are exercises that may prove beneficial to arthritic dogs. Hydrotherapy, slow walks, stretching and range of motion exercises.

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    OFA Excellent Hips
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    Pelvis X-ray
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    7 month old Lab
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    Arthritic knee

 

Obesity, Weight Loss & Weight Management:
  • A safe means of exercise in addition to medical and nutritional care the dog may be receiving. As a primary means of exercise the dog can exercise without the added joint stress secondary to obesity. Obese dogs need regular exercise to increase their metabolic rate. Their optimal fitness cannot be obtained without optimal nutrition.

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    Piper - 8yrs old
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    Kaycee
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    Maggie
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    Sampson
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    Sammy
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    Whoopie lost 38lbs!
Neurological Conditions:
  • The most common neurological condition we see is Degenerative Neuropathy. Although there is no know cure there are ways this disease process can be managed. Good diet, antioxidants and hydrotherapy. With heroic nursing many of these dogs can be maintained satisfactorily for a period of time. Degenerative Myelopathy

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    Bali
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    Dobbler
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    Skeeter
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    Teilhard
Dry Treadmill:
  • For those dogs who don’t want to get wet. Dogs are warmed up to a trot and cooled down after a 5-10 minute workout.

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    Treadmill work Jan 2010
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    Chloe - 2010

 

Swimming for fun & fitness Programs!
  • We are talking about general wellness swimming for our favorite four legged friends who like to lie at our feet at the end of our busy days. All those companion dogs that greet us at the door and love us unconditionally. No matter what breed, size, color, hair coat or age, your dog can and should swim. Swimming is convenient for owners who are physically unable to walk themselves or have time constraints. Who doesn’t have time constraints? Swimming is the safe alternative to dog parks. 

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    Have you ever felt tired and drained with sore muscles? Imagine your dog feeling the same way. Many dogs are under conditioned or overweight. This has become a huge problem for dog owners and their veterinarians. Exercise & conditioning is the process of getting dogs in shape so when they are asked to do something that takes great physical effort they are less likely to get hurt. As in humans, athletes are less prone to injury than “weekend warriors”. Swimming provides a non weight bearing form of exercise increasing your dogs’ heart rate, improving blood flow and lung capacity without the damage a hard run on land would do. Regular exercise will increase your dogs’ overall metabolic rate. When you meet a dog’s exercise needs they rest more calmly at home and will be less restless and fretful when left alone. A tired dog is a good dog.

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    Dogs left at home with no exercise for days at a time when the owners are at work are prone to be overweight with lack of muscle tone. This results in the likelihood that these dogs will become obese and develop osteoarthritis. Swimming has proven beneficial to arthritic dogs. Our wellness programs focus on young puppies looking to burn energy, overall fitness for the middle aged dogs and older overweight pets. Other benefits to swimming include loosening tight muscles, decrease swelling, relaxation and confidence building. Weightless exercise thru swimming strengthens and tones muscles without impact allowing limbs to move freely with full range of motion. Swimming prevents muscle disuse and atrophy. The warm water assists in pain reduction allowing older animals to exercise effectively.


    Swimming is perfect for that new puppy you have. Redirect the energy he or she uses to chew the furniture and let them exhaust themselves in the pool. The effects last for days and will make the relationship you are developing with your new friend a happier one.
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    The first time you and your dog visit you are required to complete the intake and liability forms. After that we may ask you to participate in the orientation process where we will show you and your dog the “rules” and the “ropes” of the pool. This training session may last up to an hour. Please allow adequate time in your schedule. We also recommend dressing accordingly with clothes you don’t mind getting wet. We will supply the towels and blow dryer. The pool water is purified using a mineral system so there is no chlorine odor in the building. It leaves your dogs coat and skin irritation free. The water temperature is 86 degrees. Our walk in “You wash, dog wash” shower is available for those who like to keep their bathrooms clean at home.


    We are equipped to handle dogs of all sizes and most temperaments. Aggressive dogs are handled carefully with owner participation. Once the dog becomes used to the pool and the setting, aggression is minimized. All proper measures will be taken to keep the staff, clientele and all dogs safe. Each swim session after the orientation is 30 minutes. 


    With our indoor facility dogs can swim and exercise year round. Dogs learn how to swim laps, retrieve toys and if needed will wear flotation devises. Programs will be monitored for the dogs exercise tolerance. Do not feed your dog for several hours before or after swimming. We require proof of vaccinations from your veterinarian.

Mobility Braces:
  • For arthritis

  • Carpal & hock support recovering from injury or surgery

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    Hock brace
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    Sheba Torres

Carts and mobility aides:
  • Whether your dog needs a cart for degenerative myelopathy, a traumatic injury or short term post surgical assistance we have some carts for rent or will help you fit your dog for a cart from Eddies Wheels. www.eddieswheels.com

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    Pal & friends in carts
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    Riley - car ramp
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    Sera - car ramp
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    Jack - cart day
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    Bear in new cart
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    Christie - rear
Ultrasound and Electrical Stimulation:
  • Ultrasound therapy will increase circulation in damaged muscles, tendons and ligaments. Ultrasound combined with stretching will elongate and reduce restriction caused by scar tissue.

  • Electrotherapy is used to help with muscle relaxation of muscle spasms, prevention of disuse atrophy, increase blood circulation, muscle re-education.

 

Low Level Laser Therapy: (LLLT)
  • A non invasive low level energy that is used to decrease inflammation, provide pain relief, and increase healing time by half. Laser therapy reduces the pain and inflammation caused by DJD, muscle strains, tendon and ligament injuries and inflammation due to surgery. Dogs afflicted by hip dysplasia are usually offered great relief from the laser treatment due to reduced stiffness and soreness.

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Pulsing Magnetic Field Therapy: (PMTF)
  • All the cells that make up tissue or bone have a weak, natural electric current flowing thru them. The currents are caused by electrically charged particles in the cell called ions. Ions affect the metabolism of the cell. This therapy applies a magnetic field to the cell which sends a weak electrical signal, influencing the interaction of the ions and the flow of nutrients. Enhanced circulation and nutrient exchange can speed the healing process and reduce stiffness and soreness. Older dogs with chronic inflammation are treated as well as young active dogs that suffer from sore tendons ligaments and muscles.
    For more information, www.respondsystems.com

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    Magnetic bed
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    Raja on magnetic bed



Click here to Contact Us
109 Old Mill Road · Shelton, CT 06484 · PHONE: (203) 225-6999 · FAX: (203) 225-0629


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