The ins and outs of physio for dogs! Should you start seeing one?

☀️ Summer is right around the corner, and if you're in the northern hemisphere, you're probably already enjoying your first glimpses of warm weather. Summer typically brings more outdoor activities with our dogs, which can increase their chances of potential injuries due to increased physical activity.

Taking a proactive approach to your dog’s health is crucial. Rather than waiting for an injury, taking preventative measures to ensure your dog’s overall well-being is important.

Staying Proactive About Your Dog’s Physical Health

In addition to your yearly veterinary visits, developing a relationship with a canine physio is an effective way to maintain your dog’s health.

Wait… so you’re telling me there is physio for dogs? 😲

Yes! There is, and I am proud to be one of them! As a Registered Physiotherapist, I have seen firsthand physiotherapy's positive impact on human and animal health. May, being Physiotherapy Month, is a wonderful time to highlight the importance of our work.

Let’s take a step back… what do physiotherapists do?

Physiotherapy is much more than developing rehabilitation plans for injuries - although that is a part of it.

Another big part of our job is helping owners develop a health plan that PROACTIVELY keeps their dog in the best shape possible to help PREVENT injuries. 

I’ve been a physiotherapist for over 16 years (time flies!) and serve both human 🧑‍🦰and canine🐕clients. To this day, I continue to provide homecare physiotherapy, specializing in geriatric patients through a homecare company I have been with for 13 years! In 2014, I began my specialized training in canine rehabilitation through the  Canadian Physiotherapy Association. I travelled to various training centres and people’s homes to offer canine physio for many years and in 2020, I opened the doors of McIntyre Caine Rehabilitation Clinic in Erin, Ontario, to provide in-person care for dogs of all ages! ​

At my clinic, I offer the following services:

✅ Manual therapy

✅ Laser therapy

✅ Acupuncture

✅ Dry needling 

✅ Myofascial release 

✅ Massage techniques

✅ Exercise prescription

✅ Supplement recommendations

✅ Post-operative care (e.g. post TPLO surgery)

✅ Baseline assessments for canine athletes to ensure they are fit and ready for their sport of choice 

✅ Geriatric assessments to keep your older dog moving well into their golden years 
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✅ Stance analyzer - an objective evaluation to determine if your dog is bearing weight on their limbs properly 

How do I know if I should bring my dog to a canine physio? 🤔​

A common question I get asked is, “Is physio right for my dog?” YES! It is. Whether you have a puppy, a sports dog, a senior dog, or a dog who needs recovery after surgery, they can ALL benefit from seeing a canine physio.

Remember, it’s about taking a PROACTIVE rather than REACTIVE approach to your dog’s health. 

🌟🌟🌟By the way…. did you know that many pet insurance companies cover canine physio and include a rehabilitation rider? If your dog is insured, I highly encourage you to find out if you can claim a physio treatment plan. 🌟🌟🌟​

🤷​How can my dog benefit from physiotherapy?

There are a multitude of benefits to bringing your dog to a canine physio, but today, I’ll focus on three of them:

1. Injury Prevention: Regular sessions can help identify and address potential issues before they become serious injuries. If you know me, you’ll know I’m a HUGE proponent of preventative care. Imagine if you could identify and address a minor strain before it becomes a serious hurdle. That's the magic of maintenance visits! It's about staying ahead of the game.


2. Improved Performance: Physiotherapy can enhance active and sports dogs' strength, flexibility, and overall performance. Are you training for an upcoming competition and want to ensure your dog performs at their best?  Consider a physio visit to give them a boost 💥 Physiotherapy can help improve your dog’s stamina, flexibility, and body awareness, leading to longer and healthier sports careers.


3. Rehabilitation: If your dog has already suffered an injury, physiotherapy can aid in their recovery, helping them return to regular activities safely and more quickly. Remember, no two dogs are the same. Each dog is unique (i.e. breed, genetics, medical history, pre-existing conditions, etc.), and thus, they’ll need a unique rehab plan developed for them. You want to avoid the typical cookie-cutter rehab plans and work with a canine physio on a comprehensive plan that is devised specifically for your dog! 

I am not located in Ontario or Canada. Can I still work with you?

Absolutely!! MCR has an online rehabilitation division where I work with clients worldwide to provide both assessment and treatment. My online services are for any dog owner looking to improve their dog’s health performance or recover from an injury to return to sport or activity. 

What in-person and online services do your services offer?

☑️ Custom 1:1 fitness and rehabilitation programs 

☑️ Dedicated coaching and support to ensure your dog is meeting their marks and targets

☑️ Detailed exercise prescription and support using my layered approach to training to  ensure you and your dog are completing the exercises correctly and challenging them accordingly to see results! 
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☑️ A comprehensive physio approach is applied to EACH individual dog. We will discuss your dog’s supplements, activity and fitness level, current routines, and how to create a fitness/rehab schedule that fits with your schedule! ​

Here’s how we can help​

If you have any concerns about your dog’s health or think canine physio could benefit them, please contact me directly at [email protected]. I’m happy to discuss how I can best help you and your dog! 

We currently have 15% off my online packages, so mention coupon code PHYSIO15 and get 15% off any personalized online physio! Let's devise a plan to be proactive in your dog’s health journey! 

Cheers to an active and injury-free summer for you and your dogs! ☀️ 🐶