Look what we got up here in Alaska - PET REHAB

[PattyInAK]

Pet therapist rehabilitates ailing animals
KASILOF: From surgery to wounds to sore muscles, facility treats pets.
By JOSEPH ROBERTIA
Peninsula Clarion
Published: January 16, 2007
Last Modified: January 16, 2007 at 02:44 AM
KENAI -- Got a dog with a dinged-up knee, a pooch with a pulled muscle, or perhaps Fido needs to lose a few pounds?
Peninsula people who answer "yes" may soon have a solution to their pets' problems. A new canine rehabilitation and conditioning facility opened for business last week in Kasilof.
"It's called 'Gone to the Dogs' because that's what all my friends think has happened to me," said Laurie Cramer, owner and "rehabilitation practitioner" at the facility.
Cramer, a licensed physical therapist, has worked with human patients for 13 years and only recently decided to blend her passion for pets with her love for her work. She started taking courses in dog rehabilitation five years ago, she said.
She has since completed all required courses for the canine rehabilitation practitioner certification program presented by the University of Tennessee, as well as a residency internship working at the Veterinary Specialists of Alaska clinic in Anchorage.
With the course work out of the way, Cramer now is ready to practice the principles she learned at a newly constructed facility off Cohoe Loop Road.
"I want to use my knowledge to help animals," she said.
To accomplish this, Cramer has many tools at her disposal, including carts, bracing and other adaptive equipment to aid neurologically impaired dogs; a low-level laser used to improve healing rates in wounded dogs; and heated underwater treadmills that can serve many purposes for dogs.
"The idea behind exercising in water is to unload the joints through use of buoyancy, while building strength, endurance and range of motion through use of resistance," she said.
The results are remarkable, Cramer said.
"We sometimes call it the fountain of youth, especially for older dogs."
During her residency, a man carried in an old dog he feared required euthanasia due to the pet's inability to walk on its own. After the dog was examined, it was clear it didn't need to be put down, she said. Instead, veterinarians suggested the dog start swimming in an underwater treadmill three days a week for 15-minute intervals, she said.
"Now the dog gets around on his own and even jumps into the guy's truck," she said.
Cramer said the underwater treadmill could speed healing time for dogs recovering from surgery and help with weight loss for dogs calorically challenged from too much time on the sofa.
The underwater treadmill also could help increase cardiovascular fitness and flexibility in athletic dogs, such as sled dogs, hunting dogs, police dogs and dogs that compete in agility, flyball and other sporting events, she said.
Owner education is a big part of her service, Cramer said, and most owners will leave with homework, such as an exercise program to do with their dogs. The facility also has a lending library with books and DVDs on various subjects, including stretching and massage, puppy development and dealing with the amputation of a pet's limb.
Cramer is requesting that anyone interested in rehabilitation or conditioning for their pet have a referral from a veterinarian.
"It's for the safety of all dogs," she said.

MORE information is available by calling 907-260-4469.

[PattyInAK]

This clinic is about 100 miles from me.  Its good to know its there.

[Kari]

That is so great!  :thumb:

[papbouv]

That is great news wish Tulsa had something like that I just wish they had a heated Pool for dogs to swim in but no luck on that Oklahoma does not have a Dog Park or very few things for dogs. 
Papbouv

[MindyKay]

That's good to hear.  Hopefully, the idea will spread!

Eastern Iowa has a couple of off-leash dog parks that I know about.  One of the pools in Iowa City will have a special day for dogs to come and swim, always on the day before the pool is drained and winterized.

I loved the previous post about "heated poop."  With lows below 0 here in Iowa, I've been seeing a lot of heated poop!

[papbouv]

Supose to be Pool sorry.
Papbouv