Geriatric patients make up a significant portion of those seeking rehabilitation therapy, often facing considerable challenges in maintaining mobility and quality of life. This lecture and hands-on lab will focus on managing geriatric care in the rehabilitation setting, emphasizing how to optimize quality of life while addressing age-related issues. We will move from assessment to treatment options and then the individualization of care plans. The concepts of frailty assessment and functional scoring will be introduced as tools to guide care decisions. Key topics include adjusting nutrition to meet the unique needs of senior dogs. The exercise segment will focus on preserving mobility and muscle strength while avoiding overexertion and supporting the health of the myofascial system. Co-morbidities, are addressed, with strategies for creating comprehensive, individualized treatment plans and ongoing monitoring. Modalities will be explored with a specific focus on how they can benefit geriatric patients. Pain management will be woven throughout assessment and plans. Financial considerations will also be discussed, emphasizing the importance of balancing treatment costs with family resources. The lecture will emphasize patient-centered care, encouraging communication with owners to tailor interventions that enhance the dog’s quality of life while respecting family preferences.In the hands-on portion, students will apply the new assessment scales they’ve learned, using them to evaluate actual patients. They’ll practice developing comprehensive care plans based on their assessments. There will be ample opportunity to apply physical assessment techniques, as well as to practice modality applications, ensuring that students gain practical experience in managing geriatric care.

Lecture: 1 hour 15 minutes

Lecture Overview: Explore the unique needs of geriatric canine patients, moving from assessment to treatment planning and individualized care. We will also review current literature on geriatric patients and mobility. Key topics include:

Frailty Assessment and Functional Scoring: Learn to apply standardized tools that help guide clinical decisions and track patient progress.
Nutritional Considerations: Understand how to adjust nutrition to meet the metabolic and physiological changes in aging dogs.
Exercise Planning: Develop safe, effective exercise strategies that preserve mobility and muscle mass while supporting the myofascial system and maintain fascial health and mobility.
Comorbidity Management: Explore strategies for addressing multiple age-related conditions within a cohesive treatment plan.
Modalities: Review commonly used modalities and how to integrate them into geriatric care, with pain management woven throughout the assessment and planning process.
Patient Centered Care: Learn to develop patient-centered plans that align with the dog’s needs and the family’s preferences and capabilities. Discuss how to balance effective care with client resources, emphasizing transparency and realistic goal setting.

Hands-On Lab: 2 hrs 45 minutes - with live dogs, geriatric patients, small group 3-4 people per dog

Case #1 - 50 minutes with dog, 20 minutes case discussion

Perform physical assessments tailored to geriatric dogs- including BCS, MCS, frailty and functional scoring systems to real patients.
Identify problem list based on scoring systems above, and prioritize problems to address
Practice history taking and assessing needs and priorities of clients
Develop individualized treatment plans based on findings.
Practice application of therapeutic modalities and techniques with attention to safety and comfort.
Conclude with brief case presentation to group with discussion.

Case #2 - 50 minutes with dog, 20 minutes case discussion

Perform physical assessments tailored to geriatric dogs- including BCS, MCS, frailty and functional scoring systems to real patients.
Identify problem list based on scoring systems above, and prioritize problems to address
Practice history taking and assessing needs and priorities of clients
Develop individualized treatment plans based on findings.
Practice application of therapeutic modalities and techniques with attention to safety and comfort.
Conclude with brief case presentation to group with discussion.

Lindsey Fry

DVM, DACVSMR, CCRP, CVPP, cVMA
Owner, Red Sage Integrative Veterinary Partners, Fort Collins, CO, US

Dr. Lindsey Fry grew up in Boulder, Colorado and attended Colorado State University for veterinary school. As a veterinary student, she became certified in medical veterinary acupuncture, and her passion for pain management and mobility was sparked.

She completed her rehabilitation training and certification (CCRP) through the University of Tennessee in 2011, and became a certified veterinary pain practitioner through the International Veterinary Academy for Pain Management (IVAPM) in 2013. She went on to serve as board member of the IVAPM and subsequently as treasurer.

Dr. Fry practices in Fort Collins, CO where she focuses on an integrative approach to pain and mobility management in a wide variety of patients, offering regenerative medicine, rehabilitation, palliative care, sports medicine, and pain management. In 2023 she achieved board certification through the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (DACVSMR).

Dr. Fry has published on acupuncture, pain management, iliopsoas injury in agility dogs, palliative care, and continues to have a special interest in pain management in complex cases and a multimodal approach to keeping pets active and mobile. She enjoys teaching and lecturing with a variety of organizations and continues to pursue research in pain management, sports medicine and rehabilitation.

Dr. Fry lives in Fort Collins with her husband and two adventurous daughters and a full menagerie of pets.