Consultants for Professionals

VETERINARIAN: Matthew Brunke, DVM, CCRP, CVPP, CVA, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

LAMENESS: WHAT IS IT AND WHAT TO DO FOR IT

I consult on orthopedic, neurologic, cardiac, geriatric, juvenile, and athletic cases.  As a ACVSMR specialist, I am trained in advanced diagnostics and therapy options for all types of mobility disorders.

My consults are limited Veterinary Professionals (including veterinarians, vet techs/nurses, PTs/physios, and other veterinary rehab professionals).

Contact me if you are looking:

• For a second opinion or co-treatment opportunity for challenging or complex cases and those that have plateaued or have failed to respond to traditional medical interventions
  
• To expand upon your existing skill set of orthopedic and neurologic interventions, modalities, manual techniques, and coaptation devices

VET TECH & CERTIFIED IN CANINE REHAB: Renee DeSimone, CVT, CCRA

SPECIAL INTEREST IN ORTHOPEDIC & NEUROLOGIC ISSUES IN PETS

I offer consultation for pet parents of dogs or cats with weakness or generalized stiffness, lameness issues, post-op surgical pets, and those with osteoarthritis and pain related to injury or disease. I have worked with pets with spinal cord injuries and paralysis as well as pets that have had strokes and cannot walk well.  I will be happy to work with you and your veterinary team to provide solutions, suggestions, and coaching to help your pet recover or feel and move better.  I provide consults for Veterinarians, Technicians, and Rehab Therapists:

• To share my patient and rehab experiences to help you create a successful, patient-specific treatment plan.
  
• To provide out-of-the-box thinking on challenging cases to help you help your patients make gains toward their goals.
  
• To discuss successful and unsuccessful interventions in the hope of saving you and your client time and money.
  

CANINE REHAB THERAPIST: Lisa Dos Passos, OT, Vet Tech, CCRP (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner)

FOCUS ON FUNCTION & PERFORMANCE FOR CANINE ATHLETES, SENIORS, & PETS WITH DISABILITIES

I offer a variety of consultation services for pet owners with athletic pets, as well as retired or senior pets. I work with trainers and handlers of canine athletes as well as veterinary professionals who are interested in a second look or a consult on a case.  I provide consults for:

• Trainers and Handlers:
• Education for trainers and handlers, to help optimize safety with equipment and training surfaces.
• Handling recommendations to improve safety and performance.
• Targeted exercises or training cues to improve performance and safety in various sports.
• Teaching ways to modify courses, sports, for senior athletes.
• General and Rehabilitation Practitioners:
• Consultation and collaborative problem solving for various injuries or conditions.
• Collaboration and coaching on ways to incorporate rehab concepts into general practice, such as weight management and senior mobility issues.
• Consultation and problem solving for rescue groups with injured or physically challenged pets in their care.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST: Jen McNutt, BSc, MScPT, Diploma in Canine Rehabilitation

IMPROVE MOBILITY THROUGH REHAB AND ASSISTIVE DEVICES

I offer one-on-one, client-centered guidance on exercise, mobility, conditioning, and massage techniques that can help pets regain function and reduce pain. I work with dogs of all ages and all injuries however, I specialize in older dogs and orthopedic conditions such as sprains/strains, arthritis, back pain and post-surgery.

I also offer direction in selecting assistive aids for your patient, such as harnesses, carts, and braces.  My goal is to provide an individualized, wholistic approach to help pets be more comfortable and improve mobility.  I provide consults for Veterinarians, Technicians, and Rehab Therapists to:

• Provide recommendations on assistive aids and at-home modifications and care for a variety of orthopedic and neurologic conditions or cases. 
  
• Provide a physical therapy perspective and a second look on puzzling cases.
  

MASSAGE THERAPIST: Sara May, NCCMT, NCCAP [Canine Massage Therapist / Small Animal Acupressure Practitioner], Co-Founder & Lead Instructor for Canis Bodyworks, LLC

MASSAGE AND ACUPRESSURE SPECIALIST FOR DOGS OF ALL AGES

I offer a virtual consultation service for animal rehabilitation
therapists. From the comfort of your home or office, at a time that’s convenient for you, I collaborate with you to provide one-on-one coaching.  I provide consults for Veterinarians, Technicians, and Rehab Therapists who want:

• To bring a valuable but often overlooked modality into the health plan for cases which would benefit from soft tissue work.
  
• Insight into the benefits and principles of advanced soft tissue techniques for individual cases, including myofascial trigger point therapy, post-surgical massage and edema management, and orthopedic friction for tendon and ligament healing. While these techniques cannot be effectively taught in their entirety in a virtual setting (in-person, hands-on demonstration, guidance, and feedback are the ideal way to teach/learn), Sara can guide the veterinary professional in the fundamentals of advanced techniques and recommend how they can be safely applied in practice.
  
• To expand upon their existing repertoire of rehabilitation interventions.
  

VETERINARIAN: Tina McGrath, DVM, CCRT (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist), CVAT (Certified Veterinary Acupuncture Therapist)

MOBILITY SPECIALIST FOR PETS - WHETHER AN ATHLETE OR A FAMILY PET

I am a veterinarian who is certified in canine rehabilitation and acupuncture, and specializing in mobility issues related to orthopedic and neurological conditions.  I offer the following consult services for these groups: 

• For Trainers and Handlers:
• Assessment of video and overview of present exercise programs to maximize the dog's ability in competition.
• Help identify soft tissue restrictions that are impacting performance.
• Give tips on maintaining optimum function.

• For Veterinarians, Technicians, and Rehab Therapists:
• 30 years experience in veterinary practice to assist DVM professionals in their most challenging cases.
  
• What to do when non-steroidals are not helping.

VETERINARIAN: Jennifer Repac, DVM, CCRT, CVA, CVCH, Certified Veterinary Acupuncture

WHOLE(ISTIC) MOBILITY CARE FOR DOGS, CATS, AND EXOTIC PETS

My multi-disciplined background in general practice, integrative medicine, and rehabilitation contribute to my truly “whole(istic)” approach to mobility and wellness care. I have received advanced training in the rehabilitation of geriatrics, athletes, and even exotic pets. My experiences have led me to become creative in my mobility solutions including skills with orthoses/prosthetics and other assistive devices (eg. carts, braces, harnesses).  Ready to handle even the toughest cases, my varied expertise enables me to select and prioritize the “best tool in the box” for each treatment.  I provide consultative services for Veterinarians, Technicians, and Rehab Therapists:

• Provide  a second opinion for troubling cases.
  
• Assist in the creation of an appropriate home exercise plan for a previously diagnosed condition.
  
• Provide guidance in the use/selection of an appropriate assistive device.
  
• Advise on multi-modal pain management.
  

PHYSICAL THERAPIST: Amie Lamoreaux Hesbach, PT, DPT, MS, NCPT, CCRP, CCRT, CKTP (Certified KinesioTaping Practitioner)

MOVEMENT, FITNESS, AND EXERCISE PRO

I offer a virtual mobility consultation service for trainers and handlers of animal athletes and animal rehabilitation therapists worldwide.  From the comfort of your home or clinic, at a time that’s convenient for you, I collaborate with you to provide a comprehensive, one-on-one coaching solutions.  I provide consults for:

• Trainers and handlers of animal athletes who want:
• An objective biomechanical assessment of physical movement required for sport and function
• A one-on-one, personalized consultation for safe progression of rehabilitation exercises, training activities, and conditioning drills
• More objective instruction in returning their pet to training and sport following injury or surgery
• For Veterinarians, Technicians, and Rehab Therapists who want: 
• A second-look, co-treatment opportunity for cases which are challenging, are complex, have plateaued, or have failed to respond to traditional rehabilitation interventions
• To expand upon their existing repertoire of rehabilitation interventions

VETERINARIAN: Debra Voulgaris, DVM, MA, CCRP, cert Veterinary Acupuncture, cert Tuina, cert Ozonotherapy

PHYSICAL REHABILITATION VETERINARIAN WITH A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO HEALING

I am a rehabilitation and integrative medicine veterinarian that specializes in helping animals regain mobility, comfort, and well being. I focus on natural treatments such as acupuncture, nutrition, ozone therapy, photobiomodulation and detoxification, often combining them with more conventional therapies like pharmaceuticals, to assist patients in their healing process. Educating and empowering clients is a primary goal because having realistic expectations and understanding their pets' condition, the treatment options, and how to provide appropriate home care leads to the best outcomes.  I provide consultations for Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, and Rehab Therapists:

• To offer my knowledge and experience for any case in which a patient is having mobility issues or pain.
  
• I will review the medical record, current condition of the patient and can offer my opinion about the condition, prognosis, home care (for pet parents), pain management protocols, therapies that could be beneficial, other possible treatment options and if desired can discuss overall health including diet.
  

PHYSICAL THERAPIST: Debbie Gross Torraca, DPT, MSPT, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Emeritus

THE SOLVER OF PROBLEMS MANY CANNOT SOLVE!

I enjoy working with all types of dogs, but especially dogs with sporting injuries (sports medicine) and those that are challenging or difficult to help.  I also specialize in dogs with degenerative myelopathy.

I always look at the big picture - I take into account the dog, its partner, environment, and sport or activities to determine what's going on and how to help. 

I provide teleconsultation services for:

• Trainers and handlers of canine athletes who:
• Want to work together to develop a plan to functionally assess a condition and/or problem
• Want to collaborate to develop possible treatment plans for issues and prevention strategies and tools to keep problems from occurring or re-occurring
• Are looking for proactive approaches to prevent injuries and issues

• Animal rehabilitation veterinarians and therapists:
• To assist in developing a plan or different approach to the client and problem
• To provide ideas, recommendations, alternatives, or other treatment plans for challenging cases
• Assist in selecting additional treatment parameters, techniques or modalities for a condition

VETERINARIAN: Tanya Grantham, BSc(Hons), BVSc (Veterinary Science), CCRP (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner), CCBW (Caninology Canine Body Worker), CVA (Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist), CertSCVA (Certificate of Safety and Competence in Veterinary Acupuncture), 2020 Finalist for Veterinary Rehabilitation Therapist of the Year. 

SPECIALIZING IN PUPPIES, OLDER, AND GERIATRIC DOGS AND CATS

My philosophy on treating juveniles: I firmly believe that the sooner a developmental condition is noticed and diagnosed, the more options are available to treat the condition. Soft tissue can influence the skeleton and indeed we see this with many problems associated with young dogs. Hip dysplasia and patellar luxation are probably the most discussed. Allow me to discuss physical therapy and exercises which may benefit you pet or patient.

My philosophy on treating older and geriatric dogs and cats: Veterinarians are taught to assist with pain in a multi-modal manner – specifically with regards to the use of medicines. The multi-modal approach I use is holistic. I am able to discuss the use of drugs in combination with physical therapy modalities that reduce pain in dogs and cats. These modalities include massage, electrotherapy and photobiomodulation (light therapy) which are within the reach of animal guardians and veterinary professionals alike. Acupuncture (and acupressure) can also be applied.

I provide consults for Trainers and Handler:

• To assist with exercises that are both safe for the puppy/young dog and which simultaneously address the diagnosed condition.
• To develop a relationship with trainers and handlers that focuses on improving your skills with regards to juvenile dogs that have developmental problems (for example hip dysplasia).
• To discuss options and exercises for the older dog that are within the dog’s abilities but which also enhance mobility.

I provide consults for Veterinary Professionals:

• To assist veterinary professionals to navigate the available information (around juvenile disorders) and to have more possibilities available to treat based on my experience in both small animal and physical rehabilitation practice.
• To provide information about pain-relieving modalities that may be used to improve quality of life of older patients whilst allowing for pet parents to accept the inevitable transition of their beloved companion.
• To engage in meaningful dialogue with my colleagues that provides an opportunity for reciprocal exchange of knowledge, which, in the bigger picture will benefit our profession, our patients and our clients.

CANINE REHAB THERAPIST: Lisa Dos Passos, OT, Vet Tech, CCRP (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner)

FOCUS ON FUNCTION & PERFORMANCE FOR CANINE ATHLETES, SENIORS, & PETS WITH DISABILITIES

I offer a variety of consultation services for pet owners with athletic pets, as well as retired or senior pets. I also serve families and rescue organizations with pets who have physical challenges such as paralysis or amputations.  I work with trainers and handlers of canine athletes as well as veterinary professionals who are interested in a second look or a consult on a case.  I provide consults for Pet Parents to provide:

• Education on massage and range of motion for specific injuries or conditions.
  
• Home exercise programs, including using house-hold items for exercises and activities.
  
• Ideas for setting up the home for safety for pets recovering from injury, surgery or for aging pets.