VitalVet

Advocating for the best practices in the treatment of animals in pain

This practical book serves as both a work of reference and a structuring aid when it comes to treating dogs on the underwater treadmill.

The book is divided into three parts:

FUNDAMENTALS OF UWTM: the functions of the underwater treadmill, how the dog "works" on the UWTM, training theory principles.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF UWTM: medical findings, suggestions for the treatment of elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, and many other orthopedic and neurological injuries.

CASE STUDIES USING UWTM THERAPY: includes dogs with acute and chronic conditions and diseases.

Easy to follow steps and practical guidelines.

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

Sara offers a virtual consultation service for pet parents and animal rehabilitation
therapists. From the comfort of your home, at a time that’s convenient for you, Sara
collaborates with you and your veterinary medical team to provide one-on-one coaching
for…

• Pet parents who want:
  • To improve the level of comfort and quality of life for their canine companion through massage and acupressure guidance.
  • To address the specific needs of their dog in any stage of life, including youth, adulthood, elderly, post-surgical, and hospice/palliative.
  • Convenient access to an expert in animal bodywork who can provide relevant information and guidance with effective techniques that are easy and safe to apply at home.
• Animal rehabilitation veterinarians and 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.

If contacting Sara for help with a pet following injury or illness, she will need the following information before the consult (Once you purchase the consult, you will be provided with instructions):

• Pet's name, breed, weight, age
• Pet's injury or issue
• When did injury or issue occur
• In what sport or activity is the pet involved
• Why are you seeking a consult 
• Veterinary professional who is currently treating the pet including clinic name, phone, e-mail

This Professional's Biography

Sara is a graduate of the Chicago School of Canine Massage and has been
nationally board certified in Canine Massage Therapy since 2012 and in Canine
Acupressure since 2016.  Sara co-founded Canis Bodyworks LLC, with the goal of providing canine massage education to pet parents and veterinary professionals alike through intensive hands-on workshop experiences.

As a former college English instructor, Sara is a strong advocate for education. One of the favorite aspects of her work is teaching massage classes to pet parents, shelter staff and volunteers, and prospective therapists. Through education, she believes that the value and importance of canine massage and bodywork can be understood, shared, and appreciated by an ever-increasing audience.

Sara has a thriving private practice in northern Virginia and works part-time as a canine massage therapist and acupressure practitioner at Wholistic Paws Veterinary Services in Ashburn, VA.

Testimonials

• “Sara is an exceptional teacher with the ability to allow each and every person to feel comfortable with their skills and grow within their own practice.  Sara teaches and demonstrates Canine Massage and Acupressure courses in away that should be taught in all animal body work classes. Massage therapy or any ‘body work’ can be challenging to teach because each student’s individual senses are different and each student learns differently. Sara understands that and finds ways to help each student develop their sense of touch, optimize their connection with animals, and sets the foundation of what they need to know to be successful when working with animals.” Kasey Braun, LVT, CCRP, CTMT
• “The progress of Bear’s recovery from an articular fracture in his front left leg, where he needed extensive surgery to repair the injury, has been aided by Sara’s caring involvement. Her knowledge and skill as a canine massage therapist helped relieve the swelling associated with his post-surgical condition. While implementing a lymphatic massage, the swelling and bruising around the incision was greatly reduced in a short amount of time. This technique also helped his rather sluggish digestion to start working normally again. The massage itself has had positive benefits to Bear’s health and well being and because Sara is intentional with her presence during her time with Bear, he actually stays calm and enjoys it. As a “pet parent,” I have also appreciated Sara’s willingness to care and support me. Her passion for this practice has been helpful for me to see that this is an essential part of his recovery. With every visit, she instructs and informs me of how I can continue to further the beneficial effects from the massage. Having Sara work with us has been the best medicine for Bear, not just for his healing effects but for his comfort and peace for life.”  Dana, Virginia
• "Our dog Gypsy was diagnosed with IVDD, a serious, chronic disease of the spine. After receiving intensive rehabilitation therapy and pain control medications for 2 months, her inflammation was down, but she still labored during even short walks and was fatigued for hours later. We were informed that she was compensating for her bad back by using muscles she had not used before and was constantly sore. She was no longer excited about going out and seemed depressed. A few sessions after working with Sara, we started observing changes in Gypsy. She moved more easily and was more enthusiastic about walks. Sara sees Gypsy every week, and the improvement is remarkable. WhileGypsy is not allowed to leap, run, chase, or tumble anymore (even though she wants to), she is able to go for longer walks and looks forward to outings. Gypsy is no longer depressed and is as active as we allow her to be. Sara is one of the most caring, skilled, competent, responsible, compassionate professionals we have ever encountered. She goes beyond the call of duty. She maintains contact with Gypsy's doctor and coordinates treatment. She reviews the diagnostics and explains what is not understandable to me. We feel so fortunate to have found her. Gypsy loves her, and we love her!" Ann and Fred, Virginia
• "I saw a recommendation for Sara and called her for help with our 15-year old golden retriever. Sara gave my dog and me an excellent pet parent massage training session, and now I feel able to help with my poor old dog's aches and pains while remaining confident that I will not make anything worse. Sara provided a lot of information, including canine anatomy/physiology complete with diagrams, and she has such a kind and calm demeanor. It was a very helpful, soothing experience for my dog and myself, and we both recommend Sara!" Lisa, Virginia
• "I was referred to Sara approximately one year ago. At that time our 12 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback, Sadie, was suffering from hind-end weakness, and her condition was deteriorating quickly. Given her age and stubborn disposition, my husband and I had determined that invasive testing, therapy, or surgery were not paths we were willing to follow. A neighbor recommended Sara and her canine massage practice, and we began to have Sara treat Sadie on a weekly basis. Sara has a thorough knowledge of canine anatomy and how massage can or cannot improve a client’s situation. She has been careful not to provide veterinary advice or to inadvertently risk injury. I am confident that Sara’s treatment has not only prolonged Sadie’s life, but has improved her quality of life. By increasing the blood flow to the tissues of her hind end, Sara has allowedSadie to continue to move independently. Sadie is now 13, which is beyond the age range for her breed. She and our 11-year-old male Ridgeback anticipateSara’s arrival every week. Sara is kind, caring, and gained our dogs’ trust very quickly."  Lindsey and Ellen, Illinois
• "We started using Sara's services when our 12 year-old Cock-a-poo, Max, was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease. We are completely convinced that the massages have improved Max's quality of life. Also, during one of Max's massage sessions, Sara found a small lump on Max's hind leg. Our vet tested the lump and found some abnormal cells. Thanks to Sara, we caught his cancer early, and now he is as healthy and active as ever. We are so grateful to Sara for finding that lump -- she saved him!"  Wes and Julie, Illinois
• "Sara is an outstanding teacher, with a deep understanding of her subject matter, including canine anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, behavior, massage techniques, and business practices. She teaches with enthusiasm, humor, and high energy, fully engaging her students even with the most difficult subjects. In addition to her strong skills as a teacher, Sara is an excellent canine massage therapist. She develops close bonds with her canine clients and their pet parents, and she is responsible for improving the quality of life, both behaviorally and physically, of the many dogs she has worked on. She keeps excellent notes on her clients, documenting any changes observed and keeping pet parents apprised of such changes, so that they, along with their veterinarians, can make the best health decisions for their dogs. She truly cares for her clients, both the canines and their humans, and that care is clearly reciprocated."  Debra, Illinois 

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

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

Debbie always looks at the big picture - she takes into account the dog, its partner, environment, and sport or activities to determine what's going on and how to help. 

Debbie provides teleconsultation for:

• Pet parents who:
• Are looking for tools to successfully work with their dog at home
• Need help developing a plan for both the short-term and long-term
• Need help integrating treatments into their busy schedule (help in developing routines)

• 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

If contacting Debbie for help with a pet following injury or illness, she will need the following information before the consult (Once you purchase the consult, you will be provided with instructions):

• Pet's name, breed, weight, age
• Pet's injury or issue
• When did injury or issue occur
• In what sport or activity is the pet involved
• Why are you seeking a consult 
• Veterinary professional who is currently treating the pet including clinic name, phone, e-mail

This Professional's Biography

Debbie is a pioneer in the field of canine physical therapy and is a founder of the University of Tennessee’s (UTN) certificate program (CCRP).  She has been involved in canine physical rehabilitation and conditioning for over twenty years and has been  teaching on all aspects of basic canine rehabilitation including sports medicine injuries, joint mobilization, degenerative myelopathy, and recent research on returning the canine athlete to sports.

Debbie has authored many chapters in veterinary textbooks and writes for professional journals and magazines dedicated to the dog enthusiast. She is a regular contributor to Clean Run, Dog Sport, Working Dog Digest, Dogs Naturally, and various breed magazines. 

Debbie owns Wizard of Paws Physical Rehabilitation for Animals, LLC, a world-renowned clinic that sees dogs with every injury and condition.  Debbie is known to help pets that appear to be puzzles or enigmas for most clinicians.   Debbie firmly believes that, no matter what, every dog deserves to live the best quality of life for the longest time possible!

MagnaWave improves cellular function and metabolism, decreases pain, inflammation, and enhances the body’s own ability to heal. MagnaWave benefits animals both big and small. PEMF can help resolve a number of issues and provide an overall improved state of wellbeing and relaxation for your animal.

Presently we offer two different PEMF technologies for home use: the licensed and medically certified iMRS and the world’s first Android-based wellness system Omnium1 2.0 as well as a range of brand-new options from color, light and sound –research (brain wave entrainment), allowing for a variety of integrated, comprehensive and highly effective wellness applications.

Our patented acoustic wave technology to profoundly accelerate healing and recoveries.

Vital Resource

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/shock-wave-therapy-for-dogs-with-arthritis/

Vital Resource

https://redlighttherapyguide.com/

Tendlite® utilizes state of the art technology used on Pro Athletes by today's leading Doctors, Physical Therapists and Trainers. Now with Tendlite®, you can bring this technology home for fast pain relief at a fraction of the cost.).

Vital Resource

https://www.coldlasers.org/

https://redlighttherapyguide.com/

We make patients better quicker and cheaper with light

On Star Trek when someone is injured, they are taken to sick bay where the doctor uses a laser to heal the patient instantly. We make those (just not quite as instant).

The treatment is called Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and is considered by many scientists to be "a new branch of medicine" (Dr Roberta Chow MD PhD).

Vital Resource

https://www.coldlasers.org/

Amie Lamoreaux Hebach, PT, DPT, MS, NCPT, CCRP, CCRT, CKTP (Certified KinesioTaping Practitioner)

Amie offers a virtual mobility consultation service for pet parents, trainers and handlers of animal athletes, and animal rehabilitation therapists worldwide.  From the comfort of your home, at a time that’s convenient for you, Amie collaborates with you and your veterinary medical team to provide a comprehensive, one-on-one coaching solution for…

• Pet parents who want:
  • To assure a safe and comfortable home environment for their pet upon his return home from hospitalization, surgery, or injury
  • A simple, less overwhelming exercise and activity program for their pet following hospitalization, surgery, or injury
  • More convenient access to an expert in animal physical therapy and rehabilitation
• 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
• Animal rehabilitation veterinarians and 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

If contacting Amie for help with a pet following injury or illness, she will need the following information before the consult (Once you purchase the consult, you will be provided with instructions):

• Pet's name, breed, weight, age
• Pet's injury or issue
• When did injury or issue occur
• In what sport or activity is the pet involved
• Why are you seeking a consult 
• Veterinary professional who is currently treating the pet including clinic name, phone, e-mail

This Professional's Biography

Amie is a doctor of physical therapy who has more than 20 years of experience in animal physical therapy and rehabilitation.  She has taught thousands of pet parents, trainers and handlers of animal athletes, and animal rehabilitation therapists in one-on-one consultations, lectures, and workshops across the world.  

Amie is certified in Canine Rehabilitation through both the University of Tennessee (UT) and the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI).  She has expertise and experience in the application of manual therapy techniques (including IASTM), therapeutic and functional exercise training, injury prevention, and proprioceptive and neuromuscular retraining in orthopaedic, athletic, and neurologic patients and clients. 

Amie owns and operates EmpowerPhyioPeT, an in-home animal rehabilitation and physical therapy practice near Boston, Massachusetts.

Testimonials

• general -100% of respondents to an anonymous survey would recommend Amie to a friend or family member
• "I was thrilled with the entire process.  The pre-consult was an easy process.  The video consult was a great tool and I am glad that we were able to do that call with Penne and her foster mom present.  I loved being able to demonstrate with Penne and get real-time feedback from you as we worked.  The post-consult report was thorough and very informative. The images included were tremendously helpful for reference.  I love the format of the report.  It is wonderful that you can affirm and support the successful techniques that have been working, along with very insightful recommendations for future work with Penne.  I love neuro-rehab, and I look to those who are experienced in the field for guidance and knowledge.  I am very appreciative that you were able to make this happen for us, and I am excited to incorporate the techniques that you advised into her program.  This entire process has been a positive experience for me as a therapist, and I would gladly utilize this service in the future.  Working in collaboration with fellow rehabilitation therapists is such a valuable resource. I truly appreciate the positive feedback and the guidance that you provided. At no point did I feel critiqued or scrutinized, it was a positive and collaborative effort.  Thank you again for all of your help.  P.S.:  I heard from the foster mom this morning, who said that Penne actually took a step with her left hind leg this morning!  I am so thankful that she is making these gains.  She shows us just enough progress each week to keep us going.  :)"  Lisa, Canine Rehabilitation Professional, Pennsylvania, US
• "It was a pleasure to have Amie come to our home. She's attentive, thorough and professional. She not only demonstrates each activity, but follows up with a written explanation, which we especially appreciate." Linda
• "Amie was absolutely amazing with our rescue dog who came to our family as a tripod. With Amie’s expertise in physical therapy, she literally changed our pup’s ability to function daily for the better. She was always calm, patient, kind, and completely won over our dog who was very timid and wary of anything and anyone new. She was excellent at showing us what we needed to do between her visits, answered any concerns and questions both clearly and patiently, and was always positive and reassuring. She made a night and day difference for our dog whose life continues to be even more full than was ever expected. We would highly recommend her." Jonathan
• "Thank you so very much. I am beyond grateful." David 
• "Our dog loves you! You helped him so much, even in just one visit. Keep up the amazing work!". Katherine
• "Amie is a pioneering member of STAAR - Symposium on Therapeutic Advances in Animal Rehabilitation - and has been a key contributor of the Program for many years.  She is well-organized, informative, and interactive with her students, finding ways to explain, demonstrate, and exemplify techniques and principles to accommodate varied learning styles.  Amie is passionate about veterinary rehabilitation and physical therapy, and continues her research and learning so that she can bring the most cutting edge information to her students and clients.  Amie believes that a team approach is a key ingredient for ultimate success, and works well with all members of the pet health team to achieve goals." Ilaria Borghese, CEO & Co-Founder, STAAR Conference

• "We had the pleasure of working with Amie when our Border Collie, Tug, pulled up lame with a psoas strain. Amie examined Tug thoroughly on our first visit and then prescribed a series of exercises for her. Because schedules are busy, we did a lot of work with Amie via video! Before progressing to more difficult exercises or more strenuous activities, we’d send a series of videos of Tug doing her exercises and/or moving about. Amie would analyze them at full speed and in slow motion and would offer feedback, both about how Tug looked and what to do next. It was a great way allow Amie to closely guide Tug’s rehab, even though there were several weeks between visits." Nolan, New Hampshire, US

•  "I compete nationally with my dogs in agility and am boarded in veterinary surgery and sports medicine. As a surgeon rehabilitation therapy is key to the overall success to my patients and I want the best for my patients. Amie is the best! I trust her knowledge and understanding getting dogs back on the podium or hiking with the owners. She stays current and is able to see the pet as a whole - not just the injury - she is key to getting your pet back into better shape and balance than ever before.  With everyone so busy online video reviews and consults are amazing! Amie can see if you are performing home exercises correctly, see if your pet is having difficulty performing a task, or see your pet in its own environment exercising and how they are progressing or seeing a subtle lameness. My own dogs have been treated and maintained by Amie and with my schedule the ability to send her videos and be analyzed is perfect! And I am very selective who works on my kids! She sees exactly how they are moving and give recommendations as needed. Amie not only has the knowledge but is easy to communicate with and will be honest with you and do everything she can to help you get your best friend back in the game!" Mich, DVM, DACVS, DACVSMR, CCRT

• ADJUSTABLE HIP SLING - Our dog sling is here to assist your canine companions by preventing hip pain and injury caused by aging. Hip complications are a common issue with most medium to large dog breeds and left unmanaged can seriously impact your dog’s mobility and standard of living.
• HEAVY DUTY STRAPS
• SHEEPSKIN-LIKE COMFORT
• VETERAN OWNED and OPERATED - Just like the Marine Corps, SGT KNOTS is committed to being the best of the best. We continue to live by the motto, Semper Fidelis—Always Faithful. Our loyalty to our customers is what makes us who we are, and the reason we continue to grow in popularity and product offerings. We promise to maintain the strength and consistency of our products. We also pass down our bulk savings to our customers.

• Designed for dogs with arthritis, injuries, and other ailments, our lift support harness helps ease the transition to a less active lifestyle and helps their parents give them the lift they need.
• This simple, assisted mobility solution includes adjustable handles and lets you help your dog without having to carry them and risking back injury.
• Our dog harness offers support for dog’s hind legs helping our aging, disabled and injured pets rise from a prone position, walk up and down the stairs and get in and out of vehicles. This support sling is lined with soft fleece to keep your dog from chafing on the harness.
• EASY TO PUT ON AND CONVENIENT TO USE 
• DURABLE, COMFORTABLE, AND MULTI-FUNCTIONAL 

Support harness for dogs and cats with walking difficulties in the back end.

Help your senior dog walk when they have arthritis, degenerative myelopathy or other debilitating ailments or disabled dogs needing help with mobility or balance.

INJURED DOGS - Ideal for dogs recovering from knee, hip or back injuries. Great for rehabilitation after orthopedic surgeries.

Used in Veterinary Hospitals and Clinics.

Recommended by veterinary specialists, rehabilitation therapists and veterinary teaching institutions world wide as the best and safest means to rehabilitate your pet safely. 

For Cats and Medium - Large dogs up to 150 lbs

• ADJUSTABLE PET RAMP HEIGHT AND ANGLE- YEPHHO foldable tall pet stairs’ step is 16.5"x 7.08", open adjustable height from 20"-30", adjustable length from 40"-60". High angle for medium to large dogs, low angle for small dogs. Perfect for most car, truck, suvs, high bed and couch
• LIGHTWEIGHT AND DURABLE- Our dog ramp uses non-slip oxford cloth(1680D PVC), high-quality fabrics prevent ladders from being scratched by dogs' claws.（enough to hold up to 150 lbs large dogs)
• PORTABLE PET RAMP-This Accordion staircase weighs less than 10 pounds highly portable to use anywhere and folds small for convenient storage.
• UPGRADED DESIGNED -Bottom rubber pads add traction.

For Medium and Large dogs up to 120 lbs

• A HANDY ACCESSORY FOR YOUR BELOVED PET - These folding pet stairs are specifically designed for helping dogs intro trucks and SUVs and work well for any situation where your dog needs an extra boost up! 
• LIGHTWEIGHT, FOLDABLE DESIGN - Weighing only 7 lbs, these pet stairs fold up for convenient carrying and storage. Their compact size makes them easy to take on the road, too!
• INCREASED SAFETY - Designed with rubber pads on the bottom for added traction and improved contact with surfaces, deluxe anti-slip fabric, extra wide steps for ease of use, and a quick-connect carabiner for securing the stairs to the back of your vehicle.
• STURDY DESIGN - With a durable metal frame, these stairs are suitable for medium or large dogs and can be used for dogs up to 120 lbs in weight.
• ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT 

• Manage your Dogs Behavior with a comfortable, elevated surface just for them
• PawGrip - Our exclusive PawGrip soft-touch coating that improves comfort and footing
• QuiKonnect - Blue-9’s proprietary QuiKonnect locking tab that allows you to securely create multi-unit platforms of virtually any size
• Portable/Storage - Legs store in recess under the Klimb for easy transport and storage
• Weather Resistant/Durable UV protected molded construction that is waterproof and completely washable