Sentient Physiotherapy

Sentient Physiotherapy Animal and Human Physiotherapy services 🐾🐎
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Online Canine Rehab Programs
Eductional content on rehab for you and your animal

20/09/2026

6 weeks post spinal surgery and look at those back legs! 🥹🐾

This little Dachshund is recovering from spinal surgery and is now starting to get herself up and use her hind limbs again.

You can still see some ataxia, those wobbly, uncoordinated steps caused by disruption to the nervous system.

This is where neurological rehabilitation becomes so important.

Neuro rehab is about helping the nervous system relearn movement. Through targeted exercises, we work on:

🐾 Weight-bearing - encouraging appropriate use of the hind limbs
🧠 Proprioception - helping the brain recognise where the limbs are
⚖️ Balance & coordination - improving control over movement
💪 Strength - rebuilding muscles after reduced activity
🔄 Movement patterns - encouraging more efficient, purposeful movement

Recovery after spinal surgery doesn’t necessarily stop once the surgery is over. The nervous system can take time to recover, and physiotherapy helps us provide the right stimulation and challenge at each stage.

For Dachshunds, who are particularly prone to IVDD, understanding spinal health and rehabilitation is incredibly important.

14/09/2026

Why take your dog to physio? 🐾

Because your dog doesn’t have to be injured to benefit from it. Physio builds the strength, mobility and body awareness that keep active dogs doing what they love - swimming, running, and keeping up on every adventure, while lowering the risk of injury along the way.

And the care I give my own dog is exactly the care I give yours. Same attention, same standard, same goal: a strong, comfortable body that lasts for years.

Whether your dog is a weekend warrior, a sporting athlete, or recovering from an injury, physio is one of the best things you can do for their long-term health and happiness.

Ready to give your dog that head start? I’m now offering Online Movement and Biomechanics Assessments so you can access qualified advice from anywhere. Visit my website to book (link in bio).

But the x-ray came back clear, so how do they know it's the cruciate?It's one of the most common questions I hear, so le...
13/09/2026

But the x-ray came back clear, so how do they know it's the cruciate?

It's one of the most common questions I hear, so let's clear it up. 🐾

If your dog has been diagnosed with a cruciate (CCL) injury - the dog equivalent of the human ACL. Here's the part that surprises most owners: the x-ray doesn't actually show the torn ligament. Ligaments are soft tissue, so they never appear on film. What the x-ray does show are the clues around it - fluid and swelling inside the joint, and the arthritis that builds up over time. The diagnosis itself comes from a hands-on exam, feeling for movement in the joint that a stable knee would never allow.

And in dogs it's rarely one dramatic moment. Unlike a footballer tearing an ACL on the field, a dog's cruciate usually weakens and frays slowly, over months or even years.

From there, the big question is conservative management vs surgery - and the honest answer is that it depends on the dog, the knee, and the household. There's no one-size-fits-all rule.

But here's the thing I really want owners to take away: whichever path you choose, rehabilitation is what decides the outcome. Surgery isn't a finish line: how well a dog recovers depends heavily on the rehab that follows it. And conservative management is rehab. Either way, a structured, progressive programme to rebuild strength, control and confidence is what gets your dog back to doing what they love.

I've put together a full breakdown in the images - have a tap through, and if you're facing this decision with your own dog, feel free to send me a message. Always happy to help you map out the road ahead. 💜

27/08/2026

Dexter’s story is a great reminder that recovery isn’t always a straight line 🐾

After his hindlimb was amputated following an injury, Dexter was doing really well until about 2 weeks in, when he started sitting more often and seemed uncomfortable moving around.

On assessment, we found he’d started doing too much too quickly, without giving his joints time to adjust to his new way of moving. We treated him with a combination of laser therapy, dry needling, massage and joint mobilisations.

A couple of months on, Dexter is on reduced pain medication and doing so much better. Cases like his are why individualised rehab plans matter, even after the “hard part” of surgery is over.

If your pet has had an amputation or major surgery, get in touch as
early, tailored rehab can make a big difference. 💜

15/08/2026

A little bit about me for anyone new here 🐾

I’m a physiotherapist but not just for people. I treat humans, horses, and dogs, blending a BSc in Animal Science, a BSc in Physiotherapy, and a postgrad in Veterinary Physiotherapy.

On this page, it’s all about canine strength, mobility, and rehab because dogs deserve the same evidence-based care we’d give a human athlete. You’ll find post-op recovery, injury prevention, conditioning for sport dogs, and everyday mobility work all live here.

I’ve just launched the Foundation Strength & Mobility Course an 8-week program to build your dog’s strength and movement from the ground up. Link in bio if you want in.

Stick around for tips, exercises, and behind the scenes rehab content. Got a dog with a ni**le? Tell me below 👇

07/07/2026

🚨 One common mistake I see owners make after their dog’s injury…

…is returning to normal exercise too quickly.

Your dog is no longer limping.
They’re running around the house.
They seem back to their usual self.

So it feels like they’re healed.

But healing doesn’t happen overnight.

After an injury, your dog’s body goes through three important stages:

🩹 Inflammation (first few days): The body clears away damaged tissue and starts the healing process. Some inflammation is normal and necessary.

🌱 Repair (next few weeks): New tissue begins to form. At this stage, it’s still weak and disorganised, so too much exercise can easily overload it.

💪 Remodelling (weeks to months): The new tissue gradually becomes stronger, more organised and better able to cope with normal activity. This stage takes much longer than most people realise.

This is why your dog may look better long before they’re actually ready to return to normal exercise.

➡️ Swipe through to see the typical healing times for different tissues. You’ll notice that many structures continue healing for months, even when your dog appears pain-free.

The goal of rehabilitation isn’t just to get your dog out of pain - it’s to rebuild strong, resilient tissue so they can safely return to doing what they love, with a lower risk of re-injury.

❤️ Healing takes time. The right progression makes all the difference.

Did you know 1 in 2 dogs are overweight — and most owners don't even realize it? 🐾As a vet physio, I see the impact of e...
05/07/2026

Did you know 1 in 2 dogs are overweight — and most owners don't even realize it? 🐾

As a vet physio, I see the impact of extra weight on joints, mobility and quality of life every single day. The good news? A quick check at home can tell you more than the scale ever will.

Swipe through for:
✅ What Body Condition Score (BCS) actually means
✅ The 3-point home check you can do right now
✅ The visual 9-point BCS guide vets and physios use
✅ Why those extra kilos matter more than you think

Every extra pound = more load on hips, knees and spine. Lean dogs live up to 2 years longer than their overweight littermates, with less arthritis and a better quality of life in their senior years.

Not sure where your dog sits on the scale? Save this post for your next home check, or get in touch - I'm always happy to help. 💜

📍 Mornington Peninsula, VIC
🌐 www.sentientphysiotherapy.com.au

Do you have a French bulldog? 🐾French Bulldogs are predisposed to spinal and issues, which makes preventative care real...
22/06/2026

Do you have a French bulldog? 🐾

French Bulldogs are predisposed to spinal and issues, which makes preventative care really important.

The goal is to keep their body balanced and comfortable by:

✨ Supporting even muscle development and symmetry

✨ Reducing tight, painful areas

✨Maintaining mobility and spinal health before problems progress

Dry needling and laser therapy can be really helpful tools for managing discomfort and improving tissue health, especially when combined with a targeted exercise program to build strength and maintain movement quality.

If you have a Frenchie and you’re noticing stiffness, changes in movement, or just want to be proactive with their health—send me a DM.

Does your dog seem stiff after rest, or are they favouring one of their front legs? 🐾Elbow dysplasia is one of the most ...
18/06/2026

Does your dog seem stiff after rest, or are they favouring one of their front legs? 🐾

Elbow dysplasia is one of the most common causes of front leg lameness in dogs. The good news? With the right support, most dogs can live happy, active lives.

Swipe through to learn what elbow dysplasia actually is, the signs to watch for, and how canine physiotherapy can make a real difference; whether your dog has had surgery or is being managed conservatively. ➡️

If you’ve noticed any of these signs in your dog, don’t wait for it to get worse. Early intervention means better outcomes. 🐶

📩 Send me a DM if you have questions or head to the link in the bio to book an assessment - I’d love to help your dog get back to feeling their best.

03/06/2026

🏃‍♂️💨 Flyball dogs are explosive athletes.

Speed, power, agility, and body awareness all come together in a matter of seconds as they race down the lane, perform a tight box turn, and sprint back to their handler.

As a canine physiotherapist, I love incorporating exercises that help build the strength and mobility needed for the demands of flyball. Here are a few of my favourites:

🔹 Trot poles – Great for developing coordination, body awareness, and hindlimb power.

🔹 Decline sit-to-stands – A fantastic exercise for building strength through the hindquarters and improving pushing power.

🔹 Three-leg stand with front paws on a balance disc – Challenges shoulder stability, core control, and spinal mobility while encouraging weight shifting.

🔹 Side stepping – Helps strengthen the muscles responsible for lateral movement and stability, which are essential during turns and acceleration.

Remember, training isn’t just about practising the sport itself. Building a strong, resilient body can help your dog perform at their best and cope with the physical demands of competition.

Which of these exercises does your flyball dog already do?

Thanks .lottie for the great pictures!

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