07/10/2026
🐾 Canine rehabilitation is growing... but so is the confusion.
One of the questions I wish more pet owners would ask is:
"What education and training does my dog's rehabilitation provider have?"
There are many passionate people working with animals, and many different types of bodyworkers and therapists can play an important role in a dog's health and wellbeing.
However, canine rehabilitation is currently a field where educational backgrounds can vary significantly. As pet owners, it can be difficult to know what different titles mean or what level of training someone has completed.
My own journey has included:
• Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
• Master of Science in Physiotherapy
• Diploma in Canine Rehabilitation through the Animal Rehab Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association
• Currently completing my Diploma in Canine Osteopathy
That represents 10 years of formal education—and the learning never stops.
Why does that matter?
Because dogs can't tell us where they hurt.
A thorough rehabilitation assessment is much more than identifying where a dog appears sore. It involves understanding anatomy, biomechanics, neurology, gait analysis, pain science, tissue healing, joint mechanics, muscle function, and compensation patterns.
When I assess a dog, I'm asking questions such as:
🐾 Which muscles are painful, tight, or weakened?
🐾 Is there muscle atrophy (muscle loss)?
🐾 Which joints are involved?
🐾 Is this the primary injury or compensation from somewhere else?
🐾 Could there be a neurological component?
🐾 Are there changes in movement that suggest an injury higher or lower in the limb?
🐾 What structures should be monitored during recovery?
🐾 How can I educate the owner so they understand exactly what's happening?
One of the most important parts of rehabilitation isn't simply providing treatment.
It's helping owners understand why their dog is painful, what we're finding during the assessment, what the treatment plan is, and what they should watch for at home.
The terms "something is out" or "the pelvis is out" are phrases many of us have heard. Today, rehabilitation professionals are increasingly moving toward explaining what tissues are involved, what impairments are present, and how those findings affect movement and function. Understanding the why behind an injury empowers owners to participate in their dog's recovery.
Does this mean there isn't a place for canine bodyworkers or other manual therapists?
Absolutely not.
There is room for many professions to help improve a dog's comfort and quality of life.
My encouragement is simply this:
Ask questions.
✔️ What formal education have they completed?
✔️ What animal-specific training do they have?
✔️ How do they assess injuries?
✔️ Will they explain their findings?
✔️ Do they collaborate with your veterinarian when appropriate?
✔️ What is the treatment plan, and why?
As pet owners, you are investing both financially and emotionally in your dog's health. You deserve to understand who is providing their care, what training they have, and how they arrived at their recommendations.
The more informed you are, the better decisions you can make for your best friend. ❤️🐶