1. REHABILITATION and CONDITIONING for ANIMALS
FUNCTIONAL REHABILITATION and WELLNESS
PRACTICED BY DEBORAH CARROLL

2. My Practice Intent
Rehabilitation and Conditioning for Animals exists to provide in-home and in-clinic functional rehab and conditioning consults and treatments primarily for companion animals.  It is my purpose to provide care that will assist owners and pets in their home environment in order to improve quality of life, health, and fitness where possible and desirable.  I also hope to increase community awareness regarding rehabilitation and conditioning opportunities for animals.  Many possibilities for increased healing and/or improved function exist that are as beneficial for companion animals as they are for humans. I am foremost experientially capable and subsequently professionally certified to provide this service.

3. Some things about me:
35+ years experience in sport science and nutrition
12 years direct experience working in vet medicine
2 yrs. developing rehab dept for vet specialty hospital
10+ yrs. in independent mobile and worldwide practice
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
Member, American College of Sports Medicine
Member, Capital Area Veterinary Medical Association
Member, Nat’l Strength and Conditioning Association
Athlete, coach, functional medicine practitioner, trainer

4. What is rehab? Functional rehab?
Why we can’t call it physical therapy or P.T. legally/officially in vet med

5. Common Thinking

6. Who has had physical or functional therapy. Why. What type
Who has had physical or functional therapy? Why? What type? Who chose the type of therapy you received?
Who is an athlete?
Who has had surgery? Without therapy? Do you have a pet that has had surgery? …a pet that has had rehab?

7. Types of Therapeutic Exercise
DeLateur defined therapeutic exercise as bodily movement prescribed to correct an impairment, improve musculoskeletal function, or maintain a state of well-being.[1] It may vary from highly selected activities restricted to specific muscles or parts of the body, to general and vigorous activities that can return a convalescing patient to the peak of physical condition. Therapeutic exercise seeks to accomplish the following goals:
Enable ambulation
Release contracted muscles, tendons, and fascia
Mobilize joints
Improve circulation
Improve respiratory capacity
Improve coordination
Reduce rigidity
Improve balance
Promote relaxation
Improve muscle strength and, if possible, achieve and maintain maximal voluntary contractile force (MVC)
Improve exercise performance and functional capacity (endurance)
The last 2 goals mirror an individual's overall physical fitness, a state characterized by good muscle strength combined with good endurance. No matter which types of exercise may be needed initially and are applied to remedy a patient's specific condition, the final goal of rehabilitation is to achieve, whenever possible, an optimal level of physical fitness by the end of the treatment regimen.
(taken from

8. Enable Ambulation

9. Release Contracted Muscles, Tendons, and Fascia & Reduce Rigidity

10. Mobilize Joints Subjective:
Chloe always bright and alert-- never snappish—has a beautiful attitude. Attitude goes a long way for healing.
Chloe experienced major positive changes daily in wound and toward healing. 

11. Improve Circulation

12. Cats Really Like Rehab

13. Improve Respiratory Capacity

14. Improve Muscle Strength

15. Improve Balance & Coordination

16. Promote Relaxation

17. Promote Relaxation

18. How are Sugar’s new boots helping her functionally?

19. How are Sugar’s new boots helping her functionally?
Give her traction on slippery floors, ie tile, cement, wood, linoleum
She is able to rise and walk more frequently, more consistently
She is able to use her leg and other muscles more “normally”
She builds strength and subsequently
She is able to do more in her life
The boots potentially contribute to all 11 of the goals stated at the outset.

20. What is Rudi Doing?

21. What is Rudi Doing?
Rudi is warmed up and is using his home environment to extend his hips, releasing scar tissue and improving joint and leg function.
This action answers at least nine of the functional protocol I presented in an earlier slide.

22. Fiona

23. Rehabilitation and Conditioning for Animals
Rehabdeb.com
YouTube under RehabDeb
Twitter @rehabdeb
LinkedIn under Deborah Carroll
Thank You!