Working or Sporting Dogs

Is your pet returning to work (applicable to service animals)? Or are you keen on starting your pet on agility? Different types of work and sports have specific physical requirements of your pet in turns of muscular strength, flexibility and balance. You can consider sending for pet for a physiotherapy assessment to ensure your pet has what he/she needs before returning to work or starting agility. This will reduce their risk of injury greatly!

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Types of Requirements

Service animals

Service dogs are specially trained to assist with their handlers' daily activities and require both good physical condition and proper training to perform their duties effectively. If a service dog is injured, rehabilitation and learning to manage their condition can help maintain their health and fitness. Regular exercise and ongoing training are essential for prevention and overall well-being, as prevention is often better than cure.

Agility classes

Agility classes require your dog to be flexible and strong enough to handle tight turns and run fast. Weaving around poles and sudden change in direction may cause joint and muscle injuries if your dog has a pre-existing injury or does not have the joint flexibility to perform these actions. Running up and down slopes and jumping through hoops also require a considerable amount of limb strength. Insufficient limb strength will increase force onto your pet's joints, which may result in injury.

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

Dry Needling

Dry needling will help with releasing trigger points to allow good myofascia flexibility.

Kinesio Taping

Kinesio taping can be done to optimise muscle function through neuromuscular facilitation as your pet perform exercises or return to sports or work.

Manual Therapy

Soft tissue releases, joint mobilisations and mulligan with movement techniques will help ensure your pet achieves full joint range of motion and muscle flexibility he/she needs.

Therapeutic Exercise

Land-based exercises that target strengthening and balancing will be done to address any muscular imbalance. Power, reaction and speed can be trained as well to help your pet adapt to agility training.

Learn more about these physiotherapy services here!