What type of equipment is used in canine rehab to improve function?

Decrease pain and swelling:

Electrical stimulation. Therapeutic infrared. Cold or heat as appropriate. Massage.

Improve mobility:

Range of motion. Joint and spinal osteopathic mobilization. Heat. Water therapy.

Improve stability/balance:

Specific neurological exercises in different positions such as sitting and standing. The use of therapy balls and manual resistive exercise.

Improve coordination:

Coordination/skill building through use of agility equipment such as cones, weave polls, rails, and A frames.

Improving skill as it applies to canine sports:

Agility equipment and plyometric (jumping) exercise to transfer skill to sports/agility trials.

Improve strength:

Pulling or moving with weights attached; rubber band resistance; use of weights on limbs during water therapy.

Improve endurance:

Land treadmill. Water therapy.

Improve ability:

Fittings for splints, braces, carts (animal wheelchair).

Who would be doing rehab to my dog?

Cheri Kollman BSPT/CCRP

What does BSPT/CCRP mean to me, the dog owner?

• Cheri received her Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy from California State University Northridge/UCLA Medical Center in 1979.
• She practiced physcial therapy for 28 years in the field of human physical therapy in a variety of settings including: acute care, long term rehab, and home care. The past 6 years have been spent specializing in outpatient orthopedic/sports medicine rehab.

How did Cheri Kollman get interested and involved in rehab of dogs?

• Cheri was involved in canine companions for independence program; in California for many years. When a variety of orthopedic surgeries started to benefit dogs in the 80’s, Cheri wondered, where is the rehab for dogs after surgery? What is available to dogs that have problems with mobility?
• As a human therapist, Cheri knew, first hand, that rehab benefitted humans and could be applied to dogs.
• Finally, in the late 1990’s her prayers were answered. The first certification program in the country for canine rehabilitation was developed. She signed up and was one of the first classes to graduate. She graduated with a CCRP (Certified Canine Rehab Practicioner) degree in December of 2004 from the University of Tennessee Veterinary College.
• She interned at the presticous Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver, Colorado. The veterinarians at Alameda East have not only written a book on canine rehab but have been filmed several times on the television show “Emergency Vets”.
• Cheri has been practicing Canine Rehab since December 2004. She now feels complete as a practicioner and can apply all her experience with humans, to the canine.