What is canine rehabilitation and when does your dog need it?
Published:Wednesday | December 17, 2025 | 12:06 AM
As dogs live longer and veterinary medicine continues to advance, canine rehabilitation has become an essential part of modern pet care. Much like physical therapy for humans, canine rehabilitation focuses on restoring mobility, reducing pain, and improving quality of life for dogs recovering from injury, surgery, or chronic conditions.
Whether your dog is an energetic puppy, an athletic working dog, or a senior companion, rehabilitation therapy can play a vital role in helping them move comfortably and confidently.
Dr Bernadette Bryan-Frankson, physiotherapist at Paws for Physio, said canine rehabilitation is a specialised form of physiotherapy that helps companion animals feel better, move better, and live better.
“It focuses on improving mobility, reducing pain, restoring function, and enhancing quality of life, whether your dog is recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or simply slowing down with age,” she said.
Canine physical therapy, she said, utilises evidence-based techniques scientifically proven to be effective, such as therapeutic exercises, hands-on manual therapy, pain-relief modalities and aquatic therapy, to help dogs move comfortably and confidently at every stage of life.
Many dogs begin to lose mobility long before the owners realise what is happening. Your dog may benefit from rehabilitation if you notice:
• Difficulty walking, running, or jumping.
• Trouble climbing stairs or getting into the car.
• Stiffness after rest or slower movement throughout the day.
• Limb weakness or dragging paws.
• Loss of endurance on walks.
• Hesitation or lack of confidence when moving.
“Rehabilitation helps restore easy, natural movement through strengthening exercises, stretching, balance work, retraining walking, and, when appropriate, underwater treadmill sessions,” Dr Bryan-Frankson said.
• Reducing Pain
Dogs express pain in subtle ways. Signs may include:
• Limping or changes in posture.
• Muscle spasm, tightness, or sensitivity when touched.
• Difficulty settling, restlessness, or panting.
• Reduced interest in play or daily activities.
“Rehabilitation offers effective pain-management options, such as LASER therapy, ShockWave Therapy, Ultrasound, TENS, moist heat, ice, and hands-on soft tissue techniques, including massage and soft tissue releases,” Dr Bryan-Frankson said.
• Restoring Function After Surgery, Injury, or Illness
Rehabilitation is especially important for dogs recovering from various surgeries:
• Orthopaedic surgery (knee, hip, elbow, fracture repair).
• Intervertebral disc disease, fibrocartilaginous, embolism of the spinal cord. (FCE)
• Sprains, strains, and muscle injuries.
• Arthritis and degenerative joint disease.
• Neurological conditions affecting balance or coordination.
“A structured rehab programme helps rebuild strength, retrain proper movement patterns, improve joint mobility and speed recovery, allowing your dog to return safely to normal activity,” she said.
• Preventing Future Injuries: helping dogs age well.
Rehab is not just for injured dogs. It also benefits healthy, active, and ageing dogs by improving strength and conditioning, enhancing balance and coordination, and correcting subtle walking issues before they cause problems. Rehab is important to help senior dogs maintain muscle mass and the ability to get up and move around comfortably.
Prevention-focused rehabilitation keeps dogs agile, strong, and less prone to injury.
Canine rehabilitation is more than a treatment; it is an investment in your dog’s long-term health and happiness. From recovering after surgery to managing chronic conditions, rehabilitation therapy helps dogs move better, feel stronger, and enjoy life again.
If you believe your dog may benefit, speak with your veterinarian about a referral to a certified canine rehabilitation professional.
SOURCE: Dr Bernadette Bryan Frankson; Paws for Physio Canine Rehabilitation Unit.