Why Choose Paradise for Rehabilitation?

We are among the most experienced canine rehabilitation teams in the Northeast and have been working in this field since 2001.

We see all patients as a team for the initial consultation.  This approach allows the pet owner to see and hear all that we do as well as to observe the specific exercises that will be done at home. Beyond that, the team approach allows all members of the therapy group to know the patient and provide consistent approach and care.

Our treadmill is located in a heated therapy pool rather than a tank which allows a therapist to be in the water with every patient. We are uniquely adapted to providing gait assistance, resistance work and security while the patient is in the water.

At Paradise Pet Therapy, we are able to accommodate therapy patients for daily, drop-off or overnight medical boarding.  This allows the therapy team the opportunity to provide multiple sessions of manual and assistive treatments.  We find that early in their recovery neuro patients really benefit from multiple small "hands on" sessions rather than a one hour visit.  That being said, we are happy to have owners do all of the nursing and home care of their "down" pets if they are physically able to so.

In addition to nuerologic/surgical patients, we enjoy working with canine athletes who are walking to maintain fitness and improve conditioning.  Dr. Burke and the Paradise Team will evaluate gait, video body mechanincs and design a plan for optimal athletic performance.

Our team is familiar with many of the assistive devices available and can participate in measuring or instruction with any of them.  We will help owners decide what device is needed and when it should be used.  Some patients will need an assistance device only briefly and in those cases we try to loan an item if we can.

What are the Benefits of Underwater Treadmill

 Rehabilitation vs. Just Swimming?

-The underwater treadmill requires a dog to walk , using all four leg, in a warm bouyant environment.  Swimming in a poll is nearly all front leg work, the back leg provide very little propulsion.

-The most common neurologic conditions in dogs primarily affect the rear legs.  Swimming alone will not help those dogs return to function.

-Dogs are inherently more secure walking on the underwater treadmill. Their feet are "on the ground"so they feel more relaxed.

-Walking on the underwater treadmill strengthens and tones all four leg in a normal gait pattern.

-Walking against the resistance of water optimizes body mechanics which makes it a very efficient way to build muscle, increase strength and  improve flexibility and mobility.

-The bouyancy of the water offers reduced body weight on sore legs.