Canine rehabilitation services, such as hydrotherapy or physical therapy, can be highly effective and very beneficial when used in conjunction with integrative therapies, such as chiropractic or acupuncture.

Professional rehab services services generally require a referral from your veterinarian.  To find out more about the referral process contact the facility directly.  DO make sure to thoroughly investigate any therapy facility before you permit them to work on your pet.

What questions do you need to ask of ANY rehab service, before you start working with them? Remember to check out what they tell you, too!

• It's important to know where the persons providing the service received their training, and when.  Was it from a recognized rehab organization?  Which one? 
• Do the persons providing the service have any relevant degrees?  Are they a Physical Therapist?  A Registered or Certified Veterinary Technician?  A Certified Massage Therapist? A Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner?  Can they show you a diploma?
• Do they keep their knowledge base fresh in this every-changing field, by attending at least one yearly continuing education seminar or courses?  If so, where and when?  Was it from a recognized rehab group?
• Have they and all staff completed an animal CPR course and if so, where and when? 
• If there is ever an emergency with your pet while receiving treatment, do they have a written established protocol for dealing with it? 
• Is there a veterinarian on the premises?  If not, who specifically will they call in the event of an emergency?  Who will transport your pet to the vet?  How far away is the vet?  What happens if the vet office is closed? 
• How often do they clean their facility?  How do they handle urine and stool accidents?
• If there is a pool, how is it treated, filtered, and cleaned?  Is the water sparkling clean, or dirty, discolored, and smelly?
• What do they do to control the spread of contagious diseases in their facility?
• Are all their staff trained in all the procedures they perform? If so, where and when?
• Do the staff also attend ongoing continuing education classes?  If so, where and when?
• How often will the rehab service update your regular veterinarian?
• What records do they keep on your pet?  How do they measure and track progress or lack of it?
• Do they sell or give your name and address, or your pet's information, to anyone else?
• How much will this cost me?
• How often will my pet need treatment?
• How do I measure and track my pet's progress? 

Remember,  there are MANY forms of rehabilitative therapy - hydrotherapy is only one of them.  Rehabilitative veterinary medicine is a rapidly emerging, highly specialized field that requires utmost dedication, on-going training, and dedicated personnel who have received specific professional training in their chosen field.  We do NOT recommend "self-trained therapists" or those who have not received companion animal-specific training.