Our pet's are living longer, surviving illnesses and traumas that were unthinkable in the past. Couple this with our ever-growing attitudes that pets are full-fledged members of our families, then the fields of palliative care and pet hospice become vital. Cathy Symons, CVT, CCRP, deftly explains the integral role that physical rehabilitation plays to 1) alleviate symptoms and stress from medical conditions (palliative care) and 2) compassionately support owners and their pets, physically and emotionally, during their end-of-life journey, while preparing pet parents to let go of their loved one with dignity and grace when the time comes (hospice). 

For more information, please click on the following links: 

• International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care
• Lap of Love: Veterinary Hospice & In-home Euthanasia 
• Pet Loss Support Hotline and other resources

Other related PetAbility Podcast episodes include:

• Pets Are Family - an Impactful Approach to Pet Loss with Erika Sinner, Dog Mom, Author, & CEO
• Pet Hospice with Dr. Becky Schoenberg
• Believing in Grieving with Laurie Levine, LMHC
• End-of-life Pet Photography I The Tilly Project with Lauren Kennedy

Disclaimer

VitalVet.org, a platform for all things related to pet rehab - product information, education, and resources abound!
MedcoVet (show sponsor)  Luma - advanced red-light therapy therapy that puts healing in the hands of the pet owner in the comfort of home!

Use Promo Code PETPOD22  to receive discounts from our affiliates!
Jope - science-backed supplements
Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs
Optimum Pet Vitality - education/coursework 
Dr. Buzby’s -Toe Grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. Using this link donates 20% to PetAbility
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for anybody working with cats
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowni...

A healthy pet starts with healthy nutrition, naturally! After all, “you are what you eat." That same adage applies to both us and our pets. Judy Morgan, DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT emphasizes that food is food - there should be no need to qualify what we eat as "people food,” nor what we feed our dogs and cats as “pet food.” Many commercial dog and cat foods contain the bare minimum to qualify as "complete and balanced" - a true misnomer. Further, food choices can impact chronic illnesses such as hearth disease and cancer. In addition to medcial issues, proper diet can influence behavior, resulting in less anxiety and more contentment. The bottom line is food, not feed, will help your pet thrive. Listen as Dr. Judy Morgan of Naturally Healthy Pets dispels many myths and helps us better advocate for our dogs and cats by feeding them a proper diet.

Find vast information about food and other holistic topics at Dr. Judy Morgan's Naturally Healthy Pets.

Disclaimer

VitalVet.org, a platform for all things related to pet rehab - product information, education, and resources abound!
MedcoVet (show sponsor)  Luma - advanced red-light therapy therapy that puts healing in the hands of the pet owner in the comfort of home!

Use Promo Code PETPOD22  to receive discounts from our affiliates!
Jope - science-backed supplements
Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs
Optimum Pet Vitality - education/coursework 
Dr. Buzby’s -Toe Grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. Using this link donates 20% to PetAbility
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for anybody working with cats
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowni...

Losing a pet is hard. In fact, for Erika Sinner, it is the hardest thing she has ever experienced. Erika feels her shar-peis are family - her kids -  and should be treated as such even after death. What does this mean and what did Erika do about it? Struggling to deal with her own pain and finding little out there to aid her in coping and healing, Erika wrote a book called Pets Are Family: It's as Simple As That. A self-professed person of action, Erika wants to share her story to help others going through similar grief. Additionally, she provides tips, guides, and resources for family, friends, co-workers, and professionals that are in that grieving person’s life. As she strives to help others understand the unique and deep relationship we have with our pets, Erika has set forth on a journey to support and guide others. Further, as a CEO of her own company, Erika is a champion for pet bereavement in all places of work as one small, but meaningful, step that can help others cope with the profound loss of their pet.

Google to find Erika Sinner's book: Pets are Family: It's as simple as that.
Explore Erika's Website at PetsAreFamily.info
Follow Erika and her kids on Instagram @Erika_Sinner and @Crazy4Pei

Disclaimer

VitalVet.org, a platform for all things related to pet rehab - product information, education, and resources abound!
MedcoVet (show sponsor)  Luma - advanced red-light therapy therapy that puts healing in the hands of the pet owner in the comfort of home!

Use Promo Code PETPOD22  to receive discounts from our affiliates!
Jope - science-backed supplements
Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs
Optimum Pet Vitality - education/coursework 
Dr. Buzby’s -Toe Grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. Using this link donates 20% to PetAbility
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for anybody working with cats
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowni...

Located in the knee, cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries are the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs. Yet there is little consistency or agreement about how to manage this condition. It goes well beyond surgery vs. no surgery.  Pet parents angst about what to do to help there dog's knee pain and function, then often second guess themselves once they decide. Rest assured that there is a multitude of options to choose from and there is no one right - or wrong - answer.  Along with describing the CCL's function and mechanism of injury, Christin Finn DVM, CVA, CVSMT, CCRT, discusses that treatment is often multifaceted and a CCL injury is not an emergency. So, the good news is that you've got time to explore viable alternatives that are right for YOU and YOUR PET. 

For more information about cruciate ligaments and other topics, go to finndvm.com.
You may contact Dr. Finn directly at [email protected].

Disclaimer

VitalVet.org, a platform for all things related to pet rehab - product information, education, and resources abound!
MedcoVet (show sponsor)  Luma - advanced red-light therapy therapy that puts healing in the hands of the pet owner in the comfort of home!

Use Promo Code PETPOD22  to receive discounts from our affiliates!
Jope - science-backed supplements
Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs
Optimum Pet Vitality - education/coursework 
Dr. Buzby’s -Toe Grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. Using this link donates 20% to PetAbility
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for anybody working with cats
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowni...

The ilio-so-what??? It may be hard to pronounce and even harder to spell, but every dog owner should know about this very important hip muscle. If you have a working or sporting dog, I bet you are very aware of how common and problematic it is to strain the iliopsoas muscle. Listen to Laurie Edge-Hughes, BScPT, MAnimSt, CAFCI, CCRT, tell us the iliopsoas's multiple functions, how it becomes injured (all it may take is a slip), how to differentially diagnose an iliopsoas problem, treatment options, and most importantly, prevention of injury. So if your dog is lame in the hind end, the iliopsoas could be to blame.  Whether you have an athlete or a couch potato, knowing about this vital muscle is critical to addressing the problem quickly, effectively, and forever. Your dog will surely thank you for it!

If you are a dog owner looking for more information or services, you can find Laurie at The Canine Fitness Center Ltd.
If you are a canine rehabilitation practitioner, you may find Laurie and her plethora of educational resources at Four Leg Rehab Inc.

Disclaimer

VitalVet.org, a platform for all things related to pet rehab - product information, education, and resources abound!
MedcoVet (show sponsor)  Luma - advanced red-light therapy therapy that puts healing in the hands of the pet owner in the comfort of home!

Use Promo Code PETPOD22  to receive discounts from our affiliates!
Jope - science-backed supplements
Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs
Optimum Pet Vitality - education/coursework 
Dr. Buzby’s -Toe Grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. Using this link donates 20% to PetAbility
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for anybody working with cats
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowni...

Have you ever thought about what happens to military or contract working dogs when they "retire" from active duty? Having served our country their entire lives, historically, these heroes have been abandoned or euthanized. Founded in 2013, Mission K9 Rescue, a non-profit welfare group, is working hard to change that. Listen to Bob Bryant, cofounder and CTO, explain their mission to rescue, reunite, rehome, rehabilitate,  and repair these working dogs. Many come home with both physical and emotional traumas that need addressed and Mission K9 Rescue does just that. Learn about these courageous, loyal, loving dogs and the tireless work this dedicated organization does to give them the retirement they deserve.
 
For more information or to donate, go to MissionK9Rescue.org.
Follow them on Facebook @ Mission K9 Rescue.
Click link to find the book Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca on Amazon

Disclaimer

VitalVet.org, a platform for all things related to pet rehab - product information, education, and resources abound!
MedcoVet (show sponsor)  Luma - advanced red-light therapy therapy that puts healing in the hands of the pet owner in the comfort of home!

Use Promo Code PETPOD22  to receive discounts from our affiliates!
Jope - science-backed supplements
Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs
Optimum Pet Vitality - education/coursework 
Dr. Buzby’s -Toe Grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. Using this link donates 20% to PetAbility
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for anybody working with cats
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowni...

Feet of all creatures are amazing structures that serve multiple purposes. This episode focuses on canine feet: their intricate anatomy, things to watch for, the importance of proper care, including nail trims, and the foot's role in overall health and well-being. These extraordinary assets not only allow for locomotion, traction, and protection, but are so sensitive that they give our dogs remarkable insights about their surroundings that enhances balance, agility, and function. Paying close attention to our dogs paws is important for pain-free and efficient navigation of their world. Whether it's a foot, paw, or claw, they  really are quite a feat!!

What the following YouTube videos for more information!
Anatomy and Palpation of the Dog Paw.
Toe Stretching!

You may reach Cathy and Chris by messaging them on Instagram or Facebook.

Disclaimer

VitalVet.org, a platform for all things related to pet rehab - product information, education, and resources abound!
MedcoVet (show sponsor)  Luma - advanced red-light therapy therapy that puts healing in the hands of the pet owner in the comfort of home!

Use Promo Code PETPOD22  to receive discounts from our affiliates!
Jope - science-backed supplements
Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs
Optimum Pet Vitality - education/coursework 
Dr. Buzby’s -Toe Grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. Using this link donates 20% to PetAbility
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for anybody working with cats
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowni...

This is a game changer! DogLeggs is a company that has provided innovative, quality products since the formal inception of small animal physical rehabilitation. One of Cathy and Chris's favorites is their Shoulder Stabilization System which offers a way to protect a healing shoulder joint to allow for safe rehabilitation and activity at home while mitigating reinjury. All of their 21 products are made in the U.S. with the vet community,  pet, and owner in mind. They are easy to put on and take off, durable, breathable, and so much more. The entire suite of products is designed to allow for healing through support and coverage (an alternative to the "cone of shame" or Elizabethan collar.) Listen to Ben Blecha, MPO, CPO, as he describes the plethora of applications for DogLeggs with a focus on their front limb offerings, specifically the Shoulder Stabilization System. We hope you will never need it, but if you do, you will be armed with information to potentially help your pup heal.

To find more information about Ben Blecha's entire line of products, go to the following links:
DogLeggs
MediVetProducts
GoHeroGo
WiggleLess
MediPaw

Disclaimer

VitalVet.org, a platform for all things related to pet rehab - product information, education, and resources abound!
MedcoVet (show sponsor)  Luma - advanced red-light therapy therapy that puts healing in the hands of the pet owner in the comfort of home!

Use Promo Code PETPOD22  to receive discounts from our affiliates!
Jope - science-backed supplements
Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs
Optimum Pet Vitality - education/coursework 
Dr. Buzby’s -Toe Grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. Using this link donates 20% to PetAbility
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for anybody working with cats
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowni...

Have you ever wondered what your pet would say if they could actually talk? Listen to Danielle MacKinnon, a luminary in the realm of animal communication. With a rare and innate gift, she bridges the gap between humans and the animal kingdom, and has dedicated her life to unraveling the mysteries of interspecies communication. Her deep connection with animals transcends the ordinary, allowing her to tap into the rich tapestry of their thoughts, emotions, and desires. As a trailblazer, Danielle has not only demonstrated the power of animal communication but has also become a sought-after teacher, speaker, and author. 

For more info about Danielle, her work, and resources for you, go to DanielleMacKinnon.com/PetAbility.

Disclaimer

VitalVet.org, a platform for all things related to pet rehab - product information, education, and resources abound!
MedcoVet (show sponsor)  Luma - advanced red-light therapy therapy that puts healing in the hands of the pet owner in the comfort of home!

Use Promo Code PETPOD22  to receive discounts from our affiliates!
Jope - science-backed supplements
Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs
Optimum Pet Vitality - education/coursework 
Dr. Buzby’s -Toe Grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. Using this link donates 20% to PetAbility
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for anybody working with cats
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowni...

Many every day movements using every day surroundings can become exercise that can profoundly impact your dog's performance, quality of life, and longevity. Bobbie Lyons, CCFT, KPA CTP, Cert CF, describes just how easy it can be. However, we need to first observe what our dog is doing repetitively - the patterns of posture and movement that may not be ideal and contribute to injury - and then know what to do to address these issues. Contrary to popular belief, increasing your pet's confidence, building their strength, enhancing their balance, and probably most importantly, cluing them into where their feet are, especially those hind feet, can take as little as 15 minutes 3 times per week. So no excuses, let's do this!!!

Find Bobbie Lyons at Pawsitive Performance and Bobbie Lyons Canine Campus.

Disclaimer

VitalVet.org, a platform for all things related to pet rehab - product information, education, and resources abound!
MedcoVet (show sponsor)  Luma - advanced red-light therapy therapy that puts healing in the hands of the pet owner in the comfort of home!

Use Promo Code PETPOD22  to receive discounts from our affiliates!
Jope - science-backed supplements
Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs
Optimum Pet Vitality - education/coursework 
Dr. Buzby’s -Toe Grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. Using this link donates 20% to PetAbility
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for anybody working with cats
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowni...