PetAbility Podcast
This is a must-hear podcast for pet owners wanting access to the latest in pet quality of life and longevity. Whether your pet has fur, feathers, scales or shells, Cathy and Chris believe in treating your pet as a whole, both mind and body. Continuing a collaboration that began in 2003, Cathy and Chris share the gift of gab as well as their network in the pet rehab community. Using their vast expertise as Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioners (CCRPs), Cathy Symons CVT, CCRP, and Chris Cranston MPT, CCRP, offer relevant information and provocative interviews on their podcast, PetAbility. With an emphasis on mobility and independence, their show is about improving function, restoring confidence, alleviating fear, providing mental stimulation, and easing pain to help your pets live their best lives. Read on for more information about Cathy and Chris…
Cathy Symons is the author of Blind Devotion: Enhancing the Lives of Blind and Visually Impaired Dogs. She was inspired to write this book after her first pug, Booda, lost his sight at the age of seven. Several years later, Cathy adopted a blind pug named Digger and wrote a children’s book, Watching Out for Digger, which she uses as a teaching tool for young children to learn about living with a disabled dog.
After fifteen years of practice as a veterinary technician, Cathy went on to study canine rehabilitation at the University of Tennessee. In 2003, Cathy was one of the first thirty-six people in the world to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. Shortly thereafter, Cathy was instrumental in establishing one of the foremost veterinary rehabilitation centers in the United States, the Sterling Impression Animal Rehabilitation Center of New England. She continues to follow the latest options in pet rehabilitation, including digital thermal imaging and laser therapy, and is currently working on her third book, Senior Dogs: Maintaining Mobility and Independence.
Cathy resides in the New England area with her husband and their pug, Mac. Mac is a very confident little nugget who enjoys doing nose work with his mom.
Chris Cranston has 20 years of experience in pet rehabilitation. She is excited to share her knowledge and reach a wide pet-loving audience through the PetAbility podcast. Chris loves seeing that light bulb go off when educating pet owners, so a podcast seemed like a natural fit.
Chris started her career as a physical therapist (PT) – with people. When she moved to the Boston area in 2002, she saw it as an opportunity to do something different, so she combined her existing PT skills with her passion for animals. Chris became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through the University of Tennessee in 2004, one of the first 100 persons in the world to receive this certification. In addition to her CCRP designation, she has a Masters of Physical Therapy (1989) and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology (1987) from the University of Iowa.
Chris had a successful mobile practice, consulted with a myriad of general practices and specialty clinics, and started the physical rehabilitation service for a large multi-specialty and emergency organization in the Greater Boston region. All this was before founding FlowDog, a stand-alone, full-service small animal physical rehabilitation facility in Waltham, MA. In 2017, Chris sold her business to the esteemed Angell Animal Medical Center of Boston, and is now podcasting, consulting for a tech company in the veterinary space, providing concierge mobile pet rehab, and working getting a product to market that will help our pets. Of course, Chris prioritizes enriching the lives of her twin Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Julep & Baxter, while indulging in all the snuggles they are willing to share with her!
PetAbility Podcast
Hind Limb Passive Range of Motion: There's Nothing Passive About It!
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Essential, imperative, necessary, vital. These are just a few words to describe the importance of joint range of motion in your pet’s quality of life. Imagine if you had a stiff knee, how difficult it would be to squat down to get that pan out of the kitchen drawer. It hurts so bad as you struggle to rise again, that the next time, you choose simply to bend at the waist. Oh no! After doing that a few times, now your back is killing you. Your dog goes through the same thing when climbing the stairs, squatting to eliminate, or simply sitting. How can we help? By doing passive range of motion (PROM), which is having someone, like the pet owner, move their joints through their normal motion for them. PROM aids function by protecting the joint cartilage, increasing blood flow, decreasing swelling, and ensuring all tissues are at their ideal length. Arthritis from injury or aging is one of the top diagnosis for which pet owners seek veterinary care, and the first step in treatment should be PROM. As we perform PROM, we can assess not only the quantity of the motion, but also the quality of the motion. Is there crepitus (crackling in the joint), warmth, swelling. Getting our hands on our pets provides all this information and more. Listen to Cathy and Chris to learn the mechanics of how to perform PROM on your pet’s pelvis, hip, knee, ankle, and toes. Your pet will thank you!
Links mentioned in the show:
Through a Dog's Ear e-book: Using sound to improve the health & behavior of your canine companion.
Though a Dog's Ear music purchasing options.
Check out our video tutorial on passive range of motion of the hind limb. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npf-EuVNBz0
Welcome to the Fresh Patch Podcast where we talk about everything, from dog...
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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 drowning...