Canine Physical Rehabilitation

Our canine conditioning and post-operative rehabilitation program is unique and exceptionally successful because our orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Sams, and our rehabilitation specialist, Sarah Johnson, designed the program together and continually update the protocols and patient care, in many instances, tailoring the programs to patients with specific needs. The goal of the clinic's rehab program is to educate our clients while improving our patients' quality of life-decreasing their pain and safely returning them to full function.

Please note that before beginning rehabilitation therapy at The Sams Clinic, all geriatric, unhealthy, injured and post-operative dogs must be evaluated by Dr. Sams or Dr. Klopp. Any patient in a canine rehabilitation program is required by law to be evaluated by a doctor at that clinic. Any patient referred another veterinarian must be evaluated by Dr. Sams or Dr. Klopp.

Fitness Programs

Rehabilitation specialist Sarah Johnson has designed many unique exercises for dogs using various types of balls, balance boards/cushions/boxes, ladders, cones, tunnels, scooters, doggy leg weights and other props. The ground treadmill is also used to increase muscle strength and endurance along with aerobic capacity. It's also useful for weight reduction. You're invited to participate in your dog's therapy and learn a home program, or you may leave him or her with us.

Swimming has long been recognized as a beneficial form of non-weight bearing exercise. The Sams Clinic offers canine conditioning and post-operative surgical care through our state-of-the-art SwimEx hydrotherapy pool and underwater treadmill. Therapy with the underwater treadmill can be particularly beneficial as our rehabilitation specialist can customize the amount of weight particular joint bears.