Hi all, I was curious if anyone has experience shadowing or working in a canine rehab setting. I am interested in pursuing a career in this field and am wondering about pros/cons that people have experienced as well as information of job outlook/salary. Also, if anyone has any suggestions on things I can do currently to be more successful going into this field, I would appreciate the tips! (I am currently a 2nd year DPT student). Thanks in advance for all your help!
Canine rehab
- Thread starter PTtobe11
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Hi, PTtobe11! I'm not a PT student yet, however I hope you still find my experience shadowing a canine rehab PT to be helpful. Also, I don't have any projections on job outlook/salary, aside from what I've glanced at through a Google search.
I had the pleasure of shadowing a PT that is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. She's been a PT for 29 years and has been working with dogs for 13. As a dog lover, it was easily one of the most enjoyable shadowing experiences I've had. She works at a vet specialist clinic. So, the dogs she sees must have a referral before they can seen by her. She works 3 to 4 days a week, 9am to 6pm, alternating days with her other two assistants, a PTA and RVT, that also have certs as CCRPs. They see about 8 dogs a day and spend on average of an hour with each.
When she isn't doing PT with dogs she does outpatient PT with human patients.
The pros and cons that the she shared with me were:
PROS:
-working with dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages, personalities and professions. She also works with cats, but they most receive laser therapy. She's only ever worked with one cat that liked water and willingly walked in the underwater treadmill.
-seems more like play than work (has to be to keep the dogs engaged)
-a great majority of the people who bring their pets in for rehab will do any and everything the PT requests of them to get their fur baby up and chasing squirrels again (if they're not going to skimp on an expensive surgery(ies), then they're not going to skimp on rehab)
-working with the surgeons and having instant access to the pt files and X-rays.
CONS:
-unless you're working in a vet clinic/hospital or for a canine athletic club, then starting out and building your own clientele takes a bit of work and networking. This PT is fortunate that the vet docs are in the next room, so after a checkup (if needed) the dogs and owners don't have to travel far. Also, if any questions arise about the dogs wellness or recovery, the DVM can do an immediate consultation during their PT visit.
-it's hard work on your body! A lot of bending and hunching. Keeping proper body mechanics isn't easy when measuring and palpating the tiny dogs or getting them to stay motivated and walk in the underwater treadmill.
-dog bites. No job is without hazards. Fortunately the PT I shadowed only had one horror story to share in her 14 years. The dog wasn't a stranger to her, but she moved/gestured the wrong way and he snapped and bit her arm. She partially blamed herself because she didn't make her movements and intentions obvious to him.
-"Canine rehab alone doesn't pay the bills." I didn't ask her about figures, so I have no idea how much she makes. But, she did make the comment that canine rehab alone doesn't pay her bills. Aside from human PT, she also does some workshops at canine athletic clubs. She demonstrates how her rehab equipment works(her husband is an aircraft mechanic that designs and produces most of her rehab equipment).
As far as getting into the canine rehab field. I was suggest shadowing a PT, CCRP and joining a special interest group for animal rehabilitation with your APTA chapter.
I hope this info was helpful! Good luck with the remainder of PT school and your future endeavors!
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
I had the pleasure of shadowing a PT that is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. She's been a PT for 29 years and has been working with dogs for 13. As a dog lover, it was easily one of the most enjoyable shadowing experiences I've had. She works at a vet specialist clinic. So, the dogs she sees must have a referral before they can seen by her. She works 3 to 4 days a week, 9am to 6pm, alternating days with her other two assistants, a PTA and RVT, that also have certs as CCRPs. They see about 8 dogs a day and spend on average of an hour with each.
When she isn't doing PT with dogs she does outpatient PT with human patients.
The pros and cons that the she shared with me were:
PROS:
-working with dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages, personalities and professions. She also works with cats, but they most receive laser therapy. She's only ever worked with one cat that liked water and willingly walked in the underwater treadmill.
-seems more like play than work (has to be to keep the dogs engaged)
-a great majority of the people who bring their pets in for rehab will do any and everything the PT requests of them to get their fur baby up and chasing squirrels again (if they're not going to skimp on an expensive surgery(ies), then they're not going to skimp on rehab)
-working with the surgeons and having instant access to the pt files and X-rays.
CONS:
-unless you're working in a vet clinic/hospital or for a canine athletic club, then starting out and building your own clientele takes a bit of work and networking. This PT is fortunate that the vet docs are in the next room, so after a checkup (if needed) the dogs and owners don't have to travel far. Also, if any questions arise about the dogs wellness or recovery, the DVM can do an immediate consultation during their PT visit.
-it's hard work on your body! A lot of bending and hunching. Keeping proper body mechanics isn't easy when measuring and palpating the tiny dogs or getting them to stay motivated and walk in the underwater treadmill.
-dog bites. No job is without hazards. Fortunately the PT I shadowed only had one horror story to share in her 14 years. The dog wasn't a stranger to her, but she moved/gestured the wrong way and he snapped and bit her arm. She partially blamed herself because she didn't make her movements and intentions obvious to him.
-"Canine rehab alone doesn't pay the bills." I didn't ask her about figures, so I have no idea how much she makes. But, she did make the comment that canine rehab alone doesn't pay her bills. Aside from human PT, she also does some workshops at canine athletic clubs. She demonstrates how her rehab equipment works(her husband is an aircraft mechanic that designs and produces most of her rehab equipment).
As far as getting into the canine rehab field. I was suggest shadowing a PT, CCRP and joining a special interest group for animal rehabilitation with your APTA chapter.
I hope this info was helpful! Good luck with the remainder of PT school and your future endeavors!
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
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Do you guys worry at all about being able to break into canine rehab? In most states you must be under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. With that said, there are a lot of vet techs out there getting certified. Do you worry that they would hire the tech over you because it would be the more cost effective option?
I am very interested in this field, but that is something that concerns me. What are your thoughts?
I am very interested in this field, but that is something that concerns me. What are your thoughts?
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