What is Rehabilitation?

The Practice of physical therapy in animals is called rehabilitation. In Maine, this discipline falls under the definition of veterinary medicine and must legally be practiced under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. This form of physical therapy can address many issues, and pets young and old can benefit from it's help.

At Veterinary and Rehabilitation Center of Cape Elizabeth, our goal is to provide Maine with its first dedicated rehabilitation center, staffed with the most qualified and experienced rehabilitation professionals. Dr. Ginger Browne Johnson, Camille Clifford, and Darci Williams offer Maine pets the best in rehabilitation care.

Member of the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians (AARV)

Who Benefits from Rehabilitation?

Pets benefit from rehabilitation much as humans benefit from physical therapy.  Rehabilitation helps pets recover from injury or surgery, regain and maintain mobility and decrease pain. It is also helpful to keep pets mentally focused, lose weight and to stay in shape over the long, cold winter! This type of physical therapy is never painful and dogs who get rehab here always have fun! 

With rehab, pets can maintain strength as they age and prevent injury during times of inactivity. Some common conditions we work with include:

• Intervertebral Disk Disease
• Lack of physical fitness due to weight or age
• Obesity
• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Bicipital Tendon Synovitis
• Iliopsoas Injuries
• Pre and Post surgical recovery
• Neurologic conditions
• Fibrocartilagenous Embolism
• Traumatic or Progressive Paralysis
• Joint Contractures
• Pain Management (acute or chronic)
• Patella luxations
• Osteoarthritis
• Cranial Cruciate Ligament tears and strains

What is a CCRP?  

CCRP stands for Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. This training allows veterinarians, veterinary technicians and/or physical therapists, accredited by the University of Tennessee Professional Certificate Program, to offer the animal equivalent of human physical therapy.  VRCCE has three CCRPs on staff.  

Our Rehabilitation Team

How To Get Started

Therapy begins with a patient evaluation completed by our rehabilitation team. We will develop a treatment plan, which is carried out at our rehabilitation office as well as in clients' homes. 

Treatments used for rehabilitation at VRCCE include:

• Cryotherapy
• Thermotherapy
• Therapeutic Exercise
• Therapeutic Ultrasound     
• Cold Laser
• Electrical Stimulation
• Massage
• Splinting and Bracing
• Acupuncture
• Home Exercise Programs
• Underwater Treadmill

Clients of other veterinary hospitals receive rehabilitation at Veterinary and Rehabilitation on a referral basis and return to their primary veterinarians for all other veterinary care.

Eddie's Wheels

Recently, Eddie and Leslie Grinnell of Eddie's Wheels for Pets were in to give us a class on measuring and adjusting pet wheelchairs. I love how incredibly dedicated they are to their mission! They have spent 30 years fine tuning these wheelchairs so animals have maximum comfort and mobility. Their dog Scout came along with them (for the cookies, no doubt!) and even though he has no use of his hind legs, he is able to lead a normal life with the help of his wheelchair.

If you have had one of their wheelchairs donated to you, be sure to contact them to have it made to fit your pet exactly. Each wheelchair is made to fit the animal who will be using it, so they are not comfortable for any other pet, and will need to be adjusted for the specific pet who will be using it.