Rehab Rewind! Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome with Dr. Bronwyn Riggs
Join us as we revisit our conversation with Dr. Bronwyn Riggs about Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. Why is my 13 y.o. dog seeming so confused by every day tasks? She doesn't seem to recognize me anymore and went to the window to be let outside. Then she seemed to get lost on our usual walk and became quite anxious. She is pacing all night long and then sleeps throughout the day. She's never had an accident, and now urinated on the dining room rug twice last week! Sound familiar? According to Bronwyn Riggs, VMD, DACVIM (Neurology), perhaps it's cognitive dysfunction that is responsible for changes in her behavior, disorientation, and confusion. The brain experiences age-related degenerative changes just like muscles. Impairment of memory and learning with age exists across all species. Factors such as genetics, diet, environment, lifestyle, and metabolic diseases contribute to susceptibility. Although there is no cure, cognitive decline can be managed with enrichment, behavior modification, targeted nutrition, medications, and certain supplements. To exercise their brain, you can teach your old dog new tricks! Links:Found out more about Thundershirts to decrease your pet's anxiety.For some great puzzle toys and brain games, check this out!!To learn more about Dr. Riggs and her place of employment, click here.DisclaimerVitalVet.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! You receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% to help support our show (unless stated otherwise)! Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs. Optimum Pet Vitality - Education/coursework to help you and your pet! Dr. Buzby’s - The Senior Dog Company – Toe grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. You receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% from your first order.Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show! Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a...
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Tuning In to Your Pet: Acoustic Healing for Pain & Mobility with Dr. Laurie McCauley
Can sound really help your dog heal? In this fascinating episode of PetAbility, we sit down with Dr. McCauley, a trailblazer in veterinary rehabilitation, to explore the emerging world of acoustic therapy for pets. Using tuning forks, this gentle, non-invasive technique can relieve pain, reduce stiffness, and restore mobility—helping dogs feel better naturally.Dr. McCauley breaks down the science of how sound waves impact fascia, muscles, and nerves, and shares how tuning fork therapy compares to other common rehab modalities like laser, acupuncture, and massage. We also dive into her brand-new online course, where pet parents and professionals alike can learn safe, effective techniques—including “Slide & Glide” and trigger point release with the tuning fork —to improve their dog’s comfort and movement at home.From success stories to safety tips, Dr. McCauley shows us how this simple tool can create deep relaxation, support healing, and even improve quality of life long-term. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or eager to try it yourself, this episode will leave you with a whole new appreciation for the power of sound.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:What acoustic (tuning fork) therapy is and how it worksThe conditions most commonly helped by this approachWhy relaxation is such an important part of the healing processA preview of Dr. McCauley’s online course and who it’s forPractical guidance on using tuning forks safely at homeInspiring stories of dogs whose mobility improved with sound therapyHow tuning fork therapy fits into a broader rehab and wellness planResources & Links:Learn more or enroll in Dr. McCauley’s acoustic therapy courseBonus: Enrollment includes a tuning fork (U.S. only)Connect with Dr. McCauley at Optimum Pet VitalityExplore other PetAbility Podcast episodes with Dr. McCauley: Fascinating FasciaHow to Improve your Geriatric Dog's Healthspan and LifespanDisclaimerVitalVet.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! You receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% to help support our show (unless stated otherwise)! Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs. Optimum Pet Vitality - Education/coursework to help you and your pet! Dr. Buzby’s - The Senior Dog Company – Toe grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. You receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% from your first order.Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show! Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a...
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Rehab Rewind: Biome - The Gut-Brain Connection with Dr. Tonya Cooksey
Join us as we revisit our interview with Dr. Tonya Cooksey "You are what you eat!", says Tonya Cooksey, DVM, and Director of Veterinary Relations at AnimalBiome Veterinary. Did you know that 90% of dogs and cats experience at least one symptom of microbiome imbalance each year? From digestion to mood, the gut biome plays a huge role in your pet’s overall health. We dive deep into the fascinating world of animal microbiomes—how they affect physical and mental well-being, the gut-brain connection, and what pet owners can do to support a thriving biome. Whether you have a dog, cat, horse, or even a reptile, learn the signs of imbalance, the impact of diet and antibiotics, and cutting-edge research shaping the future of pet health. Tune in for expert insights and practical tips to keep your pet happy from the inside out!DisclaimerVitalVet.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! You receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% to help support our show (unless stated otherwise)! Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs. Optimum Pet Vitality - Education/coursework to help you and your pet! Dr. Buzby’s - The Senior Dog Company – Toe grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. You receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% from your first order.Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show! Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a...
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A Life of Service: Dr. Don Shields’ Enduring Legacy in Veterinary Medicine
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Don Shields, a true icon in veterinary medicine whose compassion, innovation, and work ethic continue to shine at age 88. With a career spanning more than six decades, Dr. Shields shares his remarkable journey from founding Bethayers Veterinary Hospital in 1964 to still practicing today, focusing on end-of-life care.You’ll hear firsthand about his pioneering work with pacemakers in dogs (as early as 1974!), his travels to Switzerland to study innovative orthopedic techniques, and his contributions to the field through writing and mentorship. Whether caring for Bradley Cooper’s dog or co-authoring a piece on Myasthenia Gravis for Scientific American, Dr. Shields has always been ahead of the curve.This episode highlights not only his clinical accomplishments but also his passion for feral cat welfare, along with his wife, Donna, his enduring athletic spirit (30+ RAGBRAI rides, skiing, tennis, and sailing!), and his belief that general practitioners were once the heart of a “golden era of veterinary medicine.”What You’ll Learn:What veterinary medicine looked like in the 1960s and how it’s evolvedThe story behind two dogs with pacemakers - truly groundbreaking in the 1970-80sHow human orthopedic techniques influenced animal surgeryWhy Dr. Shields still chooses to work at 88—and the cases he’s proudest ofThe joys and challenges of a life devoted to animalsClick here to learn about an organization called ReGen that collects and refurbishes donated human pacemakers for placement in animals.DisclaimerVitalVet.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! You receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% to help support our show (unless stated otherwise)! Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs. Optimum Pet Vitality - Education/coursework to help you and your pet! Dr. Buzby’s - The Senior Dog Company – Toe grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. You receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% from your first order.Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show! Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a...
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Rehab Rewind!! Management of Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Injuries with Dr. Christin Finn
Please join us as we revisit our interview with Dr. Christin Finn. 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], 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! You receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% to help support our show (unless stated otherwise)! Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs. Optimum Pet Vitality - Education/coursework to help you and your pet! Dr. Buzby’s - The Senior Dog Company – Toe grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. You receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% from your first order.Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show! Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a...
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!
New Zealand