Next Steps -
After your first appointment
Rehabilitation helps your pet move more freely, feel more comfortable, and enjoy a better quality of life - while giving you the tools and support to care for them well into the future. Many of the exercises we prescribe can continue to benefit your pet long after their formal rehab ends.
We know your first appointment may have come with a lot of information - it’s perfectly normal if you feel a little overwhelmed. Please know that you’re not alone. If you’re unsure about anything we discussed, need help with the home exercises, or just want to check in, we’re always here to support you.
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Every pet responds a little differently - some bounce out of the session, others need a quiet evening. Here’s what’s normal in the first 24–48 hours:
Mild Fatigue or Sleepiness
Your pet may be more tired than usual - especially after using muscles in new ways. This is common and usually resolves quickly.
Soreness or Stiffness
Just like us after a good workout or massage, a little stiffness is okay. It usually improves with gentle movement.
Increased Thirst or Urination
Manual therapy or hydrotherapy can encourage circulation and lymphatic drainage. Make sure your pet has easy access to fresh water.
Mild Wobbliness or a Slight Change in Gait
This can happen as we activate different muscle groups or work on coordination. It’s part of the process and typically settles within a day.
Keep Them Moving
While rest is important, gentle movement is even more powerful after a session. Avoid long periods of laying down - short, slow leash walks or getting them moving around in the house helps to:
Keep joints from stiffening
Flush out soreness
Reinforce what we worked on in session
Avoid: rough play, stairs, or long off-lead runs for the first 24 hours unless your therapist has advised otherwise.
Helpful Tips for Recovery
Provide a calm space to rest (especially if you have other pets or small children at home).
Monitor their mood and movement — if anything seems unusual or worrying, give us a call.
Try any prescribed home exercises — even a few minutes a day can make a difference. If you’re unsure how to do them, let us know.
If you’re ever unsure, please get in touch.
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Your therapist may have prescribed a few simple home exercises — even 5 minutes a day can make a difference! Small, consistent actions at home can:
Reinforce mobility gains
Build strength and confidence
Support joint and muscle health
Create bonding moments between you and your pet
If you're unsure how to do them or would like a video reminder, let us know.
Other benefits of home exercise programs include:
Convenience: Home exercises can be performed in the comfort of your pet's familiar environment, reducing stress and anxiety associated with visiting a clinic frequently.
Consistency: With a structured program provided by professionals, you can ensure that your pet receives regular and consistent exercise, which is crucial for their rehabilitation progress.
Tailored to Individual Needs: The exercises prescribed in a home program are specifically tailored to address your pet's unique condition, ensuring that they receive targeted therapy for their specific needs.
Promotes Bonding: Performing exercises with your pet at home can strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend, enhancing your relationship and promoting trust.
Enhances Compliance: Pets may be more likely to comply with exercise regimens when performed at home, especially if they feel more comfortable in their familiar surroundings.
Encourages Independence: By teaching both pet and owner how to perform exercises at home, it promotes independence and empowers owners to actively participate in their pet's rehabilitation journey.
Improves Functional Mobility: Home exercises focus on improving your pet's functional mobility, helping them regain strength, flexibility, and coordination needed for everyday activities.
Continued Progress: Consistent home exercises can help maintain the progress achieved during clinic sessions, ensuring that your pet continues to improve between appointments.
Cost-Effective: Home exercise programs can be a cost-effective option compared to frequent clinic visits, as they eliminate the need for additional professional supervision for every session.
Long-Term Management: Home exercise programs not only aid in rehabilitation but also provide tools for long-term management of chronic conditions, promoting overall health and well-being.
Overall, a home exercise program is a valuable component of pet rehabilitation, offering benefits that complement and enhance the outcomes achieved through professional therapy sessions.
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We offer a range of options to support your pet’s progress.
After the initial assessment, most pets begin with intensive aqua treadmill sessions, where a therapist is in the water providing hands-on support. These sessions also include any additional therapies your pet may benefit from, such as phototherapy (laser/light therapy), massage, and more. As your pet gains confidence and requires less direct assistance, the therapist can transition to supporting them from outside the treadmill. At this stage, we can move to ongoing maintenance sessions and may be able to offer package options, which include discounted rates and a bonus session.
Our Super Paws Program includes:
- 5 x aqua treadmill (plus pain therapies)
- 1 x free massage session
- Plus online booking available so you can choose your sessions with your calendar in front of you at home.
- Plus 1 free reschedule. Super Paws now have the opportunity to reschedule 1 x session per package without penalty. Any others will not be carried over. (Maximum advised time between sessions is 3 weekly)
Total cost for the Super Paws Package is $770.
A total saving of $200.
Head to our webpage to learn more - www.activepetrehab.com/superpaws
Our Trim and Toned Program includes:
- 4 x aqua treadmill sessions only (no other therapies included)
- 1 x free progress assessment or additional aqua treadmill session, once completed without rescheduling. (Maximum advised time between sessions is 2 weekly, attending less frequently will reduce the benefits)
Total cost for the Trim and Toned program is $616.
A total saving of $209.
Head to our webpage to learn more - www.activepetrehab.com/trim-and-tonedNot sure what’s right for you? Just ask - we’ll help tailor a plan that fits your pet’s needs and your lifestyle.
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Is your fur baby living their Best Life?
At Active Pet Rehabilitation we work hard to ensure that every patient we see leaves better than when they arrive for their sessions. We've also been working hard in the background to create our Best Life Pyramid to visually show the stages of recovery we are helping your pets achieve and to help all our pet parents decide where their fur baby is currently and what level they are hoping to achieve with our help. We have tailored programs that integrate physical therapy, targeted exercises, and holistic approaches to enhance your canine companion's quality of life. Whether your dog is a seasoned adventurer or a sedentary couch potato, our programs are designed to cater for their individual needs.
To learn more, head to our webpage - www.activepetrehab.com/bestlife