About Me
I completed and passed my Certification as a Canine Hydrotherapist at the beginning of 2022 and Paws 4 Recovery opened on 1st July 2022 with the sole aim of providing hydrotherapy via an Underwater Treadmill for dogs recovering from surgery or illness in conjunction with veterinary, physio and other rehab professionals.
In those first 2 and half years I have contributed to the recovery of dogs who have had cruciate surgery, IVDD surgery, iliopsoas strains, hip dislocation surgery and a number of dogs having preventative treatment for luxating patella’s. I have also had senior dogs attending for mobility purposes and dogs wanting to lose weight.
I have been an active member in the canine sporting world since 2014, initially with agility but mostly with Flyball, currently I have a 3 year old Australian Koolie who competes in Flyball. My dogs also compete in Canine Scent work and I have been utilising canine conditioning for them to help keep them in top condition for their dog sports.
I have now used those skills to gain my qualification to help others do the same, whether it be for sporting purposes, strength and mobility for our senior companions or strengthening for dogs recovering from injury or surgery under the supervision of their veterinarian. Having two older dogs now who are retired from high impact dog sports, I have knowledge of keeping our senior dogs strong, mobile and at an appropriate weight for their breed. I have also had some experience of dog training being an assistant to a dog trainer in her classes and have completed many online dog training courses.
My goal is to allow as many dogs as possible to live their best lives, whether they are competing in dog sports or simply a loveable family pet.
My Qualifications
I am a qualified Canine Hydrotherapist and most recently became a qualified CPCFT (Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer). Studying for 18 months and travelling to Canada and the United States in August 2024 for personal development, before completing my certification.
I am also a member of the Australian Canine Rehabilitation Association (ACRA) and hold a current first aid certificate through Dog First Aid Australia.
I am not a vet and I am not qualified to offer a diagnosis in any situation and my clients are made aware of this prior to their initial consultation. My aim is to provide services which compliment regular veterinary care and be a resource to improve the quality of life for dogs and to educate the public so that they are better equipped to recognise any signs of areas of concern with their dogs, thus enabling early intervention for injuries.
When I see a dog on a regular basis and it normally moves well and suddenly it is presenting with some different behaviours I will refer the client back to their vet for investigations, with a report of my findings.
At Paws 4 Recovery we use an Aquatread treadmill. A state of the art machine to assist the recovery and rehabilitation of patients after surgery, injury or treatment of degenerative conditions. It assists in restoring normal function and movement and is indicated as part of rehabilitation programs for:
- Orthopaedic conditions
- Neurological rehabilitation
- Palliative care for osteoarthritis
- Geriatric wellness
- Weight management
- Recovery and conditioning of athletes