Articles by Susan E. Davis PT

Susan E. Davis (Sue) is a licensed Physical Therapist with over 30 years of practice in the human field, who transitioned into the animal world after taking courses at the UT Canine Rehabilitation program. She has been providing PT services to dogs and other animals through her entity Joycare Onsite, LLC in pet’s homes and vet clinics since 2008. For more information abous Susan, see her website www.joycareonsite.com, or follow on Twitter. Sue is also the author of fantastic books on animal physical therapy. Physical therapy can do so many great things for your dog. Understanding all the possibilities physical therapy can offer will change your dog’s life. These books belong on the shelf of every dog lover. Learn more about Sue.

Hydrotherapy for Dogs: The Weight Of Water And How It Helps Dogs

Water has unique properties which make it a wonderful exercise medium for canine patients. Most dogs love it as much as I do! The Weight of Water, by Anita Shreve, is one of my favorite books. It’s the kind of book I can read over and over again. It combines all of my favorite things: history, suspense, relationships, islands, sailboats,…

by Susan E. Davis PT

Why Walk Your Dog: It’s Not Just Walking, It’s Therapy!

Hmmmmm, are you wondering just what type of therapy I mean? Physical? Emotional? Mental? And the answer is all of these! If you consider your dog to be a big part of daily life, then the time spent with them takes on great importance. One of the most valuable ways to enjoy your time together and accomplish great things for…

by Susan E. Davis PT

Dog Mobility Assistance Products

In the world of physical therapy for animals, something is always new! Here are 2 wonderful canine products to know about: Hip Hound, by OrthoDog Canine hip dysplasia soft support The Hip Hound is soft adjustable support. It helps to provide stability to the hind end, designed for use when your dog is active. It is indicated primarily for: mild…

by Susan E. Davis PT

Understanding Canine Gait: Significance of Analyzing Your Dog’s Gait

The manner, in which a dog ambulates or walks, is called “gait”. When a dog moves around the show ring, it is called “gaiting”. Gait is a complex topic and one that fascinates dog owners who value their pet’s mobility. Elements of canine gait analysis A physical therapist analyzes gait by breaking it down into the following elements: Level of…

by Susan E. Davis PT

Canine Rehabilitation Support Devices: Soft Supports and Wraps

Canine rehabilitation support devices such as braces, splints or wraps can go a long way to support your dog’s injured limb or body part after trauma, fracture or surgery. Soft supports versus orthotics Specific considerations go into the manufacturing of splints or braces (orthotics) Therapists and professional orthotists design them for specific purposes. These devices can be costly and require…

by Susan E. Davis PT

Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer by day, dog health advocate, dog writer, member of the Dog Writers Association of American and an award-winning author. Jasmine, the Rottweiler of my life, was the largest female from her litter. We thought we were getting a healthy dog. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder was our first mistake. Endless veterinary visits without a diagnosis or useful treatment later, I realized that I had to take Jasmine's health care in my own hands. I learned the hard way that simply seeing a vet is not always enough. There is more to finding a good vet than finding the closest clinic down the street. And, sadly, there is more to advocating for your dog's health than visiting a veterinarian. It should be enough but it often is not. With Jasmine, it took five years to finally get a diagnosis for her initial issue. Unfortunately, other problems had snowballed for that in the meantime. Jasmine's health challenges became a crash course in understanding dog health issues and how to go about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. I had to learn and I had to learn fast. Helping others through my challenges and experience has become my mission and Jasmine's legacy. I now try to help people how to recognize and understand signs of illness in their dogs, how to work with their veterinarian and when to seek a second opinion. My goal is to save others the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way as I did. That is the mission behind my blog and behind my writing. That is why I wrote Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, which has turned out being an award-winning guide to dog owners . What I'm trying to share encompasses 20 years of experience.

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