Pet Parents Page
Dear Pet Parents,
Do YOU want to learn more about rehabilitation? Perhaps from someone who can give you information that is not only factually-based but also from someone who is experienced, licensed, trained, knowledgeable and passionate about this specialty area of practice? From someone who has “been there”, personally and professionally? Behold the 8 “Truths” of AnimalRehabilitation.com by Dr Doman: TRUTH #1:
Conversations about physical therapy for your animals need to take place even if your veterinarian knows next to nothing about it or much less how to do it. You already know it’s the “gold standard” of care for humans, so why can’t it be for animals? (Basically the SAME question I asked myself as a physical therapist in 2000!) The fact of the matter is, the majority of veterinarians are not educated in “rehab” (it’s only recently been offered) to get their degree, even fewer pursue it as a specialty, and even less practice it (with their own two hands) if they do*! Think about it, you do not have physical therapy done by your surgeon (or his assistant) after surgery, do you? The animal care world (and veterinary community) will start changing if enough people start asking and if enough people learn about it. And if a sufficient number of those people start wanting it for their pets, there will be more offerings of it. It has already grown EXPONENTIALLY since I started out. There is an opportunity here to improve health and lives! *And if you are blessed to live near or have access to one of these top-notch rehabilitation certified vets, lucky you! TRUTH #2: There is not enough of “me” to go around; at a hospital or clinic there would be a limited number of pets I could see realistically in a day. And (legally) California doesn’t want me to “go around”. This website is leverage, in a sense, for me to therefore make a positive difference in many lives! TRUTH #3: Here is a “truism” of physical therapy even if you were coming to see me or another doctor in-person; it is what you do the other 23 hrs of the day, 7 days a week, which will make the difference! So I think it is imperative that we educate, instruct, empower and support pet parents to do what they can at home. TRUTH #4: Rehabilitation is dependent on the individual. No two dogs (or cats, or PEOPLE) are the same even if they came from the same litter and have the same identical diagnosis (<-Yes, it’s happened, more than once!) TRUTH #5: The material presented here is not meant to replace in-person services or traditional vet care; it is still very important that there is a diagnosis (#1) and that you receive regular in-person care. The information on this site should supplement that. On the other hand, please do not be persuaded by something (or someone) you have seen on the internet into thinking that by getting “hydrotherapy” or doing “PROM” you are going to make your pet, who has been disabled for years, walk again. I'll explain why in the near future why that is probably not possible, however... in some dogs it might be. What I believe IS important is understanding what is happening (or could happen) with your pet, how to prevent some common ailments, and what exactly ARE things like “hydrotherapy” and “PROM” [and why the latter is it still important to do]. TRUTH #6: When your furry family member, is suffering and can’t “tell” you the extent or degree, it can be overwhelming. And when you see or read different information about obesity or arthritis, for example, and you just can’t bear the thought of ever losing your pet, it is tough. As a pet parent, it is easy to feel helpless. We fear, naturally, what we don't understand or know. TRUTH #7: Though I have had a website for Animal Rehabilitation since 2002, I do not have a lot of experience releasing THIS information in THIS through an online format! This is a very humble new beginning. But I truly believe there are pet parents out there who can benefit from the content posted here! This is a very modest, gentle launch but if I impact ONE dog…perhaps YOUR dog, your beloved family member, what a great result that would be! And perhaps if that led you to tell someone else even ONE thing/tip/trick that could help THEIR pet be healthier and more pain-free, the effort is worth it. TRUTH #8: I found myself answering the same client questions over and over through the years, so why not put some answers out there in mass format?! That's all. Just trying to explain a little and help alleviate some emotional distress. Now, who couldn't live with a little less stress in their lives?! ((rhetorical)) I know there are a lot of you out there searching for answers. You're overwhelmed and you want to do EVERYTHING you possibly can to help your “furchild”. I don’t want any pet parent to waste precious time that could be spent with their pet on the road to healing, trying to find information or re-invent the wheel. I hope this gives you some thought, or better yet some solutions, where maybe there were none before. Because the TRUTH is… there really is NO PLACE LIKE HOME! |
“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.” — Gilda Radner "Thank you for helping our entire family understand the rehab process and treatments in a way that no other doctor has. You took the time and were so kind!" -A.D. “Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us,
and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.” ― John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog "Thank you SO much
for all your help. I wish I had reached out to your before this all happened. Maybe we could've prevented the surgery or at least some time" -D.C. "Dr. Doman is one of the
most caring, considerate and knowledgeable doctors who cared for our dog after her back surgery. We would not have been able to understand what to expect without her." -S.C. |
Tel 949-667-2978
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