Bringing physiotherapy to Melbourne pets and their owners

When you feel good it shows! Why not gift that great feeling to your pet!

What is animal physiotherapy? 

If you own a pet, an animal physiotherapist should be part of your pet’s healthcare team. Particularly as your pet ages, competes in sport or work or if they experience any injury or movement concern. Physiotherapists offer a wide range of drug-free treatments and can help improve your pet's quality of life by giving you information to manage your pets' condition at home. Animal physiotherapy is great for: 

·      Musculoskeletal pain/injuries, including hip/elbow dysplasia, CCL rupture,
       muscle/tendon/ligament sprains, strains, tendinopathies and tears

·      Pre/post-surgery

·      Managing long term mobility/pain issues

·      Elderly pets

·      Neurological conditions - spinal problems (IVDD), paralysis - neuropathies

·      Surgical prevention - where possible

·      To keep working/sporting pets pain free

·       Palliative care - helping to maintain quality of life

This list is not exhaustive, please contact us if you are unsure whether we can help your pet. Like physiotherapy for people, physiotherapists have years of training and use their knowledge of body systems including anatomy and physiology to conduct a thorough assessment and provide evidence based treatment and education. 

How are sessions run? 

The physio will take a thorough history from both the vet and owner where possible. To help with this we ask you to fill out the questionnaire on this website prior to your initial appointment. We will also ask you to email any relevant vet notes; often you can request your vet emails us directly. The physical assessment involves specific gait or movement observation and analysis and thorough palpation of the limbs, head and neck. Following the assessment, a treatment plan is discussed and implemented. Treatment may include:

·      Owner education

·      Heat/ice

·      Electrotherapies (e.g. laser, TENs-electrical stimulation)

·      Taping

·      Hydrotherapy

·      Soft tissue therapies – massage, stretching, trigger point therapy

·      Joint mobilisations

·      Exercises to target – flexibility/pain/weakness/mobility/sensation

 Education on home set up, braces and mobility aids may also be provided as well as information for you to safely improve your pet’s quality of life whilst minimising your own risk of injury especially if trying to help a larger pet with decreased mobility.

About our physio...

Our physiotherapist, Danielle - 'Dani' has a cert III in fitness and graduated with her Physiotherapy degree from Monash University in 2013. Since then she has worked in a variety of settings including private practice, with a focus on sports, musculoskeletal and pilates clients. She has also worked in aged care and rehabilitation in the home settings. She currently still does home visits for people because they need to be healthy to look after their pets of course. If you're interested in a home physiotherapy session for you or your pet just ask! We also offer owner/pet physio discounts!

Danielle started her animal physiotherapy journey back in 2015 after her beloved dog Rupert, required his own rehabilitation from leg surgery. Immediately she knew this was the job for her. From 2016-2019 she has worked with renowned Australian animal physiotherapist, Michelle Monk, where she gained invaluable experience and insights into animal rehabilitation and hydrotherapy before completing her Masters in Veterinary Physiotherapy (University of Liverpool).

She is always learning and enjoys empowering owners to help their pets live the longest, happiest and most pain-free lives possible.

Why a home visit?

Home visits are an easier alternative to clinic visits for...

Home

·      Larger pets with poor mobility who struggle to get in/out of the car

·      Pets who are unable to travel 

·      Pets who are anxious in unknown surroundings or don't like new places or the vet

·      Owners who cannot drive/travel

·      Owners who struggle to get their pet into the car

·      Busy owners who like the convenience of home visits!

Costs

Initial animal physiotherapy consult - up to 1 hour                      $145
(Suitable for most initials, except for some complex cases)

Initial animal physiotherapy complex consult up to 1.5hours     $190

Review animal physiotherapy consult - 30mins                          $100  

Extended review animal physiotherapy consult - 45mins          $125

Telehealth initial animal consult - 45mins                                     $125

Telehealth Review - 30 mins                                                           $90

Travel costs

Above prices include travel from South East/Bayside Melbourne - 3204 up to 10km.
For distances over 10km, a fee of $10 applies plus $1.50 per km over 10km. On different days our physio will be based in other areas of Melbourne to minimise travel costs; please feel free to contact us and provide your suburb so we can give you an accurate fee estimate.

Every effort will be made to minimise travel costs for the owner. Where more than one consult is in a similar area, charges will be split between owners.
A quote for costs will be given prior to the consult to avoid any confusion. 

Please note... Costs include the time you don't see

·  Travel time
·  7-8 years of study plus ongoing professional development
·  Correspondence, follow up emails including home exercises/rehab plan and calls to you and your vet as needed
·  Longer consult times: most human physiotherapy sessions offered are significantly shorter than this (often 15-20 min review appointments)