Canine Fitness Zone, a physical therapy and canine conditioning clinic, opened its doors at South Mesa Veterinary Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado in April 2010. Integrating the physical-therapy-positive-reward-based body work method we’d developed in the book, The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog, A Physical Therapy Approach, we committed all our treatment rooms, dog introduction methods, physical therapy treatments and conditioning programs to dog autonomy. Instead of doing exercises to the dogs, we teach the dogs how to do the exercises themselves. By doing this we increase the depth of motor learning while improving muscle output, and just as importantly we allow the dog choice in the rehab and fitness process.  

Following our concept of ‘dog autonomy’, the CPDTs at the clinic designed the treatment room for the dogs, not just for the humans who brought them for healing treatments. When the room was done it looked just like a pediatric physical therapy room, with a few important improvements for the dogs – low stimulus lighting, lavender infused air, soft padded flooring, and no chairs (there is a bench for humans).

Today the clinic is thriving. On any given day I may see a puppy with a leg fracture, a dog with a wound, an old dog with incontinence issues, a cat with a stroke, and dog with a spinal cord injury. In the evenings I may be teaching a Stretch class or teaching a Canine Conditioning class. On the weekends I may be traveling to teach the 4-Tiered Athletic Conditioning Program. And I love doing all these things.

But what I love the most are the connections that develop doing this work. The veterinarians in Northern Fort Collins are a group of happy, positive, highly skilled individuals who do everything they can to improve the lives of their patients. I’m honored to be part of the community. But what is most amazing are the clients.
 
I had no idea when I started on this journey how profoundly improving the quality of life for a person’s pet improves the quality of life for the person.  As I’ve pondered this new knowledge with my clients I think we've come up with an answer. Our animals are an important source of unconditional love; they are the connection reminding us that no matter where we are in our day or in our life, we are prefect exactly as we are.  And when our unconditional love provider is hurt, or in pain, or goes down we want to care for them in the same way they’ve always cared for us. 

With tremendous gratitude, I welcome you all to Canine Fitness Zone. May we join together to honor, heal, and play with these most generous creatures. 

Health and Gratitude, 
Sasha Foster, MSPT, CCRT