Veterinary Physical rehabilitation

Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation in San Francisco & the Bay Area

When a dog or cat is recovering from surgery or injury, or slowing down with age, it can be hard to know what’s normal and what deserves support. Pet parents often notice stiffness, weakness, wobbliness, difficulty standing, or a pet who’s not moving like themselves.

Remedy Veterinary Specialists provides veterinary rehabilitation and pet physical therapy (sometimes called canine rehabilitation or veterinary physical therapy) to help dogs and cats regain strength, stability, comfort, and confidence. Remedy’s rehabilitation team builds individualized plans for pets across San Francisco and the Bay Area, whether the goal is post-operative recovery, injury rehabilitation, or long-term mobility support.

To get started, use the chatbot in the bottom-right corner of your browser to request a rehabilitation appointment for your dog or cat.

Senior cat during a physical rehabilitation visit at Remedy Veterinary Specialists

When Pet Physical Therapy Can Help

Rehabilitation is often a good fit for pets who need support with:

  • Post-surgical recovery and return to safer movement

  • Injury rehabilitation and strength rebuilding

  • Age-related mobility changes and chronic comfort support

  • Balance, coordination, or neurologic weakness that affects daily movement

A Thoughtful, Personalized Approach to Pet Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation works best when it’s specific to the pet, the diagnosis, and the household reality. That’s why every plan begins with a thorough assessment and is adjusted as your pet progresses.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all routine, Remedy’s rehabilitation plans are designed to support:

  • Improved strength and mobility over time

  • Better balance and coordination with daily movement

  • Clear, realistic home-care guidance between visits

  • Comfort support for chronic or age-related conditions

Remedy focuses on measurable progress, realistic timelines, and guidance you can actually follow at home.

Sandy Gregory, RVT, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation), Remedy’s rehabilitation lead

Sandy Gregory
RVT, CCRA, VTS (PR)
Physical Rehabilitation

meet Remedy’s Veterinary Physical Rehab Specialist

Sandy Gregory, RVT, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation), CCRA, brings decades of clinical experience and interdisciplinary training to Remedy’s veterinary rehabilitation team. Her background spans movement science, exercise science, and human sports medicine, with clinical practice in veterinary medicine since 2001. Sandy is also a longtime veterinary technology educator at Foothill College in Los Altos and serves in professional leadership roles within veterinary rehabilitation. Her credentials include Veterinary Technician Specialist certification in Physical Rehabilitation and Certified Canine Rehabilitation Assistant training.

Learn more about Sandy.

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What to Expect at a Veterinary Rehabilitation Consultation

During your first visit, Remedy will:

  • Review your pet’s medical history and any surgical or specialty recommendations

  • Perform a functional mobility assessment and gait analysis when indicated

  • Identify strength, balance, and pain-related limitations

  • Build a customized plan with clear goals, frequency, and next steps

Please remember, rehabilitation is a process. Remedy will recheck progress and adjust the plan as your pet’s strength and function improve.

Rehabilitation Services at Remedy

Every rehabilitation plan starts with a clear assessment and builds toward safer, stronger movement through services tailored to your pet’s needs:

  • Rehabilitation consultation

  • Gait analysis

  • Proprioceptive training

  • Strength building

  • Assistive device consultations

  • Wheelchair fittings

Depending on your pet’s needs, rehabilitation plans may also include targeted therapeutic exercises and supportive modalities to improve comfort and function.

common Conditions Supported by Veterinary Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation and pet physical therapy are often recommended for pets with:

If your pet’s condition isn’t listed here, that doesn’t mean rehabilitation won’t help. Many mobility and strength issues respond well to a structured plan.

Calm, Pet-Friendly Rehab Care

Rehabilitation should feel supportive, not stressful. That’s why Remedy’s hospital environment is designed to help pets feel safe while they move, rest, and recover.

Remedy prioritizes:

  • Gentle handling and low-stress visits

  • Clear home-care guidance, including a downloadable massage map, to help pet parents between sessions

  • Coordination with specialists, surgeons, and primary veterinarians when needed

  • A plan that supports both progress and quality of life

Ready to talk about your pet’s care?

You don’t need a referral to schedule with Remedy. Tell us what’s going on with your pet, and our team will help you choose the right appointment and explain what to expect, including costs, before anything is done.

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Chat with us now using the chat button in the bottom right corner, or call (415) 967-3303.
Open 8 am–5:30 pm, Monday–Friday.

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Veterinary Rehabilitation FAQs

  • Veterinary physical rehabilitation is a hands-on, medically guided approach that supports dogs and cats recovering from injury, surgery, or age-related mobility changes. Rehabilitation plans may include targeted therapeutic exercise and supportive modalities such as acupuncture to help improve comfort, function, and quality of life.

  • Rehabilitation may be worth considering when a pet shows stiffness, weakness, wobbliness, difficulty standing, reduced endurance, or changes in mobility after surgery or injury. It’s commonly used alongside orthopedic and neurologic care, as well as for age-related mobility support.

  • Rehabilitation isn’t only for injuries. Many senior dogs and cats benefit from gentle, structured rehabilitation plans focused on comfort, support, mobility, and daily function.

  • Veterinary rehabilitation is commonly recommended for conditions that affect movement, strength, and coordination, including arthritis, spinal injuries, IVDD, cranial cruciate ligament tears, hip dysplasia, and post-surgical recovery. A rehabilitation consultation can help determine what support may be appropriate for a specific pet.

  • A rehabilitation consultation typically includes a review of medical history and any surgical or specialty recommendations, followed by an evaluation of movement, strength, and comfort. A customized plan is then created with clear goals and next steps. When appropriate, therapy may begin the same day.

  • Frequency varies depending on the pet’s condition, goals, and stage of recovery. Some patients benefit from weekly visits, while others may need more frequent sessions early in the plan. Scheduling is typically tailored to the pet’s needs and the household routine.

  • In many cases, yes. Some dogs and cats do better with their person nearby. Sessions may also include guidance on safe at-home techniques between visits.

  • Yes. Home-care exercises are commonly provided to support progress between sessions. Recommendations are designed to be clear, practical, and adaptable to space and lifestyle.

  • Depending on a pet’s needs, rehabilitation plans may include a mix of modalities, including acupuncture, laser, PEMF, massage, and therapeutic exercise.

  • Regular exercise supports general fitness. Rehabilitation is a supervised, goal-based plan designed around a specific diagnosis or functional limitation, with measurable goals and adjustments over time.

  • Yes. Gait analysis may be part of a rehabilitation evaluation when indicated. It helps assess how a dog or cat is moving, identify functional limitations, and guide an individualized rehabilitation plan.

  • Rehabilitation is often recommended as part of a broader care plan for dogs recovering from IVDD surgery or spinal injury. A rehabilitation consultation can help determine appropriate goals, safe movement strategies, and ongoing support for strength, mobility, and coordination.

  • Yes. Assistive device consultations and wheelchair fittings are available when appropriate. A rehabilitation assessment can help determine fit, comfort, and practical use based on a dog’s needs and daily routine.