Veterinary physical rehabilitation for dogs uses hydrotherapy, massage, laser therapy, and therapeutic exercise to improve recovery from surgery and injury and manage chronic conditions.
Veterinary rehabilitation represents a welfare advance that allows dogs recovering from surgery or managing chronic conditions to achieve better outcomes than rest alone would provide. The welfare benefit is particularly clear for chronic pain conditions where rehabilitation can reduce pain medication requirements, improve mobility, and maintain quality of life over years. Underwater treadmill therapy is especially valuable because it allows cardiovascular exercise and muscle maintenance in dogs with joint conditions that make land exercise painful. The barrier to rehabilitation is primarily cost and geographic access; as the specialty grows, availability and affordability are improving, making this welfare-enhancing treatment more accessible.