ABOUT ANIMAL PHYSIO @ W.F.H! *force free & fear free*
What do we do?
What conditions can we help with?
What conditions can we help with?
Our qualified physiotherapists work with many species, including: dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, exotics and wildlife. We aim to help animals live their best lives, free from pain and disability. Physio for pets is similar to human physio, and we are gentle, force-free and don't push any animal to do something they're afraid of.
Anxious pets are very welcome here.
We provide dog physiotherapy in our center conveniently located in Saint Marys, right next to both Penrith and Parramatta. We also do online consultations all over Australia.
Examples of treatments we use here;
- Underwater treadmill – hydrotherapy
- Laser (Class 4 – the most powerful there is for medical treatment) for healing, pain relief & needle free acupuncture
- Manual therapy, e.g. myofascial release, joint mobilisation, trigger point work, massage and kinesiotaping
- Stretching soft tissues and joints to increase range of movement, release tight tissues and allow weaker muscles to work correctly
- Strengthening and mobility for pets with conditions that are affecting their movement
- “Prehab” prior to operations such as joint replacements has been proven in humans to enhance surgical outcomes & we strongly believe this is the case for animals too
- Rehabilitation following surgery, injuries, crate rest, back problems etc.
- Conditioning for sporting dogs & pre-competition checks
- Pain & swelling relief such as laser, acupuncture, TENS & massage
- Wheelchairs, custom / pre-made splints & non-slip boots
What conditions can we help with?
What conditions can we help with?
What conditions can we help with?
- Any injury or disorder involving the muscles, nerves, bones, cartilage and ligaments
- Arthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Luxating patella
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) or other back problems e.g. fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE), spondylitis, instability, paralysis
- Pets with paralysis following injury, back problems & degenerative conditions. We also prescribe, provide & fit wheelchairs or splints
- Cruciate ligament problems (“CCL”) including rehab after surgery like TPLO to get the best result possible
- Degenerative Myopathy and similar nerve or muscle degeneration problems e.g. ataxia, Wobblers
- Pets having trouble using stairs, jumping, or getting up and down off the floor
- Senior pets slowing down (it could be silent pain!!)
- Sports injuries
- Rehab before and after surgeries e.g. cruciate ligament repair (TPLO), joint replacements, femoral head and neck osteotomy or excision (FHO FHEO)
- Pets with disability, pain, obesity and reduced fitness
- Weakness and reduced fitness following injury and crate rest
- Assessment of sporting dogs prior to competitions
- Wound treatment with laser once cleared by Vet
- We are FEAR-FREE!
- We are FORCE-FREE!
- Anxious pets are welcome
There are many more conditions we treat - these are just the common ones we see. Please email or call if you have any questions and we’ll be happy to help. Call (02) 9833 3363 or email theteam@wholefamilyhealth.com.au
#agilitydogs #sportsinjuries #flyballdogs #dogphysio #catphysio #doghydro #vetphysio #dogwheelchairs #dogsplints #walkinwheelsaustralia #fearfree #forcefree
Canine Conditioning Courses
Canine Conditioning Courses
Canine Conditioning Courses
Help prevent injury, arthritis, pain and obesity! Conditioning for Pet Dogs courses are running for 8 weeks at a time.
There are 8 sessions of 1 hours' duration for dogs of all ages, abilities and fitness levels.
Designed by Dr Helen Nicholson & run by Emma Duffy and Kristy Bonnano in our purpose built facility.
Email us at theteam@wholefamilyhealth.com.au to book or see below to book online.
#caninefitness #canineconditioning #dogfitness
Our story
Canine Conditioning Courses
Canine Conditioning Courses
Professor Dr Helen Nicholson began her career in animal physiotherapy in the mid-1990s, while she was still a human physiotherapy student – she had a rickety old Labrador, Holly, and a wonderful local vet who would help her translate her newly acquired human physiotherapy skills to help keep old Holly going in her golden years. The good doctor would say, “Well, this is what’s wrong with her; she’s got arthritis in her shoulder. What would you do with a human with an arthritic shoulder?”
“Well,” Helen would reply. “I’d stabilise the scapula (shoulder blade) and distract and glide the humerus (arm bone).”
“Right,” the good doctor would say. “Here’s her scapula, and here’s her humerus. Show me.”
Helen would then orient herself (dogs and people aren’t quite built the same way) and demonstrate the technique.
“Right!” the vet would exclaim. “That looks safe! Go home and do that!”
And thus a passion for animal physiotherapy was born!
About our physiotherapists:
Our managing director, Dr Helen Nicholson, was the first in the world to complete a PhD in Small Animal Physiotherapy. Since 2006, she has collaborated with the Yamazaki Gakuen University in Japan, where she is now a visiting Professor. Helen has developed courses and written a textbook for the university, as well as chapters in English-language books. In addition to having some of her research published in peer-reviewed journals, Helen has enjoyed peer reviewing others' research prior to publication, as it gives her a "sneak peak" at how the state of the art is progressing. She has taught in Europe, the UK and the US, as well as in 5 states of Australia.
Emma Duffy joined the practice at the start of 2022 & is qualified in dog massage and acupuncture in addition to her physiotherapy degree. While Emma and Helen both went to (human physio) Uni at the same time, Emma's 20-ish years in the British NHS has given her a range of experience that Helen hasn't had. As a result, both Helen and Emma have enjoyed learning from each other to improve the standard of care they can each provide to our furry and feathery friends. Emma writes our monthly article in the Dogs NSW magazine and, while she is succeeding at rapidly bringing Helen's sports physio knowledge up-to-date, it remains on her wish list to convince Helen to try learning acupuncture! Emma is trusted by many of Sydney's top veterinarians and specialist vets to provide an excellent standard of physiotherapy care to their precious clients.
Please note that, while Emma and Helen love seeing clients together, our team has had to ban Helen from taking on regular clients until she has finished 2 very important projects!! Helen has listened to our "work before play" lecture and hopes to have those projects finished at the end of October 2023 🤞
Whole Family Health incorporates K9 Physio & Animal Physiotherapy Services. #hydrotherapyfordogs #physiofordogs #dogphysioSydney #acupuncture
our COURSES
CANINE CONDITIONING COURSE FOR PET DOGS
Our 8-week conditioning course is designed by Dr Helen Nicholson to improve the fitness, flexibility and strength of your pet dog. This course will increase body awareness, reaction times, general health and promotes the bond with your dog. Even if you don't have any experience of dog fitness this is the course for you! The atmosphere is fun, friendly and supportive, with no judgement and no exams. All that matters is your dog is enjoying themselves and improving their condition while they're at it. You'll learn new skills and ways to interact with your dog, giving them enrichment and a different type of exercise to what they're used to. You'll also make new connections with fellow dog lovers & support each other.
Dogs of all ages and abilities are welcome, including previously athletic dogs who've been out of action for a while due to injury. If your dog is a current client of ours, please check with the physio first that your dog is fit to attend.
The next course will be in February 2024.
The course consists of 1 hour sessions at 6:30pm on a Wednesday for 8 weeks in our clinic in St Marys.
- Course run by qualified physiotherapist Emma Duffy at our large purpose-built facility.
- Only 6 places available, to ensure each dog & owner receives individual instruction time with the physio.
- Receive one on one time with the physio for a fitness assessment at the first session, & individualised exercises every week.
- Receive comprehensive information on how to continue the good work at home to keep your dog fit and strong.
- Individual Physio advice & treatment can't be provided during this session - please book a separate consultation if you need specific physio advice or opinion.
Format of the course:
Classes are held in a large room where you'll have your own space to work in.
Classes are dynamic, rotating around 6 stations within the hour.
Week 1 (60 minute session):
- An assessment of your dog's fitness, flexibility, strength, balance, fine motor & body awareness, muscle development & condition.
- Obtain a performance measure of your dog's fitness, which will direct the areas to focus on over the course.
- Individualised plan developed by the physio for your dog to practice before the next class.
Weeks 2-8 (60 minute sessions):
- Circuit of 6 different stations, with physio instruction on the exercises.
- Each station has several levels to progress through with support from the physio.
- Individualised homework to ensure progression at the next class.
- Re-evaluation of your dogs fitness at the last class to see how far they've come.
WHAT TO BRING:
- Your dog's favourite treats or toy (or whatever motivates them!)
- Leash, poo bags and a smile :)
To book please see link below.
**if you have questions please email theteam@wholefamilyhealth.com.au or call 9833 3363**
Note: the course needs 3 dogs booked on in order to go ahead. If there are not enough dogs to run the course, we will contact you and provide a full refund.
consultations
Information on Consultations
All animals must have an initial consultation prior to the commencement of any of our animal physiotherapy services. This includes the underwater treadmill, as the physio needs to check it's the most appropriate treatment for your pet's individual condition.
The fee for the initial consultation includes:
Before your visit:
- the physiotherapist studying the information you've given on the intake form (this will be emailed to you),
- staff contacting the Vet(s) to obtain any notes/scans/XRays,
- the physiotherapist reviewing Vet notes / scans etc.& if necessary discussing your pets condition with them.
At your visit:
- advice & a program to work on at home until the next appointment. We always do our best to help your pet start feeling better from that very first appointment.
After your visit:
- writing detailed notes and sending them to the Vet so they're aware of what we've found, our treatment and recommendations.
See us in DOGS NSW Magazine!
See us in DOGS NSW Magazine!
See us in DOGS NSW Magazine!
Emma Duffy writes an article on Dog Physiotherapy
(reproduced with kind permission from DOGS NSW)
What payments do we accept?
See us in DOGS NSW Magazine!
See us in DOGS NSW Magazine!
We accept card payments in clinic, & if you pay online for a course or product, we offer Zip, AfterPay, Klarna, Apple Pay & Google Pay! We can give receipts in order for you to claim on Pet Insurance and VetPay.
You can purchase 300 minutes of treatment up-front, enabling a "mix and match" for differing appointment lengths, plus saving 10% off the price of individual sessions. Please call to purchase this.
coming very soon...... massage for dogs! - online course - e-book - in person masterclasses
Available early October
