Physical Therapy

In November 2024, Nurse Cass completed further education in Physical Therapy for dogs and cats and is ready to work with you and your pets to achieve a goal of improved and pain-free mobility.

Whether your pet is suffering from arthritis, orthopaedic injury/repair, soft tissue injury or a neurological condition affecting mobility, Cass is equipped with the knowledge and tools to provide you with an at-home plan to improve wellbeing and comfort.

To further provide support for her patients, Cass gained certification in Myo-Manipulative Functional Therapy in December 2025. She now has deeper knowledge and skills in identifying tight or painful muscles, and using targeted massage techniques to enable release and increase comfort.

Read below for more information on how Cass can help with individual conditions, or to get in contact with her you can email her at yfvphysicaltherapy@gmail.com or call the clinic on 5381 1996.

  • Arthritis

    Osteoarthritis is the irreversible progressive degeneration of the joints, which can cause pain, inflammation, reduced range of motion and decreased function. Physical Therapy aims to reduce the effect of these factors through specific exercises and treatments, which can work alone or in conjunction with medication and supplements prescribed by the veterinarian.

  • Orthopaedic

    Physical Therapy can help rehabilitate patients after fractures/breaks, whether they have been surgically repaired or conservatively managed.

    When there is a fracture to a limb, and your pet is not bearing full weight, the muscles in the leg begin to constrict and tighten, which reduces their range of motion and balance. Physical Therapy helps to reduce and reverse the effects of this, in addition to reducing inflammation and providing some pain relief.

  • Neurological

    Diagnosis of different neurological disease or injury can cause varying degrees of muscle weaking, spasming, reduced function and disorientation.

    Physical Therapy protocols can be introduced according to the individual needs and symptoms of these patients in order to keep their muscles and walking ability strong and viable through recovery.

  • Laser Therapy

    Laser Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that can be included in Physical Therapy plans to further benefit the patient. It involves a small light-emitting device held over the skin of the affected area/muscle using varying light waves selected by the therapist based on the individual patient needs. These light waves interact with the muscle and joint tissues to help stimulate and promote the body’s natural healing process. It helps to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief, and only takes approximately 10-15 minutes per session.

Our canine massage service is offered as a supportive therapy to complement your dog’s veterinary care. Delivered by a qualified practitioner with a strong understanding of canine anatomy and behaviour, massage can assist with muscle tension, mobility, circulation, and recovery from injury or surgery. It is particularly beneficial for senior patients, active dogs, and those with chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

Cass tailors each session to your individual’s pets needs, including their tolerance and stress levels. She strongly believes that a massage session should be relaxing for the patient, so she takes extra special care to respect the dog’s headspace, and allow them to guide the appointment.

Canine Massage