[responsive-slider id=5598]
Call it physical therapy for dogs.
Florida Veterinary Rehabilitation, at 441 S. Woodland Blvd. in DeLand, had its grand opening and ribbon-cutting Aug. 18.
“We are a stand-alone canine-rehabilitation facility that focuses on reducing pain and enhancing the healing of animals to return to full function,” said Megan Cloudman, FVR’s practice coordinator. “We work mainly with dogs that have been injured, post-op surgery patients, neurological cases, and sports conditioning.”
Although other veterinary practices may rehab pets, Florida Veterinary claims to be the first and only practice in Volusia County focusing exclusively on rehabilitation, Cloudman said.
“We don’t do any general medicine; we’re just a specialty clinic focused on rehabilitation,” Cloudman said.
And while the overwhelming majority of its clientele is dogs, it does treat the occasional cat, she added.
FVR offers a wide range of rehabilitative services to treat small animals ranging from the canine athlete to the senior citizen. Its philosophy of treatment uses Eastern and Western medicine techniques to get the patient back in balance, to build strength, and to promote health, Cloudman said.
The practice is owned by Lisa Mason, a veterinarian who also is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Mason is assisted by John Humbert, a chiropractor, a Certified Veterinary Orthopedic Mobilization Specialist and a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Assistant.
The staff is rounded out by Cloudman, massage therapist Natalie Herrick and receptionist Regan Latulip.
Florida Veterinary Rehabilitation started out as part of FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital next door on Euclid Avenue. That affiliation ended when Mason moved her practice to the space formerly occupied by The Funky Mutt Market, an alternative pet shop and doggy day care center. It had a soft opening July 1.
“This has been Dr. Mason’s dream for more than five years,” Cloudman said. “It’s finally a reality.”
FVR has two treatment rooms on the ground floor, while the second floor has another treatment room and a workout room, as well as the clinic’s administrative offices.
Also on the ground floor is a room housing an underwater treadmill for dogs needing post-operation or muscle-injury treatment.
The water in the treadmill tank is warmed to a therapeutic 85 to 90 degrees, sort of a “Goldilocks zone” that’s not too hot and not too cold, and is adjusted for each canine patient’s needs, Cloudman said.
“For example, a dog that has recently undergone shoulder surgery would receive initial treatment with the water level above his shoulder joint in order to cushion the joint and ease him back into activity. The water level may gradually decrease as the patient becomes able to support more of his body weight,” she said. “The water temperature relaxes sore joints and muscles through hydrostatic pressure, while buoyancy reduces impact and improves joint mobility.”
Florida Veterinary Rehabilitation is open different hours five days a week: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, call 386-337-7106, visit flvetrehab.com or follow the clinic on Facebook at Facebook.com/flvetrehab.
