Meet The Team

Meet the team! At Arfit Dog Rehab and Fitness, our team is the heart of everything we do. Each member brings a unique set of skills, expertise, and a shared passion for helping dogs live their happiest, healthiest lives. Our team works together to provide the best care for your furry family members. Get to know the people behind Arfit who are committed to making a difference—one wagging tail at a time!

Tod

The Arfit philosophy was conceived by our founder, Tod Miner, PT CCRP. Graduating with a Physical Therapy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1990, Tod has devoted his entire career to orthopedic and neurological physical rehabilitation. He has extensive continuing education training in manual therapy, trigger point release, spinal mobilization, spinal manipulation, dry needling and multiple hours of training in myofascial, craniosacral and manual therapy, muscle activation and instrument assisted manual therapy. He has multiple patent applications. Tod has lectured extensively on surface electromyography and contributed to equipment design and prototype development for several medical equipment companies, TENS companies and exercise equipment manufacturers, including BioPrompt, EFI / Total gym, EMPI and OPTP.

After undergoing Canine Rehabilitation Training and certification at the University of Tennessee in 2007, Tod began working with dogs. Within a few months, He began to think differently. Why not use proven human PT techniques like weight training and resistance exercises to stimulate muscle growth? Why not use human manual therapy techniques and dry needling for muscle and joint dysfunction. Why not give the dogs the most positive experience possible to accelerate healing through happiness? And thus, the ARFIT program was born.

Jessica

Jessica has been passionate about caring for animals ever since she was a little girl. Her love for animals led her to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In 2022, to further her education, Jessica graduated as valedictorian from Vet Tech Institute at Fox College and obtained her license as a CVT. Currently, Jessica is enrolled in the Arfit Mentoring Program for advanced clinical skills and she is earning her certification as a certified rehabilitation therapist (CCRT) from North Carolina State University with the goal of becoming a CCRT at ARFIT. One of her favorite things about working at ARFIT is the bond she and her team form with their patients as well as seeing her patients progress every week. In her free time, Jessica enjoys traveling and caring for her two fur babies (Lucy, a 12-year-old Beagle mix, and Touka, a 1- year-old black cat).

Julie

Julie graduated with a degree in physical therapy from Marquette University in 1990.  Her 25 year career with humans was focused entirely on rehabilitation of orthopedic and sports medicine conditions. She has specialized training in manual therapy as well as postural alignment and respiration. She taught continuing education to physical therapists for many years on manual therapy and orthopedic rehabilitation.  

After 9 years in a  corporate healthcare role, she decided to switch species and pursue a certificate in canine rehabilitation through NC State University. This certification will allow Julie to combine her passion for dogs with her passion for helping others recover from orthopedic and neurological conditions and lead more pain free lives.   She enjoys the relationships she is making with dogs and their owners and loves watching the progress the dogs make from a successful rehab program.

While her most recent dog Timber (Lab/Golden mix) is no longer with her, Julie volunteers with PAWS at their medical center and would like to foster dogs in the future.

Esme

Esmeralda, (Esme) graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign with a bachelors degree in Animal Science. From volunteering at shelters to interning at animal hospitals, She’s worked with animals for the past 7 years and has been working at Arfit for almost 3.5 years. “It is very rewarding to be able to help all the fur-babies get better. Creating bonds with not only the patients but their owners will forever be fulfilling. I have a great love for animals and feel blessed to be here at Arfit! “.

Esme has also been trained in the advanced clinical exercise, the movement observation and the advanced laser / modality application programs taught at Arfit. She has a 4 year old German Shepherd/Pit-bull mix named Copper. Esme loves to travel, eat hot chicken sandwiches, and check out dog friendly patios/breweries with Copper!

The Arfit philosophy was conceived by our founder, Tod Miner, PT CCRP.  Graduating with a Physical Therapy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1990, Tod has devoted his entire career to orthopedic and neurological physical rehabilitation.  He has extensive continuing education training in manual therapy, trigger point release, spinal mobilization, spinal manipulation, dry needling as well as multiple hours of training in myofascial, craniosacral and manual therapy, muscle activation and instrument assisted manual therapy.  He has multiple patent applications.  Tod has lectured extensively on surface electromyography and contributed to equipment design and prototype development for several medical equipment companies, TENS companies and exercise equipment manufacturers including;  BioPrompt, EFI / Total gym, EMPI and OPTP. 

After undergoing Canine Rehabilitation Training and certification at the University of Tennessee in 2007, Tod began working with dogs.  Within a few months, He began to think differently.  Why not use proven human PT techniques like weight training and resistance exercises to stimulate muscle growth?  Why not use human manual therapy techniques and dry needling for muscle and joint dysfunction.  Why not give the dogs the most positive experience possible to accelerate healing through happiness? And thus, the ARFIT program was born.