Therapies we provide
Cold Laser Therapy: We have four 10 watt or greater Class IV lasers. The most powerful and effective lasers available. Our clinicians are trained in proper technique to maximize therapeutic benefit for every session. Many clinics use Class III and weaker Lasers which do not penetrate as deep as the class IV and thus are not as effective. Especially for low back and hip conditions.
Manual Therapy: The Foundation for recovery at Arfit. Every session begins with touch as we assess progress, improve mobility and determine the therapeutic program. We connect to our patients through touch. We convey safety, comfort and security as we build trust gently treating each patient at their own pace. Our clinicians are trained for years not weeks to expertly perform a variety of advanced techniques including joint mobilization, transverse friction, strumming, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, massage, manual lymphatic drainage and spinal mobilization.
Dry Needling: Although acupuncture has been a common practice in animal rehabilitation, it is believed that Tod Miner was the first to incorporate dry needling into canine rehabilitation.
Dry needling is a deep muscle relaxation therapy using acupuncture needles to relieve pain and stiffness and restore mobility and function. Our patients benefit greatly from this technique.
Spinal Mobilization: Segment specific low force manual therapy techniques providing effective permanent changes in spinal mobility for aging and injured pets. We are spine obsessed at Arfit. We believe the lumbar spine is the foundation for your dogs mobility and comfort. Regardless of your pet’s diagnosis, we will assess and improve your dogs spine and posture.
Joint stretching and mobilization. Stretching by it’s nature can be uncomfortable. How can you effectively stretch a dog without causing discomfort. We can do that.
Postural rehabilitation: Lots of our patients come in with stooping sits, sagging backs and drooping heads. In many cases, bad posture is the root of their problem. Regardless of their diagnosis, we address posture. Good posture boosts self esteem and improves recovery.
Massage Therapy. We are trained for multiple years in various soft tissue mobilization and massage techniques. All staff is trained and vetted by Tod Miner, PT CCRP to ensure that your pet is receiving the best care anywhere.
Therapeutic Exercise: As your pet’s discomfort decreases with manual therapy, Laser and dry needling, we begin stretching and strengthening. Our proprietary land based resistance program is only available at Arfit. We use hills, body weights and resistance exercises to target weak muscles and improve your dog’s posture and movement more effectively than standard rehab techniques.
Hill Climbing: As dogs age, they stoop. They shift their weight forward onto their front legs using their back legs less. They hunch their backs. Their back gets stiffer and their back legs get weaker. This is normal aging in dogs. So, How do you fix it? By loosening the stiff spine with dry needling, manual therapy AND HILLS! LOTS OF HILLS.
Arfit Has Lots of Hills. It is the foundation for reversing aging in dogs. No other clinic even uses hills in their programs. We hope, for the sake of the dogs this will change. We not only climb hills, we perform circles, step ups and weaving exercises on the hills. We add weight to specific limbs in order to target weak areas.
Fitness Classes: Arfit’s Canine Core Program is a weekly group exercise class designed to effectively maintain your pet’s core strength and fitness level. (find more information Here)
Weight Pulling: inspired by dog sled competition and nuanced by Arfit, this exercise stimulates full body muscle activation like no other exercise. Think of it as a dead lift for your dog. Performed safely and gradually with treats and loving encouragement, this activity builds muscle rapidly, improves balance and gait and, as a wonderful side effect, improves confidence!
The Tilt Track: Yet another unique feature available exclusively at Arfit. Used in conjunction with a weight belt on the targeted limb, the tilt track allows us to strengthen a weak limb even of the dog is weight shifting off the limb. The angle of the track allows the lowest limb to bear the most weight. It’s just physics and it works!