PetAbility Podcast
This is a must-hear podcast for pet owners wanting access to the latest in pet quality of life and longevity. Whether your pet has fur, feathers, scales or shells, Cathy and Chris believe in treating your pet as a whole, both mind and body. Continuing a collaboration that began in 2003, Cathy and Chris share the gift of gab as well as their network in the pet rehab community. Using their vast expertise as Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioners (CCRPs), Cathy Symons CVT, CCRP, and Chris Cranston MPT, CCRP, offer relevant information and provocative interviews on their podcast, PetAbility. With an emphasis on mobility and independence, their show is about improving function, restoring confidence, alleviating fear, providing mental stimulation, and easing pain to help your pets live their best lives. Read on for more information about Cathy and Chris…
Cathy Symons is the author of Blind Devotion: Enhancing the Lives of Blind and Visually Impaired Dogs. She was inspired to write this book after her first pug, Booda, lost his sight at the age of seven. Several years later, Cathy adopted a blind pug named Digger and wrote a children’s book, Watching Out for Digger, which she uses as a teaching tool for young children to learn about living with a disabled dog.
After fifteen years of practice as a veterinary technician, Cathy went on to study canine rehabilitation at the University of Tennessee. In 2003, Cathy was one of the first thirty-six people in the world to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. Shortly thereafter, Cathy was instrumental in establishing one of the foremost veterinary rehabilitation centers in the United States, the Sterling Impression Animal Rehabilitation Center of New England. She continues to follow the latest options in pet rehabilitation, including digital thermal imaging and laser therapy, and is currently working on her third book, Senior Dogs: Maintaining Mobility and Independence.
Cathy resides in the New England area with her husband and their pug, Mac. Mac is a very confident little nugget who enjoys doing nose work with his mom.
Chris Cranston has 20 years of experience in pet rehabilitation. She is excited to share her knowledge and reach a wide pet-loving audience through the PetAbility podcast. Chris loves seeing that light bulb go off when educating pet owners, so a podcast seemed like a natural fit.
Chris started her career as a physical therapist (PT) – with people. When she moved to the Boston area in 2002, she saw it as an opportunity to do something different, so she combined her existing PT skills with her passion for animals. Chris became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through the University of Tennessee in 2004, one of the first 100 persons in the world to receive this certification. In addition to her CCRP designation, she has a Masters of Physical Therapy (1989) and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology (1987) from the University of Iowa.
Chris had a successful mobile practice, consulted with a myriad of general practices and specialty clinics, and started the physical rehabilitation service for a large multi-specialty and emergency organization in the Greater Boston region. All this was before founding FlowDog, a stand-alone, full-service small animal physical rehabilitation facility in Waltham, MA. In 2017, Chris sold her business to the esteemed Angell Animal Medical Center of Boston, and is now podcasting, consulting for a tech company in the veterinary space, providing concierge mobile pet rehab, and working getting a product to market that will help our pets. Of course, Chris prioritizes enriching the lives of her twin Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Julep & Baxter, while indulging in all the snuggles they are willing to share with her!
Episodes
159 episodes
Disaster Preparedness for Pets by Disaster Patrick
Disasters can strike without warning—but preparation can save lives. In this episode, we sit down with disaster preparedness expert, “Disaster Patrick,” to talk about how pet parents can protect their animals before, during, and after an emerge...
Choosing a Doggie Daycare: What Every Owner Needs to Know with Kim Karolides
Finding the right doggie daycare or boarding facility can make a tremendous difference in your dog’s safety, health, and behavior. PetAbility Podcast sits down with the owner of Butter’s House to uncover what sets high-quality, profess...
Joint Health Reimagined with Jope cofounder, Dr. Christine
Joint issues affect pets of all ages—not just seniors—and today’s conversation with Jope cofounder, Dr. Christine, dives into what makes their Hip & Joint Dog Chews with undenatured type II collagen (UC-ll...
Feeding Smarter — Calories Made Simple!
🎙️Is your pet getting too much food… or not enough? In this episode of PetAbility Podcast, we break down pet calories in a clear, practical way to help pet parents confidently fuel their dogs and cats — without the guesswork, for a healt...
Arthritis Treatment using Red Light Therapy with Alon Landa, CEO of MedcoVet
Arthritis affects millions of pets, quietly limiting mobility, comfort, and quality of life. While medications and supplements remain important tools, many p...
Sedated Grooming Explained: Safety, Comfort, and Care with Sophie Wasniewski
Grooming isn’t always a simple spa day—especially for pets who are fearful, painful, aging, or medically complex. In this episode of PetAbility Podcast, Chris and Cathy sit down with experienced groomer and veterinary assistant, Sophie Wasniews...
Rehab Rewind: Pet Obesity: It's a BIG problem!
With the holidays at full throttle, we thought it timely to revisit this episode on pet obesity. Pets often gain weight in winter because shorter days lead to less activity (fewer walks, more naps.) Owners might give more treats, while their pe...
Puppy Mills - Unseen Dogs, Unbroken Spirits with Theresa Strader of National Mill Dog Rescue
In this powerful episode, PetAbility welcomes Theresa Strader, founder of National Mill Dog Rescue (NMDR), to explore the harsh realities of commercial puppy mills and the transformative work being done to save and rehabilitate the dogs trapped...
Rehab Rewind Pet Hospice & Palliative Care - A Rehabber's Perspective with Cathy Symons, CVT, CCRP, CHPT
We are revisiting this timely topic with a Rehab Rewind. Since this episode aired in March of 2024 Cathy has proudly earned the title of Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Technician. Join us as PetAbility hosts, Cathy and Chris,...
Dog Entitlement with Behave Atlanta
Dogs are family — and these days, they’re welcome almost everywhere: cafés, breweries, stores, and even offices. But as our world becomes increasingly dog-friendly, some are wondering… have we taken it too far? In this episode, Chris chats with...
Easing Pain, Restoring Motion: The Galen Myotherapy Approach with Lisa Buchanan, CPDT-KA, MHS
Galen Myotherapy is a holistic, mindful approach that goes far beyond massage—helping dogs feel safe, understood, and pain-free while deepening the bond they share with their people. In this...
Rehab Rewind: Disk Disease with Dr. Gena Silver
Learn from premier veterinary neurologist, Gena Silver, MS, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology,) all about intervertebral disk disease (IVDD,) a common neurological disease in all pets. What is it? Can it be prevented? How do you recognize it? What do you ...
Wheek Wisdom: A Guide to Guinea Pig Care and Companionship with Kim Smothermon
PetAbility Podcast welcomes Kim Smothermon, the director of the Guinea Pig Sanctuary, to the show to share insider insights from life at the Guinea Pig Sanctu...
Rehab Rewind! Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome with Dr. Bronwyn Riggs
Join us as we revisit our conversation with Dr. Bronwyn Riggs about Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. Why is my 13 y.o. dog seeming so confused by every day tasks? She doesn't seem to recognize me anymore and went to the window to be l...
Tuning In to Your Pet: Acoustic Healing for Pain & Mobility with Dr. Laurie McCauley
Can sound really help your dog heal? In this fascinating episode of PetAbility, we sit down with Dr. McCauley, a trailblazer in veterinary rehabilitation, to explore the emer...
Rehab Rewind: Biome - The Gut-Brain Connection with Dr. Tonya Cooksey
Join us as we revisit our interview with Dr. Tonya Cooksey "You are what you eat!", says Tonya Cooksey, DVM, and Director of Veterinary Relations at AnimalBiome Veterinary. Did you know that 90% of dogs and cats experience at least ...
A Life of Service: Dr. Don Shields’ Enduring Legacy in Veterinary Medicine
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Don Shields, a true icon in veterinary medicine whose compassion, innovation, and work ethic continue to shine at age 88. With a career spanning more than six decades, Dr. Shields shares his remar...
Rehab Rewind!! Management of Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Injuries with Dr. Christin Finn
Please join us as we revisit our interview with Dr. Christin Finn. Located in the knee, cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries are the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs. Yet there is little consistency or agreement about how...
Bracing for Action: Helping Dogs with CCL Injuries Thrive! with Clayton Blunk
Cathy and Chris sit down with Clayton Blunk of My Pet’s Brace, a leader in custom orthopedic solutions for pets. With nearly 90% of their braces designed for CCL (cranial cruciate ligament) injuries...
Pet Anxiety Unleashed: Triggers, Symptoms & Solutions
Anxiety is one of the most common—and heartbreaking—issues facing our pets today. In this comprehensive episode, Chris and Cathy explore the staggering prevalence of pet anxiety, common triggers, and a wide range of effective strategies ...
Healing Hooves: Volunteering at a Horse Rescue with Jerri Miller, DPT, CCRT, ETMT, MBA
In this heartwarming episode, Chris and Cathy welcome Jerri Miller—a longtime friend of Chris's who is a physical therapist, certified canine rehabilitation therapist, and equine therapeutic massage therapist—who shares her transformative journ...
Four-Legged Healers – The Power of Therapy Dogs with Diane Murano
Meet Toby, now officially retired from a lifetime as a therapy dog at 13 years young, he leaves a legacy of healing and connection in his wake through the lives he's touched. In this heartwarming episode, Chris and Cathy welcome guest Diane Mur...
Empowering Senior Dogs with Dr. Julie Buzby
In this heartwarming and informative episode, Chris and Cathy sit down once again with integrative veterinarian and entrepreneur Dr. Julie Buzby. Known for her lifelong dedication to helping se...
When the Wag Won't Work - Understanding Swimmer's Tail!
🐾 If you ever notice your dog’s tail hanging limp like it just gave up wagging, you might be dealing with a case of Swimmer’s Tail! Also known as limber tail, cold tail, broken wag, or flaccid tail syndrome, this condition sound...
Understanding Synovetin OA: A Breakthrough in Canine Osteoarthritis Treatment with Dr. Matthew Brunke
This episode explores Synovetin OA, a novel, long-lasting treatment for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis (OA). If you’ve ever experienced stiff, achy joints, you can relate to what ...