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!
PetAbility Podcast
To Brace or Not to Brace: Orthoses in Veterinary Rehabilitation – Part 2: The Pelvic Limb with Dr. Caroline Adrian
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How do you know when a dog will truly benefit from a brace? Can a CCL brace for dogs replace surgery? What role does a dog hock brace play after an Achilles tendon injury? In Part 2 of our conversation with canine physical therapist Caroline (Carrie) Adrian, BS, MSPT, PhD, tCPT, we turn our attention to hind limb injuries and conditions and the growing role of canine orthotics in veterinary rehabilitation for the pelvic limb.
We begin with a brief review of orthoses for the front limb, trunk stabilization and pelvic/hip support devices before diving into some of the most common indications for hind limb orthoses. Carrie shares how custom orthotic devices can protect healing tissues, improve function, reduce pain, and support mobility in dogs recovering from injury, managing chronic conditions, or requiring long-term assistance.
Just as importantly, we discuss why quality matters. Not all braces are created equal, and poorly designed, poorly fitted, or copycat products may fail to provide appropriate support—or even interfere with healing. Orthoses should always be selected based on a sound diagnosis, patient-specific goals, and careful follow-up.
In This Episode:
- Review of trunk support and hip stabilization options
- When is a brace the right choice—and when is it not?
- What can orthoses realistically accomplish?
- Conservative management with orthoses versus surgery
- The importance of custom design, fit, and follow-up care
- Potential complications from poorly fitted devices
- Why rehabilitation exercises remain essential alongside bracing
- The risks of knockoffs, copycat devices, and inadequate support
- Skin management and monitoring during orthosis use
Pelvic Limb Topics Covered
Trunk, Pelvis & Hip (or coxofemoral joint)
- Review of trunk stabilization devices
- Support for hip dysplasia, weakness, and neurologic conditions
- The role of pelvic support in dogs with mobility deficits
- How garments facilitate posture and why posture matters for function
Stifle (Knee)
- Cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCL/ACL injuries)
- Three basic choices of care
- Functional bracing following injury or surgery
- Why bracing won't help medial patellar luxation (MPL)
- Meniscal considerations
- Matching the orthosis to the individual patient
- Setting realistic expectations for outcomes
Tarsus (Hock or ankle)
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Graduated Flexion Orthoses (GFO) the balance between allowing appropriate tissue stress to augment healing while protecting healing tissue from reinjury
Orthosis Management
- Skin care and pressure point monitoring
- Importance of proper fit and ongoing adjustments
- Gradual acclimation to brace use - the schedule
- Regular reassessment as healing progresses
Key Takeaways
- Braces are medical devices—not one-size-fits-all solutions.
- Proper diagnosis and custom fitting are critical for successful outcomes.
- High-quality canine orthotics can improve mobility, comfort, and healing.
- Poorly designed or improperly fitted braces may delay recovery or cause additional problems.
- Rehabilitation remains an essential part of every bracing program.
Find Dr. Adrian at CanineIQ.net.
Her email is Info@CanineIQ.net
Companies and products mentioned during this episode:
Whether you're a veterinary rehabilitation professional, veterinarian, technician, student, or devoted pet owner, this episode offers practical guidance on how orthotic devices can help improve mobility, function, and quality of life for canine patients.
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Disclaimer
VitalVet.org, a platform for all things related to pet rehab - product information, education, and resources abound!
MedcoVet (show sponsor) Luma - advanced red-light therapy therapy that puts healing in the hands of the pet owner in the comfort of home!
Use Promo Code PETPOD22 to receive discounts from our affiliates!
Jope - science-backed supplements
Ruff Ramp - a safe alternative to stairs
Optimum Pet Vitality - education/coursework
Dr. Buzby’s -Toe Grips to prevent slipping, Encore Mobility joint supplement, and Brain Boost cognitive supplement. Using this link donates 20% to PetAbility
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for anybody working with cats
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowni...