Therapeutic exercise is the prescription of exercises designed to improve comfort, mobility and strength of your pet. These may be small, simple movements such as weight shifting, or they may involve increased activity such as balancing on exercise balls, walking over obstacles, learning to walk on a ramp, or even playing ball. Dr. Ford will provide a customized plan specifically for your pet!

Acupuncture has been a form of pain relief and healing for thousands of years. Medical acupuncture relies on a thorough knowledge of anatomy and careful examination of your pet to determine the ideal needle placement. The needle interacts with the nervous system, musculoskeletal system and circulatory system to have a beneficial effect. Acupuncture has been proven to be beneficial for pain control, with research indicating benefits for a host of other medical conditions.

Photobiomodulation, or laser therapy, is the use of specific wavelengths of light for a medicinal purpose. The light energy is used by the cells to create their own energy that is used for healing. It also increases blood supply to the area which helps bring in oxygen and remove wastes. Your pet will not feel anything, other than possibly a slight warming sensation during the treatment.

A joint may lose its range of motion and become restricted due to decreased movement and pain. Manual therapy is a technique to stretch the tissue surrounding the joint to help  restore this range of motion. This technique does not hurt your pet and will look similar to getting a massage. Many times they will relax during the course of a treatment.

After your appointment, Dr. Ford will provide you with a home exercise program. These are exercises you will work on with your pet in between your sessions with Dr. Ford. Following the prescribed exercises will help your pet make improvements more quickly. These should only take a couple of minutes at a time and should be fun! Most of the time, no equipment is necessary; we will make use of items already in your home. The exercises will change over time to keep your pet interested and progressing in their recovery.

Our athletic animals need special attention to remain in peak physical conditioning for their preferred sport.  Rehabilitation can be beneficial in preventing injury by ensuring proper form, as well as improving strength, balance and coordination.  In addition, if an injury does occur, rehabilitation can minimize the recovery time needed to return to competition.

Zoom Again Rehab also provides the following:

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

Utilized for pain control

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)     

Utilized for muscle strengthening, especially when paralyzed or after surgery

Therapeutic Ultrasound

 Deep tissue warming used in combination with stretching, may also aid in tissue healing

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) 

Useful in reducing pain and inflammation

Sometimes your pet needs additional support and assistance. This may be for a short time or as an adaptation to a permanent disability. Dr. Ford will discuss the best assistive device for your pet's situation. He will also provide recommendations for specific braces or carts and measure your pet according to the manufacturer's specifications to ensure a proper fit. Dr. Ford will work with you and your pet to help them learn to move well with their brace or cart.

Do you wonder if your dog is eating too many times a day or not enough? Is your pet on a special diet but not losing weight? Are they on a prescription food but you're not sure what treats you can give them on your daily walks?



Proper nutrition is essential. Dr. Ford will discuss answers to your nutrition questions in detail and provide guidance with a personalized nutrition plan for your pet.  Whether the goal is to heal from an injury or to lose weight, he will formulate a complete nutrition plan, personalized for your pet, during your sessions together.

Zoom Again Rehab Established Clients:

Questions often come up after an appointment with your veterinarian. If exercises are becoming too easy or there is a noticeable change in your pet's mobility, answering your questions in between appointments helps to ensure we are all comfortable with the plan until the next scheduled visit. Please contact us by phone, email, or through our text line for established clients with questions.

Pet Owners Interested in Zoom Again Rehab:

We welcome your questions! Please call us, email us, or fill out our contact form. We love talking with you about your pets, listening to your concerns about their mobility challenges, and answering any questions you have about our services.

Please note, in accordance with North Carolina law, Dr. Ford cannot diagnose or provide treatment based on a telephone or video consultation.