Why FitPAWS®? Here are a few reasons!
FitPAWS® equipment is a great choice if you’re looking to do more therapeutic exercises at home with your dog.
As a small animal surgeon and canine rehabilitation specialist, Dr. Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, MS, Ph.D., CCRT, DACVS, DACVSMR, founder of CARE, is a firm believer that regular, low-impact exercise can help most dogs stay healthy and active for many years.
For her own patients, she recommends home exercise programs that incorporate many of the same therapeutic exercises she uses when doing formal rehabilitation. While there are many home exercises that dog owners can work on that don’t require equipment (see backward walking and play bow as examples), other helpful exercises are more effective when combined with specific equipment.
Dr. Kirkby Shaw has used FitPAWS® balance equipment for years with her patients and her own dogs. She recommends the products to her clients as a trusted manufacturer of quality equipment with great customer service. CARE only sells and recommends products that Dr. Kirkby Shaw trusts for her own dogs, and we are proud to offer FitPAWS® products to help more dogs live long, healthy, active lives.
Building your dog’s home gym with FitPAWS®
If your veterinarian or rehabilitation therapist has prescribed therapeutic exercises to help your dog work on strength, balance, or mobility, you’ll want to have a few pieces on hand in your dog’s home gym for the best results.
If you could only have one piece of equipment at home, Dr. Kirkby Shaw would recommend a BOSU, (which is not a FitPAWS® product). If you are looking for a more complete home gym, she would recommend getting a:
- BOSU
- K9FitBone (Watch this for exercise ideas)
- Balance pad (Video)
- Balance disc (Video)
- Hurdle Set
Working on therapeutic exercises at home can help manage your dog’s pain and keep them active, but it’s also a great way to have fun and give your dog some mental stimulation as well!
NOTE: Please remember to talk to your veterinarian about which exercises are best for your dog. Please also read our Principles of Therapeutic Exercise prior to starting any exercise program.