Ruffian the champion show cat reclined on a fur pillow wearing tiny protective goggles to shield his eyes from the laser therapy being used to treat his inflamed joints.
Veterinary physiotherapist Kerry Kilgannon hovered a laser wand over Ruffian's hips one December morning while using a dangling cat treat to bribe the supine feline into submission. After laser therapy, Kilgannon worked Ruffian's sore muscles in a specialty massage as soothing spa music created a Zenlike atmosphere.
There are no thermometers in butts at this veterinary experience.
At Walking Paws Rehab in Denver and Boulder, Colorado, pets are treated to holistic and conventional rehabilitation services to help them recover from injuries.
If pets need orthotics, prosthetics or a wheelchair, Walking Paws Rehab can help. If they need diagnostic ultrasound, or wound culture, Walking Paws has that covered.
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On the less conventional side, the rehab also offers acupuncture, whole-body vibration plates, underwater treadmill therapy, exercise routines, weight-loss programs and even hot-stone massages.
"I was unsure if this concept of starting a practice focusing on diagnosing injuries and pain management and physical therapy and thinking about the patient as a whole, combining traditional medicine with holistic, was going to work out," said Danyel Wynn, owner of Walking Paws Rehab. "I was unsure if it was going to be a flop. It wasn't. It took off."
A growing demand
Wynn's practice, which opened in Boulder in 2016, has grown to 12 doctors with a new Denver location.
The growth aligns with Americans' ever-increasing financial devotion to their animal companions.
In 2013, Americans spent about $57.8 billion on pet expenditures, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By the end of 2021, that figure rose to $102.8 billion -- a 78% increase in eight years, according to the bureau's most recent data.
Consumers spent more on pet-related purchases than recreational reading materials ($15.2 billion), alcohol ($73.8 billion) and women's clothing ($87.9 billion).
At Walking Paws Rehab, an initial appointment is $395 for a two-hour consultation. If this is all folks can afford, Wynn said her practice will teach the person how to best help their pet recover at home. Subsequent hourlong appointments cost $200 per visit. Pet insurance is accepted and encouraged.
'Playing like a puppy again'
Judging by the way Ruffian melted into Walking Paws' fur pillow, he was pretty happy with the gift of massage, too.
A few years ago, the Maine Coon cat was diagnosed with medial humeral epicondylitis, a condition in cats in which mineral deposits develop around the elbow joints and can cause pain. Ruffian's owner, Carly Forest, joked he had kitty golfer's elbow.
Ruffian had surgery to treat his condition and went to Walking Paws Rehab for recovery. The cat got muscle strength back through underwater treadmill exercises that allowed him to walk without as much pressure on his recovering elbow.
While Ruffian got his rubdown in the massage room, Juno the dog was outside in the main room licking peanut butter off a spatula while walking on an underwater treadmill.
Juno had the dog equivalent of an anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, tear. To aid in Juno's surgery recovery, her owner Lexie Van Buskirk was referred by her primary care vet to Walking Paws.
"It's completely changed the game for her," Van Buskirk said. "It's made a huge difference. She's playing like a puppy again. I don't think we'll ever stop coming."
Dedication to patients
The veterinarians at Walking Paws went through traditional veterinary education and then additional schooling to become rehabilitation certified. Some of the doctors went on to get specialty certifications in massage therapy and acupuncture, as well, Wynn said.
More unconventional practices like dog and cat hot-stone massages came from Wynn's own experiences.
"Like getting massages myself and being like, 'This feels great. Why aren't we doing this to our pets?'" Wynn said.
Walking Paws' specialty veterinary services are an up-and-coming sector of the industry, Wynn said.
Some veterinarians don't even know a practice like Walking Paws exists -- yet.
"It's successful because we take our time with a patient," Wynn said. "The whole concept of starting the practice was focused on practicing our best medicine, giving that person in front of you the time to hear what they're going through, what their pet needs, and work together with them and collaborate to come up with a plan that will lead to good results."
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