Is Integrative Rehab Right for Your Pet? Here's Everything You Need to Know

Animals Only Team
Jun 22
6 min read

Updated: Jun 22

SELF-CARE FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND

At Animals Only, we believe every pet deserves to feel strong, mobile, and happy—whether they’re recovering from an injury, dealing with chronic pain, or just need some extra help staying active as they age. That’s why we specialize in high-quality integrative rehabilitation and “self-care” treatments for pets.

Our mission is simple: to offer compassionate, customized care that supports your pet’s physical and emotional well-being. Whether your pet is young and recovering, senior and slowing down, or somewhere in between, we’re here to help.

We offer high-quality integrative rehabilitation and “self-care” treatments to pets—because your best friend deserves more than just routine care. They deserve thoughtful, tailored support for a life full of family adventures, delicious treats, and long naps on the couch.

Let’s walk through the most common questions we get asked and how we can help your pet thrive. We’ll also take a closer look at what integrative rehab really means—and how it can benefit your furry best friend.

💡 What is Integrative Rehabilitation?

Integrative rehabilitation combines the best of Western and Eastern medicine to promote healing, manage pain, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life. Think of it as physical therapy—but with extra tools in the toolbox. Integrative medicine is where modern science meets ancient healing. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we tailor treatments to your pet’s unique needs—giving them the best of both worlds.

Western treatments include:

Laser therapy
Hydrotherapy
Shockwave therapy
Prescription medications
Therapeutic gym exercises
Kinesiology tape
Electrical-based therapies like e-stim (electrical stimulation)

Eastern treatments (sometimes called holistic or alternative) include:

Acupuncture
Chiropractic care
Myofascial massage
Joint mobilization technique
Herbal supplements

Using these approaches together allows us to address your pet’s pain and mobility from multiple angles—treating the root causes of discomfort, not just the symptoms.

👉 Why it matters: This approach can help reduce reliance on medications, minimize side effects, and offer more well-rounded, sustainable healing—especially for chronic conditions or recovery after surgery.

🐶 What Pets Do We Treat?

At Animals Only, we treat dogs and cats of all ages and stages. From young athletes to senior snuggle-bugs, our treatments can help pets with:

Arthritis and joint issues
Post-surgical recovery (e.g. TPLO, spine surgery, soft tissue injuries)
Weight management challenges
Mobility issues and muscle weakness
Neurological conditions
Chronic pain
General aging-related decline

We’re here Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (closed for lunch from 1:00–2:00 PM). We don’t offer emergency or urgent care services, but we’ll happily recommend a trusted clinic if your pet needs immediate help.

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🧘 Self-Care Services: What Kinds of Services Do You Offer?

Whether your dog’s gait is off, your cat’s gained a little too much "fluff," or your senior pet is struggling with everyday movements, we’ve got a wide range of rehab services to help. Every treatment plan is as unique as your pet. After a thorough 90-minute initial consultation (no treatments during this visit), we’ll develop a plan to support your pet’s specific needs and adjust it as they progress. Our services are designed to treat the whole pet—body and mind. Here are just a few of the therapeutic options we offer:

Therapeutic gym exercises: Targets specific muscle groups for strengthening, improves joint range of motion, and prepares the body for dynamic daily activities.
Hydrotherapy: Low-impact exercise in warm water to improve strength and flexibility without straining joints.
Laser therapy: Reduces inflammation and pain, promotes tissue healing.
Shockwave therapy: Breaks up scar tissue, stimulates blood flow, and reduces pain for chronic conditions.
Chiropractic: Restores alignment and balance in the body and nervous system for better mobility and comfort.
Acupuncture: Directly stimulates nerves and releases muscle tension for better whole body function.
Myofascial massage and joint mobilization: Eases tight muscles, improves range of motion, and supports the healing process.
Custom braces and support devices: Helps pets with mobility challenges move more comfortably and safely.

Every treatment plan is uniquely designed for your pet, based on their condition, temperament, and your lifestyle.

👉 Did you know? Pets don’t just benefit physically from these treatments—they often become more relaxed, happy, and engaged with life again. Some even get the zoomies after a good laser session!

❓ Is Integrative Care Right for My Pet - How Do I Know?

If you're looking to reduce your pet’s reliance on pharmaceutical meds or want to prevent age-related decline, integrative care may be a great fit. If your pet is experiencing any of the following, they may benefit from integrative rehab:

Limping or stiffness
Difficulty walking or getting up
Muscle loss or weakness
Weight gain
Disinterest in play or walks
Slower recovery from exercise
Pain when touched or picked up
Recovering from surgery or injury
Neurological changes or mobility issues

If your instinct says “something’s not right,” you're probably onto something. Rehab is often the missing piece in helping pets get back to feeling like themselves again. Basically, if your pet’s behavior or movement has changed, it’s worth checking in.

💬 What to Expect at Your First Visit

Our initial consultation is 90 minutes of focused care and discovery. We’ll perform:

A full general, orthopedic, and neurological exam
A detailed review of your pet’s medical history
A discussion of your goals and observations
A customized care plan (with no treatments done that day)

You’ll also receive recommendations for:

At-home therapies (compresses, exercises, supplements)
Nutrition and weight management
Environmental modifications to make daily life easier for your pet

Bonus: You’ll leave with a detailed care guide tailored just for your pet.

We love collaboration and are happy to work with your primary care vet or surgical specialist to coordinate the best possible care.

🧠 Fear-Free, Pet-Approved

Some might ask, “What about if my pet gets nervous? We totally get it—some pets aren’t exactly fans of vet visits. We’ve worked with many anxious or reactive animals and use fear-free strategies like relaxing music, high-value treats, and minimal handling to make the experience as chill as possible. Herbal supplements or medications can also be discussed to keep things smooth and stress-free.

We know vet visits can be stressful for some pets (and their people). That’s why our clinic is designed with calm, comfort, and safety in mind. We use:

Low-stress handling
Soothing music
High-value treats
Individual treatment rooms
Herbal calming aids or medications, if needed

Many of our patients come in nervous but leave happy—and even excited to come back.

💸 Let’s Talk Cost & Insurance

Our treatment pricing is available on our website. While we don’t take direct payment from insurance providers, many of our services are reimbursable. We’ll provide a detailed receipt to help you submit a claim.

We’re upfront about pricing (check our website for treatment-specific costs), and we offer:

10% off packages of 10 sessions for laser, hydrotherapy, shockwave, or gym
Itemized receipts for insurance reimbursement
Payment options including credit cards, debit cards, Care Credit, and Scratch Pay

We accept credit cards, debit cards, Care Credit, and Scratch Pay. And yes, we do offer package deals (10% off bundles of 10 for laser, hydrotherapy, shockwave, and gym sessions). Because healing shouldn’t break the bank.

📅 How to Schedule an Appointment

Call us at 619-800-0617 to book your first consultation. We don’t accept walk-ins because we prep in advance to provide personalized, high-quality care for every pet. Your pet deserves nothing less!

Yes—we’re accepting new patients, but heads-up—we might need to add you to a waitlist if we’re fully booked.

For your first visit, bring any preferred treats (especially if your pet has dietary restrictions) and leave the other fur-siblings at home so your pet can focus. We’ll take time to evaluate their neurological, orthopedic, and general health before crafting a personalized care plan for home and clinic.

🧑‍⚕️How Do You Work With My Regular Vet?

We believe in team care. We review your pet’s medical history and share our findings and rehab plans with your primary or specialty veterinarian. Collaboration = better outcomes. That’s why we take the time to carefully review your pet’s full medical history and ensure that our rehabilitation plans align with their overall treatment.

We collaborate closely with your primary veterinarian, and when needed, any specialists involved in your pet’s care. By working as a united team, we’re able to create a more comprehensive, consistent, and personalized approach—leading to better outcomes, faster recovery, and a happier, healthier pet.

🐾 Final Thoughts: Self-Care Isn’t Just for Humans

SELF-CARE FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND isn’t just a tagline—it’s our promise to provide thoughtful, integrative care that helps pets thrive.

At Animals Only, we believe healing is a journey. Let’s take the next step together—toward a happier, healthier life for your pet - one tail wag, purr, or happy trot at a time.