Stretch & Fetch Animal Rehabilitation Centre

07/01/2025

Look at this good boy living his best life in our underwater treadmill! 💦🐶

Hydrotherapy isn’t just adorable (though clearly it is)—it’s an amazing way to help dogs build strength, improve mobility, and recover from injuries while keeping stress off their joints. The water provides gentle resistance while supporting their body, so it’s kind of like a workout and a spa session all in one!

Whether your pup is bouncing back from surgery, managing arthritis, or just needs a little extra support to stay active, our underwater treadmill might be their new favourite place.

🐾 Because rehab should feel good.

06/30/2025

“My dog isn’t limping, so they must be fine…”
Not necessarily.

Dogs are incredibly stoic — they often mask pain to avoid appearing vulnerable (a natural survival instinct). Limping is just one sign, and often not the first.

Here are 5 subtle signs your dog might be in pain without limping:

🔹 Hesitation to climb stairs or jump into the car
🔹 Slowing down on walks or after play
🔹 Changes in posture or gait
🔹 Excessive licking of a joint or limb
🔹 Mood or behaviour changes (irritability, withdrawal)

🚨 By the time limping appears, your dog may have been uncomfortable for a while. Early intervention can prevent long-term damage.

At Stretch & Fetch, our team specializes in spotting the early signs of pain and mobility issues — even before limping begins.

💬 Concerned about your dog’s movement or behaviour? Let’s talk.

📞 Book a mobility assessment today!

06/17/2025

Is your dog slowing down, limping, or just not moving like they used to? It might be time to explore laser therapy.

This sweet pup is enjoying one of our laser therapy sessions—a non-invasive, soothing treatment that uses light energy to reduce pain and inflammation and help the body heal faster. It’s gentle, relaxing, and most importantly, effective.

🔹 How does it work?
Laser therapy (also called photobiomodulation) works by delivering specific wavelengths of light into tissues, stimulating cellular activity, increasing circulation, and encouraging natural healing processes. It’s particularly effective for conditions like:

📍Arthritis and joint pain
📍Soft tissue injuries (like sprains or strains)
📍Back pain or IVDD
📍Wounds or lick granulomas
📍Recovery from surgery or injury

🔹 Why include laser therapy in a rehab plan?
Because pain relief = better movement.
And better movement = faster, stronger recovery. Whether your dog is recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or simply getting older and stiffer, laser therapy can be a powerful tool to improve their quality of life.

At Stretch & Fetch Rehab, we use laser therapy as part of our integrative rehabilitation approach—because we believe every dog deserves to move through life with comfort and confidence.

🐾 If your dog is showing signs of pain, stiffness, or mobility issues, don’t wait. Book a rehab assessment today and find out how we can help your pup feel better and get back to doing what they love.

✨ DM us or visit our website to get started!

06/14/2025

💥We really wish we had better BEFORE photos of this one! You'll have to trust us.

When Bella first came to us, she was struggling with persistent lick granulomas—those raw, inflamed sores that form from constant licking. They’re commonly dismissed as being caused by anxiety, boredom, or allergies, but in Bella’s case, something deeper was going on.

As a pup, Bella broke her leg. While the bone healed well with veterinary care, her story didn’t end there. What many people don’t realize is that even after a fracture heals on X-rays, the body often still needs help returning to full function. Pain, muscle imbalance, and compensatory movement patterns can linger long after the injury “heals”—and for Bella, that pain showed up in the form of obsessive licking.

Her family tried everything to stop her from licking—cones, boots, bandages, creams—but the granuloma kept coming back. That’s when they turned to us.

After a thorough rehab assessment, we discovered that the leg she had broken was still causing her discomfort. Bella wasn’t licking out of anxiety—she was trying to tell us she hurt. Through a customized rehab plan focused on pain relief, strengthening, and improving her mobility, we were able to get to the root of the issue.

Today, we’re so happy to say Bella is lick granuloma free—and more importantly, she’s running and playing pain-free for the first time in a long time.

🐾 If your dog is obsessively licking a certain spot—especially a limb—don’t just assume it’s behavioural. Lingering pain from old injuries or joint dysfunction is often the missing piece. Addressing the cause instead of just the symptom can make all the difference.

We’re so proud of Bella and so grateful her family trusted us to help her feel better. 💜

06/11/2025

Why Regular, Structured Fitness is Important for All Dogs

Structured exercise isn't just for sporting or performance dogs — every pet dog can benefit from a consistent fitness routine! 💪

✅ Maintains a Healthy Weight – Reduces risk of obesity-related diseases
✅ Strengthens Muscles & Joints – Important for injury prevention and aging gracefully
✅ Boosts Mental Health – Helps manage anxiety and reduce destructive behaviors
✅ Improves Mobility – Keeps dogs agile, balanced, and active
✅ Enhances Quality of Life – A fit dog is a happy, healthy dog at any age or breed

Whether your pup is a couch companion or a weekend warrior, regular fitness sessions (beyond casual playtime) help support their long-term wellness.

Not sure where to start? Ask us about safe, structured fitness options tailored for your dog!

06/11/2025

✨ Meet Jenna, Our Student Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner! ✨

We’re so excited to welcome Jenna to the Stretch & Fetch team! As a Registered Veterinary Technician and current student of canine rehabilitation, Jenna brings passion, positivity, and a deep commitment to helping pets feel their best.

Jenna first discovered her interest in rehab during her RVT training, but it truly clicked while working at an orthopedic veterinary practice. There, she saw firsthand the difference that rehabilitation makes—not just in surgical recovery, but in a pet’s overall mobility, comfort, and happiness.

What Jenna loves most about her job? Helping pets move freely and pain-free while offering peace of mind to their devoted humans. She’s especially drawn to gym-based exercises and is constantly impressed by how much our patients know and are willing to learn.

As she embarks on her canine rehab certification, Jenna is eager to grow her skills and support every dog she meets on their journey toward better mobility and quality of life.

At home, Jenna is surrounded by a sweet little crew of rescues: her cat Gracie, who’s been with her since school days and knows a few tricks; Ivy, a playful kitten who stole her heart at work; and Tilly the pug, her sassy sidekick with permanently luxated patellas and a big personality.

Outside the clinic, you’ll often find Jenna exploring the outdoors with Tilly or capturing beautiful moments behind the lens with her camera.

We’re thrilled to have Jenna on board—her compassion, curiosity, and drive make her a wonderful part of our growing rehab family!

06/06/2025

✨OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) series part 5✨

If you haven't checked out part 1-4 yet, scroll back in our feed!

Your pet has arthritis—now what?
Good news: there are ways to help them feel better! 🐾

The key? Multi-modal treatment.
Instead of trying one thing at a time, combining therapies often gives the best results—especially when started early.

Here’s how we can help manage arthritis, reduce flare-ups, and slow progression:
✔️ Lifestyle management (low-impact activity only!)
✔️ Laser therapy
✔️ PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic therapy)
✔️ Shockwave therapy
✔️ Spinal manipulative therapy
✔️ Targeted therapeutic exercises
✔️ Hydrotherapy
✔️ Supplements

Let’s keep your pet moving comfortably! 💙

We're here to support you every step of the way—book a consult today to get started on a personalized arthritis management plan.

06/04/2025

🌟 Patient of the Month: SCOUT!

This sweet little lady has been through a big journey—and come out the other side stronger than ever!

Scout originally came to us with bilateral cruciate ligament disease. With a strong conservative rehab plan, she did incredibly well for quite some time, avoiding surgery and staying active.

Eventually, after a set back her mobility started to decline and she couldn’t fully enjoy her favourite activities, her dedicated family decided it was time to explore surgical options.

We referred Scout to a trusted rehabilitation and sports medicine specialist, where she underwent a TPLO surgery on one knee—followed by a second surgery on the other side a few months later after successful initial rehab.

Today, you’d never guess Scout had surgery on both knees. She’s back to doing what she loves—running through the bush, playing, and living life to the fullest!

While we’ll miss seeing Scout and her wonderful family in the clinic, we’re beyond proud to announce that she has officially graduated from her rehabilitation program! 🐾🎓

Way to go, Scout! Your resilience and spirit have been inspiring, and it’s been an honour to be part of your recovery.

—
Have a pup dealing with cruciate disease or mobility concerns? Let’s talk about how rehab can help—whether you’re trying to avoid surgery or recover from one.

06/03/2025

🐾 Did You Know?

Hydrotherapy isn't just for humans — it can work wonders for our furry friends too!

Dogs that can benefit from hydrotherapy include:

🔹Arthritic pups – Water takes pressure off their joints while improving mobility.
🔹Post-surgery dogs – It helps them recover strength and coordination safely.
🔹Overweight dogs – A low-impact way to burn calories and build muscle.
🔹Senior dogs – Keeps them active without overstraining aging bodies.
🔹Sport or working dogs – Maintains peak physical condition and prevents injuries.

💦Whether it’s a gentle swim or an underwater treadmill session, hydrotherapy offers a safe, effective path to better health!

05/20/2025

We’re proud to support our local community and the Prince George Cycling Club by sponsoring a section of trail that so many two- and four-legged adventurers enjoy.

We specifically chose to sponsor Talladega Knight—Prince George’s first adaptive-friendly mountain bike trail—because inclusion and mobility are close to our hearts. Just like this trail opens up opportunities for more riders, our rehab programs are all about helping dogs of all abilities move better, feel better, and stay active.

At Stretch & Fetch Rehab, we’re passionate about helping active dogs stay strong, mobile, and injury-free—whether they’re running alongside your bike or tearing up the trails on their own four paws. Strength and conditioning programs aren’t just for recovery—they’re an important part of prevention too.

If you and your pup spot our sign out on the trails, snap a pic and tag us—we’d love to see your active dogs in action and feel the community support!

Don't forget to purchase your yearly Prince George Cycling Club membership!

05/08/2025

The PG Humane Society is having a 50/50 Ruffle that gives you a chance to win up $75,000 while supporting our furry friends in need!

We got our tickets - make sure you get yours!

Join thousands of community organizations - big and small - who raise more funds for their worthy causes with Rafflebox.

05/05/2025

Meet Cooper, one of the newest (and most handsome!) members of our rehabilitation family. 🐾 This sweet senior came to us after his owners noticed he was having trouble rising, jumping onto the couch, and occasionally limping on his right hind leg.

During his initial consultation, Dr. Mann performed a thorough, nose-to-tail assessment — and it’s a good thing we did. In addition to concerns with his right hind limb, we also identified discomfort in his left hip, left elbow, carpal joints, and multiple muscles. This is a perfect example of why a full-body examination is crucial in rehab care. If we had only looked at the right hind leg, many of these areas could have been missed — and Cooper wouldn’t get the comprehensive support he deserves.

Cooper has now begun his personalized rehabilitation journey, and we’re so excited to see the progress he’ll make in the weeks to come. 💪🐶

If your dog is slowing down, showing signs of discomfort, or just not moving like they used to, we’re here to help. Let’s work together to get them back to feeling their best.