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Exercise Therapy

Exercise therapy plays a vital role in maintaining and restoring function in both healthy and recuperating animal patients. Whether the goal is to build strength, improve weight bearing, enhance flexibility and joint use, retrain gait, or manage chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, a structured and progressive program is key, not just during recovery, but for long-term health and performance. Working with a qualified veterinary physiotherapist ensures that exercises are tailored to the individual animal’s condition, capabilities, and stage of life or recovery. These professionals are trained to assess movement, monitor progress, and make evidence-based adjustments to optimise outcomes, minimise injury risk, and support lifelong function and comfort.

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Visit our Learning Hub for resources tailored to vets, vet nurses, rehabilitation professionals, and owners,

exploring how physiotherapy can transform animal lives

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Training Principles

specificity

Exercises should target the specific condition, area, or functional goal (e.g., gait retraining vs. joint strengthening).

progressive load

Gradually increase intensity or complexity to build strength and resilience, under professional supervision.

Components of Fitness

Muscular Strength & Power

Strengthening exercises help rebuild muscle mass, support joint stability, and improve functional movement. 

muscular endurance

Low-intensity, repetitive exercise improves stamina, especially important for aging or chronically affected animals.

Exercise Prescription

References​

  • Goff, L. (2016). Animal physiotherapy: Assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of animals (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

  • Millis, D. L., & Levine, D. (2022). Canine rehabilitation and physical therapy (3rd ed.). Elsevier.

  • Van Dyke, J. B. (2020). Practical physiotherapy for small animal practice (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

  • Zink, C. M., & Van Dyke, J. B. (2013). Canine sports medicine and rehabilitation. Wiley-Blackwell.

  • Clayton, H. M., & Stubbs, N. C. (2016). Conditioning sport horses. Sport Horse Publications.

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