First rehab session

Today was my first day of rehab at Integrative Pet Care. I was scheduled for some therapeutic exercise and some time on the underwater treadmill. I was way psyched when I arrived as my agility pal Ryder was there too. He and his brother were in for their acupuncture treatments, no needles for me, thanks. Dr. Molly Flaherty worked with me today. She was super nice and really patient with me when I wouldn't listen to her. He he!

We did all kinds of stretching exercises. Dr. Flaherty worked real hard on my hind legs since my soft tissue problem is in my right hind leg. She found that I was more agreeable to stretching when a treat was involved!
See, I'll give her good form for a treat!
We tried out several different things, some to stretch, others to simply use my sore muscles.
Then, Dr. Flaherty brought out the ball. Big mistake. Mom has one of these at home, and I attack it whenever she brings it out, so you know I wasn't going to do these stretches nicely! I was wiggly and tried to bite the ball, very unruly. He he!
Finally, Dad got me to calm down and we stretched me out. Ahhhh, that feels good, now on to the water!
I was a bit apprehensive about getting into the treadmill tank, but then Dr. Flaherty filled it up with warm water and it felt (and tasted) so good! We did some walking, and we will build up to running on the treadmill.

Here I am walking nice and slow. This is way weird and it took me awhile to get used to it.

After walking on the treadmill, Dr. Flaherty turned on the whirlpool jets and rubbed me down while the jets worked on my muscles. My fellow dogs, I highly recommend this. It was like being at the doggie spa! I was a bit nervous when the bubbles first came up, but then realized they were just part of the water.
After my time in the chlorinated water, they gave me a yucky shower to rinse me off. I didn't like this at all, but Mom and Dad said to suck it up, so I did.

I'm going back on Saturday for an ultrasound treatment and then more treadmill. I think I'm liking this rehab thing, but now I am super tired. Good night all, I'm off to bed!

'till next time,
Kirby