Personalized, evidence-based physical therapy designed to reduce pain, restore mobility, and help aging dogs move comfortably again.
Arthritis is a natural part of aging, but pain and stiffness don’t have to be. At The K9PT, we bridge the gap between traditional veterinary care and proactive physical therapy—helping your dog move better, feel better, and enjoy their golden years with less reliance on pain medication.
Traditional veterinary medicine can at times oversee how to help dogs dealing with arthritis as they age. Truth is arthritis is a normal part of the aging process, and just like us our pups also go through it. What makes a difference is how we manage it, and at The K9PT we are known to help bridge the gap between traditional veterinary medicine and what you need to do to help your aging dog so they can enjoy their golden years without over relying on pain medication.
Arthritis is a chronic condition that over time can lead towards inflammation, pain, stiffness, and soreness along a joint. It happens more traditionally in major joints, such as the dog’s hips, stifle, or elbows, and in order to help our pups we need to understand and break the cycle of arthritis.
When we see our precious pups slowing down, we may be tempted to let them take it easy. Unfortunately, that will likely result in a negative cycle because as we help them more and more, they move less and less, and ultimately, they end up feeling worse. This creates a “snowball effect” and the best way to intervene is to decrease the pain and inflammation while building a progressive exercise program.
Through our proven framework, we will start by helping them feel better and move better, before working with you to gradually build an exercise routine at home that will build up strength. Consistency is key, and because of that we work to empower the pet parent to learn what to do at home, both for short and long-term goals.
Lifelong Mobility Starts with Movement
Research consistently shows that regular physical activity helps humans avoid chronic diseases and early mortality—and dogs can enjoy similar benefits!
Whether your dog has always been a couch potato or a fetch enthusiast, staying active is key to their long-term health. Keeping them moving supports their overall well-being and vitality.
When Less Movement Causes More Problems
As our dogs age and slow down, it’s natural to want to help them by doing more for them, especially if they seem to be in pain. However, this well-meaning assistance can backfire.
Helping too much may lead to less movement, creating a cycle where their mobility declines further, worsening conditions like arthritis.
Breaking the Inactivity Cycle
The great news? Even if your dog has arthritis, they can still improve their mobility! Regular, gentle physical activity tailored to their needs can help reduce stiffness, strengthen joints, and boost their energy.
By encouraging movement, you can help your pup regain confidence and comfort in their daily activities.
At TheK9PT, we go beyond temporary relief by addressing the root cause of joint and muscle tightness—movement dysfunction. Learn why treatments like acupuncture, chiropractic care, and underwater treadmills fall short, and how our tailored home exercise plans can keep your pup active, strong, and happy well into their golden years.
The best way to get your pup moving again—whether it’s going on walks, climbing stairs, or jumping on the bed—is through a progressive, tailored exercise program. While treatments like acupuncture and chiropractic care can provide short-term relief, they don’t address the root issue: movement dysfunction.
At TheK9PT, our focus is on long-term results through home exercise programs that empower pet parents to help their dogs stay active and healthy as they age.
You may have heard that hydrotherapy or underwater treadmill is great for senior dogs. The idea is that water reduces gravity’s impact, making movement easier.
While this can help certain neurological patients, research doesn’t support it as a superior option to land-based exercise. The truth is, underwater treadmills often lack one key factor for true recovery and strength building: progressive loading.
In human sports medicine, it’s well-proven that muscles and tendons need gradual, increasing resistance to grow stronger. This principle applies to dogs too.
The buoyancy in water therapy reduces the load on muscles, making it ineffective for building strength. That’s why our land-based, progressively loaded exercise programs are designed to truly improve mobility and long-term health in senior dogs.
TheK9PT is Chicago’s top-rated dog physical therapy clinic, established in 2017 with a state-of-the-art facility opened in 2020.
Our fear-free, positive reinforcement approach ensures every dog has their own private treatment room — free from contact with other dogs. We focus on comfort, trust, and individualized care.
Conveniently located in the Mayfair / Irving Park neighborhood, just half a mile from I-94, our clinic is easily accessible throughout Chicagoland.
We offer FREE on-site parking with two exclusive spots directly in front of the clinic, and our team is always happy to assist with your pet’s entry or exit if needed.
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Private, Fear-Free Treatment Facility
Download this FREE newsletter packed with educational resources to help you support your senior dog through arthritis, progressive weakness, and everyday mobility challenges. Arthritis is a natural part of aging— how we manage it can make all the difference.
A comprehensive guide for pet parents supporting dogs with arthritis through safe, effective, movement-based physical therapy.
Download →Hear directly from pet parents whose dogs regained mobility, confidence, and quality of life through canine rehabilitation at TheK9PT.
“Francisco is the best!! His knowledge and dedication to his patients is outstanding! Just when I thought my girl Roxy didn’t have any options to function normally, in just a short amount of time he helped get her walking and jumping again. She is living the dream at 11 years thanks to his guidance!”
“As one of our dogs has aged, it was very easy to go down the path of he is just getting old. However our vet and friends suggested physical therapy. We asked around various members of the dog community and they all spoke highly of Francisco. He came to our house, on our schedule, and spent time getting to know our dog and his challenges. We noticed the difference within weeks. Our 14.5 year old pup is really feeling the benefits!”
“Just a great experience. We worried about our aging Boxer, but after an extensive evaluation, we learned he was living with arthritis. TheK9PT offered a comprehensive plan to treat the condition and build up muscle and resistance against old age. Highly recommend his services and such a nice person!”
