Topic 4.2 Rehabilitation, Physical Conditioning and Return to Work

Following illness, injury or surgery, many assistance animals benefit from structured rehabilitation to restore physical function, reduce pain and safely return to their working role. Rehabilitation aims not only to promote healing but also to optimise strength, flexibility, endurance, coordination and confidence while minimising the risk of re-injury. For working assistance animals, rehabilitation should always prioritise long-term welfare over returning to work as quickly as possible.

Not every animal recovering from illness or injury requires formal rehabilitation. However, animals experiencing orthopaedic injuries, neurological conditions, prolonged inactivity or major surgery often benefit from targeted rehabilitation programs developed by veterinary professionals with expertise in rehabilitation medicine. Occupational therapists should understand the principles of rehabilitation and recognise when referral to appropriately qualified professionals may benefit both the animal and the handler.

What is Veterinary Rehabilitation?

Veterinary rehabilitation is the application of therapeutic interventions designed to improve physical function, reduce pain and support recovery following illness, injury or surgery. Rehabilitation combines veterinary assessment with evidence-based exercise, manual therapies and other modalities to improve mobility, restore function and enhance quality of life.

Rehabilitation programs are highly individualised and may address:

• Orthopaedic injuries
• Neurological disorders
• Chronic pain
• Arthritis
• Obesity
• Reduced mobility
• Age-related decline
• Recovery following surgery
• Sporting or working performance

Unlike human rehabilitation, veterinary rehabilitation relies heavily on careful observation of movement, behaviour and functional ability, as animals cannot verbally describe pain or limitations. Regular reassessment is therefore essential throughout the rehabilitation process.

Members of the Rehabilitation Team

Successful rehabilitation is multidisciplinary and may involve several professionals working collaboratively.

Depending on the animal’s needs, the rehabilitation team may include:

• General practice veterinarians
• Veterinary specialists
• Veterinary physiotherapists or physical rehabilitation practitioners
• Hydrotherapists
• Veterinary nurses
• Animal massage therapists
• Certified canine fitness professionals
• Behaviour professionals
• Occupational therapists supporting the handler
• The assistance animal trainer
• The handler and family members

Each professional contributes unique expertise while remaining within their own professional scope of practice. Clear communication between team members helps ensure rehabilitation goals remain realistic, coordinated and centred on the welfare of the assistance animal.

Physical Conditioning

Physical conditioning refers to maintaining or improving the physical fitness required for an assistance animal to safely perform its occupational role. Conditioning differs from rehabilitation, as it focuses on enhancing performance and preventing injury rather than recovering from existing disease or injury.

Well-conditioned assistance animals are generally better able to tolerate physical workloads, recover from exercise and maintain long-term musculoskeletal health.

Components of physical conditioning may include:

• Strength
• Cardiovascular fitness
• Endurance
• Flexibility
• Balance
• Coordination
• Proprioception
• Core stability

Conditioning programs should always be appropriate for the animal’s age, breed, health status and occupational demands. Sudden increases in workload should be avoided, as overtraining increases the risk of fatigue and injury.

Therapeutic Exercise

Therapeutic exercise forms the cornerstone of many rehabilitation programs. Exercises are selected to improve specific areas of function while avoiding excessive stress on healing tissues.

Examples may include controlled leash walking, balance exercises, weight-shifting activities, gentle strengthening exercises, flexibility exercises and low-impact conditioning.

Handlers should perform only those exercises prescribed or approved by the veterinary rehabilitation team. Exercises should never cause significant pain or distress, and progression should occur gradually according to veterinary recommendations.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is commonly used during veterinary rehabilitation because water provides buoyancy while reducing weight-bearing forces on joints and injured tissues. Water also provides gentle resistance that can improve strength, cardiovascular fitness and range of motion.

Hydrotherapy may involve underwater treadmills or controlled swimming, depending on the animal’s condition and rehabilitation goals.

Not all animals are suitable candidates for hydrotherapy. Veterinary assessment should always occur before commencing treatment, particularly following surgery or when open wounds, infections or certain medical conditions are present.

Monitoring Progress

Recovery should be monitored regularly to ensure rehabilitation goals are being achieved safely.

Indicators of positive progress may include:

• Improved mobility
• Increased endurance
• Better balance and coordination
• Greater willingness to move
• Reduced pain behaviours
• Improved task performance
• Return of normal gait
• Improved confidence

Conversely, worsening lameness, increasing fatigue, reluctance to exercise, behavioural changes or declining performance may indicate that rehabilitation programs require modification or veterinary reassessment.

Documentation of progress assists all members of the rehabilitation team to evaluate outcomes and make informed decisions regarding ongoing care.

Return to Work

Returning to work is an important milestone but should occur gradually and only after veterinary clearance where appropriate. Healing tissues often remain vulnerable even after outward signs of recovery have resolved. Returning too early may increase the likelihood of re-injury, chronic pain or permanent loss of function.

Return-to-work planning should consider both the physical and psychological readiness of the assistance animal. Some animals may initially require shorter working periods, reduced task demands or increased rest breaks before progressively resuming their normal workload.

Handlers should be encouraged to observe their assistance animal closely during this transition. Signs such as reluctance to perform trained tasks, reduced enthusiasm, altered gait, fatigue, pain behaviours or changes in temperament may indicate that progression is occurring too quickly.

Return-to-work decisions should always prioritise the long-term health and welfare of the assistance animal rather than the immediate occupational needs of the handler.

Preventing Re-Injury

Recovery does not conclude when an animal resumes work. Ongoing conditioning, appropriate workload management and regular veterinary review remain essential for maintaining long-term health.

Strategies that reduce the risk of re-injury include maintaining an appropriate body condition, providing regular physical conditioning, allowing adequate rest and recovery, avoiding excessive workloads, monitoring for early signs of discomfort and ensuring equipment remains correctly fitted and in good condition.

Supporting the handler to recognise subtle changes in movement, behaviour and performance may enable health concerns to be identified early, reducing the likelihood of more serious injury.

Occupational Therapy Considerations

Occupational therapists contribute to successful rehabilitation by supporting handlers to adapt occupations while their assistance animal recovers, facilitating collaboration with veterinary rehabilitation professionals and helping develop realistic return-to-work plans. They should understand the physical demands placed on assistance animals within different occupational contexts and advocate for gradual, welfare-centred progression back to work. By balancing the functional needs of the handler with the health and wellbeing of the assistance animal, occupational therapists help promote sustainable working partnerships and reduce the risk of future injury.