Pet therapist tech Laura Lefever treats black lab/whippet mix Evie with a therapeutic laser at Twinbrook Animal Clinic in Valencia on Tuesday. Both human and canine where eye protection during this procedure.

HARMONY — Pet rehabilitation centers, such as Pets in Harmony Veterinary Hospital, which is in Harmony, and Twinbrook Animal Clinic in Valencia, are starting a new trend in local animal care.

Laura Lefever, certified canine rehabilitation assistant, said there are many similarities between what physical therapy looks like for a person and what it looks like for the dogs she treats at Twinbrook.

“We use a lot of the equipment they use in human physical therapy,” Lefever said.

Twinbrook serves about 15 to 20 dogs weekly.

“(This is) one of only a few pet rehab places in the area,” Lefever said. “We have some people who come from two and a half hours away just to do our rehabilitation.”

Twinbrook expanded over the last 15 years, according to Kathryn Wozniak, the practice director.

“The older part was turned into a rehab department,” Wozniak said. “We've really increased.”

Pets who receive treatment vary, including those who have had surgery, cannot have surgery, or will have surgery in the future.

“We also do 'prehab' here, to build up muscularity before surgery,” said Lefever.

Lefever also said geriatric animal patients that are losing mobility or developing arthritis are often treated at Twinbrook.

Rehab such as that offered at Twinbrook and Pets in Harmony is also useful for “bad surgery candidates,” according to Meredith Wille, a licensed technician certified in canine rehabilitation and the manager of the Pets in Harmony rehab department, because it can alternatively strengthen and condition injured pets.

While rehabilitation usually isn't an alternative to surgery, it can be a useful supplement and help in the recovery process. Treatments at the clinics include therapeutic ultrasound, cold lasers, electro-stimulation, various exercises, land treadmills, at-home prescriptive exercises and underwater treadmills.

“Most of the things you do with people, we can do with animals,” said Wille of Pets in Harmony whose rehab department has been open since March 2017.

One of the more advanced tools both clinics have are underwater treadmill tanks, which cost an average of $40,000 to $50,000.

Twinbrook, which performs other veterinary services, including surgeries, flea and tick medication, prevention and wellness, grooming, and cat boarding, is one of very few clinics that also offers underwater treadmill therapy.

“Not everybody has (this),” Lefever said. “It takes a pretty big commitment — not only a financial investment but for space and time.”

Lefever said her clinic was always interested in obtaining an underwater treadmill, but space for the machine was a pressing issue for Twinbrook in the past.The hydrotherapy option is an effective and convenient tool, according to Wille at Pets in Harmony, because the tank removes weight restrictions while adding resistance to the pets' weaker areas.“(It's) an awesome tool to have available,” Wille said.Wille said the Harmony clinic recently helped Wild Bird Recovery rehabilitate a Canada goose suffering from a severe foot injury by using the underwater treadmill.Treatments can take anywhere from 15 minutes to more than an hour, and many of the patients at Twinbrook are given “homework” to strengthen the muscles outside weekly or biweekly visits.The Assisi Loop is one of these prescriptive measures, according to Lefever.It is a noninvasive, nonpharmaceutical method of treatment using electromagnetic pulses in 15-minute treatments to help promote blood flow.The relatively new product aims to alleviate pain and swelling caused by muscle injuries, neurological and degenerative disorders, inflammatory conditions and wound healing, and aid in post-surgical care.“It's a really great tool,” Lefever said.The loop, while not an alternative to surgery, can offer many of the same benefits of surgery or extensive physical therapy.With the loop, pets are often able to take less pain medication, which makes them and their owners happier and more secure in the rehabilitation therapy.The Twinbrook and Pets in Harmony clinics are both offering unique healing methods, Wille said, giving beloved pets chances at fuller lives.

Buddy walks in the underwater treadmill tank at Pets in Harmony Veterinary Hospital. More veterinary clinics are using physical therapy techniques and equipment developed for humans. Some pets needing rehab have had surgery or cannot have surgery.