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Physiotherapy for Dogs

Our dog physiotherapy uses gentle, targeted rehabilitation to restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve quality of life.

What is Veterinary Physiotherapy for dogs?

Dog physiotherapy is a safe, hands-on, clinically proven approach used to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and joint function.

It helps manage pain, support healing, and improve mobility in dogs of all ages. From young active dogs to seniors starting to slow down.

At The Village Vet, every physiotherapy program is tailored to your pet’s specific needs. Treatment may include:

Mobility work
Strengthening exercises
Balance and proprioception training
Massage and heat therapy
Range-of-motion exercises
Structured rehabilitation plans

Physiotherapy can be used on its own or alongside other treatments, including medication, laser therapy, and your dog’s broader health plan.

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When does a dog need physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy can make a significant difference when your dog is not moving as comfortably as they used to, caused by a range of reasons.

It is commonly recommended for dogs who are:

Slowing down, stiff, or sore
Struggling to get up, jump, or climb stairs
Recovering from surgery
Living with arthritis or chronic joint disease
Showing muscle weakness or imbalance
Experiencing back, hip, or knee discomfort
Losing mobility as they age
Active or working dogs prone to overuse injuries
Recovering from soft tissue injuries or flare-ups

Physio focuses on addressing the underlying cause of discomfort, not just managing symptoms.

What conditions can dog physiotherapy help with?

We commonly treat:

Hip or knee arthritis
Cruciate ligament injuries and post-surgical recovery
Back pain and spinal mobility issues
Muscle strains and soft-tissue injuries
Joint stiffness and reduced flexibility
Neurological weakness requiring proprioception training
Senior dogs losing stability or strength
Weight-bearing issues after injury

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What happens during a dog physiotherapy session?

Each session is tailored to your dog’s condition, comfort, and mobility goals.

Manual therapies

Targeted massage
Heat therapy for pain relief
Passive range-of-motion movements (knee and hip PROM)

Strength & conditioning

Sit-to-stand exercises (hip and hindlimb strength)
Rear limb strengthening
Structured muscle-building programs
Progressive week-by-week plans

Balance & proprioception training

Cushion work and wobble exercises
Cavaletti poles
Walking over raised or unstable surfaces
Figure-8 coordination work

Mobility retraining

Backwards walking
Controlled stepping routines
Weight-shifting exercises
Stretching for spinal and trunk flexibility

Enquire About Our Physiotherapy Programs

Supporting your dog at home

Ongoing progress doesn’t just happen in the clinic.

All physiotherapy patients receive clear, easy-to-follow home programs, including:

step-by-step exercises
progressions
weekly checklists

This allows you to confidently continue your dog’s care at home and get the best results from treatment.

A whole-health approach to rehabilitation

At The Village Vet, physiotherapy is part of a broader rehabilitation approach.

We often combine:

physiotherapy
laser therapy
veterinary assessment and pain management

This allows us to create a complete, patient-centred plan focused on long-term mobility, comfort, and quality of life.

About Our Rehab Team

At The Village Vet, our rehabilitation team works closely to combine physiotherapy, laser therapy, and tailored veterinary care into a single, holistic, patient-centred plan.

Meet Our Vets & Nurses

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The Village Vet

At The Village Vet Clinics, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality vet services. Throughout all stages of your pet’s life, our compassionate and experienced team ensures your pet receives the best possible care. With cutting-edge equipment and a full range of facilities under one roof, you can trust us to offer expert recommendations and treatments tailored to your pet’s unique needs, no matter what your financial circumstances are. We strive to help your beloved pets live life to the fullest.

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Why Choose us as your Vet?

Truly personal, Non-corporate care

Independent, family-owned, and community-driven. No corporate agendas. Just honest, personalised care tailored to each family’s individual needs and budget.

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State of the art facilities

Advanced diagnostic imaging, surgical technology, in-house labs, and everything you’d expect from a much larger hospital. All delivered with genuine warmth and personal attention.

Our Facilities

Fear Free-Inspired Care & Certified Calm Clinic

Every visit is designed to minimise stress and anxiety. Purpose built clinic designs, gentle handling, calming techniques, and a team trained in low-stress care makes all the difference.

About Fear Free Vets

Award winning

Three time Local Business Award winners and recognised as one of Australia’s Top 3 veterinary practices in 2025 & 2026. Our reputation is built on trust, consistency, and authentic client relationships.

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What Pet Owners Say

Kel R

Great vets with wonderful support and service. My dog and cats don’t fear going – in fact they love it. Every staff member I’ve interacted with is helpful and happy. The locations is great, easy parking and access.

Cassie Hatton

My first time visiting the Killara Village Vet was nothing short of outstanding. They booked us in no worries, the care was outstanding, and the team were so friendly. After an average visit to a different vet (24hr one) I’m so so happy we went here!

Genevieve J

We are so grateful for the exceptional care our cat received from Elle the vet and the entire team. As new clients, we were truly touched by the genuine compassion and sensitivity shown to us during a stressful and uncertain time. Everyone we interacted with treated our boy with the same love and attention they would give their own pets. The kindness, professionalism, and empathy of the staff made all the difference. Thank you endlessly for everything.

Mara Spessot

Love the feeling of joining an extended family who remembers your name, your pet’s name and cares. Such a friendly local practice and vibe.

Sarah Bost

I cannot recommend The Village Vet enough for anyone looking for a caring, professional, and trustworthy place for their pets.

They have been looking after my puppies so beautifully, and every visit has been such a positive experience. The environment is very warm, calm, clean, and welcoming, and all the staff are incredibly friendly, kind, and professional.

From the moment you walk in, you feel comfortable and confident that your pets are in safe hands. They genuinely care about animals and take the time to communicate properly, answer questions, and provide support whenever needed.

I also really appreciate their helpful reminders, follow-ups, newsletters, and updates, which show how organised and caring they are with pet care and customer service.

Thank you to the whole team for always making Dela and Dora feel loved and well looked after. Highly recommended!

Beau Vella

Have been going here for well over 10 years and wouldn’t trust anyone else with my fur children. Friendly, extremely professional and knowledgeable.

Sara Tompsett

Thank you Bel and Amy for taking such great care of my cavoodle! All the options and costs were explained to me in advance, so there were no surprises at the end. Parking is also super easy. Thanks team.

Hoss C

My little boy has recently been unwell and diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. From initial diagnostics to follow ups and subsequent issues from the medication the team at The Village Vet have been outstanding!

Their level of professionalism, knowledge, empathy and care towards their little patients is comforting as you know their hearts are where they need to be. I have booked my kitty in for the radioactive iodine (I-131) treatment with their guidance.

I wanted to extend a big thank you to the entire team for how well we have been looked after over the last few weeks. A special whisker and wet nose kiss to Giné, Belle, Elle and Taryn from Presley xx

Jenny Hafeez

I’ve been taking my cat to The Village Vet for many years now and would highly recommend their practice (both Pymble and Killara) to anyone. We regularly see Martine, who is amazing, but have also seen a number of the other vets as well who have also all been equally amazing. All the staff are so helpful and caring and go out of their way to provide advice and assist in any way possible. They are all extremely knowledgeable, very friendly, and they clearly all really love animals – my cat is always treated with the greatest care and respect. Excellent service, excellent staff – wouldn’t go anywhere else!

John

It’s always a great experience at The Village Vet in Pymble. Every staff member is so warm and friendly. My puppy Angel gets nervous at first, but always leaves with her tail wagging.

Mimi

Buddy absolutely loves going to the vet. He pulls towards it to go in every time we walk near the shops! All the staff are so welcoming and gentle. The are also always very upfront with their estimates, and provide a range of options at various price points where possible.

Bronwyn

The staff were very caring, listened to my concerns about Oreo, and provided thorough information about his condition during his stay. I felt so reassured knowing he was receiving great care.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Physiotherapy for Dogs

How many physio sessions will my dog need?

Most dogs benefit from weekly sessions initially, followed by maintenance visits. Your vet will recommend a plan based on your dog’s condition and progress.

Is physiotherapy painful for dogs?

No. Sessions are gentle and tailored to your dog’s comfort level. We use low-stress, Fear Free techniques to ensure they feel safe and supported.

Do I need a vet consultation before starting physiotherapy?

Yes. A consultation ensures physiotherapy is safe, appropriate, and tailored to your dog’s specific condition.

Can physiotherapy help older dogs or dogs with arthritis?

Yes. Physiotherapy is one of the most effective ways to support senior dogs and those with arthritis. It helps improve mobility, maintain muscle strength, reduce stiffness, and improve overall comfort.

Does dog physiotherapy actually work?

Yes. Physiotherapy can significantly improve mobility, strength, and comfort when applied consistently and tailored to your dog’s needs.

Can physiotherapy help senior pets?

Absolutely. Physiotherapy helps older dogs stay mobile, comfortable, and confident as they age.

Do you provide home exercise programs?

Yes. All physiotherapy patients receive tailored home programs with step-by-step exercises and progressions to support ongoing improvement.