|
About Us
|
Luis and
Mary Carrillo
Residents of North
Andover, we are long-time dog owners and dog lovers, with degrees in
physical therapy and animal massage. We share our home with three
rescued dogs: Vahva, Bandit and Buddy.
We started
down this path when our German Shepherd mix Saba had a total hip replacement in 1998.
Being a physical therapist, Luis envisioned exercise and hydrotherapy to help Saba recover, but this presented a challenge, since canine rehabilitation was still in its infancy and there were no canine rehabilitation facilities in the area. The local pond became our aquatic therapy center. By gradually increasing his time in the water and including land exercises and different walking surfaces, Saba's recovery time was greatly reduced -- and he was a happier dog!
A few years later Saba (then age 11) developed degenerative myelopathy, a neurological
disorder similar to multiple sclerosis.
More water therapy helped Saba live his last years comfortably.
It wasn't until spring 2000 that the first course in canine physical therapy was offered by Northeast Seminars in Boston, Massachusetts. Once Luis attended the course, presented by Debbie Gross PT in Boston, he was hooked. For the next three years he enrolled in the certification program for Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner given by University of Tennessee and Northeast Seminars. The program culminated in June 2003 when his class was the first in the country to successfully complete the program.
One year later, in April of 2004, we opened a referral facility that specializes in canine hydrotherapy, rehabilitation, and massage therapy in North Andover, Massachusetts. We rented a 2000 sq. ft. garage space, which we thoroughly cleaned and painted. An 8'x16' heated indoor swim spa with adjustable current swim jets and therapeutic side jets provide a great modality for hydrotherapy. Luis can better control the dog's movement because he's right there in the water too. Luis has taught a lot of dogs how to swim!
We have an exercise area with jumps, a land treadmill, an agility ladder, weave cones, stairs, a tunnel, ramps and fitness balls. We incorporate balance activities, coordination, and proprioception reeducation into our therapeutic programs. We educate owners and create home programs for range of motion, massage, home adaptations, and guidelines for leashed walking. Because we've been there too, we are sympathetic and supportive to owners while their dogs are recovering. We sell a small line of assistance devices, harnesses, ramps, and, of course, dog treats.
There are local veterinarians, referral specialty hospitals, and agility clubs that refer cases to our facility. We communicate frequently with the referring veterinarian and make them aware of any changes that that occur and keep them informed of their progress. Mary has received her certificate in Small Animal Massage Therapy from the Bancroft School of Massage in April of 2005. The owners are very pleased with this new service, and the dogs just love it!
|
|
-Web.jpg)
Luis Carrillo, PT, CCRP
is a licensed Physical Therapist (New
York University 1984, BS in Physical Therapy Sciences) and certified
Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (University of Tennessee, 2003),
has over 21 years experience treating human patients, including a
special interest in hydrotherapy. Luis is also certified by the
American Red Cross in Pet First Aid.
|
Mary Carrillo
is a Certified Small Animal Massage Therapist from the Bancroft School
of Massage Therapy for Small Animals in Worcester, Massachusetts (April
2005). She uses various treatments to help dogs toward a healthy
recovery. She is also a certified Animal Care Specialist (North Shore
Community College, Danvers, Massachusetts 2004), and a certified canine
massage therapist from Pet Massage Institute, Toledo, Ohio, (June 2003).
|
| Good Dog Aquatic Fitness, LLC
are
members of the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork
and the American Canine Sports Medicine Association. |
Home
About Us