Local Women Take on Dog Rehabilitation Venture

Two local women are excited about a new business venue that combines their love for dogs and healing.

Carol Jurca, owner of Canine Physical Rehab in Montgomery, and Katherine Manola, owner of Go Dog Go in Oswego, have joined forces to start Pet Assisted Wellness, part dog walking service and part rehab extension, combined in one.

Through the specialized dog walking service, Manola will come to an owner’s home to not only walk an orthopedically and/or neurologically challenged dog, but also perform an in-home exercise program designed by the experts at Canine Physical Rehab for a dog’s specific problems.

The business partners got acquainted when Manola brought her dogs to Jurca for physical therapy earlier this year.

“I saw the amazing difference she made,” Manola said.

They began talking about the idea of joining forces.

“I wanted to start a dog walking business but everybody and his brother does it so we graduated to an in-home exercise program for dogs going through physical therapy,” Manola said.

Manola is trained in dog CPR, trimming dogs nails, and has experience working with dogs in carts (wheelchairs for dogs) and caring for dogs that are severely deconditioned. She has also worked with dogs for agility trials and is the resident nutritional expert for Go Dog Go.

Jurca, a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner and physical therapy assistant, founded Canine Physical Rehab after having her two lab puppies experience severe hip dysplasia with little to no resources for physical therapy after their surgeries.

She sought to give her pups rehabilitation after their second surgery and found it resulted in  better mobility, walking, less swelling, quicker healing and, the return of their happy personalities.

Jurca said dogs experience pain just as humans do, to help them heal better and faster, she formed Canine Physical Therapy after receiving her CCPR designation.

She is excited about the Pet Assisted Wellness venture.

“A lot of (dog owners) who are working full-time get home and don’t have time to work on their dog’s exercise programs,” she said. “So they don’t see the benefits and their dogs progress at a slower rate. When Catherine considered doing this I got very excited. She truly has a knack for this.”

Pet Assisted Wellness can be contacted at (630) 779-3835 or k9katherine@comcast.net; or visit the Go Dog Go website and click on the PAW link.