Episode 61. Physical Therapy & Fitness with Your Dog: Best Practices for Pet Parents (and so much more!) with Steph Evans

Steph Evans is a Physiotherapist (UK term for Physical Therapist) for both people and animals. She shares with us everything we should know to not only rehab our dogs after an injury – but also how to prevent injuries in the first place with Prehab. We’ll also learn signs of pain to look for in our dogs and thoughts about how to choose a harness versus a collar for your dog.

Steph is also the creator of the Ultimutt Bootcamp for Pet Parents and their pups to exercise together. Not only is this a great way to keep our bodies moving but it’s an amazing way to bond with our dogs! With her background in Physiotherapy, Steph is able to tailor exercises for each Pet Parent and their dog based on their limitations.

There’s so much more to my conversation with Steph though. After wanting a dog her whole life, 3 years ago Steph finally became a Dog Mom to Teddy the Golden Retriever – who has NOT been an easy dog. Steph is incredibly honest about her struggles with Teddy and all that she’s learned along the way. From how to select a dog trainer to motivating a dog who’s not interested in food, Steph shares invaluable insights.

Steph is so much fun to listen to and you can’t help but laugh at her adventures chasing Teddy through a sheep field in Wales, hoping he’s ok when he jumped off that cliff and becoming the Pied Piper of all the dogs in her neighborhood – except Teddy! – as she tried to lure him with a roast chicken.

Thank you for listening to the Believe in Dog Podcast and making 2022 our best year yet!

Steph & I discuss:

Steph’s childhood experiences with dogs;
Teddy the Golden Retriever is a character who keeps Steph on her toes;
Steph’s honesty about her struggles with Teddy;
Learning how to train a dog who isn’t food-motivated;
What Steph has learned about working with a difficult dog;
Steph’s insight on working with dog trainers;
How Steph got into the Physiotherapy field – for people and animals;
Why Steph prefers working with dogs to horses;
How Steph was inspired to create the Ultimutt Boot Camp;
Prehab vs. Rehab: The method for preventing injuries in dogs that I had never heard of;
What are the most common injuries in dogs that Steph treats?
Distinguishing a behavioral problem from signs of pain in dogs;
What is hydrotherapy for dogs?
Does pet insurance cover physiotherapy for dogs?
What should Pet Parents know about working with a physiotherapist for their dog?
Steph’s thoughts on harnesses vs. collars for dogs;
Some of the surprising struggles Steph’s had with Teddy;
Treating dogs as individuals and constantly evolving our learning and training as Pet Parents