111 episodes
PetAbility Podcast PetAbility
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- Kids & Family
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4.9 • 19 Ratings
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This is a must-hear podcast for pet owners wanting access to the latest in pet quality of life and longevity. Whether your pet has fur, feathers, scales or shells, Cathy and Chris believe in treating your pet as a whole, both mind and body. Continuing a collaboration that began in 2003, Cathy and Chris share the gift of gab as well as their network in the pet rehab community. Using their vast expertise as Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioners (CCRPs), Cathy Symons CVT, CCRP, and Chris Cranston MPT, CCRP, offer relevant information and provocative interviews on their podcast, PetAbility. With an emphasis on mobility and independence, their show is about improving function, restoring confidence, alleviating fear, providing mental stimulation, and easing pain to help your pets live their best lives. Read on for more information about Cathy and Chris…
Cathy Symons is the author of Blind Devotion: Enhancing the Lives of Blind and Visually Impaired Dogs. She was inspired to write this book after her first pug, Booda, lost his sight at the age of seven. Several years later, Cathy adopted a blind pug named Digger and wrote a children’s book, Watching Out for Digger, which she uses as a teaching tool for young children to learn about living with a disabled dog.
After fifteen years of practice as a veterinary technician, Cathy went on to study canine rehabilitation at the University of Tennessee. In 2003, Cathy was one of the first thirty-six people in the world to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. Shortly thereafter, Cathy was instrumental in establishing one of the foremost veterinary rehabilitation centers in the United States, the Sterling Impression Animal Rehabilitation Center of New England. She continues to follow the latest options in pet rehabilitation, including digital thermal imaging and laser therapy, and is currently working on her third book, Senior Dogs: Maintaining Mobility and Independence.
Cathy resides in the New England area with her husband and their pug, Mac. Mac is a very confident little nugget who enjoys doing nose work with his mom.
Chris Cranston has 20 years of experience in pet rehabilitation. She is excited to share her knowledge and reach a wide pet-loving audience through the PetAbility podcast. Chris loves seeing that light bulb go off when educating pet owners, so a podcast seemed like a natural fit.
Chris started her career as a physical therapist (PT) – with people. When she moved to the Boston area in 2002, she saw it as an opportunity to do something different, so she combined her existing PT skills with her passion for animals. Chris became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through the University of Tennessee in 2004, one of the first 100 persons in the world to receive this certification. In addition to her CCRP designation, she has a Masters of Physical Therapy (1989) and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology (1987) from the University of Iowa.
Chris had a successful mobile practice, consulted with a myriad of general practices and specialty clinics, and started the physical rehabilitation service for a large multi-specialty and emergency organization in the Greater Boston region. All this was before founding FlowDog, a stand-alone, full-service small animal physical rehabilitation facility in Waltham, MA. In 2017, Chris sold her business to the esteemed Angell Animal Medical Center of Boston, and is now podcasting, consulting for a tech company in the veterinary space, providing concierge mobile pet rehab, and working getting a product to market that will help our pets. Of course, Chris prioritizes enriching the lives of her twin Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Julep & Baxter, while indulging in all the snuggles they are willing to share with her!
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Handicapped Pets Foundation with Suzi Langer, President
The Handicapped Pets Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to provide wheelchairs (Walkin' Wheels) for pets in need whose caregivers demonstrate financial hardship. Suzi Langer brings us through her personal story of receiving a wheelchair from this charity for her pug, Maxwell, to becoming president of the organization. If her passion is any indication of their commitment to the health and well-being of elderly, disabled, and injured pets with mobility impairments, then it is a cause worth supporting. If you have the opportunity to witness a dog, cat, or rabbit get a new lease on life in their "wheels," you will immediately understand the joyful impact that mobility provides. It is truly a gift of life!
Click here to learn more about the Handicapped Pets Foundation.
Follow them on FaceBook @HandicappedPetsFoundation
For Walkin' Wheels and other products, click here.
Support the Show.
Disclaimer
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
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Special Needs Animal Rescue League with Christina Powell
Listen as Christina Powell tells us the story of Special Needs Animal Rescue League (SNARL). This SNARL is bound to make you smile! What started as a personal rescue of one wobbly German Shepherd became a multi-organization, multi-state/province, two-country machine that takes "red list" dogs from other shelters and finds them their forever homes. In other words, SNARL says "yes" to those who have been overlooked and placed in high risk situations due to their special needs, primarily neurological disabilities. Lee Ridings of Furgiven Animal Sanctuary joins us to elaborate on the collaboration of their two rescues to benefit the most dogs. As Lee says, these dogs may be different, but they are not broken. Each has so much love to give if just given the chance. Whether it's financial support, volunteerism, or foster/adoption, next time consider special needs dogs - they need us.
Click here to learn more about SNARL.
All social media is @snarlrescue
Click here to learn more about Furgiven.
All social media is @furgiven
Support the Show.
Disclaimer
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
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Rehab Rewind!! Ramps vs. Stairs - Which is Right for your Pet?
Join us as we rewind to one of our most popular shows.
Should my pet get a ramp or steps to help him onto the bed? This a question that Cathy and Chris get asked all the time. Listen as they debate the pros and cons of each option to help you determine what is best for your pet. They cover what specifications to look for and offer some suggestions for making your own. In the end, they agreed that what is ideal for one pet or situation may not be for another. Listen to Chris and Cathy hash out the factors that every pet owner should consider when faced with this decision.
Support the Show.
Disclaimer
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
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Pet Hospice & Palliative Care - A Rehabber's Perspective with Cathy Symons, CVT, CCRP
Our pet's are living longer, surviving illnesses and traumas that were unthinkable in the past. Couple this with our ever-growing attitudes that pets are full-fledged members of our families, then the fields of palliative care and pet hospice become vital. Cathy Symons, CVT, CCRP, deftly explains the integral role that physical rehabilitation plays to 1) alleviate symptoms and stress from medical conditions (palliative care) and 2) compassionately support owners and their pets, physically and emotionally, during their end-of-life journey, while preparing pet parents to let go of their loved one with dignity and grace when the time comes (hospice).
For more information, please click on the following links:
International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative CareLap of Love: Veterinary Hospice & In-home Euthanasia Pet Loss Support Hotline and other resourcesOther related PetAbility Podcast episodes include:
Pets Are Family - an Impactful Approach to Pet Loss with Erika Sinner, Dog Mom, Author, & CEOPet Hospice with Dr. Becky SchoenbergBelieving in Grieving with Laurie Levine, LMHCEnd-of-life Pet Photography I The Tilly Project with Lauren KennedySupport the Show.
Disclaimer
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
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Feed is NOT Food with Dr. Judy Morgan
A healthy pet starts with healthy nutrition, naturally! After all, “you are what you eat." That same adage applies to both us and our pets. Judy Morgan, DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT emphasizes that food is food - there should be no need to qualify what we eat as "people food,” nor what we feed our dogs and cats as “pet food.” Many commercial dog and cat foods contain the bare minimum to qualify as "complete and balanced" - a true misnomer. Further, food choices can impact chronic illnesses such as hearth disease and cancer. In addition to medcial issues, proper diet can influence behavior, resulting in less anxiety and more contentment. The bottom line is food, not feed, will help your pet thrive. Listen as Dr. Judy Morgan of Naturally Healthy Pets dispels many myths and helps us better advocate for our dogs and cats by feeding them a proper diet.
Find vast information about food and other holistic topics at Dr. Judy Morgan's Naturally Healthy Pets.
Support the Show.
Disclaimer
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
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Pets Are Family - an Impactful Approach to Pet Loss with Erika Sinner, Dog Mom, Author, & CEO
Losing a pet is hard. In fact, for Erika Sinner, it is the hardest thing she has ever experienced. Erika feels her shar-peis are family - her kids - and should be treated as such even after death. What does this mean and what did Erika do about it? Struggling to deal with her own pain and finding little out there to aid her in coping and healing, Erika wrote a book called Pets Are Family: It's as Simple As That. A self-professed person of action, Erika wants to share her story to help others going through similar grief. Additionally, she provides tips, guides, and resources for family, friends, co-workers, and professionals that are in that grieving person’s life. As she strives to help others understand the unique and deep relationship we have with our pets, Erika has set forth on a journey to support and guide others. Further, as a CEO of her own company, Erika is a champion for pet bereavement in all places of work as one small, but meaningful, step that can help others cope with the profound loss of their pet.
Google to find Erika Sinner's book: Pets are Family: It's as simple as that.
Explore Erika's Website at PetsAreFamily.info
Follow Erika and her kids on Instagram @Erika_Sinner and @Crazy4Pei
Support the Show.
Disclaimer
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
MedcoVet (show sponsor) - the next generation in laser therapy by putting healing in the hands of the pet owner!
By using the Promo Code PETPOD22, when placing your first order with any of our affiliate partners, you will receive 10% off and PetAbility receives 10% .
Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips – dog nail grips to keep your dog from slipping! Extra love – use this link and the entire 20% goes to support our show!
HedzUpPets Watercollars – save your dog from drowning with this unique lightweight collar when around any body of water!
Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap - a must-have for cat owners and vet pros working with cats! Use PETPOD22 for $5 off your order.
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Customer Reviews
Fabulous podcast
I love listening to Chris and Cathy. They always have such a vast variety of knowledge to share that I always find helpful working with senior dogs or dogs of any age. I always look forward to the next podcast and special guest.
Love this show!
Cathy and Chris are wonderful to listen to with their fun conversation and their wide knowledge base. Not only do I love listening to them, I love sharing my beloved patients with them! Please listen and take advantage of their amazing network of devoted animal care people and soak up their vast experience!
Knowledgeable & informative
Not only do Cathy & Chris know their stuff after years in the practice & study of animal rehab, but they bring in guests in the top of their fields. So many humans know how to care for their muscular and joint health, but when it comes to their dogs, they are clueless. This pod is great for dog trainers (like me), behaviorists, vets, shelter worker and pet owners alike!
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