What is animal rehabilitation?

Animal rehabilitation is the art and science of using different techniques to help restore normal function to joints and muscles after injury or surgery.  These techniques include therapeutic exercises, electrical stimulation, manual manipulations, massage, acupuncture and aquatic work such as swimming and underwater treadmill work. Normal function is restored by relieving pain, improving flexibility and mobility, and increasing strength.

What services are available at the Animal Rehabilitation Facility?

Dr. Masica provides rehabilitation services for post-operative surgeries such as ACL repair, luxating patella repair, elbow dysplasia,, shoulder OCD surgery, fracture repair, spinal surgeries, and hip surgeries.  She also does injury/lameness evaluations and consultations, sports fitness evaluations and consultations, geriatric/arthritic conditions evaluations and consultations, conditioning programs for weight loss, conditioning for the canine athlete, and acupuncture for geriatric, arthritic, and neurologic patients.

How long will rehab take?

The length of time an animal needs to rehabilitate will depend on several factors, including the type and severity of an injury, the type of surgery performed (if any), the condition of the patient at the time of the injury/surgery, the willingness and ableness of the owner to do rehab with their pet, and the compliance of the patient to do rehab.  At the initial evaluation and consultation, a plan specific to the patient’s needs will be formulated and discussed.

How do I make an appointment?

Call Dr. Masica directly at 734-417-4290 to schedule an appointment.  Please be aware that Dr. Masica is frequently working with patients so you may need to leave a message.  Your call is important and every effort is made to return calls as soon as possible.

Refferral Form - for your veterinarian to sign.

Dr. Jan Masica, owner of the Animal Rehabilitation Facility (ARF), graduated with honors in 1985 from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She was in private general practice for twenty years before establishing ARF.  Dr. Masica studied acupuncture at the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine in Florida, becoming certified in acupuncture in February 2005 by the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine and the China National Society of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Masica studied rehabilitation at The Animal Rehabilitation Institute in Florida, becoming certified as a canine rehabilitation therapist in July, 2006.

Dr. Masica competes in agility, obedience, and tracking with her three golden retrievers.  She became keenly interested in rehabilitation when, after her own injury, she experienced the great benefits of physical therapy.  Active in the agility world, she realized the need our canine friends have for rehabilitation services.