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PET REHABILITATION THAT
DELIVERS RESULTS

Restore your pet’s mobility, reduce pain, and enhance recovery with Sarasota’s most comprehensive rehab and sports medicine services.

GET YOUR PET THE CARE
THEY DESERVE

Whether your pet is recovering from surgery, struggling with arthritis, or needs pain relief, our expert-led rehabilitation programs provide the care, comfort, and support they need to heal. At VSC Sarasota, we use advanced techniques like underwater treadmill therapy, laser therapy, and chiropractic care to restore mobility and improve your pet’s quality of life.

Let our experienced team design a treatment plan tailored to your pet’s condition and goals—backed by proven results and compassionate care.

VSC HAS A NEW
REHAB DIRECTOR

Introducing Dr. Liv Kismartoni

Dr. Liv obtained her doctorate from the University of Wisconsin, a master’s in public health from Illinois, and more recently a master’s in Business from USF. ​As a former professional dog trainer and dog sport competitor, she found a passion in patient rehabilitation and pain control. She received additional certification in Traditional Chinese Veterinary medicine at the Chi University and became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (similar to human physical therapy) through the University of Tennessee. She also completed a certification in veterinary spinal manipulative therapy (similar to human chiropractic) from Healing Oasis.

Dr. Liv served in the Air Force in an emergency response unit and managed the Public Health Department on her base. She has also worked in preventing disease transmission as an epidemiologist for the Lincoln Park Zoo, working closely with the USDA and CDC performing viral research.

Meet Dr. Kim Christie,
Board-eligible ACVSMR

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WHAT WE OFFER

Veterinary Surgery Center of Sarasota offers multiple rehabilitation techniques our patients. Each pet will be evaluated to have a specific treatment plan made designed dependent upon their condition. Orthopedic, neurologic or surgical repairs/traumatic injuries all will require different therapies.

Water treadmills are a vital tool in physical rehabilitation. The buoyancy of the water allows decreases the effects of gravity and thus assists with gait training and weight-bearing (similar to water aerobics in people).

Underwater treadmill (UWTM)

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Prior to even presenting with an injury, many pets begin to lose muscle mass. This loss of muscle can take a substantial amo- unt of time to rebuild, which can hold back their recovery.

T.E.N.S.

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Massage is used to relieve tension in muscles and stimulate muscle developm- ent. By increasing blood flow to the affect- ed area and relieving muscle spasms, massage helps speed up recovery from injuries and surgery.

Massage

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Passive range of motion is used to encourage animals to use the full range of motion of the joints. PROM is accomplish- ed through flexion and extension of the joint to its limits. PROM increases range of motion and decreases joint pain.

Passive Range of Motion (PROM)

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Laser therapy in is used in veterinary rehabilitation to reduce pain, inflammation, and promote healing in tissues by utilizing targeted light energy that is delivered to the deeper tissues. It is a non-invasive therapy and does not cause any pain.

Photobiomodulation (Laser) therapy

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Strengthening exercises promote muscle development and growth by encouraging the pet to increase use of the affected area. Some examples of this are incline walking and the use of stairs.

Strengthening Exercises

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Therapeutic ultrasound creates warmth in deeper tissues using ultrasound waves. This process then promotes new blood supply to the area for healing and tissue repair.

Passive Range of Motion (PROM)

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Thermotherapy is used on the affected area to increase range of motion, decrease stiffness in joints, and increase blood flow. This helps to make the animal more comfortable in the application of other physical therapy techniques.

Thermotherapy and Cryotherapy

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Balance and coordination exercises use equipment designed to strengthen weak muscles that have atrophied and help improve an animal’s awareness of its… surroundings. These exercises include balancing on physio-balls, balance boards, cavalettis, and figure eights.

Balance/Coordination Exersices

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Prosthetics are a wearable device that help to replace the function of a limb that is no longer present or functional. Orthotics are also a wearable device used to help correct musculoskeletal deformities and/or abnormalities.

Prosthetics and Orthotics

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Thermotherapy is used on the affected area to increase range of motion, decrease stiffness in joints, and increase blood flow. This helps to make the animal more comfortable in the application of other physical therapy techniques.

Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine

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Veterinary manipulation (chiropractic treatment) involves manual adjustments to the spine and other joints to improve alignment, enhance mobility, and alleviate pain in animals, supporting overall health and function.

Manipulative Therapy (chiropractics)

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Shockwave therapy is the application of high-energy acoustic waves which cause an overall biological effect of accelerated tissue repair and cell growth, analgesia, and mobility restoration.

Shockwave Therapy

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In addition to our water treadmill VSC also has a land treadmill. During the humid times of the year It can be challenging to get recovering pets the level of activity they need during their recovery.

Land Treadmill

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REHABILITATION
SCHEDULE

In order to initiate rehabilitation for your pet at Veterinary Surgery Center of Sarasota, you will need to first schedule a consultation with one of our certified rehabilitation practitioners. During the initial rehab consultation, we will examine your pet and create a customized rehabilitation therapy plan specific for his or her condition. Therapy sessions will be scheduled according to the plan laid out during your initial visit. If you think your pet would benefit from rehabilitation services at VSC Sarasota, please call us at:

REHABILITATION RESOURCES

If you would like to learn more about rehabilitation and sports medicine, as well as prosthetic and orthotics, we have provided some helpful links with some additional resources for you to check out.

University of
Tennessee

Visit Website

Petsthetics

Visit Website

Get In Touch With Veterinary Surgery Center of Sarasota

Get In Touch

Location Location
8033 Cooper Creek Boulevard,
#101, University Park,
Florida 34201

PhonePhone
941.893.1500

Office Hours
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday – Closed