The Canine OT - Helping Dogs Live Their Best LiFE
Personalised care delivered in the comfort of your dog's home
Servicing the Sunshine Coast, QLD
The Canine OT
Our Mission
Our mission is to help dogs live their best lives through specialised occupational therapy that improves mobility, alleviates pain, and promotes overall health and well-being. We focus on early intervention for optimal recovery following surgery or injury, working closely with your vet to maximise outcomes. With extensive experience in canine rehabilitation and community therapy, The Canine OT is particularly skilled in post-surgical recovery from spinal and orthopedic procedures, as well as chronic pain management.
Services Offered
- One-on-One Home Visits: Personalised care delivered in the comfort of your dog's home
- Initial Consultation and Follow-Up Consultation: We aim to arm you with enough knowledge in the 1.5 hour initial consultation that a follow up isn't always required, helping to keep costs down
- Exercise Programs: Tailored programs to increase strength, mobility, and joint range of motion
- Canine Massage: Techniques to reduce pain and improve circulation
- Client Education and Advice: Detailed guidance on care routines, exercise, and injury prevention
- Walking and Swimming Programs: Low-impact exercises to enhance mobility
- Heat and Cold Therapy: Modalities to manage pain and inflammation
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) A therapeutic technique that uses electrical impulses to stimulate nerves and muscle. It is widely used in canine rehabilitation to strengthen weakened muscles, prevent muscle atrophy, and aid recovery after surgery, injury, or neurological conditions
- Assistive Equipment Prescription: Recommendations for devices that aid mobility and daily activities
- Collaboration with Vets: Close work with veterinarians to align treatment plans
- Pain Management: Strategies to alleviate discomfort and improve quality of life
- Gait Analysis and Slow-Motion Video assessments: Detailed assessments to identify movement issues
- Telehealth Consultations: Virtual sessions for convenience and accessibility
- Vet Nurse services: wound checks, suture removals, dressing and bandage changes, bladder checks and expression's following surgery - anything else just ask!
About The Canine OT
Anna’s journey is a testament to her deep commitment to animal care. Starting her career as a zookeeper in the UK, she transitioned to veterinary nursing, earning accreditation from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London. Over the next decade, Anna worked in small animal practices and a multidisciplinary hospital, eventually becoming head nurse at a busy veterinary charity clinic near London.
In 2011, she relocated to the Sunshine Coast, where she trained and worked in canine rehabilitation at a specialist veterinary hospital for a further 8 years. During this time, she gained experience in treating dogs following acute spinal and orthopedic surgeries, inherited disorders like hip dysplasia, and managing chronic pain. To expand her skill set, Anna pursued a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Occupational Therapy, focusing on community rehabilitation.
Anna identified a gap in post-surgical care for pets in the community, knowing how stressful it can be for owners to bring their dogs back to the clinic, especially when they are anxious or in pain. She believes that home-based rehabilitation is most effective, as it allows for a holistic assessment of your dog within the home environment, identifying risks and creating safe spaces for recovery.
Anna empowers owners with simple, easy-to-follow therapy programs that fit into busy lives, helping dogs regain their strength, and mobility so that they can return to their favorite activities.
Outside of work, Anna enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog, and all things outdoors.
Experience Matters
- Over a decade of experience as a vet nurse in the UK
- Over 8 years of experience as a canine rehabilitation therapist at a specialist veterinary hospital on the Sunshine Coast
- Qualified and registered Occupational Therapist (BSc Hons) working in community rehabilitation
The Story of Frankie Grace
I always believed that my future dog would find me when the time was right, and that’s exactly what happened with Frankie Grace. We came across her by chance on a local rescue centre website (see image in gallery), she was listed as a 1.5-year-old mix breed in need of a home. She had apparently just had puppies and was found as a stray in Rockhampton. The moment I saw her picture, I knew she was the one. Without hesitation, I told my family, and I called the rescue centre immediately. A meet-and-greet was arranged a few days later, and that’s when everything changed.
When we met Frankie, she literally chose me. I later learned that she had ignored other potential adopters, opting to play with the other dogs instead. But when we arrived, she stopped what she was doing, walked straight up to me, and sat on my lap, as if to say, “I’m yours.” The connection was instant, and the next day, we officially adopted her. Frankie has truly completed our family.
But our journey wasn’t without challenges. From the start, I noticed her odd gait and suspected hip dysplasia though this didnt put me off. We were also told she was good with other dogs, which quickly turned out to be untrue. And then there was her intense separation anxiety—she couldn’t bear to be apart from me, following me absolutely everywhere, even to the bathroom!
With time, and after getting the whole family on the same page, we managed to address most of her separation anxiety. Nowadays, Frankie’s biggest quirk is her serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out). She insists on joining us on every adventure, whether it’s biking, kayaking, or paddleboarding, and we wouldn’t have it any other way ( see pics in gallery).
As for Frankie's gait, my initial suspicion of hip dysplasia was confirmed by the laxity in her hips on palpation, and later with x-rays. It wasn't great, but I was optimistic that I could improve her condition with the right approach. I made immediate changes to her home environment, protecting her from stairs and slippery surfaces. I started a targeted program of hind limb strengthening exercises, massage, gentle stretches, and regular swimming. Gradually, she gained strength, and now, her gait is so much better. We even let her have some ball time again, which brings her so much joy.
Today, Frankie is thriving. She loves the beach, swimming and fishing in the rock pools, having fun living the active life she loves. I couldn’t be prouder of how far she’s come—she’s living proof that canine occupational therapy works. Simple adjustments to her daily life have made a world of difference in her recovery.
Thank you, Frankie Grace, for all the love and joy you bring to our lives. You’re not just living your best life—you’re helping us live ours too.
You are truly the best!