Whether we’re mobile or run a standard practice, exercise equipment forms a big part of what we do. It can be quite an investment; most of us get around the expense by starting small and adding pieces over time.
So where do we start? What are the critical pieces of equipment – the most versatile and mobile? Ideally, we buy the basics, then add items as parts of a set, so that each piece complements and matches the others – all from one supplier. To get value for money, we need to aim for good quality products with the right capabilities, materials, and safety features.
Consider your Plans
To select the equipment that’s most suited to your needs, consider the kinds of patients you are likely to treat most frequently.
If you work closely with surgeons or specialist practices, you’re likely to treat acutely injured or post-operative dogs. This means your therapeutic exercises will be more basic and static, and fewer pieces of equipment will be needed.
If you work closely with sporting and competitive dogs, your therapeutic exercises will be more interesting and active, you’ll need more advanced exercise equipment, such as peanut balls and donuts.
Consider, too, what you already have, and what exercise equipment would best complement these items. Do you use a land treadmill, an underwater treadmill or a swimming pool? Think about which pieces of equipment will complement your treadmill/pool the best, to give the greatest all-round treatment and the most options or variations for therapeutic exercises for your patients.
You want to be able to offer the best treatment possible to every patient that walks into your practice. That means being able to adjust your therapeutic exercise protocol to suit the needs, personality and abilities of the dog in front of you. The more versatile and adjustable the equipment you use, the more you and they will benefit.
Your supplier
There are a variety of suppliers around the world with rehabilitation exercise equipment designed specifically for canine rehab. Suppliers such as FitPAWS have led the way in creating canine rehab equipment and most of our descriptions above are recognisable in their products. TotoFit products are recognisable by their purple coloration and simple designs. Suppliers such as Flexiness Gangwerk have completely broken the mould with innovative product designs, in a select range of beautiful colours. Choose the supplier that can provide you with the products you need, in the colours that resonate with you, while still providing excellent quality and safety features for canine rehabilitation.
Safety in Rehabilitation Exercise Equipment
We’d all agree that safety is our number one priority when treating patients – both for ourselves and for our patients. This means using equipment that we can rely on. Balance equipment needs to be easy to stabilize. Stabilization can be provided either with a hand, leg or foot, or with a specific piece of stabilizing equipment such as a base for a disk, or holders for infinity balls and donuts.
Products should be burst resistant, so that even if they are punctured, they will not pop, but instead deflate slowly. The surface should not be slippery; some texture is necessary, even on a smooth surface. This can be in the form of ribbing along the rubber, or the traction provided by the material used. Material should be thick to avoid damage caused by dog nails.
How important is it to use phthalate-, lead-, latex- and BPA-free products?
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to soften PVC plastic to make it flexible and malleable. They can be found in most soft plastics, including toys and exercise equipment. When phthalates enter our bodies, they mimic and interfere with our hormone systems. This can lead to major health problems such as cancer, autism, reproductive development abnormalities, asthma, and behavioural changes. Phthalates are lipid soluble, allowing them to easily cross from a plastic product to something with a lipid base. Like so many toxins in our homes, their effect is cumulative; continual exposure from many sources is where the danger lies. Phthalates have been banned in the US from use in children’s toys and other products.
Since we work with recovering animals in a weakened state, it makes sense to avoid phthalates and other toxic substances that may cause health setbacks. For our own sakes, too, we should avoid toxic materials. We’re handling these products throughout the day, so that risk to ourselves is even greater than to our patients.
Available Canine Rehabilitation Exercise Equipment
Let’s look at some standard equipment that may be available from a variety of suppliers such:
Balance pads are rectangular foam pads, usually made from a closed-cell foam, about 6cm high and 38cm x 45cm wide and long. These are great as a starting point for any dog, as they are naturally stable, can be paired with any other piece of equipment, and can be stacked to increase the challenge. Balance pads are also exceptionally mobile and travel well. Variations on foam pads are available, such as the Flexiness Stacking bars.
Balance Disks are usually round, inflatable disks a few cm high (depending on the level of inflation) and varying in circumference from 35cm to 55cm. Flexiness has veered away from the traditional round shape and created a paw-shaped piece of equipment in its stead. One side is usually smooth and the other textured with bumps or knobs. This is a good basic piece of equipment that can be used for dogs in any phase of rehabilitation, easily pairing with other pieces of equipment. One can increase the difficulty by adding height under the disk or adding movement over and around it. It is also a naturally stable construction and will require minimal or no additional stabilization from a handler. They are also highly mobile.
Paw Pods are small, inflatable pods, about 15cm in diameter and 7cm high – just big enough for a single paw to be placed on each pod. They come in textured or smooth surfaces. Paw pods allow for posturing across different breeds and sizes, do not generally need additional stabilization, and are very mobile.
Donuts are donut-shaped, inflatable pieces of equipment with a flattened base and top. The middle is dipped or has a hole – ideally the hole needs to be big enough to prevent a foot becoming stuck in it. They are generally 27 to 33cm high and 55 to 60cm wide. Donuts can be quite challenging and should always be stabilized initially with a donut ring or base, depending on your product. These products can be smooth or textured. They offer more stability than a peanut when stabilized, and are versatile, combining well with other products and suiting all dog sizes.
Peanuts or Infinity Balls are inflatable, peanut-shaped balls. They come in textured and smooth surfaces and vary in height from 30cm to 85cm. These balls offer a wide range of exercise opportunities, from simple to advanced. They are easy to pair with other exercise products and can be stabilized with a purpose-built frame or against a wall or leg. Flexiness have created a variation of the peanut ball with a flat surface to allow for additional stability and variation in it’s use.
Proprioceptive Mats can come in many different varieties and can be used for a variety of purposes. These mats will be an addition to the rehabilitation program of neurologically deficit dogs. They are mobile and can be paired with almost any other product to increase the difficulty and challenge.
Balance or wobble boards are square or round flat boards, with a non-slip surface and a pivot point in the middle. They can have a central pivot point, allowing the board to move in all directions, or a central bar such as the FitPaws wobble board, allowing movement in only two directions. These are versatile and can be paired with a variety of other exercise equipment to achieve different goals, and to increase or decrease the level of difficulty.
Where do we start?
A great starting point would be a balance pad, a large balance disk and a medium or large peanut ball. Having a large disk and peanut ball means you will not be limited when treating larger patients; a small dog can use a large piece of equipment, but a large dog cannot necessarily use a smaller piece of equipment. Cavaletti rails can be made initially, and added to these first pieces. Most suppliers will have bundle packages that will allow you to purchase a starter kit that suits your budget and needs – compare what is available with what your needs are.
Over time, paw pods and wedges can be added, additional peanut ball sizes can be purchased, and eventually balance pads, different-sized balance disks and another donut. The additions allow for greater versatility. With more pieces, an obstacle courses can be set up, multiple patients can be treated simultaneously, and we can design exercises that progress in difficulty from simple and easy to demanding and challenging.
Purchasing and using therapeutic exercise equipment is an exciting and fun step forward for the rehabilitation therapist. Enjoy the process! Remember that good quality products are worth the extra cost, and never compromise on safety.
Resources
- What to Consider when Purchasing Exercise Equipment, Debbie Torraca
- Pros & Cons of DIY Equipment, with Katherina Mattioli from Flexiness
- Behind the Vet Rehab Product, with Flexiness
- Considerations for Rehab Practice Design, with four Vetrehabbers
- Creating a Minimalist Practice, Francisco Maia
- Let’s Sweat the Details, Leslie Eide
- Innovation and product development, Lisa Bedenbaugh
Photo credits:
Katherina Mattioli and Flexiness Gangwerk
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