b'Again, rehabilitation can help provide the conditioningthey need to prevent this. In the dead of summer, most dogscannot safely run long distances with their owners due to theirgreater risk of heat stroke. Rehabilitation can provide a meansto help keep these dogs in peak condition until the weathercools enough to permit outdoor distance running again.Springer Spaniel Chubbs competes at Dock Diving during theWest Volusia Kennel Club 2021 Dog Show.Photograph by Denise Cashin.The last category is the healthy non-athlete that needshelp to improve their overall physical conditionwhich willoftenbeaccompaniedbyalongerlifespan. Thetwomostcommon groups include healthy but overweight dogs that arehaving difficulty getting the weight off with diet restrictionalone. Conditioning exercises performed in a controlled envi-ronment can facilitate muscle conditioning to strengthen aswell as improve metabolism. Some care is required in doingthis safely in obese pets, the ones who truly need it the most.The other group is sadly common, the young, healthydogs with hip dysplasia. Many are not severe enough to requiresurgery, or hip replacement surgery is financially out of reach,buttheyareweakenedbythemuscleatrophyduetotheabnormalhipconformation.Whilepainmedicationsandjoint supplements can help, strengthening the muscles over thehindquarters as well as the core can improve not only strengthand condition, but help provide support for the joints andultimately decrease pain as well as improve mobility.The more we explore rehabilitation, the more uses we findforstrengtheningandconditioningtopreventinjuryandimprove performance and it goes far beyond post-injury orpost-operative intervention. UDr. Elizabeth F. Baird is certified in pain management, caninerehabilitation and veterinary medical acupuncture. She is thepractice owner of Country Oaks Animal Hospital & Kennel(727.785.6524) and Steele Pain Management & RehabilitationCenter (727.785.4878) both located in Palm Harbor, Florida.www.TheNewBarker.com THE NEW BARKER 71'