Windcrest Animal Hospital
3705 Lancaster Pike
Wilmington, DE 19805 - Directions
Lobby Hours:
Mon-Fri: 7:30am - 8:30pm
Sat: 8am - 6pm
Sunday: 9am-6pm
Animals, just like humans, need rehabilitative services for a variety of reasons. Windcrest Animal Hospital offers the premiere pet rehabilitation services in Wilmington, DE, with highly trained and experienced specialists on staff. Whether suffering from arthritis, decreased mobility, or recovering from an injury or surgery, our specialists work closely with your veterinarian to design a personalized treatment program to optimize your pet’s path to recovery.
We welcome your call or email with any questions or to set up a consultation. Email: kchristian@windcrestanimal.com or Call : 302-998-2995
All rehabilitation patients must be referred by a veterinarian who approves of the plan of care, maintains responsibility for the patient’s care throughout the process, and assumes ongoing responsibility of the patient’s care upon completion.
We will provide the referring veterinarian with a copy of the initial evaluation and all necessary documentation to communicate your pet’s needs.
The team of dedicated rehabilitation professionals at Windcrest works as a referral service to the veterinary community.
Kate Christian, DPT, CCRP: Director of Rehabilitation Services:
Dr. Kate received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Delaware in 2005, where she also received her BA in Neuroscience in 2001. In 2007, she received her certification in canine rehabilitation from University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Kate has worked at Windcrest Animal Hospital as a rehab specialist since 2005. A notable achievement is her status as the first therapist in the state of Delaware to receive the title of Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. Dr. Kate’s dedication to her patients is evident as she closely monitors their progress and modifies the pet’s individual rehab plans accordingly. Her dedication to the field is also evident, as she hosts interns from both the University of Tennessee’s and the Canine Rehabilitation Institute’s certification programs. Dr. Kate continues to work with human patients as well as our four-legged friends. She is currently a physical therapist for children with special needs in schools in New Castle County. She has also worked with the elderly, providing rehab at long-term care facilities. At home, Dr. Kate spends time with her rescued pitbull, Bodie and her rescued chiweenie, Max.
Breanna Ladd, LVT: Rehabilitation Assistant:
Breanna attended the University of Delaware immediately out of high school, majoring in History Education. After three years she decided it was not the career choice for her and took a year off of school to decide what she truly wanted to do. Breanna then attended Delaware Technical & Community College where she majored in Veterinary Technology, receiving her Associate Degree in Applied Science in August 2015. That December, Breanna passed her state board exam to become a licensed veterinary technician. She plans to continue her education in the near future with an interest in animal behavior.
Hydrotherapy
Our underwater treadmill allows animals to exercise without stressing their joints. Similar to a human treadmill, speed can be increased and decreased and the level of incline can be adjusted according to your pet’s needs. We also offer rehabilitative swimming, a beneficial cardiovascular exercise that offers a no-impact way to increase strength and endurance. All breeds of dogs can benefit from swimming, and most love it! Our hydrotherapy is not limited to just dogs; other pets, including cats and even a rabbit, have reaped the benefits of this therapy.
Therapeutic Laser
Deep-penetrating photons from the laser affect the chemistry of a cell in a variety of helpful ways. Pets receiving laser therapy after surgery have less pain and fewer complications, and they typically recover faster. Laser therapy can reduce your pet’s healing time for wounds and speed up regeneration. It also helps decrease inflammation and pain resulting from chronic conditions such as arthritis or chronic tendon/muscle strains.
Electrical Stimulation
Electric stimulation helps relieve pain, prevent muscle atrophy, and increase strength of muscles that are underutilized. An electrical current is delivered through electrodes placed on the skin over a muscle or a muscle group. Electric stimulation is ideal for post-surgical patients who are non-weight bearing or have restricted use of certain muscles.
Pet Therapeutic Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound is a heating agent for deep tissue. We use it to aid in the recovery of musculoskeletal injuries. It increases blood flow to the affected area and accelerates your pet’s healing process. Ultrasound is very effective in treating joint motion limiting conditions and soft tissue injuries.
Manual Therapy
Our therapists use their hands in every treatment, whether for a relaxing massage to help warm up the muscles for a workout or intense joint mobilizations. Deep tissue massage, stretching, and cross friction massage are some of the other forms of manual therapy used to help pets in their recovery.
Therapeutic Exercise for Pets
Therapeutic exercise offers an array of benefits for pets in rehabilitation:
For more information on Pet Physical Rehabilitation, Click Here to read an article written by Kate Christian on the benefits and modalities of Pet Rehab.
Pet Rehabilitation FAQs
For more information about our rehabilitation services or to schedule an appointment to discuss your pet’s rehabilitation, wellness, or sick care needs, contact us today.
3705 Lancaster Pike
Wilmington, DE 19805 - Directions
Lobby Hours:
Mon-Fri: 7:30am - 8:30pm
Sat: 8am - 6pm
Sunday: 9am-6pm