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In this episode of The Alternative Dog Moms Podcast, Kimberly and Erin talk with Dr. Deb Torraca, a pioneer in canine rehabilitation, about helping dogs move better, age more comfortably, and recover from injuries with thoughtful support.

Dr. Deb shares the biggest factors pet parents can control when it comes to their dog’s mobility, including exercise, weight, home setup, and knowing when to respect a dog’s limits. We also dig into CCL tears, whether surgery is always necessary, and what conservative management can look like when guided by the right professional.

This conversation also covers common activities that may increase the risk of orthopedic injuries, subtle behavior and movement changes that may show up before a limp, and the many therapies and tools used in canine rehab. Whether you have a senior dog, an active dog, or a dog recovering from an injury, this episode is packed with practical takeaways to help you support your dog’s comfort, strength, and quality of life.

CHAPTERS:

• Dr. Deb Torraca is a pioneer in the field of canine rehab (0:54)
• The biggest factors pet parents can control to help their dogs mobility (5:30)
• Supporting your senior dog's mobility while respecting their limits (7:44)
• Does every CCL tear really need surgery? What does "Conservative Management" really look like? (13:06)
• The #1 mistake many well-meaning pet parents make when exercising their dogs, and other factors that contribute to knee injuries (17:23)
• Common activities that may increase your dog's risk of orthopedic injuries (26:41)
• The everyday adjustments we've made to help our senior dogs stay comfortable around the house (30:26)
• The behavior and movement changes that may signal an injury or mobility challenge in our dogs ... before the limp (32:58)
• The wide range of therapies and tools used in canine rehabilitation (40:17)
• Why Dr. Deb says the hardest part of canine rehab often isn't the dog (44:48)
• Breed predispositions, common injuries, and simple ways to reduce your dog's risk of injury (48:35)

WHERE TO FIND DR. TORRACA:

• https://wizardofpaws.net/
• https://www.instagram.com/wizard.of.paws/

WHERE TO FIND A CANINE REHAB PRACTITIONER:

• https://www.caninerehabinstitute.com/find-therapist
• https://www.utvetrehab.com/canine-rehab-ccrp/ccrp-practitioners/
• https://rehabvets.org/

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Kimberly: Raw Feeder Life, RawFeederLife.com
• Erin Scott: Believe in Dog podcast, BelieveInDogPodcast.com
• Raw Feeder Life, Instagram.com/RawFeederLife
• Believe in Dog Podcast, Instagram.com/Erin_The_Dog_Mom

Thanks for listening to our podcast. You can learn more about Erin Scott's first podcast at BelieveInDogPodcast.com. And you can learn more about raw feeding, raising dogs naturally, and Kimberly's dogs at KeepTheTailWagging.com. And don't forget to subscribe to The Alternative Dog Moms.