After graduating from West Virginia University with a degree in Athletic Training and Education, Chris pursued Physical Therapy at Howard University in Washington DC and later she completed her Masters at Howard University. Chris has over 25 years of human physical therapy and sports medicine experience with emphasis on manual therapy and biomechanics.
Her interest in Canine Rehabilitation began in 2000 when her own dog, Cooper, underwent a caudal cruciate repair. The surgeon recommended swimming for rehab but had no other suggestions. It just didn’t make sense that human patients get very specific individualized rehabilitation program after a similar surgery but, for a dog, the rehab was simply swimming. Chris began utilizing her human physical therapy knowledge and manual skills to address the post surgical needs in her dog - lack of flexibility, decreased strength, and poor neuromuscular control. The results were impressive, Cooper regained full range of motion, strength, and was back to chasing squirrels in no time.
This experience spurred a desire to learn more about canine rehabilitation and the specific mechanics and needs of dogs. She began coursework through the University of Tennessee certification program in canine rehabilitation. http://www.canineequinerehab.com. Her clinical residency was spent at Mid Atlantic Specialty Hospital. http://www.vetmash.com and she earned her Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner credentials in December 2007. Now she has opened Canine Comeback Rehabilitation to serve the rehabilitation needs of dogs big and small, athletic and elderly, for the fullest dog life possible.