Offering both in-clinic and mobile services

Acupuncture

Acupuncture utilizes the insertion of thin, sterile, stainless steel needles at precise locations and depths to alter the body’s biochemical and physiological properties. This occurs primarily through stimulation of the central nervous system. This stimulation releases neurotransmitters, such as endorphins and serotonin into the bloodstream, helping to reduce pain and provide relaxation. The National Institute of Health, American Medical Association, and American Veterinary Medical Association all recognize acupuncture as a valid modality useful for a variety of applications.

General conditions that might benefit from acupuncture are:

  • Musculoskeletal Disorders: arthritis, degenerative joint disease, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, post surgical pain/healing
  • Gastrointestinal Disorders: inflammatory bowel disease, chronic/acute diarrhea, chronic constipation, nausea, decreased appetite, megacolon in cats
  • Skin Disorders: lick granulomas, chronic allergies, decrease wound healing time
  • Neurologic Disorders: seizures and nerve disorders
  • Respiratory Disorders: chronic asthma
  • Ocular Disorders: KCS/dry eye
  • Any condition that is decreasing the quality of life for your pet and not responding to traditional western medicine.

Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy

Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy (VMST) is an alternative method of care that complements traditional Veterinary Medicine. It utilizes an evaluation and manipulation of the vertebral column that is based on movement and symmetry. By observing and palpating the subtleties of the patient’s posture, stance, gait, and behavior, the certified doctor can locate and correct subluxations; restoring normal nerve function and improving the patient’s overall health and well-being.

Since the nervous system is the governing system in the body, its synergy with the rest of the body is vital to the general health of the animal. VMST adjustments allow the nerves, which run throughout all organs, to communicate optimally with the brain and the rest of the body. This energizes the animal’s natural ability to heal, regulate and maintain itself, resulting in better overall function and health.

Cryo and Thermo Therapy

Cryo and thermo therapy is the use of cold and/or heat on an area during the two post-injury phases of inflammation. The first phase is the breakdown period, which usually lasts 48-72 hours. The second phase that typically follows is the healing period.

Cryotherapy decreases pain perception, decreases inflammation, and causes decreased blood flow followed by a rebounding increase of blood flow. When used immediately after surgery or an injury, cryotherapy can decrease surface and deep tissue bleeding. Cryotherapy is typically applied and removed in 10 minute cycles as much as is feasible for the first 72 hours post-surgery or injury.

Thermo therapy increases blood flow, decreases pain, increases enzyme activity (which speeds healing), and increases muscle contractibility and stretching potential. Thermotherapy should never be used earlier than 72 hours post-surgery or injury. Thernotherapy has been shown to be very effective when combined with cryotherapy in 10 minute cycles (cryo-10 min/thermo-10min/cryo-10min) up to 3 times daily.

Extracorporeal Shockwave

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is used for the treatment of soft tissue pain (muscles, tendons, and ligaments), healing of superficial and soft tissue injuries, as well as disorders such as joint injuries or osteoarthritis. Short and sedation-free therapy sessions provide successful relief of acute and chronic pain and improvement of chronic disorders to restore mobility and stimulate bone growth and tissue regeneration. Click here for more detailed information on how and why this modality can improve your pets well being.

Hako-Med (Electrical Stimulation – Horizontal Therapy®) Pool


Aquatic Bioelectric Therapy is a new form of treatment combining the benefits of whirlpool therapy with the pain management benefits of electromedical horizontal therapy. This represents an exciting new avenue for providing pain relief for a variety of conditions.

Good candidates for aquatic bioelectric therapy are patients that:

  • Have an acute injury (sprains, strains)
  • Are recovering from orthopedic surgery (knees, hips, elbows, shoulders, etc.)
  • Have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and/or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Suffer from any type of chronic pain

The positive therapeutic effects of warm water have always been highly acclaimed. By adding the mild to moderate pressure created by the 8 adjustable jets, the animals receive a comfortable massage, thus increasing blood flow, which promotes endorphin release and general relaxation.

When the positive effects of hydrotherapy in the Whirlpool are combined with an effective form of electro-stimulation, dramatic and profound results in analgesia (including significant reduction of arthritis pain), edema reduction, even bone and nerve re-growth can be seen. The Hako-Med can be used in conjunction with the whirlpool for generalized “all-over” conditions, or it can be used alone for more localized pain. Most sessions last 10-15 minutes, and therapeutic effects are often seen immediately.

Land Treadmill

Thera-Vet Acres has a specially designed canine treadmill that is used to increase strength, balance, and coordination. It is beneficial not only to those pets that need to shed a few pounds, but to those canine athletes that need conditioning during the cold upstate New York winters.

This form of therapy can also be advantageous in specific situations such as:

  • Stimulation of bone growth and strengthening
  • Ability to vary rate of incline and decline, thereby concentrating the effort to specific muscle groups
  • Beneficial at certain stages of post-joint surgery rehabilitation (ie: cruciates, hips, elbows).

Laser Therapy

LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission by Radiation. Low level LASERS have been used world-wide for nearly 30 years on humans and animals.Infrared LASER energy has a stimulating effect on tissues because it increases cellular energy. LASER light energy is absorbed by the tissues, and stimulates their metabolic processes.

Class IIIb Laser

Thera-Vet Acres utilizes a Class IIIb Laser, which is supported by numerous studies and evidence of success. Over 2000 studies have shown that low level laser treatment:

  • Reduces pain by stimulating cells to produce their own endorphins, a natural pain killer
  • Promotes faster healing by stimulating cells to increase the production of two major healing enzymes by as much as 75%
  • Reduces inflammation by as much as 75%
  • Increases bone repair by stimulating fibroblastic and osteoblastic proliferation
  • Relaxes muscles and muscle spasms
  • Decreases swelling by stimulating lymphatic drainage
  • Enhances the immune system by increasing the number of ″killer″ cells by 400%-900%
  • Re-energizes cell membranes to allow transport of essential nutrients across cell walls allowing a healthy new cell to grow (nutrients will not cross an injured or sick cell wall, thus slowing healing)
  • Reduces scarring
  • Increases mobility
  • Increases tendon and wound healing.

MLS Harmony Class IV Laser

MLS Harmony Class IV LASER from Cutting Edge represents the most advanced therapeutic laser on the market today. It utilizes BOTH continuous and pulsed laser emissions, each of which have attributes that benefit the patient in different ways. Continuous emission stimulates an anti-inflammatory effect (reduces swelling) but has only a limited pain-relieving effect. Pulsed emission has a more intense pain-relieving action but the effect on the inflammatory process is less. For much more detailed information on this modality and it’s benefits, please visit the Cutting Edge Website where there are videos and details on how and why this modality can benefit your pet.

Bodywork Therapy


The benefits of bodywork therapy for animals mimic that which is seen for massage in humans:

  • Improved circulation
  • Reduction in muscle knots and spasms
  • Reduction in anxiety and stress
  • Improved relaxation and sleep
  • Reduction of pain.

Bodywork is used in conjunction with other therapies performed at Thera-Vet Acres. It enables the body to gain the most from the therapies received. The effects seen with bodywork therapy will enhance the benefits seen from other modalities because the patient is able to relax the mind as well as muscles.

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a very useful modality for treating various orthopedic and neurological diseases, especially those causing acute and chronic pain, or muscle atrophy. It entails the application of a low level electrical current across a muscle, which results in that muscle contracting. These muscle contractions can be used to mimic strength training for animals that are non-weight bearing or have limited use of a muscle or muscle group. NMES is used to prevent atrophy post surgery or injury, or to increase strength for muscles that have been chronically underutilized. NMES is commonly used in paretic dogs or dogs post-surgically before they are weight bearing and during re-education of ambulation.

Pulsed Signal Therapy (PST)


Pulsed Signal Therapy is a unique therapy that has been developed and patented for Veterinary use in the United States to treat patients with the following disorders:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Degenerative joint disease
  • Rheumatoid disease (inflammation of joint tissue)
  • Sports injuries (acute joint injuries)
  • Back pain

There are many benefits to Pulsed Signal Therapy including significant relief of joint pain, swelling and tenderness, and pain with movement. Pulsed Signal Therapy improves your pet´s mobility, allows them to have a restful sleep, and to enjoy daily activities while being pain free.

Thera-Vet Acres is currently the only facility in the State of New York with this capability.

Therapeutic Exercises

Exercises are an important part of many rehabilitation cases. They can vary from simple range-of-motion that improves/maintains flexibility to complicated exercises to retrain an animal to walk. Exercises many times will be designed specifically for each individual patient, so there is no set type or quantity of exercise. Here are some general types of exercise:

  • Passive range of motion exercises increase nutrition availability at the joint cartilage, stimulate new cartilage production, and are used to increase a joint’s range of motion
  • Stretching exercises increase circulation and muscle flexibility.
  • Proprioception exercises are used to help an animal know where their feet are in relation to the ground, to their body, and to each other.
  • Strengthening exercises build up individual muscles or muscle groups.
  • Weight shifting exercises help an animal learn to utilize the affected limb. This eventually helps an animal to be more balanced.
  • Walking (ambulation) exercises are used to re-educate a severely weakened animal on how to move properly.

Ultrasound and Phonophoresis

Therapeutic ultrasound is the use of sound waves that are passed through tissue creating certain physiological effects. Therapeutic ultrasound used together with medication is termed phonophoresis. Phonophoresis delivers the medication through the skin, local to a target site, thus reducing side affects related to oral or injectable delivery. The uses of therapeutic ultrasound include:

  • Increase circulation
  • Increase contractility of muscle fibers (to increase range of motion)
  • Decrease scar tissue
  • Decrease pain and muscle spasm
  • Decrease inflammation
  • Accelerate wound healing

Hydro-treadmill Therapy (Underwater Treadmill)

Thera-Vet Acres has acquired the latest advancement in canine rehabilitation with the addition of our Ferno Aqua Paws Underwater Treadmill (UWTM). Hydrotherapy for dogs via an aquatic treadmill is used in the treatment of many ailments including arthritis, orthopedic, post-surgical, degenerative conditions, and neurological conditions. The UWTM can also help with general convalescence, obesity and fitness training.

Water resistance while walking or trotting helps to build muscle mass, strengthen limbs, and provide a significant cardiovascular workout. An important additional benefit of this treatment method versus traditional hydrotherapy, is that the variables (speed, resistance, and depth of water) can be controlled to yield a consistently progressive therapy plan.

Additionally, our UWTM unit is equipped with aquatic jets that are utilized in the tank to deliver a massaging action to stimulate increased blood flow and nerve development. These jets can also be used to aid in conditioning for the athletic or performance dog by increasing the intensity of their workout whether swimming in the tank or utilizing the treadmill.

Geriatric, post-surgical, and obese animals can exercise without injury for longer periods of time in the UWTM than they can on land. This is due to the buoyancy effect of the water, which can support as much as 62% of the patient’s body weight. The geriatric patient can rebuild muscle mass and prevent muscle atrophy. The post-surgical patient can have an earlier return to exercise and, thus, full function. An overweight animal will experience a decrease in weight and an increase in overall fitness in a relatively short period of time.

Other Services

  • General Conditioning Programs
  • Underwater Treadmill Conditioning Sessions
  • Fitness/Wellness Programs
  • Weight Management Programs
  • Pasture Play Rental Whether it be an organization, breed specific play group, or just a bunch of besties getting together for a romp, the fenced in pastures of Thera-Vet Acres provides the perfect place for a play date! For details regarding pasture rental, give us a call.
  • Doggy Daycare and Day Play
  • Post Surgical Rehabilitation

Aid in Fitting for:

  • Orthotics and Prosthetics
  • Carts/Wheelchairs
  • Harnesses
  • Booties