RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Animal Rehabilitation Center began with the vision of Diana Cortez, chief operating officer, and Erin True, executive director, both of whom are co-owners.  With them are associate veterinarians Lesley Scheblein and Emily Putt.  “We initially thought it would be a service that we offered at our existing general practice, Sacramento Animal Hospital in East Sacramento,” Cortez said.  “From there it developed into creating a whole second practice here in Rancho Cordova.” The center opened in September 2021 at 3017 Gold Canal Drive in Rancho Cordova, in a facility with a lot of light and open space that allows animals to be comfortable.

Most commonly rehabilitation is done for injured or recovering pets or those experiencing problems of aging.  Cody, a 14-year-old Rough Collie, was one of the first patients when the center opened in September, seen for hip problems and arthritis.  He has been having acupuncture and water treadmill therapy, with overall improvement.  “I think I called the day after it opened,” said owner Liz Tomsich.  “Everybody at the center knows your dog – or cat – and they all come to say “hi”.  It’s great to have a vet on call who knows your dog better than your typical vet. When there’s something wrong with him, we can call Dr. Scheblein and get a quicker answer from someone who knows him more closely.”

The recovery of a service dog is equally important for the owner. Coco, a 4-year-old pit bull, serves Ilsa vonLeden, a former Yolo County deputy sheriff and law enforcement instructor who retired with industrial disability after an accident.   “She bonded with me very quickly . . . she was very tuned in to me, more than any dog I’ve ever had.”  Still very active, vonLeden takes care of the animals on her farm. Coco has to be constantly aware and focused on her owner’s needs.  Because of severe neurological damage, vonLeden doesn’t get the usual internal signals for such things as hydration.  “I’ll just become totally dehydrated because I don’t have thirst,” vonLeden said. Coco has learned on her own to signal vonLeden that it is time to drink, as well as many other signals.  If her owner is losing balance, Coco will move into position so vonLeden can grab her shoulder and back to keep from falling.

When Coco started having trouble with her left rear leg, Coco’s trainer Jean Gauchat-Hargis suggested the Animal Rehabilitation Center.  “Everyone ran to greet her when she came into the building, and we felt like special guests,” vonLeden said.  After undergoing a thorough 90-minute assessment with the ARC vet, a customized plan was built specifically for her.  Weekly therapy began and within five visits the problem was solved.  After that, she began limping on the right rear leg, and that was alleviated after three visits.  Therapies included chiropractic, laser, acupuncture, water treadmill, and hands-on work by the vet.

“I was impressed with how quickly (Coco) responded to the vet, how thoroughly the vet examined her and was able to explain all these things to me in a way I could understand, and the way they treated my dog,” vonLeden said.  “It really worked.  The left leg has never had any more problems and the right leg is now okay again.”

The center’s rehabilitation therapy for dogs and cats includes acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, manual and massage therapy, laser therapy, underwater treadmill therapy, traditional Chinese medicine, therapeutic exercises, strengthening programs, and home exercise programs.  Putt is a mixed animal practitioner, but right now, Cortez said, they are set up mainly for dogs and cats. “Cats are funny creatures, because you can’t tell them what to do, it has to be their idea,” Putt said.   Putt and Scheblein both say cats tend to like acupuncture. 

Though general veterinarian practices are numerous, animal rehabilitation facilities are rare. “Aside from us, there’s a location in Roseville that provides this kind of service; UC Davis provides this service,” Scheblein said.  It is necessary to go to the Bay Area or beyond to try and find a standalone rehabilitation clinic.

You can reach the Animal Rehabilitation Center by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 916-526-0701 Monday through Friday from 8 to 5, closed from 12 to 1 for lunch.  The website is www.animalrehab.net.