As owner of the Northborough Canine Rehabilitation and Fitness Center, Susanne Russell sees a lot of clients who are jumping through hoops (some literally) after she gets done with them.
Starting eight years ago with an interest in canine rehabilitation, Susanne Russell had been working at Tufts University in the ICU department aiding patients that underwent back surgery.
"At that time I realized that they had a lot of muscle pain," said Russell, "and became interested in taking massage certification program.
She attended Bancroft School of Massage and was certified as a therapist, and decided to pursue the field of rehabilitation even further, working for Northborough orthopedic surgeon Melissa Dudley. She also continued with courses in canine rehabilitation, and worked in rehab centers in CT as well as East Longmeadow, MA.
Russell opened the Northborough Canine Rehabilitation and Fitness Center a year and a half ago. The center not only sees orthopedic patients, but also has a robust list of clients that includes neurology patients, senior canines and those with obesity or arthritis issues.
"When we opened, we put in a swimming pool and an underwater treadmill," said Russell, "and we have been just seeing patients for rehab for the most part but we’d like to start some fitness program and utizilie the pool more efficiently. We see a lot of neurology patients from Tufts, post surgical care patients from orthopedics, and do a lot of senior care and wellness, dogs with arthritis or obesity issues. They all come and do great and we have a really nice caseload going right now."
Watch the video to learn more about the Northborough Canine Rehabilitation and Fitness Center through the story of Lopez, the lovable yellow lab who was once paralyzed.