Senior and Geriatric Care

Senior & Geriatric Centered Care

As pets enter their golden years, their medical needs become increasingly complex. At Treasure Coast Animal Rehab and Fitness, we move beyond general wellness to provide specialized, comprehensive medicine designed specifically for the aging patient.

Our senior care program is led by Dr. Amber Callaway Lewis, a Senior Dog Certified Veterinarian. This advanced certification signifies a commitment to the latest developments in canine geroscience and a deep expertise in managing the multi-system changes that define the geriatric stage of life.

The Gold Standard in Aging Care

Our approach is rooted in the understanding that "age is not a disease." We focus on proactive management to ensure your pet remains comfortable, engaged, and mobile.

Comprehensive Geriatric Evaluations: Specialized physical examinations that prioritize subtle signs of pain, mobility shifts, and cognitive health often missed in standard wellness checks.
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) Management: Expert guidance and treatment for "dog dementia," focusing on brain health, environmental enrichment, and behavioral support.
Advanced Arthritis & Pain Management: As a Certified Arthritis Management Practitioner (CAMP), Dr. Amber utilizes multimodal protocols—combining pharmaceutical, nutritional, and integrative therapies to address chronic discomfort.
Metabolic & Nutritional Optimization: Personalized dietary and supplement plans tailored to support aging kidneys, hearts, and joints.

Navigating Changing Abilities

We believe in supporting the family just as much as the patient. Our team is specifically trained to help you navigate the evolving needs of your pet, offering:

Home Environment Consultations: Advice on non-slip surfaces, ramps, and assistive harnesses to maintain your pet's independence.
Palliative & Hospice Care: Dedicated comfort-first medicine for pets with terminal or chronic conditions, focusing on dignity and peace.
Quality-of-Life Coaching: Honest, compassionate communication to help families assess their pet's comfort and make informed decisions with confidence.

Treasure Coast Animal Rehab is one of the few facilities where advanced rehabilitative science meets certified geriatric expertise. We are here to ensure your pet’s final chapters are filled with comfort, movement, and the highest quality of life.

Canine Senior Fitness & Conditioning

Physical decline does not have to be an inevitable part of aging. Our Canine Senior Fitness program is specifically designed to bridge the gap between clinical rehabilitation and proactive wellness. Led by our expert team, these sessions focus on maintaining the strength, balance, and flexibility necessary for your dog to navigate their daily environment with confidence.

Proactive Mobility Management

Our fitness protocols are tailored to the unique biomechanics of the aging canine, focusing on three core pillars:

Targeted Strengthening: We utilize specialized equipment—including balance discs, peanuts, and cavaletti rails—to maintain core stability and posterior muscle mass, which are critical for supporting aging joints.
Proprioception & Balance Training: Exercises designed to improve "body awareness," helping senior dogs prevent stumbles and maintain their footing on slick surfaces or uneven terrain.
Flexibility & Range of Motion: Gentle, guided stretching and movement patterns that alleviate stiffness and ensure joints remain as fluid and functional as possible.

The Benefits of Senior-Specific Conditioning

Regular, low-impact exercise is one of the most effective tools for managing the symptoms of arthritis and age-related muscle atrophy (sarcopenia). Our program provides:

Injury Prevention: Strengthening the supporting structures around vulnerable joints.
Weight Management: Optimized activity levels to reduce the mechanical stress on the skeletal system.
Mental Enrichment: Cognitive engagement through task-oriented movement, which is vital for senior brain health.

A Clinical Safety First Approach

Unlike standard "dog gym" environments, our senior fitness sessions are overseen by professionals trained in geriatric physiology. Every exercise is monitored for proper form and adjusted in real-time based on your pet’s comfort level and medical history, ensuring that activity remains safe, productive, and pain-free.