Dr. Janet Van Dyke is a 1981 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her internship and surgical residency at the Animal Medical Center in New York City in 1984. Practicing orthopedics and sports medicine, Dr. Van Dyke saw many canine patients that could benefit from rehabilitation therapy. In 2002, she founded the Canine Rehabilitation Institute, Inc. to train and certify veterinarians, physical therapists, veterinary technicians, and physical therapist assistants in canine rehabilitation.

Video: Watch a video interview with Dr. Janet Van Dyke as she explains the core philosophies of a CRI education.

Dr. Van Dyke lectures nationally and internationally and consults regularly with state veterinary and physical therapy boards on legislature issues related to veterinary rehabilitation. She is currently serving on the board of directors of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) and is on the steering committee for the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.

In 2010, Dr. Van Dyke was named an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Faculty members of the department elected Dr. Van Dyke to a three-year affiliate faculty appointment.

Ilaria Borghese obtained her Master's Degree in Neuroscience from the University of Connecticut in 1994, and her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University in 2000. Drawing on her experience with human rehabilitation, she has helped small animal practitioners develop novel approaches to splinting and bracing. Ilaria is the president of Thera-Paw, Inc., a company that develops and manufactures a wide range of assistive products for animals including splints, braces and protective garments. She has a special interest in Greyhounds, and has written and lectured on paw-related issues in ex-racing dogs.

Dr. Debra Canapp performed her undergraduate and Masters studies at Rutgers University and was awarded her veterinary degree by Iowa State University in 1988. She spent a number of years in general and emergency medicine, but has practiced rehabilitation medicine exclusively for the last six years.

Dr. Canapp received her CCRT from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2005. She is also certified in small animal acupuncture and Chinese veterinary medicine, and plans to become certified in chiropractic care later in 2010. She is currently a member of the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Team at Veterinary Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Group (VOSM) in Annapolis Junction, Maryland. Dr. Canapp teaches Canine Rehabilitation and Clinical Orthopedics and Aquatic Therapy in Canine Rehabilitation.

Dr. Sherman Canapp received a combined DVM/MS in Clinical Science in Surgery from Kansas State in 1999. He completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Missouri followed by a three-year residency in small animal surgery at the University of Florida. Dr. Canapp became a member of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2004. In 2005, he was certified as a CCRT by the Canine Rehabilitation Institute.

Dr. Canapp currently practices orthopedic surgery and sports medicine at the Veterinary Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Group (VOSM) in Annapolis Junction, MD, where he is Chief of Staff. Dr. Canapp publishes and lectures frequently on the subjects of osteoarthritis, canine sports medicine and minimally invasive surgery. He was the founding president of the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians (AARV) and is currently a consultant for a number of organizations including the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and the Maryland Zoo. He teaches Canine Rehabilitation and Clinical Orthopedics.

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Dr. Caywood received a DVM from the University of Missouri in 1975 and a MS in Surgery, Radiology and Anesthesiology from the University of Minnesota in 1978. After completing a small animal internship and surgical residency at the University of Minnesota in 1978, he joined their faculty in the Department of Small Animal Surgery. He was certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1981 and was Professor of General and Orthopedic Small Animal Surgery at the University of Minnesota until 1998. He has published numerous research papers and lectured extensively to veterinarians worldwide. Dr. Caywood was in a private specialty surgery practice in Minneapolis/St. Paul from 1995-2006. He joined Pfizer Animal Health as a Veterinary Specialist-Surgery/Rehabilitation in 2006 and continues to practice surgery part-time at Midwest Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Dr. Caywood became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist in 2008. He teaches The Multimodal Approach to the Geriatric Canine Patient.

Jody Chiquoine received her master's degree in nursing from the University of Utah in 1978. She has held a number of management positions in the health care field, and was an instructor in the MSN-FNP programs at the University of Massachusetts and the University of Connecticut. In 1999, Jody started Fitter Critters, a veterinary referral practice for canine rehabilitation and hydrotherapy. She completed the American Physical Therapy Association's basic science program in animal physical therapy in 2000. Jody is certified in canine massage, and received her Canine Rehabilitation Therapist certification from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2004. She is the co-author of A Dog Lovers Guide to Canine Massage. Jody teaches Aquatic Therapy in Canine Rehabilitation.

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Dr. Julie Churchill graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University in 1988 and did her small animal internship in medicine and surgery at the University of Georgia. She completed a residency/PhD program in small animal internal medicine and clinical nutrition at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993/96, where she is currently serving as Assistant Clinical Professor in Companion Animal Nutrition. Dr. Churchill’s interests include obesity prevention and weight loss management, critical care nutrition, the nutritional management of kidney diseases, and the role of nutrition in integrative medicine. She teaches Nutrition in Canine Rehabilitation and The Multimodal Approach to the Geriatric Canine Patient.

Judy Coates received her master's degree in physical therapy from Boston University's Sargent College in 1986. She has worked with humans for the past 23 years, specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy with particular interests in manual therapy and biomechanics. As an associate professor at Sargent College, Judy taught Evaluation and Treatment of Orthopedic Conditions in the master’s physical therapy program for seven years. She conducted research at the National Institutes of Health, investigating the biomechanics of gait. Judy completed her certification at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2005 at which point she established a mobile K-9 practice. She currently lives in New Hampshire where she splits her practice between small animals and humans. Judy teaches Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation, The Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, The Canine Rehabilitation Assistant and The Multimodal Approach to the Geriatric Canine Patient.

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Laurie Edge-Hughes obtained her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Alberta in 1993, and has focused her post-graduate training on orthopedics, osteopathy, acupuncture and animal rehabilitation. In 2006, she completed her Master of Animal Studies in Animal Physiotherapy through the University of Queensland in Australia. Laurie has the distinction of having taught the first canine physiotherapy/physical therapy courses in Canada (1999), the U.S. (1999), and Australia (2001). She currently teaches canine physiotherapy and rehabilitation courses for the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI) in the U.S. and for the Animal Rehab Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, which she currently chairs. She also lectures internationally. Laurie co-owns and practices out of the Canine Fitness Centre Ltd in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She teaches The Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and The Canine Spine for CRI.

Sasha Foster earned her master's degree in physical therapy from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania, in 2000 and was certified as a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist by the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2008. She started Canine Fitness Zone™ in Fort Collins, Colorado, in 2009 where she provides research-based rehabilitation and conditioning services including the clinical version of the CFZ™ 4-Tiered Athletic Conditioning Program. Her first co-authored book, The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog, A Physical Therapy Approach, won the 2009 Maxwell Award for Best Health & Care Book; it is now available as a DVD. Look for her next book, Canine Cross-Training, Balance, Strength, and Endurance Exercises in 2013. Sasha teaches Current Techniques in Canine Pain Management.

Amie Lamoreaux Hesbach received her Masters in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Virginia in 1997. She completed a post-graduate residency in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation at the Kaiser Foundation Rehabilitation Center of Vallejo, and was certified by the University of Tennessee in Canine Rehabilitation in 2003. As a Certified Clinical Instructor, she has supervised externships for both physical therapy and veterinary students. She has lectured on both human and canine rehabilitation in the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. Amie maintains clinical practices in both human and small animal rehabilitation, and is the sole owner of For Paws Rehabilitation, collaborating with veterinary specialty/referral clinics in Maryland. She is the president of the Animal Rehabilitation Special Interest Group of the APTA and a member of the board of directors of the International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy. Amie teaches Canine Neurological Rehabilitation.

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Martin Kaufmann graduated from Century College in 1998 and began his career as an orthotic and prosthetic technologist. In 2004, he received a pedorthotic practitioner degree (C-Ped) from Temple University Podiatric Department and a business degree from the University of Phoenix. Martin enjoyed a rewarding 12-year career designing, fabricating, fitting, and modifying custom orthotic and prosthetic devices, working with several companies including Tamarack Habilitations Technologies Inc., Shriners Hospital, and Winkley's Orthopedics. In 2004, he founded OrthoPets Center for Animal Pain Management and Mobility Solutions, the first full-time veterinary orthotics and prosthetics fabrication company in the world.

Martin has lectured at several major universities and consults with hundreds of veterinarians. His specific area of interest is the research and development necessary to advance the emerging field of Veterinary Orthotics & Prosthetics (V-OP). He co-teaches Orthotics and Prosthetics in Canine Rehabilitation with Patrice Mich, DVM.

Dr. Kirkby received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida in 2003. She then moved to Colorado for a small animal rotating internship and returned to the University of Florida for a combined small animal surgery residency/ master's degree. During her residency Kristin developed a keen interest in rehabilitation and became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist in April 2008. She completed her residency in July 2008 and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Following her residency, Dr. Kirkby remained at the University of Florida as a faculty member for two years while she pursed a PhD investigating the effects of low-level laser on tissue healing. During this time she also developed the University of Florida’s Rehabilitation and Fitness Center at the College of Veterinary Medicine Small Animal Hospital. In 2010 Kristin joined Seattle Veterinary Specialists as a surgeon and rehabilitation therapist.

Kristin has lectured around the country, authored numerous journal articles, and received awards for research and communication skills. In 2010, she was awarded the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Young Alumnus Award. Kristin is on the board of directors for the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians and is the co-chairperson of the International Sports Medicine Symposium. She co-teaches Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation.

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Dr. Michael Lappin is a 1981 graduate of the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed his residency in small animal medicine and a Ph.D. in Parasitology at the University of Georgia, and was board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1987. Dr. Lappin is currently Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. His areas of interest include infectious and immune-mediated diseases and feline zoonoses. He is on the editorial board of Feline Medicine and Surgery and Compendium for Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian and is the editor of the textbook Feline Internal Medicine Secrets.

Dr. McCauley is a 1992 graduate of the Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine. After spending six years in general private, she began to study and conduct research in the field of veterinary rehabilitation. Laurie is the Medical Director of TOPS Veterinary Rehabilitation in Grayslake, Illinois, a referral-only rehabilitation-only practice. Dr. McCauley helped design the first underwater treadmill for dogs, and continues to work with companies to create innovative rehabilitative equipment. She is a contributing author to Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy and Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. In 2007, Dr. McCauley and Dr. Chris Zink released Building the Canine Athlete, a therapeutic exercise DVD for canine rehabilitation therapists. Dr. McCauley teaches Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation, The Canine Rehabilitation Assistant and The Multimodal Approach to the Geriatric Canine Patient.

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Dr. Patrice Mich is a 1991 graduate of Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine. During her 14 years as a generalist, she completed advanced training in veterinary acupuncture and achieved diplomate status in the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP).

Dr. Mich left private practice to pursue her interest in pain management, completing a residency in anesthesiology and a 2-year post-doctoral fellowship in integrative pain medicine. In 2008, she received a master's degree in clinical science with a focus on clinical assessment, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, and pain management. She became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists (ACVA) in 2009. Dr. Mich was trained as a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist by CRI and in veterinary medical massage through Colorado State University.

Dr. Mich's interests include the impact of limb dysfunction or loss on biomechanics, mobility and long-term comfort, use of veterinary orthotics and prosthetics as pain management tools, clinical assessment of pain, and regional analgesia. She is co-owner and medical director of OrthoPets Center for Animal Pain Management and Mobility Solutions in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Mich teaches Current Techniques in Canine Pain Management and co-teaches Orthotics and Prosthetics in Canine Rehabilitation with Martin W. Kaufmann.

Krista Niebaum, MPT, CCRT, is a licensed physical therapist and graduate of the Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University in Philadelphia. Krista has practiced physical therapy with human patients in both outpatient and inpatient settings, with an emphasis on neurological rehabilitation. She has three years of experience in the animal rehabilitation field, and is Director of Rehabilitation Therapy at Scout’s House Rehabilitation in Menlo Park, California. She has also developed two instructional DVDs with the Canine Health Foundation. Krista is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Canine Sports Medicine Association. She teaches The Canine Rehabilitation Assistant.

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Marty Pease received her master’s degree in physical therapy from Columbia University in 1982. She has had over 20 years of experience working with human patients, and was recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association as an orthopedic clinical specialist. Marty has been treating dogs since 1999, and obtained her certification in canine rehabilitation from the University of Tennessee in 2003. Until September 2011, she was part-owner of the Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Group in Englewood, Colorado, a clinic that features state-of-the-art hydrotherapy equipment including a large recreational pool, an endless pool, and an underwater treadmill. She has recently relocated to Connecticut, where she will continue to work in canine rehabilitation. Marty teaches Aquatic Therapy in Canine Rehabilitation.

Dr. Petty has been in private practice since he graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University in 1980. He started his own practice in 1985 when he opened the doors of Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital, currently located in Canton, Michigan. Dr. Petty has a long-standing interest in pain and pain management that began early in his veterinary education. As his reputation in this area grew so did the referrals from the surrounding veterinary clinics and communities. Dr. Petty started the Animal Pain Center, a referral practice within Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital, to meet this growing demand.

Dr. Petty is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner, a Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist, and is certified by the American Academy of Pain Management. He also has a special interest in the treatment of myofascial pain. Dr. Petty is the current president of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management and is a frequent lecturer at local, state and national conventions. He teaches Current Techniques in Canine Pain Management.

Dr. Gail Smith received his VMD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1974 and was awarded a PhD in engineering in 1982. He has applied engineering principles to his research of the musculoskeletal system, focusing on problems of the spine, knee and hip. In 1993, he founded the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP) – a multifaceted radiographic technology for canine hip evaluation. PennHIP trains veterinarians to use this methodology, evaluates the films, and maintains a database that is continually monitored. Today, PennHIP consists of more than 2,000 trained veterinary practitioners.

Dr. Smith has been recognized for research excellence by several notable institutions including the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Kennel Club. Most recently he was awarded the prestigious Iams Saki Patsaama Award for excellence in Orthopaedics by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Dr. Smith is currently Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery in the Department of Clinical Studies at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. He teaches PennHIP Certification at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute.

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Shari Sprague is the director of rehabilitation at Coral Springs Animal Hospital. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1994 and received her master's in physical therapy from Nova Southeastern University in 1998. Shari was certified in canine rehabilitation by the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2008. She is also a Certified Clinical Instructor and has contributed to a number of animal rehabilitation publications. Shari mentors veterinarians, physical therapists, and veterinary technicians in formal clinical internships at her clinic. She is the clinical coordinator for veterinary technicians who are participating in the Canine Rehabilitation Institute’s certification program. Shari and her three dogs compete in agility, rally obedience, and conformation. She teaches The Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, The Canine Rehabilitation Assistant, and Canine Neurological Rehabilitation.

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Dr. H. Steven Steinberg is a 1973 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. He interned at The Henry Bergh Animal Hospital in New York City and did his residency at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Steinberg completed his board certification in neurology with the American College of Veterinary Medicine in 1980. He was an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania for five years and an instructor in comparative medicine at Johns Hopkins for two years. Dr. Steinberg was a pioneer in the treatment of small animal brain tumors and is internationally recognized for his work on small animal peripheral nerve disease. He created The Veterinary Cancer Registry — the largest Internet site containing worldwide case material.

Dr. Steinberg built and managed one of the largest and earliest referral-only specialty hospitals in the country. After Veterinary Centers of America (VCA) bought the hospital, he began working in strategic planning and budget management for the nationwide giant. Dr. Steinberg oversaw the modernization and physical additions to several VCA hospitals including a $1.5 million renovation to their largest referral practice. Dr. Steinberg teaches Canine Neurological Rehabilitation and The Business of Canine Rehabilitation.

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Dr. Christine Zink obtained her DVM and PhD from the Ontario Veterinary College. She is a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where she teaches pathology and conducts AIDS research. She also has a consultation business in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation, and is the author of several books on canine health including Peak Performance: Coaching the Canine Athlete, Canine Nutrition for Dummies, Jumping A to Z, and The Agility Advantage.

In 2007, Dr. Zink and Dr. Laurie McCauley released Building the Canine Athlete, a therapeutic exercise DVD for canine rehabilitation therapists. Dr. Zink lectures nationally and internationally on the topic of canine sports medicine. She was named 2009 Outstanding Woman Veterinarian by the Association for Women Veterinarian Foundation and her book, The Agility Advantage, was voted Best Dog Publication of 2008. Dr. Zink teaches Canine Sports Medicine.

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