Services - Small Animals - Dr. Pat Bona

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Dr. Pat Bona - Doctor of Chiropractic

Services

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Services for SMALL ANIMALS

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Posture Prepping for Smal Animals

For all dogs, daily life can create micro traumas and injuries as they run around on slippery floors, sliding and banging into walls and furniture, or even running around and tackling each other. When Dr. Pat first introduced her Posture Prep for dogs at the 2012 National Dog show in Oaks, Pennsylvania, owners and dog handlers had a new way to offer relief to their pets by giving them a muscle massage that also allows for myofascial release.

Knowing the advantages that exist by having dogs in our lives, Dr. Pat continues to expand her Posture Prepping system to support agility, performance, working (rescue and service), and companion dogs. Performance dogs in agility and flyball are often compulsive, burning off too much energy before they compete in events. Posture Prepping before their event will help to focus them and “warm up” their muscles and body. For all working and competing dogs, owners and handlers often don’t realize how much these hard-working dogs can benefit from a massage and the myofascial release. It is one way to keep these dogs comfortable and active.

Other small companion animals, such as cats, welcome the tool as part of a daily grooming routine and will make sure their humans know how much they look forward to their Posture Prep session. Daily life activities can create compromised posture in any pet and a Posture Prep session can provide relief and relaxation for your loved companion.

But it’s not only dogs that enjoy and benefit from the Cross Fiber Grooming technique. Studies show that humans also benefit from this type of bonding interaction with their pets. Maybe you’ve heard of the oxytocin system and how it helps create strong human-to-human bonds. A study in Frontiers in Psychology discusses why some scientists believe the same system operates to create strong human-animal bonds leading to benefits such as a lowered heart rate and blood pressure, reduced aggression, and enhanced empathy. Another article in Psychology Today reports that these effects work faster than many drugs taken to reduce stress. This can explain why we see more animals used in therapy and education. How can you not smile when hugging a dog or a cat?

Is My Dog Fat? Why “Lumps and Bumps” may not be fat

One of Dr. Pat’s “pet peeves” is when people refer to dogs as “fat” without a good understanding of what defines extra weight on a dog. Dogs may have a thick waist line due to the thickening of lumbar muscles and tight (hypertonic) muscles causing stress, misalignment, dysfunction, and pain. When the lumbar spine is misaligned, it causes compression on the spinal joints and irritation to the soft tissue and nerves. The result? A dog’s posture and movement is altered, adding stress and strain to the hips, hind limbs, shoulders, and neck. Because these dogs are uncomfortable, they become less active and may gain excess weight. This only adds to the stress and wear on their body and overall health and the creation of a body type with “Lumps and Bumps”. And this type of thick waist can’t be reversed with a restricted diet.

Trained professionals and other health practitioners can miss the myofascial thickening and lumbar strain. It is Dr. Pat’s mission to educate dog owners and professionals so they understand and address this prevalent problem in dogs young and old, large and small. Acupuncture, chiropractic, and other body work can help but ovne of the simplest and easiest ways for an owner or professional to help these “fat” dogs is through cross fiber massage with the Posture Prep Cross Fiber groomer. This helps to break up the adhesions and scar tissue and restore normal muscle health and symmetry, minimizing the “Lumps and Bumps”. Dogs love the attention and relief they get while bonding with their human companions.

Dogs and cats come to us when they want attention or a reward and leave when they please us. Most dogs enjoy the relieving touch of the Posture Prep tool especially when you apply the cross fiber massage. Some dogs may need gentle, consistent reassurance and desensitization to the tool until they can understand how you are trying to help them. Applying the Posture Prep with patience and a healing and loving intent is the key to your success. Even the most antsy dog will understand what their human is doing for them as the Posture Prep helps to relax and release the stress on their muscles and joints.
Dr. Pat is available for lectures, clinics, or demos at local or regional associations, fundraisers, and other events. Please be sure to check the calendar for upcoming and past events.

The Power of Posture Prepping

“Beaver, an 8-year-old Himalayan (cat) requires daily brushing. I used a baby brush until I discovered Posture Prep. He jumps onto the toilet seat every morning and awaits his daily grooming, wiggles from side to side, and moans a soothing different kind of purr I’ve never heard before. An excellent product for hair and muscle for kittens.”

Sandra

"I rely on my guide dog to get me around on a daily basis.  We can cover between one and five miles a day, in good weather and bad. Taking care of my dog’s health is critical to my ability to maintain an active lifestyle and I use the Posture Prep to keep her body healthy. She loves it when I message her with the posture prep and gives me lots of kisses in return!"

Cathy Beaudoin, Owner, Fidelco guide dog

"My five dogs who hate to be groomed and run when they see the brush love this product!! Especially my neurologic Great Pyrenees who I believe gets some muscle releases and body soreness relief."

Yvette

"Switch, who doesn't like to be brushed at all, stood like a rock and when I went to use the Posture Prep tool on one of the other dogs, she literally pushed them out of the way and that's not like her to do that. I'd say she loves it."

Maryanne

"Just wanted to let you know that I used the Posture Prep on Piper and Elvis and they both loved it. Piper, who usually dances around stood and leaned into me in rhythm and they both lifted their feet very nicely for me."

Shelley

"Beaver, an 8-year-old Himalayan (cat) requires daily brushing. I used a baby brush until I discovered Posture Prep. He jumps onto the toilet seat every morning and awaits his daily grooming, wiggles from side to side, and moans a soothing different kind of purr I've never heard before. An excellent product for hair and muscle for kittens."

Sandra

"Dr. Pat’s work has significantly helped the top line of two of my horses. One, a 22-year-old quarter horse, had a sagging back and his withers were sinking down between his shoulder blades. The other, a 13-year old Welsh Cobb driving pony, was severely jammed up in his shoulders/wither area and his back was hollow. Both horses have seen their backs come up and their withers emerge from their shoulder blades."

Eliza

"I began using the Posture Prep on my standard poodles in July 2014 with the goals of having peak athletic performance in agility events and decreasing any possibility of injury. The POSTURE PREP is a great warm-up for agility runs and I can see that it allows them to comfortably fully extend when running and jumping. The added bonus is that it aids in our connection before our agility runs. Bar dropping has decreased about 80%! My 8 year old is Genasha, #1 poodle in AKC agility."

Russ Thorpe

"Molly (four-year-old golden retriever) comes running when she sees POSTURE PREP in my hand. She immediately sits in front of me with her "golden smile" lifts her paw and waits for her massage. She seems to relax all over and really seems to enjoy the massage and relaxes putting her head on my lap."

Julie

"My rottweiler Jazzie loves her posture prepping time, she plops down and relishes it from her head to her belly."

Don

"Dr. Pat’s work has significantly helped the top line of two of my horses. One, a 22-year-old quarter horse, had a sagging back and his withers were sinking down between his shoulder blades. The other, a 13-year old Welsh Cobb driving pony, was severely jammed up in his shoulders/wither area and his back was hollow. Both horses have seen their backs come up and their withers emerge from their shoulder blades."

Eliza

"We have found Posture Prep to be so beneficial we use it as an integral part of our training program. It helps our horses overcome training blocks in a shorter time and a happier manner. Posture Prep is the ideal pre-ride warm-up allowing more effective use of under saddle time. Posture Prep is our favorite equine product, we use it on all our horses; 4 year olds to FEI!"

"My horses enjoy being groomed with it so much that they groom me back! All of them love the massage and I enjoy paying extra attention to them. It's particularly great for my old mare who is so bony. She just blisses out!"

Eliza Walbridge

"I have used your Posture Prep tool and my Prix St George stallion, Gideon, really likes it! To be honest, it surprised me, since he is so sensitive, but he immediately began relaxing and yawning. I found his muscles to be softer afterwards, including the spots where he can sometimes hold tension. Your directions are clear."

Kim Walnes

"Molly (four-year-old golden retriever ) comes running when she sees POSTURE PREP in my hand. She immediately sits in front of me with her "golden smile" lifts her paw and waits for her massage. She seems to relax all over and really seems to enjoy the massage and relaxes putting her head on my lap."

Mary Lou

"Dr Pats posture prep is a must have in all barns. The unique grooming techniques allow you to truly help your horses comfort level no matter whether pleasure horse or advanced eventer. We at World Class Grooming like to use the posture prep as part of our daily grooming routine. Being able to pick up subtle soreness early is paramount to helping the advance horse have a longer, more sound and happier life. We have yet to find a horse not enjoy this product."

Emma Ford and Cat Hill, World Class Grooming

"My horse’s chiropractor recommended belly lifts for him to keep up his topline and improve the atrophy he has behind his shoulders. I can hardly get him to lift that belly, but the posture prep helps to get a little bit of a lift out of him…"

"My daughter's mare, a chestnut appendix QH, barely tolerates grooming. But she completely enjoys her Posture Prep sessions & actively participates by positioning herself, showing me where to focus & displaying some comical 'that's the spot' behavior. Sometimes she 'grooms' me back. Such a wonderful tool."

Jacquelyn Saint

"My 27 year old horse Mac has been in stall rest due to a severe ruptured tendon. Using the Posture Prep groomer has helped keep his muscle toned and his posture square as he recovers."

Martha Lubow — Quakertown, PA, United States — Synergis

"I have known Dr Patricia Bona DC ( Dr Pat ) for many years. She is an inspiration to us all with her electrifying enthusiasm that she radiates throughout her profession. With this, she also brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge to the arena of animal welfare by being (AVCA) American Veterinary Chiropractic Association certified Chiropractor. This means her professional statue is unprecedented by the promotion of her "Grooming Tool".,,,, In other words, try it and you will see the difference."

Dave Duckett, FWCF

"I have been a massage therapist for over 20 years. Wish I had your Posture prep groomer sooner, it makes my job so much easier! Also recommending it to all my clients for follow up work. Thank you Pat!"

Sharon Spaziani, ncmt

"Hi I have my equine posture prep for two years now and my horses love it! It takes a lot of hard work out of my hands and the horses respond beautifully. One of my geldings had a chronic problem in his right hip and has gotten lots of relief from it. When he sees me get it out he walks right up to me and presents his hip without my asking!"

Denise Kutchko

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