ppc landing page

941.893.1500

GET YOUR PET THE CARE
THEY DESERVE

Whether your pet is recovering from surgery, struggling with arthritis, or needs pain relief, our expert-led rehabilitation programs provide the care, comfort, and support they need to heal. At VSC Sarasota, we use advanced techniques like underwater treadmill therapy, laser therapy, and chiropractic care to restore mobility and improve your pet’s quality of life.

Let our experienced team design a treatment plan tailored to your pet’s condition and goals—backed by proven results and compassionate care.

Book an Appointment

Introducing Dr. Liv Kismartoni

Dr. Liv obtained her doctorate from the University of Wisconsin, a master’s in public health from Illinois, and more recently a master’s in Business from USF. As a former professional dog trainer and dog sport competitor, she found a passion in patient rehabilitation and pain control. She received additional certification in Traditional Chinese Veterinary medicine at the Chi University and became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (similar to human physical therapy) through the University of Tennessee. She also completed a certification in veterinary spinal manipulative therapy (similar to human chiropractic) from Healing Oasis.

Dr. Liv served in the Air Force in an emergency response unit and managed the Public Health Department on her base. She has also worked in preventing disease transmission as an epidemiologist for the Lincoln Park Zoo, working closely with the USDA and CDC performing viral research.

Book an Appointment with Dr. Kismartoni

Meet Dr. Kim Christie,
Board-eligible ACVSMR

Dr. Kimberly Christie is originally from Troy, Michigan, a suburb just north of Detroit. She earned both her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Michigan State University, graduating with honors in 2020.

Following veterinary school, Dr. Christie completed a rotating internship at Iowa State University, where she developed a strong passion for veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation. She pursued this interest through a specialty internship at Veterinary Surgical Centers Rehabilitation in Virginia, followed by a three-year residency in sports medicine and rehabilitation at the same institution.

Dr. Christie’s clinical interests include the care of working and sporting dogs, the use of intra-articular therapies for managing osteoarthritis, and the application of therapeutic modalities to support long-term mobility and quality of life. She is a Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapist (CCAT) through North Carolina State University and is also Fear Free certified.

Although a true Midwesterner at heart, Dr. Christie is looking forward to some long-overdue beach time in Florida and is excited to be joining the team at Veterinary Specialty Center of Sarasota. Outside the clinic, she enjoys biking, baking, cooking, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with family, friends, and her fur baby, Ajax.

Book an Appointment with Dr. Kim Christie

WHAT WE OFFER

Veterinary Surgery Center of Sarasota offers multiple rehabilitation techniques our patients. Each pet will be evaluated to have a specific treatment plan made designed dependent upon their condition. Orthopedic, neurologic or surgical repairs/traumatic injuries all will require different therapies.

Water treadmills are a vital tool in physical rehabilitation. The buoyancy of the water allows decreases the effects of gravity and thus assists with gait training and weight-bearing (similar to water aerobics in people).

Underwater treadmill (UWTM)

Request a Service

Prior to even presenting with an injury, many pets begin to lose muscle mass. This loss of muscle can take a substantial amo- unt of time to rebuild, which can hold back their recovery.

T.E.N.S.

Request a Service

Massage is used to relieve tension in muscles and stimulate muscle developm- ent. By increasing blood flow to the affect- ed area and relieving muscle spasms, massage helps speed up recovery from injuries and surgery.

Massage

Request a Service

Passive range of motion is used to encourage animals to use the full range of motion of the joints. PROM is accomplish- ed through flexion and extension of the joint to its limits. PROM increases range of motion and decreases joint pain.

Passive Range of Motion (PROM)

Request a Service

Laser therapy in is used in veterinary rehabilitation to reduce pain, inflammation, and promote healing in tissues by utilizing targeted light energy that is delivered to the deeper tissues. It is a non-invasive therapy and does not cause any pain.

Photobiomodulation (Laser) therapy

Request a Service

Strengthening exercises promote muscle development and growth by encouraging the pet to increase use of the affected area. Some examples of this are incline walking and the use of stairs.

Strengthening Exercises

Request a Service

Therapeutic ultrasound creates warmth in deeper tissues using ultrasound waves. This process then promotes new blood supply to the area for healing and tissue repair.

Therapeutic Ultrasound

Request a Service

Thermotherapy is used on the affected area to increase range of motion, decrease stiffness in joints, and increase blood flow. This helps to make the animal more comfortable in the application of other physical therapy techniques.

Thermotherapy and Cryotherapy

Request a Service

Balance and coordination exercises use equipment designed to strengthen weak muscles that have atrophied and help improve an animal’s awareness of its… surroundings.

Balance/Coordination Exercices

Request a Service

Prosthetics are a wearable device that help to replace the function of a limb that is no longer present or functional. Orthotics are also a wearable device used to help correct musculoskeletal deformities and/or abnormalities.

Prosthetics and Orthotics

Request a Service

Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine

Request a Service

Veterinary manipulation (chiropractic treatment) involves manual adjustments to the spine and other joints to improve alignment, enhance mobility, and alleviate pain in animals, supporting overall health and function.

Manipulative Therapy (chiropractics)

Request a Service

Shockwave therapy is the application of high-energy acoustic waves which cause an overall biological effect of accelerated tissue repair and cell growth, analgesia, and mobility restoration.

Shockwave Therapy

Request a Service

In addition to our water treadmill VSC also has a land treadmill. During the humid times of the year It can be challenging to get recovering pets the level of activity they need during their recovery. Dogs are susceptible to heat stroke when exercising in humid conditions.

Land Treadmill

Request a Service

REHABILITATION
SCHEDULE

In order to initiate rehabilitation for your pet at Veterinary Surgery Center of Sarasota, you will need to first schedule a consultation with one of our certified rehabilitation practitioners. During the initial rehab consultation, we will examine your pet and create a customized rehabilitation therapy plan specific for his or her condition. Therapy sessions will be scheduled according to the plan laid out during your initial visit. If you think your pet would benefit from rehabilitation services at VSC Sarasota, please call us at:

941.893.1500

REHABILITATION RESOURCES

If you would like to learn more about rehabilitation and sports medicine, as well as prosthetic and orthotics, we have provided some helpful links with some additional resources for you to check out.