Macke Institute of Canine Therapy

Macke Institute of Canine Therapy We help injured and aging dogs move easier with less pain, so they return to happy, pain-free lives.

We help injured and aging dogs move easier with less pain so they return to happy, healthy, pain-free lives.

🐾 Meet Noah! 🐾 Noah is a sweet 14-year-old Maltese referred to PT by VCA Midwest following a T12–13 hemilaminectomy perf...
12/18/2025

🐾 Meet Noah! 🐾
Noah is a sweet 14-year-old Maltese referred to PT by VCA Midwest following a T12–13 hemilaminectomy performed on 7/15/25. 💙🐶
🦴Back in July, Noah became wobbly and struggled to walk with his hind limbs, and he unfortunately lost function in both HLs after a few short days of mobility concerns starting.
He was evaluated in the ER on 7/8/25, where radiographs suggested IVDD. He was then referred to his PDVM and neurology. On 7/15/25, Dr. Donaldson recommended an MRI and immediate surgery. Noah underwent a T12/13 hemilaminectomy that same day.
🧠 Noah has been recovering well since surgery but continues to show some hind limb ataxia. Noah came to PT with the goal to help him walk with more confidence and ease again. 🌟
Noah is now coming to PT where he is working hard to become more coordinated and stronger.
We’re excited to support Noah as he continues building strength and stability on his road to recovery! 💪🐾

🐾 Meet Rein! 🐾 Rein is a 7-year-old Australian Shepherd referred to PT by Tomorrow’s Veterinary Care—and he’s a true ath...
12/18/2025

🐾 Meet Rein! 🐾
Rein is a 7-year-old Australian Shepherd referred to PT by Tomorrow’s Veterinary Care—and he’s a true athlete! 🏆🐕‍🦺
This talented boy started flyball training at just 8 months old and has been competing since he was 1.5 years old. 🐾✨
On 8/30/25, Rein collided with another dog during flyball and was hit on his right side mid-run. Later that day, his owner noticed him double-striding between jumps, something he had never done in his entire career. The pattern continued into the next day. Rein received massage and acupuncture, which provided some relief. 💆‍♂️🐶
A follow-up exam with his PDVM revealed pain at the thoracolumbar junction and iliopsoas region, raising suspicion of a soft tissue injury.
While Rein has been improving, his owner wants to ensure he’s fully recovered and strong enough to return to flyball with confidence—especially with competitions on the horizon! 🏁💙
We’re excited to help Rein get back to doing what he loves, pain-free and powered up! ⚡🐾

Meet Aurelius! 🐾❤️ Aurelius is a 13-year-old Labrador Retriever referred to physical therapy by Best Care Pet Hospital f...
12/15/2025

Meet Aurelius! 🐾❤️
Aurelius is a 13-year-old Labrador Retriever referred to physical therapy by Best Care Pet Hospital for arthritis and mobility concerns.
Aurelius’ family first noticed balance issues back in May 2021. Over the years, he became hesitant to navigate stairs and jump onto furniture. Evaluations revealed decreased hind limb muscle mass and, later, signs of vestibular dysfunction — including head tilt, horizontal nystagmus, and instability 🦴. Despite some improvements after treatment, Aurelius’ mobility has declined again, with difficulty on slick floors, occasional falls, and limping in his right front leg after recent slips ❄️🐕.
Currently, his overall function is around 70%, and his family’s goal for PT is to improve mobility, reduce pain, enhance balance, and minimize limping so he can enjoy daily walks safely and comfortably 🌟🐾.
Aurelius is determined, and with the right rehab plan, he’s ready to regain confidence and strength in every step! 💪🐶

🐾 Meet Zeke! 🐾Zeke is a 4-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever referred by Tomorrow’s Veterinary Care for a left iliopsoas ...
12/15/2025

🐾 Meet Zeke! 🐾
Zeke is a 4-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever referred by Tomorrow’s Veterinary Care for a left iliopsoas strain/sprain. Back in September, his owner noticed him bunny hopping and having slightly reduced hind limb extension. The hopping came and went but worsened after long periods of lying down.
After evaluation by his vet, Zeke received cold laser therapy, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxers, which helped significantly. However, Zeke was still noted to have difficulty running and cotninued to bunny hop and avoid rolling over.
Zeke is now in physical therapy to help him return to 100% so he can get back to rally and obedience. His owner is also learning strength exercises to prevent future injuries. 💪🐶Help us cheer on Zeke as he works hard on his road to recovery!

Meet Eddie! 🐾💙 Eddie is a 5-year-old Dachshund referred to physical therapy by Paws n' Claws Animal Hospital for muscle ...
12/08/2025

Meet Eddie! 🐾💙
Eddie is a 5-year-old Dachshund referred to physical therapy by Paws n' Claws Animal Hospital for muscle weakness from IVDD.
Eddie first started showing mobility issues last July, and by January 2025, he had lost complete use of his hind legs. Radiographs of his spine revealed degeneration in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions 🦴. After discussing options with his vet, Eddie’s family chose conservative management.
Eddie’s goal in PT is to strengthen his rear legs to help him stand with support, which will make daily tasks like bladder expression easier 💪🐶. Even small improvements can make a big difference in his quality of life!

🐾 Meet Bradley!🐾Bradley is a 3 year old mixed breed referred to PT by Sirius Veterinary Orthopedic Center after he susta...
12/08/2025

🐾 Meet Bradley!🐾
Bradley is a 3 year old mixed breed referred to PT by Sirius Veterinary Orthopedic Center after he sustained a Left MPL injury back in March while running in the yard 🌿🐾
He underwent his MPL repair on 9/17, but after surgery he was pretty hesitant to use that leg again 😔
Bradley is now coming to PT to help him:
💪 regain motion in the left hind limb
🐕 rebuild strength and confidence using that leg again
🧠 re-learn normal weight bearing patterns
⚡ get back to running + playing like his normal self
We are so proud of how hard this boy is working — he’s already showing great progress + determination! 💛

12/04/2025

🐾 Exercise Spotlight: Backward Walking! 🐾
Did you know walking backward is one of the best ways to strengthen your dog’s hind end? 🚶‍⬅️🐶
✨ Benefits of Backward Walking:
✅ Engages the pelvic stabilizers, glutes, and hamstrings 💪
✅ Builds hind limb strength and power
✅ Improves stability and balance 🦴
✅ Enhances body awareness (proprioception) and coordination
✅ Supports joint control and mobility in the hips, knees, and hocks
✅ Excellent for rehab, injury prevention, and even senior dogs needing to stay strong
💡How to do it:
Find a flat, non-slip surface and slowly guide your dog to take a few steps backward — you can use a treat near their nose to help them step back. Start with a few steps at a time and build up gradually as their confidence grows!
This simple exercise gives a big payoff — helping your pup stay strong, steady, and mobile from the hips down! ❤️🐾

✨ Meet Acadia! ✨Acadia is a sweet 5 year old mixed breed referred by Sirius Veterinary Orthopedic Center who underwent m...
12/01/2025

✨ Meet Acadia! ✨
Acadia is a sweet 5 year old mixed breed referred by Sirius Veterinary Orthopedic Center who underwent medial shoulder reconstruction in August.
Back in early July 2025, Acadia jumped off the couch and injured her leg 😣
Her family had just removed the rug in that spot — so they think she slipped and lost traction. She began limping right after the incident.
Acadia isn’t new to PT — she was previously here for a left glenoid fracture back in 2022. And now she’s back to rehab to help her:
✨ decrease pain
✨ improve shoulder mobility
✨ rebuild strength safely
✨ improve her overall QOL
She works SO hard in her sessions, and we are excited to help her return to safe, confident movement again 🐾💛

✨ Meet Angel! ✨Angel is a sweet 3 year old Bichon Frise referred by Rockbrook Animal Clinic for Hip Dysplasia + IVDD.Bac...
12/01/2025

✨ Meet Angel! ✨
Angel is a sweet 3 year old Bichon Frise referred by Rockbrook Animal Clinic for Hip Dysplasia + IVDD.
Back in June, her family noticed she was starting to have more trouble getting around — and eventually she even began dragging her back legs 😢💔
Angel is now coming to Physical Therapy to work on:
💪 strengthening her hind limbs
🧠 improving her body awareness + coordination
🫀 building stability + support to protect her joints and spine
🐾 maximizing safe mobility for her daily life
Helping her move as comfortably and confidently as possible ✅
She’s already showing such a sweet attitude and she works SO hard each session 🥹🤍
We are so proud of you Angel — keep going girl!! 🌈✨

🌟 Meet Wendy! 🌟Wendy is a 5-year-old mixed breed who was referred to PT by Sirius Veterinary Orthopedic Center following...
11/26/2025

🌟 Meet Wendy! 🌟
Wendy is a 5-year-old mixed breed who was referred to PT by Sirius Veterinary Orthopedic Center following surgery on both of her hind limbs. 🐾
💫 Wendy first underwent a Left MPL Correction and DFO on 3/7/23 with SVOC. Her Right hind limb was initially managed conservatively, but when her symptoms persisted, she later underwent a Right MPL Correction (Trochleoplasty and Lateral Imbrication) and DFO on 8/25/25.
Since her symptoms began, Wendy’s family has noticed she still isn’t using her leg as much as they’d like. They’re hoping that with the help of physical therapy, Wendy can regain her strength and confidence so she can get back to doing all the things she loves — walking, running, jumping on the couch, and tackling stairs like a pro! 🐕💪❤️
We’re so excited to help Wendy on her road to recovery! 🐾✨

Meet Lavish! 🐾💜 Lavish is a 2-year-old Border Collie referred to physical therapy by Five Elements Veterinary Alternativ...
11/24/2025

Meet Lavish! 🐾💜
Lavish is a 2-year-old Border Collie referred to physical therapy by Five Elements Veterinary Alternatives for left rear leg issues.
Back in May, her family noticed she was lifting her left hind leg when going down the stairs 🚶‍♀️⬇️. After an evaluation with her primary vet, Lavish was referred to Five Elements for further assessment and adjustments. During her visit, it was noted that her left stifle felt good but had mild clicking in the patella, both patellas were loose (though not luxating), and there was tightness in several muscle groups — including her left psoas, pelvis, gluteals, and hip flexors 💪. She also showed some curvature and tightness through her spine and neck 🦴.
Lavish is now coming to PT to help balance her muscles, strengthen her hind limbs, and prevent future injury — all so she can stay active and keep doing what she loves most! 🐕✨

💙 Meet Zuke! 💙 Zuke is a 12-year-old Yorkshire Terrier who was referred by Prairie Lane Veterinary Hospital for IVDD and...
11/24/2025

💙 Meet Zuke! 💙
Zuke is a 12-year-old Yorkshire Terrier who was referred by Prairie Lane Veterinary Hospital for IVDD and arthritis. Over the past few months, his family noticed a decline in his mobility and occasional episodes where his back legs would “collapse.”
After an evaluation with his primary vet, Zuke was found to have delayed proprioception in his pelvic limbs, with the left being more affected than the right. Physical therapy was recommended to help him regain strength and stability.
Zuke’s rehab goals are to improve his mobility, reduce pain, and enhance his quality of life — and he’s already making great strides toward getting back on his paws! Join us in cheering on Zuke with his PT recomervy!🐾💪

Address

Two Locations Serving Lincoln And
Omaha, NE

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14024139872

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