Meet Chopper, our charming little Shih Tzu star with the biggest heart (and the cutest tongue always peeking out).
Chopper has joined us for physiotherapy to help ease discomfort and build strength in his limbs as he manages Left Hip Dysplasia and Bilateral Patellar Luxation. This brave boy recently enjoyed a soothing laser therapy session to support healing and comfort, and he absolutely rocked his treatment like a fashion icon in his laser goggles.
Despite everything he’s going through, Chopper is all smiles and endless charm. We’re so proud of how well he handled his session and can’t wait to continue helping him feel stronger, happier, and more comfortable. Here’s to every small step, every wag, and every victory ahead for this special little guy.
09/01/2026
The holidays shift everything. Sleep schedules change, walks get shorter, treats get bigger and routines fall away. January is the moment to bring things back into balance. A set walk time. A bit more movement. A clearer structure. Dogs settle quickly when the rhythm returns and the year always feels better when you start it that way.
09/01/2026
A new year works best when you ease into it with steady movement. Start small, stay consistent and let your dog set the pace. Every walk counts and every step strengthens the rhythm you share.
09/01/2026
Welcoming a new pet into your home is incredibly exciting, but it can also feel a little overwhelming when everything is new!
That’s why we’ve put together some simple steps and helpful tips to guide first-time pet owners through those early days of love, learning, and settling in. If you’ve added a puppy to the family and would like a little extra support, you’re always welcome to chat to us about our puppy training programme. And if you’ve got questions, worries, or “is this normal?” moments - pop them in the comments! We’d love to help.
09/01/2026
09/01/2026
🏅 Canine Good Citizen - Certification & Training
Ready to take things to the next level? Our Canine Good Citizen program helps dogs master calm behavior, confidence in public settings, polite greetings, and reliable obedience - while preparing them for official CGC certification. It’s perfect for proud pet parents who want their dogs to be the very best citizens they can be!
Is your “sweet little puppy” suddenly a wild teenager with big feelings and even bigger zoomies? Our intermediate training is perfect for dogs who already know the basics or those who might need extra guidance, impulse control, focus, and refinement as they grow up. Let’s help them remember their manners (and keep your sanity!)
Got a new puppy and not sure where to start? Our beginner puppy training classes focus on the fun fundamentals - basic obedience, confidence-building, good manners, and essential social skills to help your pup grow into a well-balanced, happy companion. Let’s set them up for a lifetime of success!
A beautiful, brave young guide dog with a heart as soft as her fur and a spirit that refuses to dim. Recently diagnosed with cancer, she has started coming to us for palliative care, and from the very first session she reminded us exactly why dogs are pure magic. At home, she is wrapped in endless love, spending her nights glued to her mom’s back in bed like a warm, devoted shadow.
During her first visit, Freya melted every heart in the room. She welcomed her physio massage with enthusiastic kisses for the therapist (perfect technique, 10/10!) and flashed her sweetest smiles at the paw-parazzi who couldn’t resist capturing her charm. She cooled off in the underwater treadmill like a little superstar, then floated through her fluffy blow-dry and photo moment with grace, joy, and just a touch of sass.
Freya reminds us that even in tough times, there can still be comfort, peace, wagging tails, and moments of pure love. We are honoured to help her feel safe, supported, and cherished every step of the way.
Watch this space for follow-ups on her journey. With love, from The Paws Pay-It-Forward Fund ❤
06/01/2026
Meet Bella ✨🐾
A bright, beautiful Border Collie with the happiest spirit.
Bella came to us for physiotherapy after being left with hind limb paralysis, and from day one she’s shown us just how powerful resilience (and a strong will) can be. She faces every session with a cheerful heart and playfulness.
At home, Bella is completely adored and diligently cared for by her loving dad, who spoils her rotten (as he should) and celebrates every small win right alongside her. Surrounded by love, encouragement, and toys, Bella continues to inspire everyone she meets.
She’s proof that even when life changes, joy doesn’t have to.
02/01/2026
As we step into the new year, we feel it’s important that you get to know us a little better.
At the heart of what we do are strong values that guide every decision we make - integrity, compassion, education, and a genuine commitment to our clients and patients. We believe in putting wellbeing first, building trusting relationships, and doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest option.
These values shape how we work, how we care, and how we show up every day. They’re not just words to us, they’re what we stand for, and they’re the foundation of everything we do.
01/01/2026
New Year, New Challenges for Pets
It’s an unfortunate reality that many pets go missing around New Year’s Eve due to fireworks. That’s why it’s so important to keep your furry friends safely indoors during the celebrations. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, accidents happen. They slip out, get scared, or wander off.
If you’re wondering what to do next, don’t panic. Check out our helpful post with steps to take when your pet is missing.
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Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation (also often referred to as Veterinary Physiotherapy) is the treatment of dysfunction in the musculoskeletal and neuro-muscular systems as well as the maintenance of optimal function and the prevention of dysfunction. Veterinary physiotherapists work alongside veterinary specialists and surgeons and the goal of our profession is to maintain, restore and maximise optimal movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan of an animal.
In general, most of the animals being referred for physiotherapy include horses, dogs and cats, but we are often we are fortunate to treat and array of other species as well.
What makes veterinary rehabilitation such an important aspect of the recovery process is patients that undergo surgery, such as fractures or ruptures of the cruciate ligament, or neurological conditions, have changes to cartilage, bone, muscle, tendons, and ligaments. For example, dogs may lose one-third of their muscle mass in the rear limbs following surgery for a cranial cruciate ligament rupture and it may take over one year to regain the lost muscle tissue. In some case, complete recovery may not occur.
The use of physical rehabilitation is based on the principle of Active Recovery. In abbreviated form, the body and injury will recover faster with controlled activity than with complete rest (passive recovery). Through controlled activity, tissues of the body maintain elasticity and higher levels of functioning. This is true of muscles as well as articular cartilage. Patients that are involved in physical rehabilitation tend to recover quicker, maintain more muscle mass and lose less motion of their joints. This translates into the patient returning to normal activities sooner than patients that use the passive recovery method.
Treatment ideally takes place in consultation with the animal’s veterinarian.
As with Physiotherapy for humans after surgery, trauma or injuries, the benefits of Physical Rehabilitation for animals are just as great. Benefits would include:
Increased speed of recovery
Positive psychological effects for the pet and owner
Improved performance and quality of movement
Increased strength and endurance
Improved biomechanics and flexibility
Reduced pain
Is a non-invasive approach
Minimal complications
Prevention of further injury through owner education
Common conditions that we see in Practice that benefit from Veterinary Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy can be categorized in a few ways.
Front and Rear Limb Orthopedic Conditions, Neurologic Disorders, Geriatric Patients, Osteoarthritis, and related conditions. Pre-and Post-Operative Cases, Weight Management.
Veterinary Physiotherapy modalities that we use as part of a successful rehabilitation program would include, but is not limited to the following: Ortho-or-Neuro Evaluation, Hydrotherapy, Electrotherapy, Manual Therapy, Acupuncture, Therapeutic Exercises, Land-based Treadmill, Orthotics and Prosthetics, Nutrition.
At Paws-itive Paws-abilities, we work closely with our referring Veterinarians and have over the past 13 years built a professional and trust relationship with these Vets, Surgeons and Specialist. Being accredited by SAVC, and members of SAAPRA, you can rest assured that your beloved companion is in skilled and experienced hands.
As we live up to our Mission Statement, we strive to contribute to the rehabilitation, improved wellbeing and the best physical and mental condition possible of each patient encountered, by absolute fortitude, dedication, passion, love and dignity to achieve this. We are proud of our work and our world class facility in Centurion, Gauteng.
