Physical Therapist - Companion Animal Rehabilitation

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nPhysical Therapist – Companion Animal Rehabilitation\nBring Your Rehabilitation Expertise Into a Career That Changes Lives—One Step at a TimeAre you a licensed Physical Therapist looking for a unique and meaningful way to expand your clinical career?\n\nAt Alpha Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness, we are seeking a compassionate, motivated, and clinically driven Physical Therapist who is interested in transitioning into the rapidly growing field of companion animal rehabilitation.\n\nOur practice specializes in canine and feline orthopedic rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, post-operative recovery, pain management, senior mobility, conditioning, and fitness. This role offers the opportunity to apply your background in movement science, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education, manual therapy, and functional recovery to help pets regain mobility, independence, and quality of life.\n\nYou will work alongside experienced Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapists in a collaborative, hands-on environment while receiving structured training and mentorship in canine and feline rehabilitation.\n\nPrevious animal rehabilitation experience is preferred but not required. We are willing to train the right candidate who has a strong rehabilitation foundation, excellent clinical judgment, and a genuine passion for animals.\n\nAbout the RoleThe Physical Therapist will contribute to the evaluation, treatment, progression, and education of companion animal rehabilitation patients within the individual’s training, credentials, and applicable professional requirements.\n\nThe ideal candidate will bring strong clinical reasoning, a thorough understanding of biomechanics and functional movement, and experience treating orthopedic, neurological, post-operative, or medically complex patients.\n\nThis role is especially well suited for a Physical Therapist with experience in:\n\n Outpatient orthopedics\n Neurological rehabilitation\n Sports medicine\n Geriatric rehabilitation\n Aquatic therapy\n Manual therapy\n Post-operative care\n Pain management\n Functional mobility training\nKey ResponsibilitiesPatient Evaluation and Clinical Assessment\n\nFollowing appropriate training and under established clinic protocols, responsibilities may include:\n\n Participate in comprehensive rehabilitation evaluations.\n Review medical history, surgical reports, diagnostic findings, precautions, and referring veterinarian recommendations.\n Assess posture, stance, gait, mobility, strength, balance, coordination, endurance, and functional movement.\n Assist with joint range-of-motion assessment.\n Evaluate weight bearing, compensatory movement patterns, muscle symmetry, and functional limitations.\n Identify orthopedic and neurological impairments that may affect mobility and quality of life.\n Establish measurable functional goals in collaboration with the rehabilitation team.\n Monitor clinical progress and recommend appropriate treatment progressions.\n Recognize changes that require veterinary consultation or modification of the rehabilitation plan.\nAll services must be performed within the clinician’s education, training, applicable legal scope, and Alpha’s established clinical structure.\n\nTherapeutic Exercise and Functional Rehabilitation\n\n Develop and progress individualized therapeutic exercise programs.\n Guide patients through strengthening, balance, flexibility, coordination, endurance, and proprioceptive activities.\n Perform gait training and functional mobility exercises.\n Assist neurological patients with standing, weight shifting, transfers, postural control, and locomotor training.\n Progress post-operative patients through safe and structured stages of recovery.\n Modify exercises based on pain, fatigue, compensation, movement quality, and patient tolerance.\n Use positive reinforcement and low-stress handling techniques to improve patient participation.\n Incorporate home environment and lifestyle goals into rehabilitation planning.\nRehabilitation equipment may include:\n\n Cavaletti rails\n Balance discs\n Wobble boards\n Peanut balls\n Platforms and step systems\n Cones and obstacle courses\n Harnesses and support slings\n Mobility carts and assistive devices\n Resistance equipment\n Functional strengthening tools\nOrthopedic Rehabilitation\n\nAssist with the management of patients recovering from or living with conditions such as:\n\n Cranial cruciate ligament injury or surgery\n TPLO and other stifle procedures\n Patellar luxation surgery\n Total hip replacement\n Femoral head ostectomy\n Fracture repair\n Hip or elbow dysplasia\n Osteoarthritis\n Tendon and ligament injuries\n Iliopsoas injury\n Shoulder instability\n Biceps tendinopathy\n Muscle strains\n Chronic compensatory pain\n Reduced mobility associated with aging\nResponsibilities may include restoring joint mobility, improving strength, reducing compensatory movement, rebuilding endurance, and supporting a safe return to function.\n\nNeurological Rehabilitation\n\nAssist patients with neurological conditions such as:\n\n Intervertebral disc disease\n Fibrocartilaginous embolism\n Degenerative myelopathy\n Spinal cord injury\n Peripheral nerve injury\n Vestibular dysfunction\n Post-operative spinal recovery\n Paresis or paralysis\n Proprioceptive deficits\n Ataxia\n Generalized weakness\nTreatment may include:\n\n Assisted standing\n Weight shifting\n Gait facilitation\n Functional transfers\n Neuromuscular re-education\n Balance and coordination training\n Sensory stimulation\n Endurance progression\n Caregiver instruction\n Mobility-device training\nHydrotherapy\n\n Assist with or oversee underwater treadmill rehabilitation following competency training.\n Determine appropriate exercise goals based on the patient’s diagnosis and functional status.\n Modify water depth, treadmill speed, duration, support level, and movement pattern under established protocols.\n Monitor gait quality, posture, fatigue, respiratory effort, pain, and patient tolerance.\n Use harnesses, slings, flotation devices, and manual facilitation as appropriate.\n Progress hydrotherapy programs based on patient response and functional goals.\n Maintain patient safety during entry, treatment, and exit.\nManual Therapy\n\nDepending on training, competency, and clinic protocols, techniques may include:\n\n Soft tissue mobilization\n Myofascial techniques\n Gentle joint mobilization\n Therapeutic stretching\n Passive range of motion\n Scar and tissue mobility techniques\n Positioning and postural facilitation\n Muscle activation and inhibition techniques\nManual interventions should be selected based on patient presentation, tolerance, and functional goals.\n\nTherapeutic Modalities\n\nReceive training in and assist with rehabilitation modalities such as:\n\n Super-pulsed therapeutic laser\n Focused shockwave therapy\n Neuromuscular electrical stimulation\n TENS\n PEMF therapy\n Cryotherapy\n Thermotherapy\n Compression and recovery techniques\n Orthotics, prosthetics, braces, and mobility devices\nAll modalities will be used according to established clinical protocols, safety standards, and demonstrated competency.\n\nHome Exercise Programs and Client EducationA major part of this role involves helping pet parents become confident participants in their pet’s recovery.\n\nResponsibilities include:\n\n Develop or assist with individualized home exercise programs.\n Demonstrate exercises and safe handling techniques.\n Educate clients on exercise frequency, duration, progression, and precautions.\n Teach safe transfers, assisted walking, sling use, and mobility support.\n Review home setup and environmental modifications.\n Help clients identify signs of pain, fatigue, compensation, or reduced tolerance.\n Explain rehabilitation goals and expected stages of recovery.\n Provide compassionate guidance to families managing chronic, progressive, or life-changing conditions.\n Communicate patient progress in clear and understandable language.\nDocumentation and Communication\n\n Complete accurate and timely clinical documentation.\n Record patient response, treatment interventions, progress, and relevant observations.\n Maintain clear communication with rehabilitation team members.\n Participate in case discussions and treatment planning.\n Communicate with referring veterinarians and specialists when directed.\n Report changes in pain, neurological status, mobility, endurance, behavior, or medical condition.\n Ensure treatment plans remain aligned with veterinary recommendations and precautions.\n Assist with progress reports and discharge recommendations.\nTeam and Facility Responsibilities\n\n Collaborate with rehabilitation therapists, veterinary technicians, assistants, and client care staff.\n Help maintain efficient patient flow throughout the clinic.\n Prepare and reset treatment areas.\n Maintain equipment and report maintenance concerns.\n Participate in staff meetings, continuing education, and clinical training.\n Contribute to clinic protocols, patient education, and team development.\n Help create a positive, organized, safe, and professional treatment environment.\n Support opening, lunch, and closing workflows when needed.\nRequired Qualifications\n\n Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy program.\n Current Physical Therapist license in good standing, or eligibility for licensure.\n Strong knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, therapeutic exercise, and functional movement.\n Excellent clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills.\n Strong communication and client-education abilities.\n Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment.\n Willingness to complete companion animal rehabilitation training and mentorship.\n Comfort working hands-on with dogs and cats of various sizes and mobility levels.\n Commitment to patient safety, professionalism, and compassionate care.\nPreferred QualificationsExperience in any of the following is highly valued:\n\n Outpatient orthopedics\n Neurological rehabilitation\n Sports medicine\n Aquatic therapy\n Manual therapy\n Geriatric rehabilitation\n Post-operative rehabilitation\n Pain management\n Vestibular rehabilitation\n Amputee or prosthetic training\n Adaptive equipment\n Pelvic health as it relates to neurological function\n Strength and conditioning\n Previous animal handling or veterinary experience\n Companion animal rehabilitation certification or coursework\nCandidates who already hold or are pursuing a recognized companion animal rehabilitation certification are strongly encouraged to apply.\n\nWho Will Thrive in This Role?The ideal candidate is:\n\n Passionate about rehabilitation and movement.\n Genuinely compassionate toward animals and their families.\n Comfortable learning a new patient population.\n Adaptable and open to mentorship.\n Observant, patient, and detail-oriented.\n Physically active and comfortable working close to the floor.\n Confident in clinical reasoning but collaborative in decision-making.\n Able to communicate complex concepts clearly.\n Comfortable treating patients who cannot verbally describe their symptoms.\n Motivated by functional outcomes and quality-of-life improvement.\n Interested in helping grow the field of companion animal rehabilitation.\nPhysical RequirementsThis is an active and hands-on clinical role.\n\nCandidates must be able to:\n\n Stand and walk for extended periods.\n Frequently bend, kneel, squat, reach, and transition between floor and standing positions.\n Assist with lifting, supporting, or transferring patients when appropriate.\n Work in and around water during hydrotherapy.\n Safely support patients with weakness, pain, paralysis, balance deficits, or impaired coordination.\n Use harnesses, slings, carts, and mobility devices.\n Assist dogs of various sizes while maintaining safe body mechanics.\n Perform repeated setup, treatment, documentation, and equipment-reset tasks throughout the day.\nReasonable accommodations may be considered where appropriate.\n\nTraining and Professional DevelopmentAlpha Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness is committed to helping the right Physical Therapist successfully transition into companion animal rehabilitation.\n\nTraining and development may include:\n\n Mentorship from Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapists.\n Structured onboarding in canine and feline anatomy, handling, gait, and clinical presentation.\n Training in orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation.\n Hydrotherapy competency development.\n Education in therapeutic modalities.\n Case reviews and clinical mentorship.\n In-house workshops and skill development.\n Support for recognized companion animal rehabilitation certification.\n Opportunities to attend continuing education courses and professional events.\n Growth into a senior clinician, clinical educator, or leadership role as the practice expands.\nWhy Join Alpha Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness?At Alpha, you will have the opportunity to apply your rehabilitation expertise in a setting where even small functional improvements can profoundly change a family’s life.\n\nYou may help:\n\n A dog walk again after spinal surgery.\n A post-operative patient return to normal activity.\n A senior pet maintain independence.\n A neurological patient stand for the first time.\n An injured canine athlete safely return to performance.\n A family gain more comfortable and meaningful time with their pet.\nOur team values:\n\n Compassion\n Clinical excellence\n Evidence-informed care\n Innovation\n Teamwork\n Professional growth\n Dependability\n Clear communication\n Exceptional client experiences\n Continuous improvement\nThis is an opportunity to combine the science of rehabilitation with the deeply rewarding experience of helping animals regain function, confidence, and quality of life.\n\nPosition DetailsPosition: Physical Therapist – Companion Animal Rehabilitation\n\nEmployment: Full-Time or Part-Time\n\nLocation: Alpha Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness\n\nFairfield, New Jersey\n\nAvailability during Alpha’s regular weekday operating hours is required. Opportunities for educational, community, or professional events may also be available.\n\nHow to ApplyPlease submit:\n\n Your resume\n A brief cover letter explaining your interest in companion animal rehabilitation\n Your current Physical Therapist licensure status\n Any relevant experience in orthopedics, neurology, sports medicine, aquatic therapy, geriatrics, manual therapy, post-operative care, or animal handling\n Any current or planned companion animal rehabilitation education or certification\nJoin Alpha Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness and use your rehabilitation expertise to help pets move better, recover stronger, and live healthier, happier lives.