About the course 

This presentation reviews the role of therapeutic exercise in the management of canine osteoarthritis (OA) and provides practical guidance for designing safe and effective exercise plans for affected patients. Participants will explore the physiologic benefits of exercise, including improvements in pain, strength, mobility, and overall quality of life. The session will discuss how to select exercises based on functional limitations and patient-specific goals, emphasizing low-impact activities and gradual progression of frequency, intensity, duration, and type of exercise. Practical examples of therapeutic exercises used in OA patients—including strengthening, proprioception, endurance, and flexibility exercises—will be presented along with strategies for teaching caregivers to implement home exercise programs. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for prescribing movement as part of a multimodal OA management plan.

Dr. Kristin Kirkby Shaw

Dr. Kristin Kirkby Shaw is a small animal surgeon and rehabilitation specialist dedicated to improving arthritis management in dogs by bridging these disciplines. She earned her DVM, MS, and PhD at the University of Florida, where she also completed her surgical residency and later served as a clinical instructor. After nearly a decade in specialty practice in Seattle, she spent three years at Zoetis as an osteoarthritis specialist, educating veterinary professionals nationwide. In 2019, she launched CARE to provide unbiased, evidence-based resources for veterinarians and dog owners. A respected speaker and author, Dr. Shaw has received multiple awards for her contributions to veterinary rehabilitation. Inspired by her own dogs, Bella, Bailey, and Beans, whose struggles with pain and mobility shaped her approach to care, Dr. Shaw remains dedicated to advancing veterinary education. Today, she shares her life with her husband, Aaron, and their dog Eddie.

Curriculum

1 Chapter · 2 Lessons

  1. 1

    Prescribing Movement: How to design a safe exercise plan for dogs with OA

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Prescribing Movement: How to design a safe exercise plan for dogs with OA

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Prescribing Movement

Learn the latest about prescribing movement for dogs with OA!

RACE Approved for 1-hour.

Enroll for free