Front Matter

Chapter 8 Therapeutic Exercise 197

ventral abdomen, or caudal thigh area to create
contraction of the abdominal musculature lead­
ing to thoracolumbar flexion. This position is
maintained for 3 to 20 seconds depending on
the patient’s ability. Within 3 to 5 weeks of daily
work, a significant improvement is expected in
the topline.

Cookie stretches

Purpose: Stretch the paraspinal muscles. This
exercise is also used to assess spinal flexibility
and pain in the associated musculature.
Goal: Full cervical and thoracic lateral spinal
flexion with or without lumbar lateral spinal
flexion; full cervical and thoracic ventroflexion
with or without lumbar spinal flexion; full cer­
vical, thoracic, and lumbar extension; and mod­
erate cervical and thoracic rotation.
Technique: The therapist should find a treat
of significantly high value to make the patient
wish to comply with this exercise. In addition,
the treat must be durable enough for the patient
to nibble on it throughout the entire exercise.

With the patient standing squarely, the thera­

pist stands at the rear of the patient facing

perpendicular to the direction of the patient’s

spine with the patient’s caudal thighs touching

the therapist’s leg (Figure  8.22).  This prevents

(A) (B)

Figure 8.20 (A) The patient’s thoracic limbs are placed on the ball with the weight shifted to the pelvic limbs. The patient
must use all four limbs and trunk muscles to maintain balance and control of the ball. Peanut butter is a great training tool. (B)
Incorrect position. This patient is leaning forward, placing too much weight on the thoracic limbs and stressing the trunk.
The position can be adjusted by moving the peanut butter mug to shift the dog’s weight toward its pelvic limbs. Source:
Photos by Whitney Rupp.

Figure 8.21 Snoopies, or diagonal leg lifts, can be done

with blocks or by lifting the limbs, making certain not to

let the patient abduct the legs or lean on the therapist to

support their balance. Source: Photo by Whitney Rupp.