Front Matter

Chapter 8 Therapeutic Exercise 181

has two points of contact with the ground elimi­
nating side‐to‐side motion (Figure  8.1). This is
the most stable ball, so it is used for most new
patients. A physio roll is similarly stable to
the  peanut, but does not have a gutter in the
middle to help support the patient. Egg‐shaped
balls have some side‐to‐side motion making
exercises on them more difficult than on the
peanut or roll. The most challenging shape is
the round ball, which moves equally in all
directions.
Regardless of the shape of the ball, all phy­
sioball work should be initiated with the ball
less inflated to create more contact area and
friction with the ground (Sekendiz et al., 2010).
This makes the ball more stable. As the patient
becomes stronger, air can be added to the ball,
making it less stable. This is followed by pro­
gressing to more challenging shapes of balls.
Patients who are afraid of the ball can be calmed
by gently bouncing the patient on the ball. This
should be used only during the initial session
with the ball. Once the patient is confident that
the ball will not hurt him, the instability of the
ball helps to strengthen muscles. Dogs can
stand with all four feet balancing on the ball or
while walking the ball to the side in both direc­
tions or walking it forward and backward. The
front feet can be placed on the ball with the rear
feet on the floor walking the ball forward and
backward or the rear feet on the ball walking it
forward and backward. In addition, the dog
can perform transitions such as sit‐to‐stand on

the ball as well as sitting up and begging while

maintaining control of the ball.

Cavaletti

Cavaletti poles have been used for equine exer­

cises for many years (Clayton, 2016). Patients

are asked to step over cavaletti poles without

touching them for enhancing balance and

proprioception, improving weight bearing on

previously injured limbs, strengthening flexors,

and elongating stride length. Poles can be

spaced evenly as well as in more challenging

patterns (Figure  8.2). Cavaletti poles used for

canine therapeutic exercise are commonly made

of PVC pipe or wood. The author (L.M.) uses

2 × 2 ′′, 2 × 4 ′′, and 2 × 6 ′′ planks in 3‐foot lengths

that fit into a standard home hallway, or 3‐foot

long PVC pipe sections that can be supported

on small jump standards or on gently crushed

aluminum cans. When the patient requires

higher cavaletti poles, traffic cones with holes

drilled at 2′′ intervals can be used to support the

poles. Cones can also be used to create obstacles

courses (weave poles and figure‐8s). These

objects can be used to train weight shifting,

balance, and unilateral side strengthening.

Planks

Planks in sections of 2 × 8 ′′ and 2 × 10 ′′ in 10‐foot

lengths can be placed on cinder construction

blocks (Figure  8.3).  Patients work on balance

and proprioception by walking along these

elevated platforms. To make plank walking

more difficult, dogs can work on warped

planks, narrower planks, or planks at a higher

elevation, and can practice stepping over or on

objects placed on the plank.

Blocks

Blocks have a 4 × 6 ′′ nonslip surface area, and

are 2, 4, or 6 inches tall. Smaller or weaker

patients start on the lower blocks. Blocks can be

used for the easiest form of diagonal leg lifts to

strengthen trunk muscles in patients who are

too weak for more active strength work

(Figure 8.4). This exercise emphasizes stabilizer

Figure 8.1 The patient is asked to balance on the
peanut ball with varied amounts of stabilization support.
It can be placed next to the wall for added support.
Source: Photo by Whitney Rupp.