Chapter 23 The Business of Canine Rehabilitation 573ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
requirements
This part of the construction phase can be chal-
lenging. Research is important, and one should
not expect the contractor, architect, or subcon-
tractors to know the ADA requirements for this
specific type of facility. It is advisable to consult
with an ADA specialist known as a CASp
(Certified Access Specialist) instead of learning
during a building inspection that a component
of the construction does not meet ADA require-
ments. ADA requirements are for exterior
(entrances and access to public right of way) as
well as interior (bathrooms, hallways, door-
ways) components of the building.
Electrical requirements
Some pieces of equipment require dedicated
electrical circuits or specific types of outlets
(dryer, underwater treadmill). It is best to have
these details established during the building
phase, rather than having the electrician make
modifications after construction. LED lights
and lights that are on a solenoid or timer can
save energy costs. It is generally easier to install
extra outlets during construction than it is to
add them later.
Low voltage/phones/computers
Today’s world revolves around computers, so it
is important to have enough telephones and
computers to start the business, enough CAT 5e
or 6 cable (category of cable used for computer
wiring with Cat 6 preferred due to increased
upload/download speeds), and telephone out-
lets, and the ability to add telephone lines to
expand as the business grows. A strong Wi‐Fi
signal throughout the facility is suggested.
Repeaters or boosters can be helpful to extend
the range of a Wi‐Fi signal from the router.
Rehabilitation equipment
Equipment for rehabilitation can include large
expensive items such as an underwater tread-
mill or laser as well as small inexpensive items
such as goniometers and Gulick tape measures.
It is important to consider what is truly needed
versus wanted. Some large ticket items, such as
an underwater treadmill, are not essential to get
started and can be purchased later when
finances improve.Evaluation equipment● Goniometer: Used to measure joint range of
motion. Multiple sizes are needed
● Gulick girthometer: Used to measure mus-
cle and joint girth
● Reflex hammer: Used to test reflexes
● Penlight flashlight: To test pupillary light
reflex and illuminate lesions.Treatment equipment (inexpensive)Available at markets/pharmacies
● Ice/heat packs
● Hair bands
● Air mattress.Available online through canine
rehabilitation suppliers
● Rocker/wobble boards: Nonslip surface with
interchangeable components allowing unidi-
rectional or multidirectional movement
● Physioballs or peanuts: Available in multi-
ple sizes and shapes; a stabilizing rack can
be built of PVC pipe
● Therapy band or therapy tubing: Available
in different resistances; can be to cut to size
● Cavaletti systems: Cones and PVC poles
with holes marked at 4 cm intervals
● Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
(NMES or e‐stim): Carbon fiber electrodes
seem to work better than adhesive pads that
lose adhesive quality due to fur.Treatment equipment (expensive)● Laser: Class 3b or 4. Many come with inter-
changeable heads and all come with protec-
tive glasses
● Therapeutic ultrasound: Can have large or
small interchangeable heads