Bringing the Bounce Back

Integrative Treatments For Pets With Mobility Issues

by Ruth Roberts, DVM

All pet owners want to see their animals live long, healthy lives filled with activity, but sometimes our furry friends find it difficult to move comfortably due to aging, injuries and other ailments. While vets often suggest surgery for certain debilitating conditions, less invasive treatments might be just as effective with considerably less risk, particularly for animals that cannot tolerate anesthesia.

For example, a 2013 University of Minnesota study focused on large-breed, overweight dogs with torn knee ligaments. Half of the dogs were treated with medical management consisting of weight loss, pain medication and physical therapy, and the other half received surgery to repair the torn ligament, followed by the same medical management. After a year, 75 percent of the dogs treated with surgery and medical management were considered treatment successes, based on leg function, quality of life and gait analysis. Surprisingly, 63.6 percent of the dogs that did not have surgery and received only medical management were also deemed successful cases.

Before considering surgery or other invasive treatments, integrative pet mobility and rehabilitation (IPMR) might be a good way to help a pet regain its vitality without going under the knife. It is a holistic approach to helping pets recover from injuries, manage pain and improve mobility that combines various techniques to provide a comprehensive and personalized plan for each pet.

“It is all about educating pet parents and preserving the best quality of life for my patients,” says Dr. Joyce Gerardi, of Synergy Integrative Veterinary Clinic. “Over time, my special interests have grown to include platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate, adipose-derived and allogeneic amniotic stem cell therapies, acupuncture, food therapy, cold laser, herbal medicine, tuina massage, ozone and physical rehabilitation services.”

Here is a look at a few such modalities.

LASER THERAPY uses light energy to stimulate tissue repair and reduce pain. The procedure involves the application of laser light to the damaged area using a handheld device. The severity of the ailment and the location being treated determines the length and frequency of treatments. The patient will feel a gentle, warm sensation as the laser technician or veterinarian moves the device over the affected area. Pets usually relax and take pleasure in the calming warmth of laser therapy, which is painless.

PHYSICAL THERAPY is an essential component of IPMR. It involves exercises and stretches that help pets regain strength and flexibility in their muscles and joints. A trained physical therapist can customize a plan that targets specific areas of concern such as the hips, knees or spine. This can help reduce pain and improve mobility, allowing pets to move around more easily and enjoy their favorite activities.

ACUPUNCTURE involves inserting tiny needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the nervous system and promote healing. Acupuncture can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation and improve circulation, all contributing to improved pet mobility.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE involves manipulating the spine to correct misalignments and improve overall function. This can help pets with hip dysplasia, arthritis or spinal injuries.

MASSAGE involves gentle pressure and strokes to relax muscles, reduce pain and improve circulation. Massage can also help pets with anxiety or stress, which can contribute to muscle tension and pain.

NUTRITION: A well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet can help with healing, inflammation reduction and overall health. A qualified veterinarian can recommend a diet plan tailored to each pet’s needs.

Easing a Pet’s Pain While in Treatment

Reducing a pet’s discomfort with full-spec- trum cannabinoids or, if needed, prescription pain medications offers better comfort and recovery time. Another option is to reduce a pet’s stress by balancing its adrenal stress hormones.

Ruth Roberts is a holistic veterinarian and certified pet health coach with more than 30 years’ experience.

Dallas-Tarrant-Rockwall counties

Calendar Of Events

MONDAY, MAY 1

Texas Tough Plants – 6:30-8pm. We’ll cover our Rooted In “top 100” landscape plants; perfect for safeguarding your landscape against even the toughest conditions. Free. Virtual. RootedIn.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 6

Native Plant Sale – 10am-2pm. Features a large variety of Texas Native Plant species good for our soils and climate. River Legacy Park, 701 NE Green Oaks Blvd, Elm Grove Pavilion, Arlington. TXNativePlants.org.

Ongoing Events

sunday tuesday

Carrollton Runners Club Mile + 5K – 7:30am. A low-key 5K and 1-mile race every last Sun. McInnish Park, 2335 Sandy Lake Rd, Carrollton. CarrolltonRunners.com.

Sunday Service/Meditation and Purification – 9-11:30am. Participate in meditation, chanting and readings from the Bible and Bhagavad Gita. 9-9:45am, Meditation and Purification; 10-11:30am, Service. Ananda Dallas Meditation & Yoga Center, 4901 Keller Springs Rd, Ste 103, Addison. 972-248-9126. AnandaDallas.org.

Gentle Waves – 9:15-10:15am. A healing meditative practice that moves very slow and intentional. Gaia Flow Yoga, 3000 Blackburn St, Ste 140B, Dallas. Register: GaiaFlowYoga.com.

Online: Ananda Yoga Sadhana Practice – 5:157:30pm. Also Thurs. Time to recalibrate and center through this transformational practice based on the yoga teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. Ananda Dallas Meditation & Yoga Center, 4901 Keller Springs Rd, Ste 103, Addison. 972-2489126. AnandaDallas.org.

Native Plants and Prairies Day – 11am-4pm. A fun, free event for families to celebrate our Blackland prairies here in North Texas. Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E Lawther Dr, Dallas. Details: ntxnppd.org.

TUESDAY, MAY 9

Dallas Sierra Club Meeting – 7pm. Meeting topic TBA. Zoom. DallasSierraClub.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 11

Butterfly Gardening: Flitter, Flutter, Flowers – 6-7:30pm. Learn easy and practical tips to create butterfly habitat in your landscape. Will also cover resources for selecting the right plants as host species for caterpillars. Free. Botanical Research Institute of Texas 1700 University Dr, Fort Wort. RootedIn.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 16

Native Plant Design: Blending Beauty and Function – 6-7pm. Learn how to cultivate key strategies from natural systems to control your landscape while still enjoying their dynamic, natural beauty. Free. Virtual. RootedIn.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

Cool Off with Shade Gardening – 6-7:30pm. Learn about the many native and adapted plants that not only survive, but thrive, in shadier spots, along with tips and tricks to create beautiful shade gardens that beat the Texas heat. Free. Virtual. RootedIn.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 20 wednesday monday

Grow Native: Plants for Texas – 9-11am. Learn how to grow our favorite native wildflowers, trees, shrubs as well as perennials with lush vibrant colors and textures to make your garden the envy of the neighborhood. Free. Virtual. RootedIn.com.

Celebration Service Live – 11am. Meditation, music and lessons on YouTube live: Unity on Greenville Dallas, TX or Cutt.ly/2tzQx4i. Love offering. Unity on Greenville, 3425 Greenville Ave, Dallas. 214-826-5683. DallasUnity.org.

Greater Dallas Organic Garden Club –2:30pm. 4th Sun (Jan-Sept). Each meeting includes a special speaker presentation covering many topics of interest to local gardeners. Free. North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd, Dallas. 214-363-5316. gdogc.org.

YES: A Young Adults Meditation Fellowship – 7-9pm. A meditation series for young adults in their 20s and 30s. Each evening will include a beginner-friendly walking and sitting meditation, Dharma teachings and refreshments afterwards. Donation. Dallas Meditation Center, 810 W Arapaho Rd, Ste 98, Richardson. 972-432-7871. DallasMeditationCenter.com.

Hot Yoga 201 on Zoom – 6:15pm. Open to all levels. This flowing-style class links the fundamental asanas (poses) of yoga linking body, mind and breath with music. Yoga4Love Studio Cabin, Ovilla. Yoga4Love.com.

Sunday Meditation – 3:15-4:15pm. With Lynne Patterson. Class offers many meditation techniques and styles, with a focus on mindfulness and open awareness. $10. Yoga Mart, 2201 Tucker St, Ste 101, Dallas. 214-238-2433. DallasMeditates.com.

Online: Awakening Heart Meditation – 5-7pm. Interfaith mindfulness meditation, music and message based on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. Facilitated by Brother ChiSing. Donation accepted. Dallas Meditation Center, 727 S Floyd Rd, Richardson. 972-432-7871. DallasMedita tionCenter.com.

Online: Zen to Go – 12-12:45pm. Mon-Thurs. An oasis in the middle of the day offering walking and sitting meditation followed by brief sharing. Donation accepted. Dallas Meditation Center, 810 We Arapaho Rd, Ste 98, Richardson. 972432-7871. DallasMeditationCenter.com.

Meditation Mondays via Zoom – 7-8pm. Meditation Mondays focuses on the practice and the experience of various forms of meditation. Free. Unity of Dallas, 6525 Forest Ln, Dallas. 972-233-7106. UnityDallas.org.

Online: Meditation for Everyone – 7-8:30pm. Classes are great for beginners that want to learn to meditate and great for more experienced meditators that want to expand their meditation. Must register: MeditationInTexas.org.

Online: Metaphysics and Meditation – thursday

7-8:30pm. Manifestation and mysticism: 2 sides of the spiritual coin. Let us practice together, while diving more deeply into universal principles and spiritual living. Open to all. Free. A Center for Spiritual Living, 4801 Spring Valley Rd, Ste 115, Dallas. 972-866-9988. CSLDallas.org.

ImpactNights – More info: Inclusive-Economy. org/impactnights.

Online: Celebrate Recovery – 6:30pm. A safe community to find support, hope and freedom from the struggles and realities that we all face through transitions, hurt, pain, loss or addiction of any kind. Free. First United Methodist Church, 777 N Walnut Creek Dr, Mansfield. FirstMethodistMansfield.org.

Dallas Vegan Drinks – 6:30pm. Meets the 2nd Thurs each month at various veg-friendly locations for fellowship. Currently postponed. Facebook.com/DallasVeganDrinks.

Calendar Of Events

SATURDAY, MAY 6 friday saturday

Wonders of Water – 10am-12pm. This family-friendly, come-and-go event is a great opportunity to learn how to protect the watershed all year long. Free. Environmental Education Center, 4116 W Plano Pkwy, Plano. 972-7694130. Register: LiveGreenInPlano.obsres.com.

StrEATs Food Truck and Music Festival –11am-8pm. Features gourmet food from the best food trucks in the DFW metroplex, live musical acts, a unique shopping experience, craft beer and wine, and countless children’s activities. Free admission. The Rail District- Frisco Texas, 6959 Main St, Frisco. FriscoRailDistrictMer chants.com/streats.

Online: Friday Meditation Happy Hours –5:30-6:15pm. Sessions begin every hour. Release stress with breath and gentle movements as you withdraw from the external and begin the journey within 15-min guided meditation. $10/session. DallasMeditates.com.

Morning Bird Walk – 7:30-8:15pm. 3rd Sat. Join Trinity River Audubon Center for a monthly bird walk and enjoy the grounds and our amazing feathered friends. $10. Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas. Registration required: TrinityRiver.Audubon.org.

Night Hike – 8pm. Explore the thrilling sights, smells, and sounds of night with Heard Trail Guides. $12/member, $14/nonmember. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972-562-5566. Heard Museum.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 7

Meadow Bird Walk – 7:30-9:30am. Birders of all skill levels welcome. A variety of birding habitats explored, and an excellent cross section of North Texas bird species can be counted. Free. Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve, South gated entrance, behind intersection of Bass & Roberta drs, Plano. ConnemaraConservancy.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Early Bird Walk – 8-9:30am. Led by Master Naturalist Jack Chiles, weather permitting. Free. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. 903-786-2826. FriendsOf Hagerman.com.

Spring Family Campout – May 13-14. 4pm, Sat-9am, Sun.Campout activities include a group night hike to help you learn more about our local wildlife, a scavenger hunt, a live animal show, games and more. Bob Jones Nature Center, 355 Bob Jones Rd, Southlake. 817-748-8019. Expe rienceSouthlakeTexas.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 14

Meet the Meadow Introductory Trail Walk – 3-4pm. An introductory trail walk which is appropriate for families and those new to The Meadow. Led by Texas Master Naturalists and Meadow Volunteers. Free. Details: Connemara Conservancy.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 20

The Refuge Rocks – 10am. Ages 5-10. Busy Bees. Free. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. Registration required: 903-786-2826 or FriendsOfHagerman.com.

Urban Wildlife – 11am-12pm. Join Texas Parks and Wildlife Urban Biologist, Rachel Richter, to learn more about urban wildlife in DFW. Bob Jones Nature Center, 355 Bob Jones Rd, Southlake. 817-748-8019. ExperienceSouthlake Texas.com.

Coppell Farmers Market – 8am-12pm. Yearround market. 768 W Main St, Coppell. CoppellFarmersMarket.org.

Morning Tai Chi – 8:30am. Join Tai Chi Chuan instructor George Deerfield for this interactive class in developing strength, balance, improved breathing. Unity of Dallas, 6525 Forest Ln, Dallas. UnityDallas.org.

Second Saturday Guided Hike – 8:30-9:30am. Learn about our surrounding habitat while you enjoy a hike. All ages. Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas. Registration required: TrinityRiver.Audubon.org.

Pregnancy, Childbirth, Postpartum and Baby Classes – 6-7pm. Classes are held virtually online lead by our top AID instructors utilizing state of the art visual aids and activities to keep it fun and engaging while presenting the latest evidenced based material on each topic. $35/class. Childbirth-Classes.com.

Zip Line Day – 9am-12pm. Guests climb a 23-ft tree to our zip platform then proceed to a 487-ft Zip line. Purchase one ticket ($12 each) for each time you would like to travel down the zip line. Pre-registration required. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972-562-5566. HeardMuseum.org.

Second Saturday Presentation at HNWR –10am. Butterflies with Laurie Sheppard. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. 903-786-2826. FriendsOfHagerman.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 27

Zip Line Day – 9am-12pm. Guests climb a 23-ft tree to our zip platform then proceed to a 487-ft Zip line. Purchase one ticket ($12 each) for each time you would like to travel down the zip line. Pre-registration required. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972-562-5566. HeardMuseum.org.

Planahead

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

A Walk in the Park – 9am-12pm. Rain date, June 10. See which plants endured our winter weather and will continue to thrive in the heat of our Texas summer. Children’s activities and demonstrations as well. Myers Park & Event Center, 7117 CR 166, McKinney. ccmgatx.org.

Join

Engage

Check out and post “What’s New”. Be Inspired, find opportunities, upcoming events & more

EXPLORE

& join 200+ RWH Topic Communities. Power Search centralized local & global knowledge & resources

FREE

Access to a vast growing catalog of courses. Plus, curate your own library to track your progress

Learn

Your way from thought leaders and experts (curated articles, online webcasts, courses, live events that will make

Discounts

On top provider and expert services, healing programs, training, courses & products

Connect

With your best matched, screened providers and organizations, plus like-minded members

Heal

With top doctors & experts in live video Q&A. Plus get members-only discounts on their programs

Shop

Top In-Hub thought leaders and missionaligned partner communities with exclusive benefits

Access

ORGANIC FOODS

Ongoing Events

NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Publisher@NADallas.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please.

daily milking parlor, bottle feeding baby calves along with the learning the benefits of drinking raw milk vs pasteurized milk. Everyone gets samples of milk. $7/person age 2 & up. Circle N Dairy, 2074 County Road 446, Gainesville. 940-3720343. CircleNDairy.com. tuesday thursday sunday monday

Grapevine Farmers Market – 9am-6pm, Sun; 8am-8pm, Mon-Sat. Eat healthy with locally-grown produce and products. 520 S Main St, Ste 203, Grapevine. 817-527-7446. FarmersMarketOfGrapevine.com.

Buddhist Sangha Online – 7-9pm. The meeting of Horizon’s Buddhist covenant group. Meditation and study of the 8-Fold Path. Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church: Horizonuu.org.

Star Coyote Events – Monthly events include gong, Tibetan bowl and crystal bowl sound journeys, shamanic journey with a drum dance, kid’s energy and creativity events, and a Wed morning class series. Please see the calendar at StarCoyoteSoundTemple.com for the exact dates and times as they change each month or call 469-344-6484.

Frisco Fresh Market – 10am-4pm. Also Sat, 8am4pm. Frisco Fresh Market, 9215 John W Elliott Dr, Frisco. 844-776-2753. FriscoFreshMarket.com.

Sunday Celebration Service Agape Center for Spiritual Living – 10am, meditation; 10:30am, service. Noah’s Event Venue, 5280 Town Square Dr, Plano. Rev Lee Wolak: 972-468-1331. AgapeSpiritualCenter.com.

Sunday Worship: Unity Spiritual Center of Denton Service – 10am, coffee; 11am, service. Unity takes spiritual principles and makes them practical in your life. 6071 New Hope Rd, Krugerville. 214453-0218. UnityOfNewHope.org.

Sunday Brunch –10am-3pm. Serves up farm-totable shared plates, 72 taps (wine & craft beer), and a welcoming atmosphere to create a unique dining experience. Craft & Vine, 310 S Oak St, Roanoke. 817-464-8181. CraftAndVine.Restaurant.

Horizon UU Worship Service – 10:30am-12pm. Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church, 1641 W Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton. 972-492-4940. Horizonuu.org.

Dairy Farm Tours – Mon-Sat, by appt only. Experience life on a dairy farm with an educational tour including how and what cows are fed, the benefits of grass-crop based feed (silage), the saturday

Mystic Mandala Meditations – 6:30-7:30pm. Guided by Vijay Moksha. A non-denominational mindfulness practice to evolve consciousness; to go beyond the mind using the mind itself. MysticMandalaCenter.com.

The Little Sit – 6am. 1st Sat. If you want to learn how to identify the birds of North Texas, the Little Sit is the perfect way to start. A group of dedicated birders meet once a month at the end of Pad H on the West side of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. 903-786-2826. FriendsOfHagerman.com.

Facebook.com/NADallasmag

Dallas Sierra Club

Dallas Sierra Club

Dallas Sierra Club

Dallas Sierra Club

2nd Saturday Bird Walk – Sept-June. 8-9:30am. Helps beginning and intermediate birders with bird spotting and identification techniques. Included in general admission; free/Heard Museum members. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972-562-5566. HeardMuseum.org.

1st Saturday Nature Walks – 10am-12pm. Monthly naturalist-led nature walk. Each season at LLELA is different, and we never know what we’ll find. All ages. $5/vehicle. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. Registration required: 972-219-3550 or llela.org.

Looking for an organization that shares your values of caring for the environment and love of the great outdoors?

Looking for an organization that shares your values of caring for the environment and love of the great outdoors?

Looking for an organization that shares your values of caring for the environment and love of the great outdoors?

Looking for an organization that shares your values of caring for the environment and love of the great outdoors?

Come visit one of Sierra Club’s general meetings the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the REI store at 4515 LBJ in Farmers Branch, at 6:30 pm.

Come visit one of Sierra Club’s general meetings the 2nd Tuesday of the month at Brookhaven College, Bldg H

Come visit one of Sierra Club’s general meetings the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the REI store at 4515 LBJ in Farmers Branch, at 6:30 pm.

Come visit one of Sierra Club’s general meetings the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the REI store at 4515 LBJ in Farmers Branch, at 6:30 pm.

Come visit one of Sierra Club’s general meetings the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the REI store at 4515 LBJ in Farmers Branch, at 6:30 pm.

3939 Valley View Lane in Farmers Branch, at 6:30 pm.

Sierra Club is about conservation, outings, outdoor outreach to children, and more. Find out more about activities, outings and our Memorial Day bus trip to New Mexico at dallassierraclub.org

Blackland Prairie Raptor Center First Saturdays – 10am-2pm. Meet raptors up-close. Take guided prairie hikes. Kids activities. Bring a picnic lunch. Blackland Prairie Raptor Center, 1625 Brockdale Park Rd, Lucas. Erich Neupert: 972442-7607. BPRaptorCenter.org.

Sierra Club is about conservation, outings, outdoor outreach to children, and more. Find out more about activities, outings and our Memorial Day bus trip to New Mexico at dallassierraclub.org

Sierra Club is about conservation, outings, outdoor outreach to children, and more. Find out more about activities, outings and our Memorial Day bus trip to New Mexico at dallassierraclub.org

Sierra Club is about conservation, outings, outdoor outreach to children, and more. Find out more about activities and outings at DallasSierraClub.org

Sierra Club is about conservation, outings, outdoor outreach to children, and more. Find out more about activities, outings and our Memorial Day bus trip to New Mexico at dallassierraclub.org