Tulsa Animal Rehab & Wellness

08/30/2026

It’s another hot week here in OK 🥵

And one of the most common things I hear pet parents express lately is the frustration with the oppressive heat.

I hear things like- “it’s just too hot for walks” (correct for the most part)

“they are driving me nuts in the house, since it’s too hot to play outside” (makes sense, not their fault)

“we were seeing improvement in their strength until it got hot and we couldn’t exercise outside”… and this is where I’m a little💔😔

You see, exercise doesn’t have to be a walk outside, and really that is never enough… even on the beautiful and comfy weather days!

Movement matters & using their brain 🧠 matters- every day, balanced, individualized to that moment

We have been using this summer as Kalina’s comeback mental and physical rehab program focus towards prepping for fall. That toy has been a tool, and the stroller collapsed is part of the plan too.

We’ve significantly improved her mobility with a weight loss strategy and her mental abilities with a different kind of scentwork than you may be used to seeing. Of course laser therapy, massages, and more have been key throughout also💪

In this break between storm seasons, we’ve been really improving her noise sensitivity as a priority, which means giving her safe and comfortable opportunities to seek- not just with her failing vision but focusing back on leaning in the sense of smell

How’s your canine companion keeping cool and staying active this late summer?

☀️

08/30/2026

It’s another hot week here in OK 🥵

And one of the most common things I hear pet parents express lately is the frustration with the oppressive heat.

I hear things like- “it’s just too hot for walks” (correct for the most part), “they are driving me nuts in the house, since it’s too hot to play outside” (makes sense, not their fault), and “we were seeing improvement in their strength until it got hot and we couldn’t exercise outside”… and this is where I’m a little💔😔

You see, exercise doesn’t have to be a walk outside, and really that is never enough… even on the beautiful and comfy weather days!

Movement matters, using their brain 🧠 matters- every day

We have been using this summer as Kalina’s comeback mental and physical rehab program focus towards prepping for fall. That toy has been a tool, and the stroller collapsed is part of the plan too.

We’ve significantly improved her mobility with a weight loss strategy and her mental abilities with a different kind of scentwork than you may be used to seeing. Of course laser therapy, massages, and more have been key throughout also💪

In this break between storm seasons, we’ve been really improving her noise sensitivity as a priority, which means giving her safe and comfortable opportunities to seek- not just with her failing vision but focusing back on leaning in the sense of smell

How’s your canine companion keeping cool and staying active this late summer?

08/22/2026

It’s been a year of emergency after emergency, and as we rise again, life keeps throwing curveballs so fast that it’s become impossible to stay steady. But many of you have been there through much of it with us.

You’ve dealt with the rescheduled sessions, the late emails, the delayed call backs… and graceful kindness has been given at every turn.

Thank you🥹

Thank you for being patient through some of the most difficult challenges of my life. The past couple of weeks, new challenges arose again that left me having no choice but to delay communications and push back appointments.

I’m still struggling, but I can see the light coming through again.

I’m incredibly thankful to the parents who continually support me with kindness and compassion during any part of this rough first half of the year🫶

While things are not perfect, this next week turns the corner on my ability to move forward. Yes, I will still have a chronic health condition that can flare up and lead to severe symptoms that disrupt my ability. And no, I don’t have a new home yet. But now my family is in a more consistently stable situation, so I will be able to catch up on connecting with those that reached out.

If your canine companion is part of the Tulsa Animal Rehab Pack and you have any updates or questions, I’d love to hear from you!

You can reach out directly to me at [email protected]

Kindness always,
Dr. Emily

07/16/2026

For many years, decompressive surgery has been considered the treatment of choice for non-ambulatory dogs with thoracolumbar IVDD.

But is that truly the case?

A prospective cohort study from the University of Cambridge suggests that the question of conservative vs surgical management for IVDD isn't quite as straightforward as we may have thought.

Researchers followed 72 small, non-brachycephalic dogs that were managed conservatively after acute thoracolumbar disc extrusion.

Their findings are exciting:
• 96% of dogs that still had deep pain sensation regained the ability to walk within 12 weeks.
• 48% of dogs that had lost deep pain sensation also regained ambulation in 12 weeks.
• Recovery occurred even in some dogs with severe spinal cord compression, and was not dependent on complete resolution of the compression seen on MRI.

This doesn't mean surgery is no longer indicated. Surgery remains an important treatment option and may still be the best choice for many patients.

What this study does suggest is that conservative management should not automatically be viewed as a poor alternative when surgery isn't possible because of financial, geographic or medical constraints. For many dogs, it represents a realistic treatment pathway with the potential for positive outcomes.

As always, treatment decisions should be made on an individual basis, considering the dog's neurological status, imaging findings, overall health and the goals of the family.

Reference:
Khan S, Jeffery ND, Freeman P. Recovery of ambulation in small, nonbrachycephalic dogs after conservative management of acute thoracolumbar disk extrusion. J Vet Intern Med. 2024 Sep-Oct;38(5):2603-2611. doi: 10.1111/jvim.17149. Epub 2024 Jul 25. PMID: 39051966; PMCID: PMC11423491.

July is IVDD Awareness Month - be sure to tag us in your success stories, educational posts and more so that we can share them on!!


Paw Prosper Walkin' Pets Help Em Up Harness FitPaws

07/14/2026

A great reminder from a boarded veterinary behaviorist! They learn🐾

Pets have an extraordinary ability to learn what works.

If your dog barks and you open the door, they have learned that barking opens doors. This is great! Your dog can learn! But it doesn’t mean they are trying to take over the world.

Understanding this distinction matters because it changes what you do next. Instead of reacting to perceived manipulation, you can look at the reinforcement history and change it.

This is the kind of thinking that goes into every veterinary behavior consultation. Accurate information about how learning works is the foundation of every plan.

07/12/2026

We could skip past these little glimmers, head down, just focused on the day…

But this morning is a beautiful example of pausing for the positive🌞

We had rolling thunder and rain pretty much all night, where we are located⛈️

Maybe you read my previous post, or maybe you know our struggle well by now, but as a reminder for all- Kalina has severe thunderstorm phobia that can turn into a PTSD event where she self harms out of panic💔

Our family has become, not just her support, but now also affected by the trauma this condition brings to our lives.

The joy I’m thrilled to share with you today- Kalina not only made it through last night without needing me to stay up with her, but she even greeted us with a bright and positive attitude on the other side!

Josh woke up after the pets and I had done our morning care routines. As he was greeting her, he said with a light heart, “wow, she really looks calm. Nice job Kalina.” ❤️‍🩹

That, plus the improved energy and movement she experienced outside this morning, has my heart feeling so hopeful and blessed❤️‍🔥

It’s ups and downs. That’s life. A few months ago she was in the ER because of the storms, despite our best efforts.

Effort hasn’t changed. Love hasn’t changed. But environment and the way we work with her condition has changed for the better🫶

One main shift has been our energy when an unexpected storm pops up. We were working on moving more out of the house, yesterday afternoon, in Tulsa when the forecast shifted… we stayed grounded and weather alert. We kept watch and saw this powerful force build before our eyes 👀

Learning how to read the sky and radar has become a tool not to obsess over and panic but to help make the best decisions for Kalina. We knew we would make it back in plenty of time for her evening routine and to prep her safe space transition if we left right then, so we did calmly.

We don’t live in fear or anxiety of thunderstorms ourselves anymore. I still have to regulate my mind and body around them, but it is easier and makes a huge difference for Kalina and the family.

It helps when the results are getting better and better, her response calmer, her medication needs less and therefore side effects less, and our family all gets the most sleep possible❤️‍🩹

I know we will still have rough nights, but for now I’m celebrating the consistent wins🙏

07/06/2026

How are we all doing after the holiday weekend🎆⛈️ If this was the realization your canine companion’s emotional well-being matters… and especially if things aren’t going well… welcome❤️‍🩹🐾

I’ll be writing more in the Facebook support group soon.

It was started in 2023… so much has changed since then, and my cup was much too empty chronically to be able to pour what I wanted to into it.

But this last weekend, and watching how many of us are struggling alone with our canine companion’s anxieties has put new focus on where my new energy needs to be directed- to help more people and the animals in their care❤️‍🔥

Why now? What new energy? What’s going on with Dr. Emily and why don’t we hear about Kalina anymore?!?!… come to the free group and find out!

To those who are struggling RIGHT NOW, please reach out via email (see bio) and check out the most recent no cost ebook by Dr. Emily- “Anxious Canine Companion Support”

You are not alone, and your canine companion needs you more than ever 🫶

07/01/2026

When our animal companions are struggling, even slightly, it can be hard to feel like reaching out…

The energy drain of the worry spiral 🌀

The rise in the tightness of your chest when you pause to consider what options are available💔

The deep heaviness as you watch them day by day, not knowing if you are making the right choices for their future…

That’s what veterinarians are here for, and this is why I offer a no cost or obligation phone connection for pet parents in the Tulsa and surrounding areas🐾

I know reaching out isn’t easy, but please do it anyways for the animals in your care. They can’t do this without you🫶

04/28/2026

What can a dolphin teach us about our dogs?

Before she was helping pups at Tulsa Animal Rehab & Wellness, Dr. Emily Hall was a veterinarian for dolphins. That experience changed everything she knew about animal care, proving that we can — and should — do better for the animals living in our homes.

Join us THIS Thursday at Fetch Social Club for a deep dive into Cooperative Care. Dr. Hall will be sharing how these professional training techniques can transform your dog’s experience with vet visits, grooming, and daily care.

Seminar begins at 6:00 PM as part of our Pet Industry Night.

Come for the education, stay for the community. We’ll see you there!

04/08/2026

Congratulations to our Member of the Month!!

Emily Hall from Animal Rehab & Wellness has been our most active member, and we are so excited to celebrate her commitment to continuing education 💚

Join us in congratulating Emily in the comments 🥂