Lucky Dog! brings complete canine PT rehabilitation services to your pet. Yes, we make house calls (just like they used to).
First, home visits allow us to thoroughly assess and identify potential hazards, and to implement safety measures where necessary. Additionally, for dogs with severe mobility limitations and people with active schedules or transportation challenges, coming to you makes your pet’s rehabilitation stress-free for both of you. But most importantly, therapy happens in your dog’s safest and most familiar place. Home. Here, we can best provide your furry friend with an individualized therapeutic wellness program – from navigating stairs, accessing their bed, and to fully engaging with your family again. In other words, it’s why we chose Lucky Dog as our name.
PROCESS
Each dog’s needs are as unique as their bark. All influenced by many things, including pre-existing conditions, environment, genetics, and breed characteristics. Our complete head-to-tail assessment will evaluate gait, posture, strength, and range of motion is our first step to constructing your pet’s one-of-a-dog rehab plan.Then, together, we set individualized goals that align with your lifestyle and strengthen your bond with your dog. Whether we focus on preventive wellness, managing a chronic condition, or recovering from surgery, our goal is to improve your dog’s quality of life. And make your dog feel, well, lucky. Hearing that your dog may need surgery can feel overwhelming—whether it’s for a torn ligament, a spinal issue, or joint damage, the road ahead can seem uncertain. At Lucky Dog, we’re here to help you navigate that journey with confidence. Pre- and post-surgical physical therapy plays a key role in improving outcomes, speeding recovery, and managing pain along the way. Before surgery, we help build strength and stability to prepare your dog’s body, as well as help set up your environment for a successful rehab. Afterward, we guide gentle, progressive movement to restore function and prevent complications. With personalized care and a focus on comfort, we help your dog heal stronger—and get back to doing what they love most. If your dog is slowing down, hesitating on walks, or struggling with stairs, you might wonder—is it just age, or is something more going on? Many pet parents worry about arthritis or hidden pain, and rightly so. Dogs are masters at masking discomfort, but those subtle changes often signal joint stiffness, muscle weakness, or chronic pain. We understand how hard it is to watch your best friend lose their spark. That’s where physical therapy comes in. Through movement-based care, gentle manual therapies, and pain-reducing techniques backed by Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) principles, we help restore comfort, rebuild strength, and bring joy back to everyday life. Because slowing down doesn’t have to mean giving up.
EXPERTISE
Kimberly Crocker, founder
Hi, I’m Kim, a licensed physical therapist from the University of Illinois, and a certified canine rehabilitation specialist (PT, DPT, CCRP).
Also, I’m a lifetime dog person and founder of Lucky Dog (all because of my dog, Obi).
As Obi got older and noticeably slowed down, he showed me there was a real need for canine PT rehabilitation. So, I used my decades of (human) PT experience to help Obi. Inspired by his improved quality of life with therapy, I became determined to provide other dogs the same opportunity to improve their lives. Hence, Lucky Dog! mobile rehab for increased mobility.
With my love of dogs, combined with my experience in orthopedic practice focused primarily on at-home health settings, I believe I’m distinctly qualified to bring in-home PT rehabilitation to others in need. Specifically, dogs. Like your dog.
Rose, canine executive officer
Rose is a Shih-tzu rescue who was diagnosed with bilateral grade II subluxing patellas. With regular therapy/strengthening and massage, Rose is living her best life running around Chicago and hiking in the mountains.
THERAPIES
Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that can accelerate tissue repair and cell growth of skin, tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
This therapy helps relieve pain from soft-tissue and joint injuries and stiffness associated with arthritis. In addition, it relaxes muscle spasms and increases local blood circulation.
The benefits of laser therapy include faster wound healing, increased nerve function, and decreased inflammation. And there are no reported side effects.
Manual Therapy
This includes therapeutic massages and mobilizations performed to help maintain and improve mobility and flexibility of muscles and joints.
Massage increases blood flow and helps reduce muscle spasms, muscle tension, pain, and discomfort from compensatory issues.
Therapeutic Exercise
Passive range of motion, assisted exercise, and active exercises are performed to help maintain and improve joint mobility and flexibility of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
The goal of these exercises is to rebuild muscle mass and regain strength and function of the limbs.
Working together, we will develop your pet’s individualized rehab program using all the resources available in your own home.
COMMON CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Senior Dog Mobility Issues * Degenerative Myelopathy * Hip & Elbow Dysplasia * Patellar Luxations * Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) * Tendonitis * Osteoarthritis Post Surgical Rehab (TPLO, TTA, Extracapsular Repair) * Conservative management of CCL injuries
Client's testimonials
WHAT THE DOGS SAY (AND THOSE WHO LOVE THEM)
CONTACT
If you’re interested in learning more about how our therapy can help your dog recover and thrive. Please complete the form below or text 312.731.2155
Thank you, Kim