Tucker's Story

How it all began...

Julie's interest in animal physical therapy developed from her own dog, Tucker. In 1998, he was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at eight months of age and due to the severity of his condition, the vets anticipated that he would require a hip replacement after he was fully grown. Being a physical therapy student at the time, Julie knew that every person who undergoes a hip replacement has intensive physical therapy. And she knew that Tucker deserved the best treatment and care possible!

Determined to learn enough to translate her physical therapy knowledge over to her dog's body, she began researching the field of animal physical therapy. Julie discovered that the animal physical therapy field was just emerging. After taking her first course in canine physical therapy at the University of Tennessee veterinary school, Julie said, "That weekend was the best weekend of my life!” Indeed, it was the start of a new career path that involved the blending of her two passions – dogs and physical therapy! (Little did she know then that she would eventually be moving to Knoxville!)

Since that first course at UT, Julie took several canine physical therapy courses offered to physical therapists, did a tremendous amount of self-study, observed canine surgeries, and began treating dogs in 2000. Tucker is now eleven years old and has lived a long, active life with strong legs and minimal discomfort. He never needed surgery.