Expert Spotlight: How to Prepare for Life with a Dog

Meet Nicki Cunningham: A Pioneer in Canine Rehabilitation

Nicki Cunningham is the founder of Mobile Animal Rehab Services. With 30 years of experience in physiotherapy, her journey to canine care was a natural progression for her career and passion for animals. Nicki works at Niagara Canine Conditioning Centre and has established a mobile animal rehab service driven by a need for mobile care solutions for dogs and cats in Toronto. Today, 60% of Nicki’s clients are senior dogs, as well as younger pups who are post-surgery or dealing with neurological conditions. Nicki’s unique perspective offers invaluable advice for anyone considering adding a dog to their family.

How Do You Choose the Right Vet?

Nicki emphasizes that selecting a veterinarian should follow the same principles as choosing a healthcare provider for yourself. Here are her tips for consideration:

Interview Vet Practices

A good vet will spend a significant amount of time with you on preventative care, helping to ensure your dog stays healthy. This involves fostering a two-way relationship where communication is key.
Take the time to visit different veterinary clinics. During your interviews, ask about their philosophy on care throughout a dog’s life.

• How do they approach wellness and preventative care?

• How do they communicate with you - some information or a lot?

• What advice and education do they offer to support you?

• How do they handle sensitive topics like end-of-life care or the possibility of rehoming?

Assess Their Network and Services

Ensure the vet practice you choose offers a variety of access to specialists for issues like orthopedic surgery, cancer treatment, and neurological diseases. Understanding who they collaborate with can be crucial for future care of your pup.

Cost Philosophy

Veterinary care can be costly, so it’s important to discuss their approach to managing expenses. Do they offer payment plans? Do they accept or recommend specific insurance plans? Do they help look at a balance of recommendations that consider the needs of your pups as well as the needs of your expenses?

Location Matters

Proximity to the clinic is often overlooked, but it can be critical in emergencies. A vet nearby can make all the difference when your pup needs urgent care and with practicalities of you being able to transport your pup there and to be able to park closely to reduce the distance to get there and to get in and out of the clinic.

Look for Trust and Compassion

A positive, stress-free experience for your dog should be a top priority. Dogs from rescue backgrounds, in particular, may have trauma that requires gentle handling. There are some practices that have vets and veterinary teams with a Fear Free Certification to support low stress handling.

Consider Pet Insurance

Nicki advises considering pet insurance as a tool for managing your dog’s healthcare costs. And, plans can differ significantly, so do your research!

Understand Pet Insurance Plan Nuances

Research is key to finding the right plan. Treatments like chemotherapy or rehabilitation can be expensive, and insurance can ease the financial burden. Some plans cover more sophisticated services like rehabilitation services that Nicki administers.

Breed-Specific Issues

It’s really important to make an informed decision when selecting the breed of dog you want to bring home. Talk with your vet about what types of health problems you may encounter in your pup's lifetime and get advice from your vet about common health conditions in certain breeds, make plans to mitigate those issues and potentially, get covered with insurance before your pup runs into pre-existing conditions.

Ease of Decision-Making

Clients with insurance find it easier to make healthcare decisions without the stress of costs. Insurance helps pup parents make swifter decisions about health care and find the process of managing a health issue easier.

Nicki’s insights highlight the importance of preparation and informed decision-making when welcoming a dog into your home as your new family member. Your pup’s health and happiness depend on the foundation you build, so take the time to plan for the probable and the unexpected, learn, and love.