PetFit Physiotherapy and Canine Fitness

PetFit Physiotherapy and Canine Fitness Each person and family has a unique relationship with their pets. We all want our pets to be happy and healthy. Sometimes, things go wrong in our pets' lives.

At PetFit we help you and your pets get back on track again. The relationship between you and your animals is precious. At PetFit, we provide services which help ensure the longevity of that relationship by supporting the health and well-being of your animals, as well as yourself.

🏆 WHAT IS THIS MOMENT WORTH?TWISTA — 2026 KUSA NATIONAL FIELD TRIAL CHAMPION! 🏆🐾And for the SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR! 🎉So...
15/09/2026

🏆 WHAT IS THIS MOMENT WORTH?

TWISTA — 2026 KUSA NATIONAL FIELD TRIAL CHAMPION! 🏆🐾

And for the SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR! 🎉

Some moments are measured in seconds.

Some in metres.

Some in ribbons, trophies and championship titles.

But for Twista and his owner Karen, this moment was worth a whole lot more.

Just one month before the 2026 KUSA National Field Trial Championships, Twista came to see Dr Ansi at PetFit after tweaking his elbow while playing with his new sibling.

Suddenly, the question wasn't “Will he win?”

It was:

“Will he be fit and ready to do what he loves?”

With the right care, rehabilitation and a carefully managed return to activity, Twista worked his way back to his fit self.

And then came the moment.

🏆 2026 KUSA National Field Trial Champion
🏆 Back-to-back National Champion

He didn't just make it to the Championships.

He THRIVED! 💪🐕

This is exactly why we love what we do at PetFit.

Because sometimes, the moments that matter most aren't the ones we plan for.

They're the ones we almost didn't get.

The run.

The competition.

The partnership between dog and handler.

That feeling when everything comes together and your dog is doing what they were born to do.

What is this moment worth?

For Twista and Karen…

A National Championship. 🏆

But perhaps even more importantly, it was the chance to step onto that field, do what they love, and make this moment count.

A huge congratulations to Karen & Twista on an incredible achievement!

We couldn't be prouder to have played a small part in getting this champion back to doing what he loves. ❤️

Here's to the next moment!

🐾 PetFit | K9Yoga | THRIVE
Helping dogs stay capable, confident and ready for the moments that matter.

🐾 **Confession time…**We hear it more often than you think:*“I’m afraid we haven’t been very good with the exercises…”* ...
14/09/2026

🐾 **Confession time…**

We hear it more often than you think:

*“I’m afraid we haven’t been very good with the exercises…”* 😬

No judgement. No detention. And definitely no need to hide from your physio. 😂

But here’s the thing: **physio appointments can guide recovery — the magic happens in all those little moments between appointments.** 🩷

A few minutes. A few exercises. Done consistently.

Because your dog can’t do their physio homework without you. 🐶

🌪️ The many faces of Lily…Photo 1: “Excuse me, I have chaos to cause. Are we nearly done here?”Photo 2: Wild child succe...
09/09/2026

🌪️ The many faces of Lily…

Photo 1: “Excuse me, I have chaos to cause. Are we nearly done here?”
Photo 2: Wild child successfully rebooting. 😴😂

Lily is a young Dachshund who believes that life should be lived at FULL SPEED — preferably with as little consideration for personal safety as possible.

The only slight problem? Her growing body sometimes struggles to keep up with her enthusiasm. 🤦‍♀️🐾

So Lily comes to PetFit@FVH for a little extra support — helping her developing body stay comfortable, strong and capable as she grows.

Because physiotherapy isn't only for old dogs or dogs recovering from surgery. For some youngsters, it can also be about supporting healthy development, building strength and body awareness, and helping their bodies cope with the life they insist on living.

And Lily has made it quite clear that calming down is not part of her treatment plan. 😂💗

So we'll work on making the body stronger instead.

PetFit@Fourways Veterinary Hospital
Strength • Mobility • Confidence

This is proprioception in action. 🐾🥾Steep slope. Loose rocks. Uneven footing. Every step requires constant tiny adjustme...
09/09/2026

This is proprioception in action. 🐾🥾

Steep slope. Loose rocks. Uneven footing. Every step requires constant tiny adjustments — from me and from the dogs.

Proprioception is our body’s awareness of where it is in space. It’s the information coming from our muscles, joints and other sensory systems that helps the brain know where our limbs are and what they’re doing — without having to consciously watch every movement.

It’s what allows a dog to feel that a back paw has landed awkwardly on a rock, shift their weight, stabilise and take the next step.

And it matters for much more than hiking.

Good proprioception contributes to balance, coordination, body awareness, movement control and the ability to respond quickly when something unexpected happens — whether that’s a slippery rock on a trail, a change of direction in agility, or simply negotiating a step at home.

But here’s the important bit:

👉 We shouldn’t assume that because a dog can walk, run and play, they automatically have good proprioception.

Like strength, proprioception can vary between individuals and can change with age, injury, pain, neurological problems, reduced activity and lack of exposure to varied movement experiences.

Dogs that spend most of their time walking on predictable, flat surfaces simply don’t get the same movement challenges as dogs regularly exposed to different textures, gradients, obstacles and foot placements.

And proprioception is something we can train.

That doesn’t mean throwing our dogs onto unstable equipment and hoping they figure it out. It means giving them safe, progressive and varied movement experiences that encourage them to think about where they put their feet and how they organise their bodies.

🐾 Different surfaces
🐾 Poles and obstacles
🐾 Slopes and changes in terrain
🐾 Slow, deliberate foot-placement exercises
🐾 Controlled balance and body-awareness work
🐾 And yes — appropriate adventures like this one!

Strong muscles are important. But knowing how to use your body matters too.

For us AND our dogs. ❤️

Movement is medicine — and variety helps teach the body how to move.

07/09/2026

🐾 Five minutes. Five exercises. More ways to THRIVE! 💗

As our dogs get older, keeping them moving is one of the best gifts we can give them.

Five to Thrive is a simple 5-exercise routine designed to support mobility, strength, balance and body confidence in older dogs — and you can do it at home!

🎥 Watch the full Five to Thrive routine here:
https://youtu.be/xiNU1BlFJ0M

Keep moving. Keep exploring. Keep thriving. 🐾

Zia understood the assignment. 💅🐾Because apparently rehab isn’t just about getting stronger, moving better and feeling f...
04/09/2026

Zia understood the assignment. 💅🐾

Because apparently rehab isn’t just about getting stronger, moving better and feeling fabulous… you also have to LOOK fabulous while doing it. 😂🩷

Only the most stylish, pampered pooches come to PetFit@FVH to keep their bodies in tip-top shape — and Zia is making sure our treadmill has never looked better!

✨ Fabulous hair
✨ Fabulous smile
✨ Fabulous treadmill technique
✨ Rehab, but make it fashion 💁‍♀️

Zia, you’re making the rest of us look seriously underdressed for physio. 😂

🐾 “My dog is stiff getting up — their arthritis must be painful today.”Maybe. But pain and inflammation are only part of...
31/08/2026

🐾 “My dog is stiff getting up — their arthritis must be painful today.”

Maybe. But pain and inflammation are only part of the story.

When an older dog struggles to get up after resting, what you're seeing is stiffness. Stiffness is a symptom — not an explanation for why movement is difficult.

Those difficult first steps can also be influenced by:

🩷 Soft tissues — muscles, tendons and connective tissues behave differently after being still for a while.

🩷 Muscle capacity — getting up requires a surprisingly big burst of strength, and this can become harder as dogs age.

🩷 Circulation & temperature — being inactive or cold can affect how ready the body is to move.

🩷 The nervous system — previous painful experiences can make the brain more cautious about movement.

🩷 Confidence & motivation — how safe, confident and motivated your dog feels can change how readily they move.

🩷 The environment — slippery floors, high beds and difficult surfaces can make standing much harder.

Pain and inflammation absolutely matter. But they're not the only things determining how easily your older dog gets up.

And that's important — because it means there may be more than one opportunity to help. 💗

Instead of only asking:

“Why is my dog in so much pain?”

try asking:

“What is making it difficult for my dog to get up today?”

🎓 Want to understand what’s really behind those difficult first steps?

We have put the recording of The Real Reason Older Dogs Struggle to Stand into a free mini-course, together with a Pain Checkpoint and practical resources to help you start looking at your own dog's mobility differently.

Access the mini-course here https://thriveclub.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/a926c53d-d654-42be-a957-1e9b555f4c7a

Know more. Help more. 💗

🎉🐶 IT'S INTERNATIONAL DOG DAY! 🐶🎉Today's THRIVE Check-In is all about celebrating YOUR amazing dog. 💚Every dog is unique...
26/08/2026

🎉🐶 IT'S INTERNATIONAL DOG DAY! 🐶🎉

Today's THRIVE Check-In is all about celebrating YOUR amazing dog. 💚

Every dog is unique.

Some are athletes.
Some are adventure buddies.
Some are working dogs.
Some are champion snoozers! 😴

But whatever they love to do, every dog deserves the opportunity to move comfortably, feel confident and enjoy life to the fullest.

🐾 So tell us in the comments below... what makes YOUR dog THRIVE?

Is it...

🐕 Exploring new places?
🎾 Playing their favourite game?
🧠 Learning something new?
🛋️ Relaxing with their favourite people?

👇 Vote in this week's THRIVE Check-In poll and celebrate your FURkid with us!

💚 Move Better. Feel Better. THRIVE.

20/08/2026

🐾 When treating arthritis isn’t the whole answer…

In this video, Dr Ansi shares the story of her own 13-year-old Border Collie, PXL.

PXL has arthritis, but he also has other medical conditions, including kidney disease. This means that the conventional use of anti-inflammatory medication may not always be the best option for him, as his overall health needs to be considered.

So how do we help dogs like PXL stay functional, mobile and comfortable as they get older?

Sometimes the answer lies in looking beyond just one diagnosis and finding other ways to support strength, movement, function and quality of life. 💚

Join Dr Ansi for our K9Yoga THRIVE Meet-up:

🧠 The Real Reason Older Dogs Struggle to Stand

📅 Monday 24 August
⏰ 7:00pm
💻 Live on Zoom

💚 FREE for THRIVE Members — sign up via the Membership Portal
🐾 R395 for Non-THRIVE Members

👉 Reserve your place here:
https://thriveclub.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/a926c53d-d654-42be-a957-1e9b555f4c7a

Because getting older may change how we support our dogs — but it doesn't mean we stop helping them move, function and enjoy life. 🐾💚

🐾 THRIVE CHECK-IN POLLHow does your dog get up after a nap?Those first few steps can tell us more than we realise… 👀Vote...
18/08/2026

🐾 THRIVE CHECK-IN POLL

How does your dog get up after a nap?

Those first few steps can tell us more than we realise… 👀

Vote below with the option that best describes your dog:

🟦 Springs up immediately

🟨 Takes a few stiff steps

🟧 Needs a moment before standing

🟩 Much better once they're moving

There are no right or wrong answers—we're simply curious about what you're noticing at home.

We'll unpack what these different movement patterns may actually mean during our K9Yoga THRIVE Meet-up with Dr Ansi van der Walt.

📅 Monday 24 August
🕖 7:00pm
💻 Live on Zoom

💚 THRIVE Members attend FREE via the Membership Portal.
👉 NON-MEMBERS BOOK YOUR PLACE
https://thriveclub.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/a926c53d-d654-42be-a957-1e9b555f4c7a

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