Christine Bihler, MSPT, CCRT
For the Love of Paws Canine Rehabilitation and Care provides professional canine rehabilitation services for animals recovering from surgery (orthopedic and neurological), arthritic conditions, joint/muscle/spinal injuries, mobility problems related to pain from acute or chronic conditions, weight loss, athletic conditioning and injury prevention in sporting dogs. Designed to provide a safe and optimal environment to minimize stress for your pet, rehabilitation services are provided by licensed physical therapist, Christine Bihler MSPT who is also certified in canine rehabilitation.
Christine graduated from the Columbia University Program in Physical Therapy in 1998. She has worked in a variety of settings in the human physical therapy field including geriatrics, pediatrics, orthopedics and sports medicine. In 2012 she decided to combine her passion for physical therapy and love of canines, obtaining her certification as a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in Coral Springs, FL. She spent several years working in the rehabilitation department at a multispecialty animal hospital in Naples, FL treating dogs with numerous orthopedic and neurological diagnoses including fibrocartilaginous embolism, degenerative myelopathy, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), post-op (limb amputation, femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO), tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO), tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA), medial patella luxation, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis. Her goals are to assist clients and their pets to minimize pain, optimize their functional capabilities, assist with weight loss, as well as provide sports conditioning and injury prevention through customized exercise programs.
For the Love of Paws utilizes a variety of treatment modalities and techniques to facilitate recovery and healing in your canine family member. These include hydrotherapy, therapeutic exercise, modalities (MLS laser, PEMF, NMES, TENS) and manual therapy.
Dr. Camille Richie, DVM, CertAqV, CCRV, CVA
Dr. Camille Richie is a born and raised local of Southwest Florida growing up on and in the waters of Marco Island. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from St. George’s University on the beautiful Caribbean Island of Grenada, completing her clinical rotations at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She immediately jumped into small animal general practice after veterinary school while simultaneously becoming certified in aquatic veterinary medicine through the World Aquatic Veterinary Medicine Association (WAVMA) and canine rehabilitation through the Chi Institute, which specializes in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). Soon after, Dr. Richie became certified in veterinary acupuncture through the Chi and started to work at a specialty veterinary hospital as the lead rehabilitation veterinarian in Jacksonville, Florida. Her caseload included post-operative orthopedic surgeries, all stages of osteoarthritis, neurological cases such as intervertebral disc disease, degenerative myelopathy, fibrocartilaginous emboli, and so on. Dr. Richie then returned to the southwest Florida area where she continues to work at a small animal general hospital and provides veterinary relief to other surrounding hospitals.
Dr. Richie’s professional interests include an integrative approach to pain management by utilizing Western-style diagnostics and therapeutics with an Eastern-style mindset to encourage the body to heal itself. She also has a passion for internal medicine, neurology and caring for those patients that are post-operative or surgical rejects to maintain the best quality of life possible.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Richie enjoys listening and playing music of all genres, but particularly symphony, heavy metal, and reggae. She is also a bit of a nerd, and you may see some of it come out slowly the more she works with you and your pet! Dr. Richie and her boyfriend, who is also a local veterinarian, share a black German shepherd named Calusa, a Pomeranian named Parmesan, and a Manx cat named Darwin together. They hike, travel, and camp together as often as possible.