A conversation with Dr. Evelyn Orenbuch, DVM
Dr. Evelyn Orenbuch, DVM has been an advocate for ToeGrips® dog nail grips since the company started three years ago and founder Dr. Julie Buzby personally stopped by to give a seminar and demonstration to the staff at Georgia Veterinary Rehabilitation, Fitness and Pain Management.
At the time, a big English sheepdog named Higgins, who needed extra stability for his severely weakened arthritic legs, was the first patient at the rehab clinic to use ToeGrips® dog nail grips. The non-slip nail grips made such a significant improvement in the way Higgins walked that three years later Dr. Orenbuch still prescribes them for the now 12-year-old dog.
“I think we were one of the first clinics to see how ToeGrips worked and how to measure a dog for the product,” said Dr. Orenbuch. “I’ve watched the company grow and continue to be impressed with how Dr. Julie Buzby runs the company and how well she stands behind her product.”
Dr. Orenbuch is one of the pioneers of the Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians; serving the organization as a past president. She is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. Her career has been dedicated to the rehabilitation and pain management of dogs, cats, horses and other small animals.
Dr. Orenbuch began her career in rehab veterinary medicine after completing chiropractic training in 2002. Most of her patients at the time were canine athletes that competed in agility. She continues to have a special place in her heart for these four-legged athletes and the Georgia Veterinary Rehab clinic specializes in helping these dogs maintain their strength and flexibility.
Dr. Orenbuch was kind enough to explain the treatments a rehab veterinarian provides and why pets and their owners seek out her help.
What types of patients benefit from veterinary rehabilitation medicine?
The majority of patients who come to the Georgia Veterinary Rehab clinic are older dogs with arthritis, pets with neurological conditions, and dogs with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). She also sees pets for post-surgical recovery and soft tissue injuries.
“These are the type of patients I find are most helped by ToeGrips,” said Dr. Orenbuch. “We routinely prescribe and fit dogs with them.”
What types of treatments do patients receive?
Dr. Orenbuch and her team treat these patients with what used to be called “alternative care” and is now thankfully accepted in mainstream veterinary medicine. They balance Eastern and Western medicine to pinpoint how best to improve a pet’s entire body. These treatments include:
- Therapeutic exercise
- Chiropractic care
- Acupuncture
- Laser therapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Indoor swimming in a resistance pool
- Massage
- Evaluating for assistive equipment such as carts, orthotics and prosthetics
- Chinese herbal medicine
Some of Dr. Orenbuch’s patients include Brody, a Vizsla who was born missing the lower part of his right front leg, a Labrador retriever named Izzy who was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and Bailey, a Doberman-Rottweiler mix who was recovering from surgery to repair two herniated discs.
An optimistic outlook for the future of veterinary rehabilitation medicine and the patients served
Dr. Orenbuch is very optimistic about the future of veterinary rehab medicine. She is positive it is a specialty that will be expanding all over the country.
“The status of pets in the average household is on the rise and so is the way we take care of them. We treat them like members of the family and we choose therapies for them with that in mind. Our practice is growing and about one-third of our patients are coming directly from owners who are looking for solutions for their pets.”
You can read more about Dr. Orenbuch and the treatments her team provides on the Georgia Veterinary Rehabilitation, Fitness and Pain Management website or drop by if you are in the Atlanta/Marietta area. To find a veterinary rehabilitation professional near you, check out the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians directory.
About Dr. Evelyn Orenbuch’s credentials:
- Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine graduate
- Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute
- Studied acupuncture with the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society
My sweet chocolate lab is having some problems with arthritis. How might ToeGrips help her? I love the idea of some alternative treatments, and want to see how Sadie responds to acupuncture too.
Dear Jenn,
Thank you for your interest in Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips for your Lab, Sadie. ToeGrips are designed to give dogs with mobility issues freedom of movement with increased traction. For dogs with arthritis, I think the most valuable asset provided by ToeGrips is the prevention of injury. Every time slipping occurs, the dog has to compensate. This compensation can lead to injuries, as can falling. We have many customers who use ToeGrips on their arthritic dogs with much success. I think Sadie would be an excellent candidate!
I also wanted to encourage you to pursue alternative treatments under the supervision of your veterinarian. Arthritis is most often managed using a multimodal approach including some of the following:
•Therapeutic exercise
•Chiropractic care
•Acupuncture
•Laser therapy
•Hydrotherapy
•Indoor swimming in a resistance pool
•Massage
•Chinese herbal medicine
This was a very helpful and touching story. It is so wonderful knowing there are those out there helping so many animals! Well done and thanks for sharing Dr. Buzby
You are right Cyndi, there are some amazing and knowledgeable professionals helping our pets. Thank you for leaving your comment on our blog. – Sharon