Dr. Susan E. Davis, PT, DPT
Dr. Susan E. Davis, PT, DPT
Onsite services are provided by Dr. Davis at your central New Jersey home or farm location. Telehealth consultation also available for New Jersey residents and out of state, where allowed by law.
All services are applied in a soothing and gentle manner. Physical Therapy is not a substitute for primary veterinary care and is provided concurrently with your pet's veterinarian with written communication as needed. Pets
Dr. Davis is a New Jersey Licensed Physical Therapist who holds a Post-Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, a Bachelor of Science degree and post-graduate Certificate in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago IL. She worked in the human PT field for 30 years in hospitals and owned a large outpatient private practice, prior to transitioning into the veterinary realm.
In 2008 her dream of combining physical therapy with her passion for animals came true after taking courses at the University of Tennessee's Canine Rehabilitation program. She formed an entity, Joycare Onsite, LLC, to provide in-home rehabilitation and physical therapy services to dogs and other animals. Dr. Davis also provided weekly pro bono care to animal shelters for many years: Associated Humane Societies Animal Haven Farm and the Popcorn Park Zoo, in Forked River, NJ and the Vogel Clinic at Monmouth County SPCA in Eatontown, NJ.
Dr. Davis authored and published two books: "Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation for Animals: A Guide for the Consumer" in 2013 and "All Hands on Pet!" in 2017. She has widely contributed guest articles for pet-related blogs such as .Dr. Buzby's: Buzby Bark, Veterinarians.com, and My Dog's Symptoms, prior to launching her own blog Pet PT Pit Stop on this site.
She maintains membership in the American Physical Therapy Association and and International Association for Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy. She is a past member of New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO) and the Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Davis has been dubbed "Doctor Dolittle of the PT World" by Northwestern Medicine Magazine, a publication of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She is the recipient of the following awards: "Businesswoman of the Year" 2004 from the Monmouth/Ocean chapter of NJAWBO; Donna Frownfelter Community Service Achievement Award 2016 from Northwestern University's Physical Therapy Alumni Association; and the College of Health Professions Dean's Award for Academic Excellence and Leadership from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 2020.
1. What types of animals have you worked with? "Just about every species that exists! Dogs: from the smallest Chihuahua to a Great Dane and everything in between! Cats, Rabbits, Goats, Cows, Pigs, Alpacas, Reptiles, Birds, Guinea Pigs, even a Camel! My training does not include Equine, however, so I do not work with Horses. For a more complete list, simply click Breeds and Conditions button on my home page. "
2. Are you familiar with a wide variety of conditions? " Yes, indeed! I treat many conditions such as Arthritis, Ligament tears, Post-operative Hip rehabilitation, Fractures, Hip or Elbow Dysplasia, Luxating Patella, Spine Injury and Intervertebral Disk Disease, Amputations, Viral Infections, Paralysis, Spinal Strokes, Vestibular Disorders, Degenerative Myelopathy, Cerebellar Hypoplasia, Wobbler's, Wounds, etc. . For a longer list please click Breeds and Conditions button on my Home page! ."
3. What geographic regions do you serve for onsite care? " I service Monmouth County, New Jersey."
4. What if I live outside of your travel distance or in another state, can I still receive care? " I provide virtual consultation by Zoom or Skype to New Jersey residents and other pet parents depending on your location and applicable laws for out-of-state licensed providers. If your jurisdiction allows out- of- state providers to give telehealth, I can help you make decisions, offer advice on home treatments and various products that may benefit your pet, show you basic exercises or ways to massage or position an injured body region, etc."
5. What do your services cost? "My fees are reasonable and affordable, and are discussed when we make contact and determine if my services are indicated for your pet's need. Payment is made at the time of onsite service, by cash, personal check or credit card. Virtual telehealth services are paid in advance by credit card."
6. How do you get a pet to lie still and cooperate? " I relate well to animals and my love for them shows through my work. Animals can tell right away if you are skilled and confident with what you are doing. They figure this out quickly and trust you to care for them. Each pet is different and I try to adjust my approach to adapt to the comfort level and condition of the patient. I also request the pet owner be present throughout the session and interact with the treatment program. If an unusual situation arises when the pet is reactive or at risk to bite, I require the pet owner to provide a muzzle or other bite restraint."
7. What is the best way to reach you? "Through this website/send a Message, or email. I answer email ad website messages promptly and will need to know your location if you are interested in a home visit. For virtual Telehealth sessions we will find a mutually convenient time of day and method of communication."
8. How can I buy a personalized, signed hard copy of your books? "As of 2024 my books are only available as eBooks/ electronic format. Some hard copies may still be available on Amazon, eBay, etc. If you wish a personalized signed copy, I still have a few hard copies left of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation for Animals: A Guide for the Consumer" and plenty more of "All Hands On Pet". To purchase: send a request through this website (Send a Message)) including your email and physical address. I will sign and personalize a fresh copy of my book, send an electronic invoice (for the cover price plus shipping, must be prepaid) and ship it to you via USPS Priority Mail.
"Management of Medial Patellar Luxation in Small Dogs and Cats: An Investigation into the Use of a Manual 3D Patellar Repositioning Technique" by Dr. Susan Davis, et al has been published in Orthopedic Physical Therapy Practice, the publication of the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy, APTA, volume 33/number 4. Copyright AOPT. Article is available for educational purposes by written request to Dr. Davis through this website.
Dr. Davis is excited to announce that she will be the featured speaker for the Animal PT Special Interest Group of the Orthopedic Academy, APTA at the 2025 Combined Sections Meeting Feb 13-15, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
Teaching 2nd year Doctoral students in the PT program of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science about PT for Animals as part of the Clinical Skills Vii course in May.
Invited Speaker and Presenter at the Florida Physical Therapy Association's Annual State Convention in Orlando, September 20 -21
Case Presentation: ' Phantom Scratching: A Case Study', involving a Chihuahua Dachshund mix was presented by Dr. Susan Davis to IAVRPT June 2020. It is available for viewing by video on the IAVRPT website for members. https://www.iavrpt.org
Introduction to Physical Therapy for Animals taught by Dr. Susan Davis on Friday January 21, 2022 through Physical Therapy.com ( course #4159) as a 2-hour CEU course for licensed physical therapists interested in gaining entry-level knowledge of this exciting field. https://physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus
Dr. Davis, along with her research partner Dr. Baris, presented 3D Patellar Repositioning Technique to IAVRPT on February 18, 2022
Dr. Davis taught an online intermediate level course to Physical Therapists transitioning into the animal realm, January 20, 2023 on PhysicalTherapy.com.
She also taught in Chicago on April 28, 2023 at Northwestern University, a 6-hour course on Foundations of PT for Small Animals.
She taught online to 2nd year PT students at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science May 2023.
Dr. Davis was an Instructor at STAAR (Symposium on Therapeutic Advances in Animal Rehabilitation), on September 29-30 2023 in Parsippany, NJ presenting Conservative Management for Stifle and Patellofemoral Instability.
Please email your request to sdavis@joycareonsite.com
Monday - Thursday: 10:30am - 6pm Telehealth appointment hours may be different
Friday and Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Check out this great video of my Pug patient Molly walking for the first time outdoors, after becoming disabled from a spine condition, using her new Eddie's Wheels rolling walker!
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