After the execution of key strategic planning, the MSU Veterinary Medical Center now offers a new expansion in rehabilitative care to aid in the healing and mobility of pets and athletes through individualized treatment plans.

The Dr. Elwood and Linda Collins Rehab Center offers a 944-square-foot space with newly rubberized flooring for improved patient comfort and traction. The Center has also added two Game Ready compression icing machines, one for early post-op and ICU and another at the Center for follow-up treatments to its already comprehensive equipment offerings, including a Ferno underwater treadmill, a land treadmill with incline capabilities, a class 4 Companion Therapeutic Laser, electrical stimulation units, and a wide range of exercise equipment.

These additions follow the initiative started back in 2011 when Linda Collins generously donated to expand the Center. It was dedicated to Linda and her late husband Dr. Elwood “Woody” Collins, who is fondly remembered as a tireless and inspirational veterinarian throughout the community.

The Center is designed to help any and all patients requiring rehabilitative care, especially:

• Overweight pets
• Athletic/performance dogs
• Pre-rehab preparation for surgery
• Post-op orthopedic and neuro surgeries
• Mobility improvement
• Pain relief
• Patients where surgery is not possible
• Geriatric
• Patients requiring non-pharmaceutical options
• Cats and dogs

The Veterinary Rehabilitation Service will be focused on uniting rehabilitation practitioners throughout Michigan while acting as a resource for DVMs with any rehabilitative needs, such as consultations regarding specific cases and general practice and product inquiries, including splints and harnesses. The Center’s top priorities include increasing the availability of rehabilitation services for patients and clients, increasing LVT and DVM students’ exposure to rehabilitation, acting as a key resource for the veterinary community, and facilitating early post-op interventions.