PetFit Physiotherapy and Canine Fitness

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. 💗

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. 🐾💚

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

17/08/2026

🐾 THE REAL REASON OLDER DOGS STRUGGLE TO STAND

It’s not just arthritis… and understanding why could change the way you help your dog.

Have you ever watched your older dog get up after a nap and thought:

“Come on, buddy… take your time.”

They hesitate.

They shuffle.

Those first few steps look stiff and uncomfortable…

And then, a few minutes later, they're walking almost normally again.

So what’s really happening?

Many of us assume it’s simply old age or arthritis.

But your dog’s movement is much more complex than that.

Changes in the joints, muscles, connective tissue and nervous system can all influence how your dog feels and moves — particularly after a period of rest.

Join veterinary physiotherapist and pet pain educator Dr Ansi van der Walt for our next K9Yoga THRIVE Meet-up, where she’ll unpack what is really happening during those first few steps.

🧠 You’ll discover:

🐕 Why older dogs often struggle most after resting
🐕 Why some dogs seem to “walk it off”
🐕 The difference between nociceptive pain, central sensitisation and nociplastic pain — explained simply
🐕 Why stiffness doesn’t always mean arthritis is getting worse
🐕 How muscles, connective tissue and the nervous system influence movement
🐕 Practical, evidence-informed strategies you can use at home
🐕 When stiffness may be expected — and when it’s time to speak to your vet

Whether your dog has arthritis, is slowing down with age, or you’ve simply noticed those first few steps becoming harder, this webinar could completely change the way you look at your dog’s movement.

💚 K9Yoga THRIVE MEMBERS: FREE
🐾 NON-MEMBERS: R395

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

If you've ever found yourself saying:

“He’s fine once he gets going…”

…this webinar is for you.

👉 Reserve your place and discover what your dog’s first few steps are really trying to tell you.

https://thriveclub.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/a926c53d-d654-42be-a957-1e9b555f4c7a

Because every dog deserves to greet each new day with comfort, confidence and the freedom to move.

17/08/2026

**Can you manage your dog’s osteoarthritis pain without anti-inflammatory medication?**

I had to find out — with my own dog, PXL.

PXL has osteoarthritis, and for a long time anti-inflammatory and analgesic medication formed an important part of managing his pain.

But then he was diagnosed with stage 2 kidney disease, and suddenly the treatment we had relied on was no longer an appropriate option for him.

So the question became:

**Could I keep his pain well controlled without it?**

We introduced an alternative management plan — but I didn’t want to rely only on whether I *thought* he looked better.

I wanted to measure it.

One of the tools I used was this simple 'Timed Up-and-Go test'.

PXL starts lying down and is then recalled over five metres. We time how long it takes him to get up and cover that distance.

What you’re seeing here are three tests, performed three weeks apart.

But don’t just watch the stopwatch.

Watch how he gets up.
How easily he transitions into movement.
His speed, stride and confidence.

This is why managing osteoarthritis is about so much more than simply asking, **“What pain medication is my dog taking?”**

Medication can be an extremely valuable part of osteoarthritis management, but we owe it to our dogs to understand all the other ways we can influence pain, movement and function.

And PXL gave me the opportunity to put that into practice with my own dog.

👉 **Want to learn more about managing osteoarthritis pain in dogs and the options available beyond medication? Click here:**
https://links.vanxfunnels.co.za/widget/survey/Smt4Fj5vDq2xZwSrhcSO

11/08/2026

🐾❄️ Cold Front? Let's Help Our FURkidz THRIVE!

South Africa is experiencing a seriously chilly week, with freezing temperatures, rain, strong winds and snow affecting parts of the country. ❄️🌧️

While we might be tempted to stay curled up under a blanket, our dogs still need comfort, stimulation and appropriate movement—just adapted to the conditions.

Here are a few simple ways to help your FURkid through the cold:

🏠 Keep them warm & dry
Make sure they have a warm, dry, draught-free place to rest. If conditions are particularly harsh, bring them inside where possible.

🐾 Keep them moving
Shorter walks or gentle indoor fitness exercises can help maintain mobility without forcing your dog to exercise in unpleasant conditions.

🧠 Keep their brains busy
Food puzzles, scent games, trick training and enrichment activities are great ways to keep dogs occupied when outdoor time is limited.

💪 Think quality, not quantity
A cold-weather day doesn't have to mean doing nothing. It can be a great opportunity to work on strength, stability, body awareness and mobility from the comfort of home.

❤️ Know your dog
Puppies, seniors, small or short-coated dogs and dogs with health or mobility concerns may need extra protection from the cold.

And remember...

Canine fitness isn't about doing MORE.
It's about doing the RIGHT things for your dog.

💚 At PetFit, we're passionate about helping dogs move better, feel better and enjoy life at every stage.

🐶 How are you keeping your FURkid warm, moving and occupied during this cold front? Tell us in the comments!

10/08/2026

🐾 **Better care happens when great teams work together.** 🩷

We’re incredibly excited to be collaborating with the team at **Fourways Veterinary Hospital** — a hospital whose commitment to excellent veterinary care, teamwork and doing the very best for every patient aligns so closely with the way we work at PetFit.

Through this collaboration, **PetFit Veterinary Physiotherapy now has a satellite practice at Fourways Veterinary Hospital**, bringing dedicated physiotherapy and rehabilitation into an already exceptional veterinary care environment.

And one of the things we’re most excited about? Being right there in the hospital means we can provide **in-hospital physiotherapy and early rehabilitation**, working alongside the veterinary team to help appropriate patients start their recovery sooner and transition more smoothly into rehabilitation after discharge.

For our existing PetFit families, it also means another convenient location and more choice when booking your pet’s treatment.

🩷 In-hospital & outpatient rehabilitation
🐾 Physiotherapy • Pain Management • Mobility • Recovery

**Book your Fourways appointment:**
https://fitness4pets.com/booking-page/fvh

A huge thank you to the Fourways Veterinary Hospital team for welcoming us. We’re really looking forward to what we can achieve together for our patients. 🐾🩷

🎉 Exciting news for our Fourways Veterinary Hospital community! 🐾

We're delighted to welcome Dr Ansi van der Walt, an experienced veterinary physiotherapist and founder of PetFit Veterinary Physiotherapy, who is now also consulting from her practice at Fourways Veterinary Hospital.

With more than 20 years of experience in veterinary physiotherapy, rehabilitation and pain management, Dr Ansi is passionate about helping pets move better, recover well and enjoy the best possible quality of life. She works with companion animals across a wide range of orthopaedic, neurological and chronic pain conditions, using evidence-based rehabilitation to optimise recovery and lifelong mobility.

Dr Ansi works closely with our surgeons to support patients recovering after surgery and also provides physiotherapy for selected patients during their stay in hospital. This collaborative approach ensures our patients have access to expert rehabilitation as part of their treatment journey.

We're also incredibly proud to congratulate Dr Ansi on recently earning her PhD in Pain Management. Her research focused on improving the lives of dogs living with osteoarthritis, further reflecting her commitment to advancing veterinary rehabilitation through science and compassionate care.

Please join us in welcoming Dr Ansi to Fourways Veterinary Hospital. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this collaboration will have on the pets and families we care for. 💙

Learn more about PetFit Veterinary Physiotherapy:

🌐 Website: https://fitness4pets.com/
📘 Facebook: PetFit Physiotherapy and Canine Fitness

09/08/2026

**A warning before you watch the video attached to this post:**

It is not a good-quality video. 😄

The lighting is terrible. The angle isn't great. There is no clever editing. And it certainly isn't going to win me any awards for social media content.

But actually… **that's rather the point.**

I'm sometimes asked why, as a veterinary physiotherapist who works with canine movement, fitness and sport-specific conditioning every day, I don't post more conditioning videos.

There are a few reasons.

The first is that **conditioning isn't a collection of exercises. It's a conversation with your dog.**

A video on social media gives you an exercise.

What it doesn't give you is the context.

You don't know the dog you're watching. You don't know their physical challenges, their training history, their confidence, their previous injuries, or where they are in their physical development journey.

You don't know why I chose *that* exercise, *that* height, *that* number of repetitions or *that* progression on *that* particular day.

And you don't see all the little decisions happening between repetitions:

*Was that fatigue? Was that compensation? Did their movement change? Should I make it easier? Should we stop? Or are they ready for a little more?*

**That is the real work of conditioning.**

And then there's another, much less philosophical reason I don't post many videos…

My dogs are real dogs.

And my training happens in real life.

Quite often that means late in the evening, after I've finished work, in terrible lighting, wearing whatever I happen to be wearing, with absolutely no enthusiasm for setting up cameras or spending my evening editing footage afterwards.

The video with this post is exactly that.

It isn't polished.

Neither is the training.

Because **perfection is a harmful myth.**

Real dogs get distracted. They misunderstand us. They have good days and difficult days. Their bodies change. Their confidence changes. Sometimes an exercise that worked beautifully last week doesn't work today.

And that's why I believe the most important thing I can teach you isn't another conditioning exercise.

It's how to **have a conversation with the dog in front of you.**

Can you recognise fatigue?

Can you see compensation?

Can you tell when your dog doesn't understand?

Can you recognise when today's body is different from yesterday's body?

Can you change the plan when your dog tells you that you need to?

That's the skill I want owners to develop.

Maybe you will see more of my dogs and our training.

But don't expect beautifully lit, perfectly edited conditioning videos featuring flawless dogs performing flawless exercises.

Expect real dogs, real training and real conversations about movement.

Because that's where the interesting stuff happens.

And, frankly, I'd rather spend my evenings talking to my dogs than editing videos of them. 🩷🐾

---

Not sure where to start with your dog's fitness journey?

You don't need to start with an exercise. Start with understanding your dog - where they are now, what they need, and what you're hoping to achieve together.

Schedule a chat with Ansi and let's work out the right starting point for you and your dog:

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=13721346&appointmentType=13665464

04/08/2026

Every Dog's Fitness is Built on 5 Foundations

A fit dog isn't just one that's active—it's one that moves well.

At PetFit, we believe every dog's movement is built on five key foundations:

🟢 Mobility
💪 Strength
⚖️ Stability
🐾 Body Awareness
🏃 Endurance

Together, these foundations help dogs move with confidence, recover better and enjoy an active, healthy life.

🐶 How many of these foundations does YOUR dog have?

🎯 Take our FREE THRIVE Canine Athlete Scorecard to discover your dog's strengths and identify areas for improvement.

👉 https://bit.ly/4bUPSmO

💚 Helping every dog move better, feel better and THRIVE.