Olivia McDonald with dogs at the canine conditioning and rehabilitation facility. Courtesy Photos
LUNENBURG – Top Dog: Canine Conditioning & Rehabilitation facility opened its doors at 16727 Willy Allen Road in South Stormont in the spring of 2020. Owner and animal lover, Olivia McDonald, grew up in rural SDG around dogs and horses. She always considered a career involving animals, which led to her complete her Bachelor of Science Degree at McGill University, Specializing in Animal Biology.
“Through my own experiences with animals, I naturally developed a strong interest in the factors that influence their health, movement, and comfort, particularly in regard to biomechanics, physiology, and anatomy,” said McDonald, “When one of my own dog’s tore her CCL (cranial cruciate ligament), I started researching & looking more closely at physical therapy options for her. When her veterinarian explained that the closest rehabilitation facilities were in Ottawa or Montreal, I realized there was a real need for these types of services closer to SD&G.”
In addition to her degree, McDonald pursued extra training to hold certification as a canine hydrotherapy practitioner. Hydrotherapy is the primary modality incorporated into most dogs’ sessions because water provides buoyancy and added resistance, allowing dogs to exercise in a controlled, low-impact environment while reducing the load and pressure on their joints. Having both an indoor heated pool and an underwater treadmill unit allows Top Dog to tailor each dog’s sessions to individual needs and abilities.
Top Dog’s goal is to give local dog owners an accessible option for treatment & animal care. The area offers a quiet, rural setting and a great, central location to accommodate a large portion of Eastern Ontario & beyond. The facility is within a reasonable driving distance of the communities within SD&G, as well as Cornwall, Casselman, Kemptville, Hawkesbury, and other neighbouring towns. Clients also travel from Quebec, New York, Ottawa, Brockville, and surrounding regions for McDonald’s care and expertise.
As far as what she loves about the job, Olivia enjoys the variety that it brings. Every dog is different, with their own needs, goals, history, and personalities, so no two sessions are exactly alike. Each client requires an individualized approach, and there’s always new things to be considering and learning.
“I see a range of breeds, sizes, & ages from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, puppies only a few weeks old to my oldest client to date having been 19 and ½,” McDonald shared.
Dogs come to the facility for a wide range of reasons including arthritis, hip/elbow dysplasia, soft tissue injuries, muscle loss, neurological conditions, amputees/“tripawds”, post-surgical recovery, weight management, and more. Others come for general fitness, conditioning, exercise, or simply a fun way to burn off some energy.
“It’s always great seeing the progress some of these dogs make, but especially when it comes to those who come here when their owners feel like they’ve run out of options or are concerned their dog’s quality of life is declining,” McDonald explained, “Getting to help the dogs in these cases regain mobility, build strength, and start enjoying life again, and then see them go on to have plenty more happy, comfortable months/years with their families really is the best.”
The services offered at Top Dog: Canine Conditioning and Rehabilitation aren’t just for older dogs or those recovering from injuries or surgery. Dogs at all stages of life can benefit, from puppies who are still growing and have developing bones and joints to healthy dogs using it for proactive/preventative care. Sporting dogs working on fitness and endurance, or seniors who want to stay active and mobile for as long as possible also benefit. It can be a great way to keep dogs active year-round, regardless of what the weather’s like outside.
Big or small, young or old, love the water or have never been in it, each program is designed to help dogs feel comfortable, confident, and get the most out of their time at Top Dog.
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Graduated from University of Ottawa with a BA in Communications, minor in psychology in 2015. Passionate about sharing stories, supporting businesses/ entrepreneurs. Started in freelance work writing about the crowdfunding industry and worked in marketing prior to writing for Seaway News in 2022/23. Married with three boys, a dog and cat. Enjoys reading and crochet, is a certified yoga instructor. Even though I am from Cornwall, my family enjoys taking day trips in the area and I was born and raised here. I look forward to getting to know North Stormont better and report on community events/highlights, as well as issues that concern residents.
