Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey.
Hi Kelsey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Kelsey Jonas, PT, DPT, CCRT started her physical therapy (PT) career wanting to treat athletes and help rehab them back to their sport. However in her first year out of PT school, working for a large corporate company, Kelsey quickly realized that she could not treat people for the entirety of her career. She was already burnt out in just her first year of practice! In 2019, she continued to suffer treating people while using all of her paid time off to achieve her Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) certification. After completing her CCRT, Kelsey opened her own mobile canine rehab business (Canine PT and Me) in Portland, Oregon.
She never had any dream or intention of being a business owner, but this was the best pathway forward. Kelsey could work for herself, build the schedule that she wanted, choose the clientele to work with, and grow a business in this niche field. She quickly learned that starting a new business was only half of the battle. Since canine rehabilitation is a very small field, the other half of the battle was spreading the word that there was an alternative treatment for dogs rather than just rest and pain medication. Understandably, veterinarians were skeptical of a new approach until they saw the outcomes. That’s when real change started taking shape.
The timing of starting Canine PT and Me was seemingly unfortunate though. Kelsey’s first patient was in April of 2020 when the world shut down due to COVID-19. However, as we all know, the number of families adding canine members to their pack skyrocketed. Since people were at home and spending more time with their dogs, they were realizing that their dogs had problems that needed to be addressed. Some common conditions that are treated include aging geriatric dogs, CCL tears (dog equivalent of an ACL), post-op spine surgery, hip dysplasia, luxating patellae, medial shoulder syndrome/instability, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), iliopsoas strain, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and the list goes on.
One of the challenges of starting a canine rehab business was how to network and acquire referrals. Kelsey wanted to do drop-in visits at local veterinary clinics, however everything was curbside during COVID. Pivoting from her original plan, Kelsey sent emails to numerous vet clinics asking if they had any questions about canine rehab or if they needed Canine PT and Me’s information. With consistent emails over time, Canine PT and Me became more well-known in the veterinary community. Referring veterinarians were starting to see positive results with their patients after attending rehab and the trust began to build. It only took a few solid connections with vets and surgeons to gain reliable referral sources. This positive rapport created a harmonious relationship and opened the doors of communication between veterinarians and canine rehabilitation therapists.
That being said, veterinarians are not the only team members that we collaborate with. It is crucial to help a dog with whatever they need whether that be a referral to a neurologist or an orthopedist, getting them fitted for a custom wheelchair or brace, consulting with a prosthetist, or getting them a harness that assists them if they can’t walk. There are so many products on the market to help canine rehab therapists with their patients, it’s quite a blessing.
Canine PT and Me grew exponentially through COVID and Kelsey navigated the challenges of the pandemic with ease. She was flexible with client preferences. She would complete rehab sessions indoors with a mask on or she would perform rehab sessions outdoors in backyards. The mobile model of Canine PT and Me was quickly gaining popularity in the Portland metro area. Soon, Kelsey’s schedule became full and she was in higher demand as clients liked the convenience of mobile canine rehab. Nowadays, most of their referrals come from word of mouth, Google reviews, or vets referring directly to Canine PT and Me.
Due to the increase in business, Kelsey knew that she needed to change her business model in order to help more pups. She began looking for a clinic space to have a brick and mortar location. This proved to be more difficult than she imagined due to the limited availability of commercial space with parking in a central area of Portland. After 1 year of searching, she finally landed in a 2000+ square foot location. Then, the transition began.
Kelsey didn’t know what to expect by changing her entire business model. Through the transition to a brick and mortar location, she only lost 1 client. Despite most clients’ preference to have a mobile canine therapist, her clientele fully supported her and her business growth. After 3.5 years of being mobile, Canine PT and Me now had a stationary home.
As of August 2026, it has been over 3 years in the clinic space and the number of patients being treated has more than doubled. Kelsey has also been able to expand her team to treat more canine patients and is continuing to grow. She now employs 2 other canine rehab therapists and administrative staff members. One of her CCRTs is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and the other CCRT is a PT. This adds a lot of value to Canine PT and Me by having a multi-disciplinary staff.
Throughout her 6-7 years in the canine rehab field, Kelsey has also been an active teaching assistant with the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI) for several years. She loves educating new and upcoming canine rehab therapists and she loves seeing the profession grow. Every step of the way navigating business growth has come with its own set of challenges that may not show on the surface.
Not many people talk about the mental and emotional toll that starting and running a business takes on oneself. It is not for the faint of heart. Business ownership is by far the most challenging thing that Kelsey has ever done, but she wouldn’t trade it for anything. She’s worked endlessly with mentors and colleagues in the field to gain guidance on how to grow and run a successful business. Kelsey fully attributes her triumph to them and she would not be here without them.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Running this business has not always been a smooth road. Over the years, I have navigated a number of challenges, including changes in staffing, evolving the business model, and the ongoing process of recruiting and hiring the right people to support the growth of the practice. Like any growing business, there have been periods of uncertainty and adjustment as I have worked to find the right structure, team, and approach to best serve our clients and patients.
Despite these challenges, each stage has provided valuable insight into what the business needs to be successful long-term. I have continued to adapt, make difficult decisions, and invest significant time and energy into building a strong foundation. While the road has certainly had its challenges, it has also allowed the business to grow, evolve, and become stronger along the way.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Canine PT and Me is a canine physical therapy and rehabilitation practice dedicated to helping dogs move better, feel better, and maintain their quality of life throughout all stages of life. We specialize in individualized rehabilitation programs designed around each dog’s unique needs, whether they are recovering from surgery or injury, managing chronic mobility challenges, experiencing weakness associated with aging, or simply working to maintain strength and function as they get older.
What sets Canine PT and Me apart is our highly individualized approach. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all treatment plan. Every dog is evaluated based on their specific condition, mobility, goals, temperament, and response to treatment. We continuously monitor progress and adjust therapy appropriately so that each patient is challenged at the right level while remaining comfortable and successful.
One of the main differences in Canine PT and Me’s treatment approach is not utilizing an underwater treadmill. This seems to be the “shiny object” that most people think of when it comes to canine rehabilitation. The underwater treadmill is a great tool to have for neurologic patients, it helps offload joints for senior patients, or it can assist a dog learning to walk again. However, this piece of equipment is not a one-stop-shop for canine rehabilitation. Canine PT and Me does not have an underwater treadmill and likely never will. The canine rehab therapists utilize their manual therapy skills, therapeutic exercise prescription, PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) bed technology, shockwave, cold laser therapy, and a few other modalities to treat patients. Canine rehabilitation is an entire wellness approach and should include a variety of treatment techniques to reach the goals set for each patient.
We are also passionate about educating owners and helping them understand why rehabilitation matters. Our goal isn’t simply to make a dog feel better for the moment, but to address underlying weakness, improve function, preserve mobility, and help our patients live longer, healthier, more active lives.
One of the things we are most proud of is the relationships we have built with our patients and their families. Many of the dogs we work with require ongoing care, and it is incredibly rewarding to watch them progress over time and see the difference rehabilitation can make in their everyday lives. We take great pride in creating a compassionate environment where both dogs and their owners feel supported throughout the rehabilitation process.
Building Canine PT and Me has also been a journey of growth and evolution. It has not always been a smooth road, with changes in staffing, evolving our business model, and the challenges that come with growing a specialized practice. Through those experiences, we have continued to adapt and build a stronger business while staying focused on what matters most: providing exceptional care to the dogs and families who trust us.
Ultimately, Canine PT and Me is about more than rehabilitation. We want every dog we work with to have the opportunity to move as comfortably and confidently as possible and to enjoy the best quality of life they can for as long as possible.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always a very driven and curious kid. I pushed myself to get straight A’s and was naturally competitive, although most of that competition was with myself. I have always wanted to be the best version of myself and take pride in doing things well.
My family was, and continues to be, an incredible support system. They have always encouraged me to pursue my goals and have been there for me through every stage of my life.
I’ve also always been very detail-oriented and curious about how and why things work. If I come across a problem, I want to understand it, not just find a quick solution. If I don’t immediately know the answer, I’ll research, ask questions, and dig into the details until I feel confident that I’ve found the best approach. That curiosity and persistence have carried over into both my personal and professional life.
As a kid, I was very active and played sports, but my true passion was music. I played saxophone for 14 years and participated in nearly every type of music group available to me, including jazz band, concert band, and marching band. I also competed outside of my school music program and was fortunate enough to be ranked the #1 tenor saxophone player in the state of Pennsylvania for one year.
When I got to college, unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to continue playing while balancing my studies, so I eventually stepped away from music. I still have my saxophones, though, and every once in a while I’ll pull them out, dust them off, and play just for fun. It’s something that I still really enjoy and am grateful I had the opportunity to pursue for so many years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.canineptandme.com/
- Instagram: canine_pt_and_me
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canineptandme
