Dr. Janet Van Dyke graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981, and did her internship and surgical residency at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. Practicing in sports medicine and orthopedics, she recognized the growing need for professionals trained in canine rehabilitation. The demand for these services would surely grow as baby boomers discovered the benefits of physical therapy for their injuries and aging joints, and wanted the same for their four-legged friends.

Why couldn't veterinarians and physical therapists work together to offer the best professional training in canine rehabilitation — a program that combined the science of veterinary medicine with the hands-on skills of a physical therapist? Dr. Van Dyke investigated existing certification programs. She spoke with experts in the fields of canine orthopedics, athletics and neuro-rehabilitation, and reached out to individuals who ran the most successful rehabilitation centers in the United States and Canada. From this group she was able to pull together a top-notch faculty of veterinarians and physical therapists and launch the Canine Rehabilitation Institute, Inc.

More than 400 veterinarians, physical therapists, veterinary assistants and physical therapist assistants have been certified since the Canine Rehabilitation Institute welcomed its first students in 2003. We are continuing to expand our course offerings, and pride ourselves on our ability to attract instructors who are leaders in their fields. The CRI offers courses at convenient locations across the country including Florida, Maryland, and Colorado, where we are working jointly with the Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Simply put, we offer veterinary and physical therapy professionals the premier training in canine rehabilitation available today.