The program is designed so you don’t need to purchase any of the recommended pieces of equipment. In the written directions for and video explanation of each exercise, we talk about relatively common household items that can be used in place of specialized equipment in the performance of these exercises. I also talk about what equipment you may want to purchase to help your pet. So, no, you don’t need to purchase equipment for you and your pet to do the exercises in this program, but that’s an option. 

The big difference is that the post-surgical program is designed to start the day after surgery to encourage mobility, diminish pain, and build strength so your pet gets up and moving as soon as possible to maximize its chances of a full recovery.

Now, if your pet hasn’t had surgery, I recommend the nonsurgical cranial cruciate ligament program, because this is designed for pets recovering from a partial or full CCL tear but that have not had surgery.

If your pet has had surgery weeks or months ago to repair its CCL, I don’t recommend starting the post-surgical program, because, as I said, this is designed to start day one after surgery. I’d recommend starting the nonsurgical medical-management program in that case.

The program is designed so you can do rehabilitation exercises in the safety and comfort of your own home with your beloved pet companion. These exercises are designed to be easy and safe for both you and your pet. If, at any time, you feel you can’t do one of the exercises I talk about in the program, you can just skip that exercise or ask for assistance from a person capable of helping you perform it with your pet. We never want to put you or your beloved pet companion at risk of injury. The whole program has been designed to the best of our ability to include exercises that are easy for you to safely perform in the comfort of your own home.

If you have the ability or opportunity to take your pet companion to a physical rehabilitation center, that’s always what I recommend. The programs on this platform are designed for people that may not be able or don’t have access to a physical rehabilitation center.